Masterbuilt Gravity Series vs Pellet Grills

Charcoal Flavor or Pellet Convenience? Both Masterbuilt Gravity Series grills and pellet grills are designed to make outdoor cooking easier with electronic temperature control. The difference comes down to fuel, flavor, ignition, searing performance, and how each grill feeds the fire. A Masterbuilt Gravity Series grill burns real charcoal in a GravityFed™ hopper, then uses a digital fan system to maintain the temperature you set. A pellet grill burns compressed hardwood pellets using a hopper, auger, fire pot, and fan system. Shopping in Denton, DFW, or North Texas? Stop by our North Texas showroom in Denton to compare Gravity Series and pellet grill options in person, talk through the differences, and choose the right setup for smoking, grilling, searing, and weeknight cooking. Quick Comparison: Gravity Series vs Pellet Grills For most shoppers, the biggest decision is not just digital control — both styles offer that. The real difference is whether you want the stronger flavor and searing power of charcoal, or the easy hopper-fed convenience and milder smoke profile of a pellet grill. Feature Masterbuilt Gravity Series Pellet Grills Fuel Type Charcoal and wood chunks Compressed hardwood pellets Flavor Profile Stronger charcoal flavor with optional wood smoke Cleaner, milder wood-fired smoke flavor Searing Ability Excellent high-heat searing; Gravity Series models reach up to 700°F Varies by model; many focus more on indirect cooking Temperature Control Electronic digital temperature control Electronic control, usually dial or digital depending on model Ignition Manual ignition using fire starters placed under the charcoal Electronic ignition handled through the main control board Electricity Required Yes Yes Average Cost $800–$1,800 $400–$3,000+ Best For Cooks who want charcoal flavor, strong searing, and digital control Cooks who want wood-fired flavor, easy smoking, and simple temperature management Both styles need electricity for their controls. Many models also offer WiFi or app connectivity, but the biggest practical differences are still fuel type, flavor, ignition, and searing performance. How a Masterbuilt Gravity Series Grill Works A Masterbuilt Gravity Series grill uses a vertical charcoal hopper to feed charcoal into the firebox. You load charcoal into the hopper, light a fire starter, set your cooking temperature, and the digital fan system helps control airflow to maintain the selected temperature. This gives you a cooking experience that feels closer to a digitally controlled smoker, but with the flavor and high-heat performance of real charcoal. You can use charcoal by itself or add wood chunks for extra smoke flavor during longer BBQ cooks. Burns real charcoal Uses a digital controller and fan system GravityFed™ hopper feeds the fire as fuel burns Good for low-and-slow BBQ and high-heat grilling Stronger charcoal flavor than most pellet grills Available Masterbuilt Gravity Series Sizes The Masterbuilt Gravity Series lineup includes several sizes and feature packages, so shoppers can choose based on cooking space, patio space, and how often they cook for a crowd. Common models include the Gravity Series 600, 800, 1050, 1150, and premium XT, with availability varying by model and current inventory. Gravity Series 600: Compact option for smaller patios and everyday charcoal cooking Gravity Series 800: Versatile grill, smoker, and griddle model, MOST POPULAR in store Gravity Series 1050: Larger cooking area for families, briskets, ribs, and entertaining Gravity Series 1150: Expanded capacity for bigger cooks and larger gatherings Gravity Series XT: Premium, largest-capacity Gravity Series model Stop by our Denton showroom to compare available Gravity Series models in person and choose the size that best fits your cooking style. How a Pellet Grill Works A pellet grill burns compressed hardwood pellets. Pellets sit in a hopper and are moved into the fire pot by an auger. A fan helps maintain combustion, while the controller adjusts the pellet feed rate to hold the selected cooking temperature. Pellet grills are popular because they are easy to use, easy to monitor, and very friendly for long smoking sessions. The tradeoff is that the smoke flavor is usually milder than charcoal, and searing performance depends heavily on the specific pellet grill design. Burns compressed hardwood pellets Uses an auger to feed pellets into the fire pot Digital controls manage pellet feed and fan speed Great for steady low-and-slow cooking Smoke flavor is usually cleaner and milder than charcoal Other Practical Differences to Consider Beyond fuel, flavor, and searing performance, there are a few practical differences that can affect day-to-day use, long cooks, and how each grill fits your backyard cooking style. Feature Masterbuilt Gravity Series Pellet Grills Temperature Range Most current models run 225°F to 700°F Often around 165°F or 180°F on the low end and 500°F to 600°F on the high end, depending on model Fuel Feed System Gravity-fed charcoal hopper plus fan Pellet hopper plus auger and fan WiFi Capable On-board WiFi on current models On-board WiFi on many models Capacity Varies by model Varies by model Long Cook Convenience More convenient than traditional charcoal, but still requires charcoal lighting and simple ash cleanup Very convenient for long cooks with automatic pellet feeding, ash cleanup requires removal of cooking grids and grease tray Smoke Adjustment Add wood chunks with charcoal for stronger smoke flavor Change pellet blends to adjust smoke flavor Masterbuilt Gravity Series Size and Design Masterbuilt Gravity Series grills are generally wider than they are tall, with the charcoal hopper mounted on the right side and the control panel mounted on the left side. Depending on the model, some Gravity Series grills also include front and side shelves for extra prep space while cooking. The cooking chamber is front facing, and the lid opens upward for direct access to the grates. Food access is straightforward with little issue, and cooking capacity is handled by multiple cooking racks inside the chamber. Total capacity depends on the specific Gravity Series model you choose. Pellet Grill Size and Design Pellet grills are also generally wider than they are tall, but the design varies more by brand and model. Vertical, cabinet style, pellets grills are also available. The pellet hopper is usually mounted on one side of the grill, often with the control panel built into or near the hopper assembly. Some models include a front shelf, side shelf, lower storage shelf, or folding prep surfaces depending on the grill. The cooking chamber is typically front facing with a lid that opens upward, similar to a traditional backyard grill or smoker. Food access is usually direct and easy, though some pellet grills may require removing upper racks or moving food around when cooking on multiple levels. Capacity is handled by the main cooking grate plus optional upper racks, and total cooking space depends on the specific pellet grill model. Flavor Difference: Charcoal vs Pellets The biggest reason to choose a Gravity Series grill is flavor. Because it burns real charcoal, the food gets a deeper charcoal-grilled profile. Add wood chunks to the charcoal hopper or cooking setup, and you can build more smoke flavor for ribs, pork shoulder, brisket, and chicken. Pellet grills burn hardwood pellets, so they still produce smoke, but the flavor is usually lighter and cleaner. Many customers like that smooth pellet flavor, especially for poultry, pork, fish, and everyday smoking. Customers looking for a stronger backyard BBQ flavor often prefer charcoal. Choose Gravity Series if you want: Stronger charcoal flavor More traditional BBQ character Better high-heat grilling and searing The option to add wood chunks for extra smoke Choose a pellet grill if you want: Milder wood-fired smoke flavor Very easy long cooks Simple hopper-based fuel loading A smoother, cleaner smoke profile Searing and High-Heat Grilling This is one of the biggest differences between Gravity Series grills and many pellet grills. Masterbuilt Gravity Series grills are built around charcoal and can reach high grilling temperatures, making them a strong choice for steaks, burgers, pork chops, chicken, and direct-heat cooking. Pellet grills can sear, but the results vary by model. Some pellet grills top out around 500°F, while newer direct-flame designs can reach higher temperatures. If high-heat grilling is one of your top priorities, compare the specific pellet grill model carefully before buying. Smoking and Long Cooks Both grill styles can handle long cooks. A Gravity Series grill gives you charcoal-based BBQ with digital temperature control, which is great for cooks who want stronger flavor without managing vents all day. Pellet grills are also popular for long cooks because the hopper and auger system makes fuel feeding simple and steady. If you want the easiest possible smoking process, a pellet grill is hard to beat. If you want a balance of convenience and stronger charcoal flavor, the Gravity Series is a strong fit. Which One Is Easier to Use? Pellet grills are generally the simplest for long unattended-style cooks. Fill the hopper with pellets, set the temperature, and let the controller manage the fire. Cleanup usually involves ash from burned pellets and occasional fire pot maintenance. Gravity Series grills are easier than traditional charcoal grills, but they still feel more like charcoal cooking. You load charcoal, light a fire starter, use the digital controller, and clean out charcoal ash after cooking. For many backyard cooks, that tradeoff is worth it because the flavor is closer to traditional charcoal BBQ. Which Grill Is Better for North Texas Backyard Cooking? For many Denton, DFW, and North Texas customers, the best choice depends on how you cook most often. Cooking Style Better Fit Why Steaks and burgers Gravity Series Charcoal heat and higher searing temperatures Brisket, ribs, and pork shoulder Either Gravity Series gives bolder charcoal flavor; pellet grills offer easy long smoking Weeknight convenience Pellet grill Pellet hoppers and digital controls are very simple for routine cooks Charcoal flavor Gravity Series Burns real charcoal instead of compressed hardwood pellets Milder smoke flavor Pellet grill Pellets produce a cleaner, lighter smoke profile One grill for smoking and searing Gravity Series Strong combination of digital smoking control and high-heat charcoal grilling Why Choose a Masterbuilt Gravity Series? The Masterbuilt Gravity Series is a good fit if you want the flavor of charcoal but do not want to manage a traditional charcoal grill or offset smoker by hand. It gives you digital controls, a charcoal hopper, and high-heat capability in one grill. Real charcoal flavor Digital temperature control High-heat searing capability Low-and-slow smoking capability Works with charcoal and wood chunks Good alternative for pellet grill shoppers who want stronger smoke and sear performance Why Choose a Pellet Grill? A pellet grill is a good fit if you want simple, steady smoking with a mild wood-fired flavor. Pellet grills are especially popular with customers who want convenience, consistent heat, and easy long cooks. Simple hopper-based fuel system Steady electronic temperature control Mild wood-fired smoke flavor Great for long smoking sessions Easy learning curve for beginners Many models offer WiFi or app-based monitoring See Gravity Series Grills in Person in Denton, TX Masterbuilt Gravity Series grills are available in-store only at Texas BBQ Grills. Visit our Denton, Texas showroom to compare Gravity Series grills in person and talk through the differences between charcoal gravity-fed grills, pellet grills, kamado cookers, and traditional smokers. We can help you choose the right grill based on your patio space, cooking style, fuel preference, and how often you plan to grill, smoke, sear, or cook for a crowd. Frequently Asked Questions Is a Gravity Series grill the same as a pellet grill? No. A Gravity Series grill uses charcoal in a vertical hopper, while a pellet grill uses compressed hardwood pellets in a pellet hopper. Both use electronic controls, but the fuel, ignition, and flavor are different. Does a Gravity Series grill taste more like charcoal? Yes. Because it burns real charcoal, the flavor is closer to traditional charcoal grilling and smoking. You can also add wood chunks for extra smoke flavor. Are pellet grills easier to use? Pellet grills are usually the easiest option for simple long cooks because they handle fuel feeding and ignition electronically. Gravity Series grills are still very convenient, but they involve lighting a fire starter and cleaning out charcoal ash. Which one is better for searing steaks? For most shoppers, the Gravity Series is the stronger choice for searing because it uses charcoal and reaches high grilling temperatures. Some pellet grills can sear well, but performance varies by model. Which one is better for brisket? Both can cook brisket well. Choose a Gravity Series if you want stronger charcoal flavor. Choose a pellet grill if you want the simplest long-cook process with a milder smoke profile. Do both types of grills need electricity? Yes. Gravity Series grills use electricity for the digital controller and fan system. Pellet grills use electricity for the controller, auger, igniter, and fan. Can I compare Gravity Series grills at your Denton showroom? Yes. Texas BBQ Grills in Denton serves local Denton, DFW, and North Texas customers. Stop by to compare available Gravity Series grills, pellet grill alternatives, charcoal options, and outdoor cooking accessories.