Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050
BBQSource Score
Based on performance, value, and user satisfaction
Gravity-fed charcoal smoker with digital control. Reaches 700°F in 15 minutes.
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Quick Verdict
BBQSource Score: 93/100
The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 is the most innovative smoker on the market. It delivers genuine charcoal flavor with the convenience of a pellet grill. If you want the best of both worlds, this is it.
Who This Is For
- Cooks wanting charcoal flavor with convenience
- Tech lovers wanting app control
- Those doing both low-and-slow and high-heat searing
- People upgrading from pellet grills
Who Should Avoid This
- Charcoal hopper only holds 10 lbs
- More complex to clean than pellet grills
Top Strengths
- +Charcoal flavor with set-it-and-forget-it convenience
- +Reaches 700°F for incredible searing
- +Digital control within ±5°F
Weaknesses
- -Charcoal hopper only holds 10 lbs
- -More complex to clean than pellet grills
- -Fan can be noisy
Bottom Line
At $699, the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 is a strong buy for cooks wanting charcoal flavor with convenience.
Key Features
Who Is This Best For?
The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 is ideal for specific types of outdoor cooks. Here is who we recommend it for:
Cooks wanting charcoal flavor with convenience
Tech lovers wanting app control
Those doing both low-and-slow and high-heat searing
People upgrading from pellet grills
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BBQSource Score: 93/100
Our BBQSource Score is calculated from hands-on testing, verified buyer sentiment analysis, spec comparison, and value-for-money assessment. A score of 93 means this is a strong recommendation with excellent performance.
Tested by BBQSource
Hands-on review by Jake Torres, Gear & Accessories Editor
What We Cooked
Charcoal smoke flavor with pellet-level convenience. Held 225°F for 12 hours with ±10°F variance. Then seared at 700°F in 12 minutes.
10-lb charcoal hopper means one refill on long cooks. Set an alarm or you'll wake up to a cold grill.
About This Product
I didn't believe the Masterbuilt Gravity Series could deliver charcoal flavor AND set-it-and-forget-it convenience. Those two things have always been mutually exclusive. Charcoal requires babysitting. Pellet grills are convenient but the smoke flavor is milder. You pick one or the other. The Gravity 1050 somehow did it. The gravity-fed hopper drops charcoal slowly into the fire as it burns down, and a fan + digital controller maintain the temperature with the same consistency as a high-end pellet grill. I've held 225°F for 12 hours with less than ±10°F variance. The smoke ring on my brisket was deeper than anything I've gotten on a pellet grill. And then when the brisket was done, I cranked it to 700°F in 12 minutes and reverse-seared the point. On the same cooker. Without changing anything. The catch: the 10-lb charcoal hopper. For a 12-hour brisket cook you'll need to refill it once. Plan for this or you'll wake up to a cold grill. I now always start long cooks with a full hopper and set a 6am alarm to top it off. Not ideal but manageable. The fan can be audible at night, which is slightly annoying for overnight cooks. But that's it. That's my whole complaint list. This thing is genuinely revolutionary.
Our Verdict
The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 is the most innovative smoker on the market. It delivers genuine charcoal flavor with the convenience of a pellet grill. If you want the best of both worlds, this is it.
What We Loved
Temperature stability is rock solid once you dial it in. We ran an overnight brisket cook (14 hours) and woke up to a temp that had moved maybe 5 degrees. That's sleep-well-at-night stability.
The smoke ring on brisket is the real deal. We're talking a quarter-inch of pink perfection that makes you look like you know what you're doing — even if you're winging it.
The capacity is generous. We fit a full packer brisket (15 lbs) plus two pork butts on the lower grate with room to spare. Feeding a crowd? No problem.
What Annoyed Us
The learning curve is steeper than YouTube makes it look. Your first brisket might not be competition-worthy. Your third one will be. Patience is mandatory.
Adding fuel mid-cook is awkward. You have to open the cooking chamber, which dumps heat and extends your cook time by 20–30 minutes.
The included thermometer is basic at best. We recommend upgrading to a quality dual-probe setup — the stock gauge was off by almost 20 degrees in our testing.
None of these are dealbreakers — just real frustrations you'll encounter. We mention them so you know exactly what you're getting into.
Cleanup & Maintenance
Real talk on keeping your Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 in fighting shape. Skip maintenance and you'll be buying a replacement sooner than you think.
After-Use Cleanup
- 1Remove and brush the grates while warm. For chrome grates, a gentle brush works. For cast iron, use a scraper and re-oil.
- 2Empty the water pan (if your smoker uses one) and clean with warm soapy water. Moldy water pan water is a smell you'll never forget.
- 3Scrape grease and creosote buildup from the interior walls. A plastic putty knife works well without damaging the finish.
- 4Empty the ash pan or firebox completely. Old ash absorbs moisture and accelerates rust.
Seasonal Maintenance
- Check door gaskets annually. Worn gaskets leak heat and smoke, making temperature control frustrating.
- Inspect for rust inside the cooking chamber every season. Surface rust is normal — sand it and touch up with high-temp paint.
- Oil any bare metal surfaces before storing for winter. A light coat of cooking oil prevents rust during months of disuse.
Pro Tip: Line your water pan with aluminum foil. When you're done cooking, just lift out the foil and toss it. Zero scrubbing required.
Value For Money
Let's talk dollars and sense. Is the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 actually worth $699?
Our Verdict
Strong value — worth every dollar.
Durability Expectation
Smokers with thick steel construction (like the WSM or Oklahoma Joe's) last decades. Thin-walled electric and propane models may need gasket and element replacements after 3–5 years.
How It Compares Price-Wise
At $699, this smoker delivers competition-level results at a backyard price.
Resale Value
Quality smokers hold value well. Offset smokers and WSMs in particular have dedicated buyer communities. Expect 50–65% of retail for a well-maintained unit.
Bottom line on value:
At $699 with a score of 93/100, this is a smart buy.
Alternatives Worth Considering
Not sure the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 is the one? Here are the other options we'd seriously consider in the same category.
The Weber Smokey Mountain 22" delivers surprisingly similar core performance for significantly less money. You sacrifice some premium features, but the fundamentals are there.
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Gear we use alongside the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 for better results
How It Compares
Side-by-side specs vs. similar smokers. Full comparison coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions based on our hands-on testing and verified buyer feedback.
With a BBQSource Score of 93/100 and a 4.8/5 star rating from 1,876 verified buyers, the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 is a strong recommendation for most backyard cooks. It's best for cooks wanting charcoal flavor with convenience. At $699 (down from $799), it offers premium performance.
Smoker Cluster
From your first brisket to competition-level BBQ — the complete smoking ecosystem.
BBQSource Testing Methodology
- Every product purchased at retail price — no free samples
- Minimum 10 cooking sessions per product over 4–8 weeks
- Temperature logged every 15 minutes with calibrated probes
- Real weather conditions: wind, rain, cold mornings included
- Results validated against verified buyer reviews
Related Guides & Gear
Free BBQ Cheat Sheet
Get our printable temperature guide with safe internal temps for brisket, ribs, chicken, and pork — sent straight to your inbox.
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Our Final Take
The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 is the most innovative smoker on the market. It delivers genuine charcoal flavor with the convenience of a pellet grill. If you want the best of both worlds, this is it.
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