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In my opinion, you can achieve a deeper color and smoke flavor from a gravity fed smoker by placing the wood chunks in the ash pan. By doing this you obtain constant clean smoke. Depending on the size of the chunk, the wood can burn from 45mins to an hour. I have a Char Griller 980 and ive always use this method. Smoker modified w/ a DigiQ controller and fan.
As a LTL driver I was introduced to BBQ by delivering other peoples grills & striking up a conversation about their purchase. Time & time again ReqTec pellet grills were a 1st purchase of many which led me buy an RT700, the quality & customer service is incredible, but Your instruction & videos has made my BBQ the talk of family & friends! Thank you for the wonderful content I've learned So much from you!
Hey Mad Scientist, I really enjoy your videos, just recently got into smoking starting off with some chooks and easy cooks you’ve shown & they’ve been Great. So thanks for that. One thing though, the trend of the in show adds yourself and other you-tubers do now doesn’t sit well with me. Like me the customer pay a monthly fee for premium so I don’t have the adds, and you-tube (the platform you use and rely on) honours the contractual agreement and I don’t get adds, but then you actually have a dedicated break in your program and pedal adverts during that time. My question that is do you have to declare your earrings from adverts to UA-cam & forward pay UA-cam a percentage of your advertisement revenue? I imagine you would yeah? Considering the whole platform that google own is only profitable with the use of adds, or user subscriptions. And if you do or you don’t my point still couldn’t be more relevant. The point being these adds inside the video definitely gives the direct consumer (UA-cam premium customer) the short end of the stick by paying for an add free service then to have the service & sale contract manipulated by the middle man (that’s you the streamer). I understand you wanna make money and we all do that’s fine. BUT I don’t buy anything off you, I am a consumer of UA-cam they provide the service & the structured platform. So what I’m saying is you shouldn’t do those adds when doing so you become a third party responsible for breach of contract. Suggestion: be ahead of the game and just edit a seperate version of the video without your add for the premium customers. Because UA-cam will be onto this soon enough anyway. Surprised they haven’t already acted on this stuff as a conflict of interest or basically back door trading out of there business model & equipment.
Just got the Masterbuilt 560 less then a month ago. I agree it takes more to light it up than a pellet grill, but you made it sound like it is work when in reality its just a few minutes of more work but the taste is superior. Not only because its charcoal, it is because you have full control over how much wood you use. You can put it in the ash bin or in the chimney. You can put a few chunks or a piece of log. I don't know in regards to the wifi and app ect. I haven't even downloaded the app.
Having all three styles of smokers I can agree with everything that you guys said. I run my Camp Chef pellet grills the most, but that's merely due to convenience. I find the gravity fed to be an alight in-between, but nothing compares to an offset. Great video Jeremy!
Old country makes a pretty decent BBQ pit. I bought the Pecos due to it being half the price of the Brazos. Great first-timer offset. I'm very glad I purchased it.
You should do a comparison video of ribs from an offset vs direct heat ribs (like from a drum or a WSM without the bowl). The flavor you get from pork fat dripping on coals beats the flavor you get from only wood smoke, in my opinion. Give it a shot!
I have the 800 and after struggling to light it a few times, I discovered if I vigorously shake the steel rack at the bottom of the coal chute it removes any previously burned charcoal and gives you fresh fuel for your fire starters. It doesn’t matter what the air temp is, I can be at 250° in no more than 5 minutes every time. So far I love that smoker and there’s also a company that makes stainless steel replacement parts and accessories for it.
I own 12 different smokers. My pellet is a Yoder 640. (I also have a little green mountain Dave Crockett that’s garbage). My recommendation if you only get one smoker is to go with the Big Green Egg and bbq guru. The reason for me is versatility in the weather. I’m in NE South Dakota and that egg will perform flawlessly outside in below zero temps while blizzarding. It does great low and slow, or can do superb direct fire cooking. Works great on either lump charcoal or all wood. That’s my 2 cents. As a side note I would like some expertise videos using an ugly drum smoker. I’ve not yet learned to love mine.👍🏻
The early Masterbuilts 560's were problematic, but they have improved considerably since then. I have hundreds of cooks on my 560 & 1050, and I have never had a problem. They aren't nearly as bad as he made them out to be.
I own an early 560 ……been really good …this will be my third year with it I smoke a pork butt over the weekend and came out amazing…(I know, pork butts are hard to screw up but still) my only advice is buy a separate thermometer and use that for your temperature reading …the one built in can be off sometimes but other then that it’s been great and I’m probably 30-40 cooks in
Just bought bought a recteq and there’s no of smoke flavor to speak of. I’m coming from a Weber Smokey mountain which gave great flavor but impossible to control temps. How do these master built a compare taste wise to a Weber and reliability of temp wise for temp control? Maybe I can Craigslist the recteq
You should do a video on drum smokers. I built a drum smoker from a kit and I can hold temps for a 16 hour cook with minimal damper adjustments, so much that I've never felt I needed a fan controller.
Talk all you want about the gravity series, mine still works perfectly after over a year and dozens of smokes, plus using it as a grill. Some are faulty, for sure, but overall they're pretty great.
Over the past several years, after catching the bbq bug, I went on quite the grills journey. Kettle's, offsets, more pellets than I'd like to really admit (3 smokefires, 3 pit bosses, 3 oklahoma joes, all 3 masterbuilt gravity's (with tons of cooks on them) and 2 char-griller 980 gravity's. Learned a lot, my cooking skills were lacking maybe at first, but have come quite a long way. Recently went back to just running a pellet grill, the gen 2 OKJ Rider DLX (so fun & versatile) and am completely happy with the capabilities/results/etc. Can confirm the "disposableness" of the masterbuilts and char-grillers if used as much as I did (char-griller will last some time longer, but still had severe degradation after less than a year). Like mentioned, if they'd make some component/structural/design upgrades, at like $1300 range to get more years out of them, it'd be excellent. They all have quirks, goods and bads etc. Just my experiences, not looking to start any ford/chevy type battles, as other's mileage may vary.
A side-note... Recent discovery,, Royal Oak charcoal pellets, quite good, add like a 1/3-1/2 amount to whichever pellets you are running, or use alone for higher max temps, like for pizzas, baking or searing, loving them.
@@hinds90 I put a water pan on the center grate, then utilize a couple of the racks for ribs, or one rack for butts or brisket/roast/etc. Middle racks temp is like 25 degrees higher than set temp. I rotate ribs longways and alternate rack positions 2 or 3 times per cook, depending. Of all the pellet grills, it stands out for reverse searing, the big center area, flames and grate temps above 800 (depending on pellet wood type, the royal oaks excel). Have been doing foil boats on the meats after a certain point during some cooks and very pleased with that method for pellet grill. If you were to put thick bacon all over the racks, with no water pan, diffuser on smoke position, never move them, you will see the bacon above the round grate area do get some more heat. Water pan alleviates that, a pizza stone could to, maybe, but I roll with the water pan.
The Char-Griller Akorn Kamodo (Lowes) is by far the BEST $ value in entry level Kamodo grill. It is fantastic and works for long low and slow as well as weekday burgers.
Knotty wood pellets are my absolute favorite. Great flavor and very consistent in burn length and heat output. Great video for anyone trying to decide what type they want to run.
These are good options, but I’m going to stick with my WSM that I picked up used for $100 and use my money for meat to bbq. I appreciate the thorough reviews of these. Maybe someday a nice offset will be a possibility, but until then I’m quite happy with my Weber.
I have the MB 1050 and I build a small layer of charcoal in the bottom of the hopper and then fill it the rest of the way with chunks of wood. By doing this I basically have an offset smoker that is digitally controlled.
@@CoolJay77 I get small bursts of white smoke as chunks smolder before igniting at first. Once fire is well established the chunks get very dry and ignite instantly maintaining thin blue smoke.
Another great comparison video! Loved the interaction with your daughter and wife’s review at the end. Makes it way more personal and real. I’m also a big fan of the Kottywood pellets. I’ve been using them for about a year. First on my 18 year old non PID controller Treager and now on my new LSG 20/36. When your first pellet review with BBQ HQ came out I was thrilled that knottywood was included and you thought they had the best flavors. Nice job Jeremy and Erica!!
Great video and very practical advice! Glad that you guys advised the pellet grill and weren’t biased as most bbq guys are towards charcoal or offset grills.
That’s a great smoker to it’s just built cheaper and a lil different I all most got it but Lowe’s made me mad so I drove six hours round trip to get a pecos old country . The pecos has all most twice the size on the fire box witch is nice for building clean fire so just because of that man I would drive or pay that lil extra for the pecos or brazos O and the pecos and the joes have the same thicknes of metal so there the same there
In the last year I have put hundreds of hours on my rec TEC rt700, was able to hold steady temps all winter long in below zero outdoor temperatures. Cooked pork shoulders and ribs all winter, which is something I can say I could never do with my Oklahoma Joe.
I recently got the Char-Griller 980 Gravity Fed, and I love the thing -- it definitely has a very solid build quality (especially compared to the Master Built), and it also goes up to 700F. Haven't tried a brisket yet, but it's done steaks, ribs, and pork butt extremely well. It's got a rather unique manifold design which distributes heat and smoke quite evenly throughout the cook chamber.
@@waltersigona5642 Nooooooo, but I've been watching videos and plan on trying it soon... and the last will be salmon, I'm not trying to waste $20/lb until I'm supremely confident ;)
As an owner of the Masterbuilt gravity I can say it’s so consistent and does a great job. It’s just built like crap, I’ve owned mine for 2 years and I’ll be shocked if it makes it to 3.
Agreed - I have a 1050. It gets the job done. I do have it setup to run with a Fireboard I got from BBQHQ. For the last 2 years - no problems ...yet (Lol).
I totally feel what he is saying about the durability of MasterBuilt smokers. The first ever dedicated smoker I bought is a MasterBuilt electric smoker that I still have although at the time, it doesn’t work. I know how to fix it, in fact I have fixed it 4+ times since I bought it around 9 years ago. I got tired of fixing it and bought an offset instead.
I just got my first smoker and was $200 for my MB 30 electric. For what it is i love it. After 3 months and a few dozen sessions im wanting an offset as well. For what they cost and ease of use though its awesone.
If you're going to use charcoal then get a 22 or 26 inch Weber Kettle. Or a 18/22" Weber Smokey Mountain. Best for the money. Pellet smoker? Get a Pit Boss for cheap.
Definitely recommend doing a Part 2 to this video. I don't think you did the gravity fed smoker enough justice. Part 2 should have a functioning gravity fed smoker with someone who actually likes using it, and isn't biased against it.
Get a kamado-style cooker. You can get get great smoker results and cook hot and fast. If you have a lot of money and a lot of room on your deck or patio, get a smoker and a standard grill.
One additional point I would be interested in is the fuel cost for operating these grills. From the results of your pellet grill comparison video, it seems that would vary a lot even by the brand/selection used within a given type; maybe just calculate how much fuel is actually used during the comparison cook and estimate the actual cost? One other idea/request is to include charcoal pellets in some comparisons. Thanks for continuing to provide helpful info, Jeremy.
With all the videos of mods and extra care you have to give the masterbuilt. I went with the woodwind pro, can’t wait to pick it up. When I have more room I’ll be in the market for a decent offset.
You need to review this video. when you unwrapped the ribs. you said the lightest color was the gravity fed and when you taste tested, you said the lightest color was the pellet grill.
we have a gas grill, big green egg, green mountain pellet and weber performer deluxe. Fact is the pellet is just so easy to use that it gets the most use. I like the egg but its flavor really isnt so much better than pellet and a great deal more work and mess. Also for steaks and searing we always use the napoleon gas grill with infered station. Also wish you included a Kamado type with a digital controller is the lights out charcoal cooker and its pretty close to the cost of the larger GMG pellet grill.
Love it! This is so true and I’ve been looking forward to some content on the MB gravity fed system. It very quickly becomes a modded-out Frankenstein and I really hope someone builds something a little higher-end. Love the flavor vs pellets and the process of using charcoal but the reliability is very suspect.
I bought the MB gravity …..and I absolutely agree with you I hope it last me long enough for someone to build a better quality one …. I would buy it today …..nothing beats the wood charcoal flavor over the pellets
Have the MB1050. Makes amazing food. More smoke flavor than a pellet smoker but, not overwhelming. Can grill excellently. Eats charcoal though. I wouldn't recommend it to someone who wants simple and isn't capable of figuring things out. Have had it for 2 years and the drip tray just fell out of it. Had to reattach with self tapping screws. I wasn't expecting great build quality and was still let down. Have to clean regularly otherwise you get a grease fire when turning to high heat.
*Great video!* I’d love to see the Masterbuilt go against pellet smokers in a Grill-Off. Like actually higher heat, grilling, then see what tastes better. I love doing beef ribs hot n fast, either rotisserie over charcoal direct, or in one of my Pellet Smokers, and my small Traeger seems to produce the best tasting result, based on what folks tell me.. So that’d be nice to see how the MB would fare
Fogo super premium is the cleanest burning charcoal on the market so I find it sometime doesn’t make the smokiest bbq if you don’t add wood. Jealous devil and b&b are “smokier”
I bought a kamado big joe 3 this January I love it. I was thinking of a pellet grill I'm glad I didn't get a pellet grill to me that's an outdoor oven my next one is an offset smoker.
Yeah so maybe Eric has $1200 to spend on a smoker being a restaurant owner, but for those of us that only use once a week at most in warmer months that's just too much. The Masterbuilt definitely has it's problems but calling it a disposable model is sort of a smack in the face to those that aren't cooking daily for profit.
I'm not sure what kind of products he gets from Masterbuilt but I've never had any issues with my 1050 and I'm on my second year and almost a couple hundred cooks in and have yet to run into an issue. Personally I think guy is just trying to get you to buy the more expensive options he has so their profit margins stay up.
I enjoy fire management so I want a offset someday, but would love a pellet as well for work nights busy times etc. my ideal would be get both a little cheaper, so I can have both. Would love to build my own offset as well.
I would love for you to review the Lifetime Smoker Grill Combo. My friend loves his and I am curious to how it holds up to your bbq. The briskets that I have had off of it taste really good.
Love your videos. Why do you not use the green egg? Would like you to do a blind taste test egg against an off set. Egg is one of the most popular smokers. I als own a Traeger Thanks. Bill’s cool projects on youtube in Colorado.
I just bought à chargriller offset that seems comparable to the Brazos for $549 at Home Depot. This is my.second offset smoker. My first was a Chargriller King Griller. This grill is much nicer.
Chargriller is definitely not comparable to the brazos, however don’t sweat it, great bbq is about you not your tool, understanding your meat and smokers needs is the 90%
Just curious on your opinion of the Pit Boss Pro Series upright. I bought mine from Lowes a little over a year ago and really like it. I have a grill I already like so I went with a unit that was just a smoker and not a smoker grill combo. It’s my first smoker so I don’t have anything to compare it to
Why do you dismiss the kettle & the barrel cookers? I have a barrel house & acorn Junior & I can leave either one for hours untended. Poor people have poor ways I guess
Master built clearly win. Pellet smokers are stupid. Offset is just way too hard for most people, and wood is expensive. Masterbuilt is the most versatile on everything from fuel to what you can cook on it, which is everything!
I bought a crappy New Braunfels with a short leg for $50. It's a piece of crap, but I'm putting out great food. A lot of work, but that's not an issue for me. I thought the whole point was for poor people to do the best they could with the inferior cuts of meat they were left with. Now, it feels like all the attorneys and dentists out there on their "custom" Harleys - just throw some money at it. Look at the price of brisket; now it's a boutique piece of meat.
Academy Sports Store and Bucee's Travel Center. The Brazos is the real deal for me. You can slow smoke or fast BBQ/smoke as well. I had steaks last night. It is also easy and cheap to modify it further if you enjoy doing so. Enjoy the process, go with the Brazos.
Click here -- thld.co/bosley_madscientist_0322 to get your free information kit and a $250 off Bosley gift card and get your free cost estimate and find the right solution for you! Thanks to Bosley for sponsoring today's video!
Why is a vertical offset never included in these comparisons? Can I assume it will cook roughly the same as a traditional offset?
In my opinion, you can achieve a deeper color and smoke flavor from a gravity fed smoker by placing the wood chunks in the ash pan. By doing this you obtain constant clean smoke. Depending on the size of the chunk, the wood can burn from 45mins to an hour. I have a Char Griller 980 and ive always use this method. Smoker modified w/ a DigiQ controller and fan.
As a LTL driver I was introduced to BBQ by delivering other peoples grills & striking up a conversation about their purchase. Time & time again ReqTec pellet grills were a 1st purchase of many which led me buy an RT700, the quality & customer service is incredible, but Your instruction & videos has made my BBQ the talk of family & friends!
Thank you for the wonderful content I've learned So much from you!
Aeeh
Hey Mad Scientist,
I really enjoy your videos, just recently got into smoking starting off with some chooks and easy cooks you’ve shown & they’ve been Great. So thanks for that. One thing though, the trend of the in show adds yourself and other you-tubers do now doesn’t sit well with me. Like me the customer pay a monthly fee for premium so I don’t have the adds, and you-tube (the platform you use and rely on) honours the contractual agreement and I don’t get adds, but then you actually have a dedicated break in your program and pedal adverts during that time. My question that is do you have to declare your earrings from adverts to UA-cam & forward pay UA-cam a percentage of your advertisement revenue? I imagine you would yeah? Considering the whole platform that google own is only profitable with the use of adds, or user subscriptions. And if you do or you don’t my point still couldn’t be more relevant. The point being these adds inside the video definitely gives the direct consumer (UA-cam premium customer) the short end of the stick by paying for an add free service then to have the service & sale contract manipulated by the middle man (that’s you the streamer). I understand you wanna make money and we all do that’s fine. BUT I don’t buy anything off you, I am a consumer of UA-cam they provide the service & the structured platform. So what I’m saying is you shouldn’t do those adds when doing so you become a third party responsible for breach of contract. Suggestion: be ahead of the game and just edit a seperate version of the video without your add for the premium customers. Because UA-cam will be onto this soon enough anyway. Surprised they haven’t already acted on this stuff as a conflict of interest or basically back door trading out of there business model & equipment.
Just got the Masterbuilt 560 less then a month ago. I agree it takes more to light it up than a pellet grill, but you made it sound like it is work when in reality its just a few minutes of more work but the taste is superior. Not only because its charcoal, it is because you have full control over how much wood you use. You can put it in the ash bin or in the chimney. You can put a few chunks or a piece of log.
I don't know in regards to the wifi and app ect. I haven't even downloaded the app.
Having all three styles of smokers I can agree with everything that you guys said. I run my Camp Chef pellet grills the most, but that's merely due to convenience. I find the gravity fed to be an alight in-between, but nothing compares to an offset. Great video Jeremy!
Old country makes a pretty decent BBQ pit. I bought the Pecos due to it being half the price of the Brazos. Great first-timer offset. I'm very glad I purchased it.
Knocking down the masterbuilt….. have had mine for 3 years and not a single issue with app, Wi-Fi, or door switches
Yes finally the MB Gravity gets a spot on the channel. I have a MB 560 with a fireboard 2 drive. Love it!!
You should do a comparison video of ribs from an offset vs direct heat ribs (like from a drum or a WSM without the bowl). The flavor you get from pork fat dripping on coals beats the flavor you get from only wood smoke, in my opinion. Give it a shot!
I have the 800 and after struggling to light it a few times, I discovered if I vigorously shake the steel rack at the bottom of the coal chute it removes any previously burned charcoal and gives you fresh fuel for your fire starters. It doesn’t matter what the air temp is, I can be at 250° in no more than 5 minutes every time. So far I love that smoker and there’s also a company that makes stainless steel replacement parts and accessories for it.
Thanks for keeping the tail end of this video of just casual conversation. Really enjoyed that portion.
Keep up the good work.
I own 12 different smokers. My pellet is a Yoder 640. (I also have a little green mountain Dave Crockett that’s garbage). My recommendation if you only get one smoker is to go with the Big Green Egg and bbq guru. The reason for me is versatility in the weather. I’m in NE South Dakota and that egg will perform flawlessly outside in below zero temps while blizzarding. It does great low and slow, or can do superb direct fire cooking. Works great on either lump charcoal or all wood. That’s my 2 cents.
As a side note I would like some expertise videos using an ugly drum smoker. I’ve not yet learned to love mine.👍🏻
I must say I miss my green egg...best bbq chicken...omg
The early Masterbuilts 560's were problematic, but they have improved considerably since then. I have hundreds of cooks on my 560 & 1050, and I have never had a problem. They aren't nearly as bad as he made them out to be.
I own an early 560 ……been really good …this will be my third year with it I smoke a pork butt over the weekend and came out amazing…(I know, pork butts are hard to screw up but still) my only advice is buy a separate thermometer and use that for your temperature reading …the one built in can be off sometimes but other then that it’s been great and I’m probably 30-40 cooks in
Agreed, mine is fine. It sounded like he uses his constantly and high heat as well. I only use mine to smoke.
Agree 👍 I also like my 560. 3rd year, moderate use, no issues.
Agreed, my 1050 is a great product for me. Never a problem except the one I created myself. Damn slides have got me twice!
Just bought bought a recteq and there’s no of smoke flavor to speak of. I’m coming from a Weber Smokey mountain which gave great flavor but impossible to control temps.
How do these master built a compare taste wise to a Weber and reliability of temp wise for temp control?
Maybe I can Craigslist the recteq
You should do a video on drum smokers. I built a drum smoker from a kit and I can hold temps for a 16 hour cook with minimal damper adjustments, so much that I've never felt I needed a fan controller.
Talk all you want about the gravity series, mine still works perfectly after over a year and dozens of smokes, plus using it as a grill. Some are faulty, for sure, but overall they're pretty great.
Over the past several years, after catching the bbq bug, I went on quite the grills journey. Kettle's, offsets, more pellets than I'd like to really admit (3 smokefires, 3 pit bosses, 3 oklahoma joes, all 3 masterbuilt gravity's (with tons of cooks on them) and 2 char-griller 980 gravity's. Learned a lot, my cooking skills were lacking maybe at first, but have come quite a long way. Recently went back to just running a pellet grill, the gen 2 OKJ Rider DLX (so fun & versatile) and am completely happy with the capabilities/results/etc. Can confirm the "disposableness" of the masterbuilts and char-grillers if used as much as I did (char-griller will last some time longer, but still had severe degradation after less than a year). Like mentioned, if they'd make some component/structural/design upgrades, at like $1300 range to get more years out of them, it'd be excellent. They all have quirks, goods and bads etc. Just my experiences, not looking to start any ford/chevy type battles, as other's mileage may vary.
A side-note... Recent discovery,, Royal Oak charcoal pellets, quite good, add like a 1/3-1/2 amount to whichever pellets you are running, or use alone for higher max temps, like for pizzas, baking or searing, loving them.
Hmmmm my journey is kinda similar and I've actually been looking at the rider. How bad is the hot spot in the center where the sear spin thing is?
@@hinds90 I put a water pan on the center grate, then utilize a couple of the racks for ribs, or one rack for butts or brisket/roast/etc. Middle racks temp is like 25 degrees higher than set temp. I rotate ribs longways and alternate rack positions 2 or 3 times per cook, depending. Of all the pellet grills, it stands out for reverse searing, the big center area, flames and grate temps above 800 (depending on pellet wood type, the royal oaks excel). Have been doing foil boats on the meats after a certain point during some cooks and very pleased with that method for pellet grill. If you were to put thick bacon all over the racks, with no water pan, diffuser on smoke position, never move them, you will see the bacon above the round grate area do get some more heat. Water pan alleviates that, a pizza stone could to, maybe, but I roll with the water pan.
There’s nothing better than starting my day with another great video from you!
The Char-Griller Akorn Kamodo (Lowes) is by far the BEST $ value in entry level Kamodo grill. It is fantastic and works for long low and slow as well as weekday burgers.
Knotty wood pellets are my absolute favorite. Great flavor and very consistent in burn length and heat output. Great video for anyone trying to decide what type they want to run.
These are good options, but I’m going to stick with my WSM that I picked up used for $100 and use my money for meat to bbq.
I appreciate the thorough reviews of these. Maybe someday a nice offset will be a possibility, but until then I’m quite happy with my Weber.
I have the MB 1050 and I build a small layer of charcoal in the bottom of the hopper and then fill it the rest of the way with chunks of wood. By doing this I basically have an offset smoker that is digitally controlled.
Do you get clean blue smoke, or white smoke?
@@CoolJay77 I get small bursts of white smoke as chunks smolder before igniting at first. Once fire is well established the chunks get very dry and ignite instantly maintaining thin blue smoke.
Another great comparison video!
Loved the interaction with your daughter and wife’s review at the end.
Makes it way more personal and real.
I’m also a big fan of the Kottywood pellets. I’ve been using them for about a year. First on my 18 year old non PID controller Treager and now on my new LSG 20/36. When your first pellet review with BBQ HQ came out I was thrilled that knottywood was included and you thought they had the best flavors.
Nice job Jeremy and Erica!!
Great video and very practical advice!
Glad that you guys advised the pellet grill and weren’t biased as most bbq guys are towards charcoal or offset grills.
Can you please do an episode of oklahoma Joe's because the more professional brands are hard to get ahold of and are alot more expensive
Specifically the highland offset highland reverse flow and the longhorn reverse flow
That’s a great smoker to it’s just built cheaper and a lil different I all most got it but Lowe’s made me mad so I drove six hours round trip to get a pecos old country . The pecos has all most twice the size on the fire box witch is nice for building clean fire so just because of that man I would drive or pay that lil extra for the pecos or brazos
O and the pecos and the joes have the same thicknes of metal so there the same there
In the last year I have put hundreds of hours on my rec TEC rt700, was able to hold steady temps all winter long in below zero outdoor temperatures. Cooked pork shoulders and ribs all winter, which is something I can say I could never do with my Oklahoma Joe.
I recently got the Char-Griller 980 Gravity Fed, and I love the thing -- it definitely has a very solid build quality (especially compared to the Master Built), and it also goes up to 700F. Haven't tried a brisket yet, but it's done steaks, ribs, and pork butt extremely well. It's got a rather unique manifold design which distributes heat and smoke quite evenly throughout the cook chamber.
Yup. got mine a year ago. I love offset burners a Just dont have time to manage.. Its worth the money
Have you tried Pizza yet?
@@waltersigona5642 Nooooooo, but I've been watching videos and plan on trying it soon... and the last will be salmon, I'm not trying to waste $20/lb until I'm supremely confident ;)
As an owner of the Masterbuilt gravity I can say it’s so consistent and does a great job. It’s just built like crap, I’ve owned mine for 2 years and I’ll be shocked if it makes it to 3.
Agreed - I have a 1050. It gets the job done. I do have it setup to run with a Fireboard I got from BBQHQ. For the last 2 years - no problems ...yet (Lol).
@@d.riggins6525 I haven’t gad any electronic issues. Mine is just rusting out and I fully expect it to be rusted apart by winter.
@@PentaRaus yes, i have a cover and it’s under an awning as well.
I use a smoke tube for a bit of extra smoke flavor in my pellet smoker, thanks for the comparison!
I totally feel what he is saying about the durability of MasterBuilt smokers. The first ever dedicated smoker I bought is a MasterBuilt electric smoker that I still have although at the time, it doesn’t work. I know how to fix it, in fact I have fixed it 4+ times since I bought it around 9 years ago. I got tired of fixing it and bought an offset instead.
I just got my first smoker and was $200 for my MB 30 electric. For what it is i love it. After 3 months and a few dozen sessions im wanting an offset as well. For what they cost and ease of use though its awesone.
If you're going to use charcoal then get a 22 or 26 inch Weber Kettle. Or a 18/22" Weber Smokey Mountain. Best for the money. Pellet smoker? Get a Pit Boss for cheap.
Definitely recommend doing a Part 2 to this video. I don't think you did the gravity fed smoker enough justice. Part 2 should have a functioning gravity fed smoker with someone who actually likes using it, and isn't biased against it.
lol eric is so biased to pellets and jeremy is so biased to offset haha
I use pit barrel cooker. It does well.
Another good comparison video.
I’ve found that smoking lard with the ribs and using it during the wrap works well to add some extra flavor.
Get a kamado-style cooker. You can get get great smoker results and cook hot and fast. If you have a lot of money and a lot of room on your deck or patio, get a smoker and a standard grill.
One additional point I would be interested in is the fuel cost for operating these grills. From the results of your pellet grill comparison video, it seems that would vary a lot even by the brand/selection used within a given type; maybe just calculate how much fuel is actually used during the comparison cook and estimate the actual cost? One other idea/request is to include charcoal pellets in some comparisons. Thanks for continuing to provide helpful info, Jeremy.
Love my Pit Barrell Cooker. Best ribs I've ever had. 😋
I own two GMG and they cook awesome!
My Masterbuilt 800 works great!
Nice squat depth with heals on the ground at 19:27
With all the videos of mods and extra care you have to give the masterbuilt. I went with the woodwind pro, can’t wait to pick it up. When I have more room I’ll be in the market for a decent offset.
WTF.. had my Masterbuilt 800 since July and its working perfectly with me cooking on it at least twice a week.
You need to review this video. when you unwrapped the ribs. you said the lightest color was the gravity fed and when you taste tested, you said the lightest color was the pellet grill.
we have a gas grill, big green egg, green mountain pellet and weber performer deluxe. Fact is the pellet is just so easy to use that it gets the most use. I like the egg but its flavor really isnt so much better than pellet and a great deal more work and mess. Also for steaks and searing we always use the napoleon gas grill with infered station. Also wish you included a Kamado type with a digital controller is the lights out charcoal cooker and its pretty close to the cost of the larger GMG pellet grill.
I would still like to see a brisket cook on workhorse 1975 thinking of buying one
Check out Backyard Warrior
Love it! This is so true and I’ve been looking forward to some content on the MB gravity fed system. It very quickly becomes a modded-out Frankenstein and I really hope someone builds something a little higher-end. Love the flavor vs pellets and the process of using charcoal but the reliability is very suspect.
I bought the MB gravity …..and I absolutely agree with you I hope it last me long enough for someone to build a better quality one …. I would buy it today …..nothing beats the wood charcoal flavor over the pellets
Have you looked at the Karubecue smoker? Seems like the inverted fire and other tech involved would be right up your alley.
I would like to see a video on drum smokers! Drum smoker vs offset vs pellet
Have the MB1050. Makes amazing food. More smoke flavor than a pellet smoker but, not overwhelming. Can grill excellently. Eats charcoal though. I wouldn't recommend it to someone who wants simple and isn't capable of figuring things out. Have had it for 2 years and the drip tray just fell out of it. Had to reattach with self tapping screws. I wasn't expecting great build quality and was still let down. Have to clean regularly otherwise you get a grease fire when turning to high heat.
*Great video!*
I’d love to see the Masterbuilt go against pellet smokers in a Grill-Off. Like actually higher heat, grilling, then see what tastes better.
I love doing beef ribs hot n fast, either rotisserie over charcoal direct, or in one of my Pellet Smokers, and my small Traeger seems to produce the best tasting result, based on what folks tell me..
So that’d be nice to see how the MB would fare
Fogo super premium is the cleanest burning charcoal on the market so I find it sometime doesn’t make the smokiest bbq if you don’t add wood. Jealous devil and b&b are “smokier”
Gotta get your hands on a kamado. Charcoal+efficiency+versatility
I bought a kamado big joe 3 this January I love it. I was thinking of a pellet grill I'm glad I didn't get a pellet grill to me that's an outdoor oven my next one is an offset smoker.
I'm going with the stick burner
Yeah so maybe Eric has $1200 to spend on a smoker being a restaurant owner, but for those of us that only use once a week at most in warmer months that's just too much. The Masterbuilt definitely has it's problems but calling it a disposable model is sort of a smack in the face to those that aren't cooking daily for profit.
I have a 1050 if you want to smoke do it low and slow if you want grill buy one very good comparison remember low and slow God Bless
I'm not sure what kind of products he gets from Masterbuilt but I've never had any issues with my 1050 and I'm on my second year and almost a couple hundred cooks in and have yet to run into an issue. Personally I think guy is just trying to get you to buy the more expensive options he has so their profit margins stay up.
I had issues with the stock controller, replaced it with the FireBoard I already had and I’ve never had issues
Interesting advice on pellet flavour, that you can eat more. Maybe somehow pellets can use less trees too. Nice comparison and advice!
@Toroidal Zeus Thanks
I enjoy fire management so I want a offset someday, but would love a pellet as well for work nights busy times etc. my ideal would be get both a little cheaper, so I can have both. Would love to build my own offset as well.
I was gonna get a masterbuilt but not now. Ive seen several videos saying the control board died on the second cook.
I would love for you to review the Lifetime Smoker Grill Combo. My friend loves his and I am curious to how it holds up to your bbq. The briskets that I have had off of it taste really good.
I like my offset for fall winter as I m not a busy bee and want a pellet smoker for for when I m out on the lake so I dont have to sit and watch it
Very very good video
Review the Char Griller 980 please!
Great info guys!
How about verticals smokers
Should of added in a vertical smoker WSM or PBC.
Almost to 1/2 of million!
Can you review the char griller gravity fed and the master built 1050 please...
When are you moving to Texas !
I'm a stick burner!
Test the 545 masterbuild!
i own a master built. its cheap poor quality , but it does work great, i have over 200 cooks, yes it is deposable
I am LOVING these comparison videos!! Thank you for notifying us about the wear and tear issues on the Gravity Fed Masterbuilt.
Love your videos. Why do you not use the green egg? Would like you to do a blind taste test egg against an off set. Egg is one of the most popular smokers. I als own a Traeger Thanks. Bill’s cool projects on youtube in Colorado.
I just bought à chargriller offset that seems comparable to the Brazos for $549 at Home Depot. This is my.second offset smoker. My first was a Chargriller King Griller. This grill is much nicer.
Chargriller is definitely not comparable to the brazos, however don’t sweat it, great bbq is about you not your tool, understanding your meat and smokers needs is the 90%
My wife loves her "pellet" smoker...lol
I’ve had to kick my masterbuilt 1050 around a few times but always connected to my phone and ended up turning on afterwards
Hey what about electric smokers?
Review the chargrilled xd please
Would a more intense wood make up for the pellet flavor "lightness"?
The Chargriller 980 is a fast superior gravity for basically the same price
Great overview ✌🏻
Just curious on your opinion of the Pit Boss Pro Series upright. I bought mine from Lowes a little over a year ago and really like it. I have a grill I already like so I went with a unit that was just a smoker and not a smoker grill combo. It’s my first smoker so I don’t have anything to compare it to
Was the OC gravity a failed experiment? Or just focusing on bbqhq models
I use the FireBoard with my 1050…and it works perfectly. The stock controller sucks more than NHL Refs
Is the pit boss 1160 pro series worth the money
I'm looking to buy a chargriller gravity fed smoker or a pit boss pellet smoker to replace an old gas grill. Anyone have any suggestions?
Any thoughts or experience with reqtec pellet smokers?
I’ve had a Stampede for three years and love it. Knotty Wood pellets don’t feed well because they are very long and hard.
For $500 I would check out the Recteq bullseye !!
What is this fireboard thing?
When are going to do a vedoe of the Char-Griller Grand ChampXD.It is great. $500.00.
Why do you dismiss the kettle & the barrel cookers? I have a barrel house & acorn Junior & I can leave either one for hours untended. Poor people have poor ways I guess
B&B is by far the best charcoal. They just don't pay youtubers to say it.
Master built clearly win. Pellet smokers are stupid. Offset is just way too hard for most people, and wood is expensive. Masterbuilt is the most versatile on everything from fuel to what you can cook on it, which is everything!
Video says 1 year ago. I am 1 second in and I already assumed the offset smoker is the pick. I'll edit if I'm wrong lol.
Yeah, the guest seems like a complete tool. He is biased and unreliable in his opinions
How do I get taste tester
I bought a crappy New Braunfels with a short leg for $50. It's a piece of crap, but I'm putting out great food. A lot of work, but that's not an issue for me. I thought the whole point was for poor people to do the best they could with the inferior cuts of meat they were left with. Now, it feels like all the attorneys and dentists out there on their "custom" Harleys - just throw some money at it. Look at the price of brisket; now it's a boutique piece of meat.
I would like to check out the Old Country Brazos. I live in Pennsylvania. Does anybody knows who sells them.
Academy Sports Store and Bucee's Travel Center. The Brazos is the real deal for me. You can slow smoke or fast BBQ/smoke as well. I had steaks last night. It is also easy and cheap to modify it further if you enjoy doing so. Enjoy the process, go with the Brazos.
fogo is so damn expensive tho i
s it really worth it
Wish I had a bigger budget..
Of course the guy who sells pellet grills chooses the pellet after he confirms which one is which...😏