Its official, spring is giving way to summer and grilling season is in full effect. That means it is time to get serious about grilling, smoking, and backyard BBQs. When you think of charcoal grilling at its finest, Masterbuilt grills, like the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1150 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker should come to mind.
Masterbuilt charcoal grills exemplify the very best of backyard grilling. The innovative Gravity Series line build on that tradition and what it takes to master the art of charcoal grilling. So when I got the chance to test the Gravity Series 1150 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker I knew I was in for a treat.
In the Box:
When the massive box arrives on my driveway, I know for certain the Gravity Series 1150 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker is the real deal. My intuition is affirmed as I begin assembling the 1150 grill. Just the boxing of this Masterbuilt grill is an engineer feat. Everything is securely packaged and arranged for efficiency. Assembling the grill I realize, this thing is a beast and ready for just about anything.
With 1150 square inches of grilling space, I know that I can tackle any challenge this summer. The 1150 grill has capacity for 51 burgers, or 12 racks of ribs, or even 19 whole chickens. In fact, the gravity fed hopper holds about 18 pounds of charcoal (and added wood chunks for smoking)!
However, what I really appreciate is that it is designed well. So despite its massive volume of cooking space – it isn’t oversized. Don’t get me wrong, this is a big grill, but its footprint is surprisingly modest for how much it does.
Another thing I immediately notice and appreciate is the quality of the Masterbuilt 1150 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker. Every piece is heavy duty and built to last. I also notice how well every predrilled hole and screw fit. No monkeying around trying to manipulate, pry, or push things together. The clear directions guide me through every step with ease. It’s a testament to its namesake – Masterbuilt.
Experience:
Once assembled, I marvel a little at this masterpiece of a grill. The Masterbuilt 1150 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker is impressive. As my friend said, “this is the type of grill you own for life.” To be honest, I couldn’t agree more. And the more I use it, the more I know this to be true.
Cooking with the 1150 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker couldn’t be easier. Once I season it (directions available at Masterbuilt.com), I’m ready to go. I simply load the hopper with charcoal, light the fire starter, and set the temperature. (Note: you will definitely need a fire starter since this model doesn’t have an auto-lighter and you cannot use match light or quick light charcoal).
The digital controls and app technology allow me full control. The app allows me to set the time, receive alerts, and track temperatures. It even has recipes so I can discover and experiment new meals with confidence. The 1150 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker functions as both a traditional grill and slow smoker. It has the ability to reach 225°F in 9 minutes and 700°F in 15, which means I get to start grilling sooner. It’s like having the convenience of a gas grill with all the best features of a smoker and charcoal grill!
Performance:
Once the grill is up to my desired temperature, the app alerts me. This way, I get to focus on my guests and other meal preparation. The digitally controlled fan moves air flow from the hopper to the cooking chamber. So it maintains my desired cooking temperature (up to 700°F) without hotspots or grill flareups. I can even dial the heat up or down while I’m grilling.
With capacity for up to four plug-in meat probes, I keep track of multiple grills or smokes at the same time (using the digital control panel, or through the app). This gives me full control over my grilling experience. I have endless options whether I’m in the mood to smoke, sear, roast or bake. And every time, the 1150 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker delivers that rich and unmatched flavor of charcoal that Masterbuilt is known to deliver.
While the app is good, I am looking forward to seeing Masterbuilt make some improvements and features for the real-time grilling experience. I’d especially like to see this in the areas of the cooking time function, making timing adjustments, and notifications. Overall, these are minor tweaks but I think they would improve the app experience.
Another performance feature of the Masterbuilt 1150 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker is the porcelain-coated upper warming racks. This allows me to keep food warm during my cook or I can use them for slow smoking foods. Also, I spend less time cleaning up afterward because of the front access grease cup and removable ash bucket design. Everything is thoughtfully designed, convenient, and high performance!
Features:
The Masterbuilt 1150 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker is loaded with features. Along with its generous cooking capacity and ability to get up to temperature quickly – it also has reversible cast iron smoke and sear grates. So I get the best of both worlds.
The GravityFed hopper allows for up to 15 hours of use. It has a capacity of 18 pounds of briquettes or 12 pounds of lump charcoal. Additionally, the FuelSaver body design optimizes charcoal usage. The dual-wall is insulated with a porcelain-coated interior. This retains heat, smoke and moisture so I get the very best grilling conditions every time. The hopper has two removable slides that when inserted close off the hopper which saves unused charcoal for the next grill.
Additionally, Masterbuilt offers a variety of add on accessories. So I can continue to upgrade and expand my cooking arsenal. I can upgrade my grill with a Pizza Oven, Rotisserie, Flat-Top Griddle and more. for a unique backyard cooking experience (BBQ grill accessories sold separately).
My favorite add on though is the cover. Living in the Midwest, a grill cover is a necessity. As many know – grill covers often don’t weather well and need constant replacing. However, the Masterbuilt Large Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker Cover wins me over. This cover is heavy-duty, easy to put on and remove, and looks great too. Just like the Masterbuilt 1150 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker, this is the type of cover that will last the life of the grill.
Summary:
Built on tradition, Masterbuilt charcoal grills are forging notoriety. They represent the very best of mastering the art of charcoal grilling, smoking, and backyard BBQ’s. Innovative grills like the Gravity Series Charcoal Grill and Smoker 1150 build on that tradition and give you the ability to keep developing your grill mastery.
The Masterbuilt 1150 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker isn’t for everyone, but it is ideal for anyone looking for a convenient, yet substantial charcoal grill. Its ability to smoke, cook for an individual or an army, and it’s dozen other available features and options is a plus. It’s easy to clean and maintain and will last you for years to come.
However, if you also want a grill and smoker that does it all without compromise. Then the Masterbuilt 1150 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker is perfect for becoming a grill master. Master the summer and BBQ with the Masterbulit 1150 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker.
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