Masterbuilt 560 Gravity Series is trash

[flywatt]

I'm sick of it. Catches fire every time I press it over 350 degrees. Smokes okay, but if you want to sear that tomahawk, look elsewhere.

And yes, I clean it regularly. I'm not going to spend $250 on upgrades. Pretty sure the computer cooked today.

 

[Fueling Around]

Sorry to read the problems. No experience with a gravity series.
I will never buy another Masterbuilt product.
I have their short lived pellet grill and controls is a PoS. They appear to cheap out in many ways instead of living up to the higher authority they profess.

 

[Chasdev]

I bought one of the first Masterbuilt gravity rigs when they came out.
Loved it, MUCH better at smoking brisket than my cheap offset unit.
I probably had over 100 cooks on it when I decided to retire it.
Had some issues with door position sensors and one circut board failure, but Masterbuilt replaced the failed components every time and and in all cases out of warranty, including free shipping.
I never did try to use it as a direct flame cooker though because my small fleet of Webber charcoal burners are pretty hard to beat.
Perhaps using a gravity feed smoker to sear steaks was doomed from the get go?

 

[Smokin Okie]

I bought one of the first Masterbuilt gravity rigs when they came out.
Loved it, MUCH better at smoking brisket than my cheap offset unit.
I probably had over 100 cooks on it when I decided to retire it.
Had some issues with door position sensors and one circut board failure, but Masterbuilt replaced the failed components every time and and in all cases out of warranty, including free shipping.
I never did try to use it as a direct flame cooker though because my small fleet of Webber charcoal burners are pretty hard to beat.
Perhaps using a gravity feed smoker to sear steaks was doomed from the get go?

This , ( and however ya make that arrow pointing up )

I had an MB560 and gave up on the grilling early on. No matter how clean it was, I got big flame ups ( or small grease fires ) whenever I reversed seared a ribeye.

I loved it as a smoker. And that's the only way I used it. Like Chasdev, I've got two Kettles that do a much better job of that. Its a very good little smoker because it has high air flow and TBS.

And I never really liked the idea of grilling with indirect high heat. I think there's a radiant heat aspect that's missing. I like direct heat when I sear and grill.

I also thought it was too cheaply built for high heat. On the MB Facebook groups, the common theme with those who had problems, they were using it with high heat, up to 700* as a pizza oven, for example.

 

[912smoker]

Sorry you're having trouble fly.
I don't usually have ant problems with anything but chicken. Grilled some thighs yesterday @350 and never had a fire.
I do think certain brands/types of charcoal may be more prone to popping and sending sparks into the cook chamber. I've been using Blues Hog lump lately and like it. I also line top of the heat diffuser with foil and replace it often and sear steak and chops at 600°.
From what I've read and seen I do believe added some Grill Grates will eliminate the flames.

I also wish they were more durable but the price fit my budget at the time.
Their smoke flavor rivals a stickburner when chunks are added and I'm in line for the new upgraded model.

Keith

 

[Chasdev]

I'm trying hard to ingore that last bit about the new upgraded version..
My cheap offset stickburner is reminding me why I went gravity feed in the first place!

 

[Smokin Okie]

If the new GF XT had been announced before I spent 3 grand on an Assassin 17 GF, I most likely would've gone that route. Its half the price.

I'm anxious to hear some reports on the XT. But I don't see a path where I could sell the Assassin get the XT.

 

[Apriliamille]

snip...
Had some issues with door position sensors and one circut board failure, but Masterbuilt replaced the failed components every time and and in all cases out of warranty, including free shipping.


.... snip

I picked up a floor demo model that was through some rough times but it was dirt cheap so had no warranty. right out the gate I had to bypass all the switches and counted my self lucky that i have a full compliment of fireboard gear and BBQHQ has a wire harness to hook up the fireboard as the masterbuilt control system was DOA

 

[mcokevin]

I'm sick of it. Catches fire every time I press it over 350 degrees. Smokes okay, but if you want to sear that tomahawk, look elsewhere.

And yes, I clean it regularly. I'm not going to spend $250 on upgrades. Pretty sure the computer cooked today.

Interesting. I have only had issues with fires on the 1050 when I’ve pushed it above 400-450 AND haven’t cleaned.

Regularly reverse sear steaks on mine and haven’t had fire issues.

 

[Chasdev]

The reason I don't try to smoke meat in my Weber is that it's a high temp grill device, not a smoker.
The reason I didn't use my Masterbuilt to grill is that it's a smoker, and a very good one at that.
Oh and fires are caused by grease build up near a heat source.
I cleaned mine twice and it was a pain in the rear so I can understand not doing it though.
I wore my 560 out now I lust after the new improved version.
Santa? Can you hear me? Santa?