I want to start by saying this is my first post, but I have used and loved this site for years!
After a TON of talking about the gravity series and falling in love with the 800 and griddle insert, my wife bought it for me for Christmas 2020. First it showed up busted up like crazy from shipping. Walmart easily just shipped me a new one. I got the grill set up and I could not have been happier with it. Great smoke flavor, seared steaks like no pellet grills could do, and making smash burgers on the griddle was icing on the cake.
My first long smoke was a disaster. I had a HUGE flare up that destroyed my brisket. The grill was cleaned out before doing the smoke, but if any and I mean any fat renders down this thing turns into a ball of flames.
Shortly into using the grill I noticed the fire box looking like it was deteriorating. I did some research on line and found a nice mod kit for around $300 that took care of that and some other issues like drip tray brackets to eliminate flare ups.
Since owning this grill I have had to replace both door safety switches and since that have had to just bypass both. The grill lid switch acts up, sometimes taking a few mins to notice the door is closed so the fan will run. When cooking any food that will render fat you better catch it all in drip pans or it will flame up. The griddle was a really good idea but the change over is kind of a pain in the rear so I rarely use it. I had to spend an extra $300 just to keep it operational for it's first year with the mod kit. Now last night I go to turn it on and it will not do ANYTHING. I contacted
masterbuilt and to their credit they are sending me a new controller for free(in a week or two).
I REALLY wanted to love this grill, and I did at first. There are still some things I like about it, but after owning it for a year, i expect way more out of a $1000 investment. I think this grill should have way better quality for the original $700 and not require the mod kit.
Now I have a $1000 grill that I am not happy with and a mad wife that was skeptical about spending so much on it in the first place and zero chance of spending the money to buy a quality replacement for a while. I did not go into the venture as a grill or smoked meats newbie and was s
camp chef pellet grill fan for years before getting this thing. Thank God I kept my SmokePro Se to do my briskets, butts, and ribs on.