GRAVITY-FED CHARCOAL
Gravity-fed charcoal smokers came on the competitive barbecue scene in the 1990s. Their self-feeding mechanism put an end to staying up all night stoking smokers. Initially these were custom DIY builds, made by a handful of boutique manufacturers. But their popularity quickly put them into the home consumer market.
Until recently, most gravity-fed units were for serious barbecue enthusiasts with big budgets. But design innovations have made these units more user-friendly and affordable. Adam Carter and Daniel Mercer from Masterbuilt have taken gravity-fed charcoal to a new level of “set it and forget it” with automation technology, bringing capabilities not previously seen on this grill type. A fan stoking the firebox automatically adjusts to maintain temperature. It’s linked to your phone, so you can monitor your grill remotely. This adds convenience and pinpoint temperature control but also means fast temperature change—up to 700 degrees F within 15 minutes—no fussing with fuel or airflow dampers. With this temperature control, you can sear a steak just as easily as slow-cook a rack of ribs.
Does all this convenience remove the art and craft from grilling? Daniel says, “The creativity with this grill comes in how you layer wood chips in with your fuel or use the fast temperature control to cook several different things for a meal.” The ability to use technology to dial in that delicious charcoal flavor without tending a fire removes the barrier to having a great grilling experience every time.
“The design of this grill allows both the novice and the seasoned grill chef to execute more creative and adventurous recipes because their focus is on the food, not the flame.”
DANIEL MERCER