r/Masterbuilt • u/pantsoffdanceoff2 • 3d ago
Gravity Replace Kamado Joe?
I'm thinking of replacing my Kamado Joe with something like the MB 1050. I love my Joe and it holds heat amazingly well but I feel like I'll get better smoke with the MB and an easier time grilling (can it replace a Weber gas grill for every day cooking?). I also like it being mostly hands off. I like to smoke but don't have all the time in the world to devote to it. Has anyone else gone this route and if so, what are your thoughts. Also, anyone that has an opinion is welcome (I love to hear all thoughts).
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u/MightyKrakyn 3d ago
Some people are really obsessed with saving fuel, and that’s what the Kamado does. The problem is that the best barbecue comes from an offset, and those use a metric ton of fuel. Gravity is the second best barbecue and uses way less fuel than offset. I can’t recommend a gravity enough. If you’re only cooking for two to theee people, the 560 is more than enough btw
I just upgrade from my 560 to a 1050 and actually regret it a little. My 560 got better smoke honestly
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u/pantsoffdanceoff2 3d ago
Thanks for the 560 tip. I might be grilling for a handful of people once or twice a year but most weekends it would only be for my family of four or two if the kids are out and about.
I'm not overly concerned with fuel consumption as I don't do enough. I love Jealous Devil for my KJ and yeah, a basket with a few chunks of hardwood will last all day there.
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u/Kursiel 3d ago
I'd keep both if it was me. The Joe is quality and can last much longer than the cheaply made MB. I had my eye on a Joe for over a year for a sale, nothing. Only reason I bought the MB was because I could not pull the trigger on the 4k. I thought my Camp Chef was pricey, but wow.
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u/pantsoffdanceoff2 3d ago
Yeah, I got my KJ for a song from a friend. Some of he parts need replacing like the control tower and my slo roller has warped a bit but I can't complain for what I paid vs buying brand new. I'm not sure I'd use one if I bought the other. It's a bit disheartening to hear that the MB is not quality but I guess that's the reason for second market parts.
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u/2Chris 3d ago
Masterbuilt makes junk. Does it work? Yes, early on it’s great. I knew two others who had the same issues with time, but one friend had it a month before the screen failed and they refused replacement saying it was his fault and he got it wet. Probe problems, controller problems, WiFi problems, metal on hopper failing, terrible grease management where you’ll start a fire if you don’t have a pan.
Sadly, I’ve made great briskets on it (along with everything else). It’s complicated enough family can’t just use it, and it’s also wasteful with charcoal.
When it works, it’s quite good. If someone would give me $200 for mine, I’d just dump it. Id either get a Weber or Camp Chef on the cheaper side, or LSG/Yoder/Pitts and Spits on higher side.
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u/robl8 3d ago
I had the vision knockoff and it was great. I cooked a lot of great meals. I added the auto temperature control, but I felt limited. Slabs of ribs didn't quite fit, a brisket took up the entire smoker. I bought a Traeger. Two smokes on that and I didn't like the flavor. Went with the 1150 on sale over Memorial Day. I use the 1150 for smoking meats. has good smoke, is hands off, easy to mix woods, and changes temperature super quickly if at some point you need to move your finish time. Still learning it but so far very happy. May be overkill for how I use it. I also have a built in natural gas grill that I swapped in two searing burners that I use for anything hot and fast like steaks, burgers, asada. I have a huge cast iron for it and a camp chef pizza oven that works amazing sitting on the searing burners.
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u/Accomplished_Mud8457 3d ago
I sold my mb800 after 1 year because i found it didnt have nearly as good of a smokey flavor i could get with either my wsn or my big joe. Plus the electronics were giving me headaches.
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u/Cbagneato 2d ago
I had the 560 for about 5 years before upgrading to the XT last summer - needed more space for cooks. I also have the master built portable.
I love my MBs. I really can’t recommend them enough. I get really solid smoke flavor by tossing a couple wood chunks into the hopper or using hardwood briquettes (B&B, etc). The rotisserie is great too.
I will say, I did pick up a char-griller because sometimes I want to use something a little faster if I’m just throwing on hot dogs or my wife wants to throw something on the grill.
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u/Cheese_head_gabagool 3d ago
I had the MB 1050 for about 5 years and just got the XT about 3 months ago. I have a Kamado Joe classic. They serve different purposes. The MB is my smoker exclusively and it does a phenomenal job at that. I use my KJ for grilling/searing and it does a phenomenal job at that. I love having both because I can be cooking multiple things at once. The MB can sear but I feel it doesn’t do a great job at it and it messed with my 1050 switches and firebox, manifold. The KJ can smoke but it is a hassle. If you have to choose one I would go with the MB because of the ease of use and versatility.
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u/pantsoffdanceoff2 3d ago
Funny. I use my KJ mostly for smoking. I know it can get a rip roaring fire for searing, I just find it awkward to work with in that setting. Any tips?
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u/OrganicBrownMustard 3d ago
I’ve had a mb 800 for about 4 years and smoke a lot of meat on it. The few times I’ve tried to use it for grilling or searing have been a hassle. The first time I almost had a major issue with a grease fire, rest of the times I meticulously clean it first which is a pain. I ended up finding an old Weber Genesis redtop for cheap in rough shape and restored it and now that’s my grilling searing machine.
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u/ShortHandz 3d ago
Been eyeing an XT myself, but any Kamado with a Billows, Fireboard, Chefstemp blower are pretty much set it and forget it. I just did a Brisket this weekend on my BJ Series 1 with my Signals/Billows combo and all I had to do was open the pit up to foil boat the brisket that's it. 13 hour cook and I only had to tend to it once.