The shortlist
| Pick | Core spec | Best for | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weber Searwood 600 | 648 sq in · 180–600°F · 20-lb hopper · Wi-Fi/Bluetooth | Clean fuel handling + 600°F versatility | Pellet smoke is milder |
| Traeger Ironwood XL | 924 sq in · up to 500°F · 22-lb hopper · WiFIRE | Large app-connected cooking system | 500°F ceiling and premium price |
| Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 | 800 sq in · 225–700°F · digital fan · charcoal hopper | Charcoal flavor + 700°F range | More ash/grease and mechanical complexity |
| Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 | 1,050 sq in · 225–700°F · digital fan · charcoal hopper | Crowd capacity with same charcoal automation | Bigger footprint/fuel demand |
Weber Searwood 600
Weber shows how modern pellet grills are becoming better general-purpose grills, not just low-temperature smokers.
Capacity reality: Weber currently shows room for 13 burgers or 13 steaks; the bottom grate is 420 sq in and upper grate 228 sq in.
Traeger Ironwood XL
Traeger emphasizes ecosystem, monitoring and repeatability.
Capacity reality: Current Traeger support documentation lists 594 sq in on the main grate and 330 sq in on the second grate.
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800
Masterbuilt's core appeal is that the fan controls a real charcoal fire.
Capacity reality: Masterbuilt lists capacity for 12 chickens, 6 racks of ribs, 57 sausages or 36 burgers.
Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050
The 1050 proves the category scales into serious party cooking.
Capacity reality: Masterbuilt lists capacity for 17 chickens, 7 racks of ribs, 67 sausages or 45 burgers.
How to choose without buying the wrong kind of smoker
Fuel handling favors pellets
A dry bag of pellets pours cleanly into a hopper. Charcoal creates dust, ash and a dirtier hopper/firebox workflow.
Flavor favors gravity charcoal for many buyers
Charcoal plus wood chunks produces a profile closer to traditional charcoal smoking than clean pellet combustion.
Searing depends on the specific model
Gravity cookers often reach 700°F. Some pellet grills, such as Searwood, now reach 600°F and expose food more directly to flame.
Both stop being automated when power fails
The fuel is different, but controller/fan/auger automation needs electricity.
Maintenance failure modes differ
Pellet owners clean ash from a burn pot and protect auger/controller systems; gravity-charcoal owners manage ash, grease and fan/safety-switch areas.
The right choice is about friction
Ask which annoyance you hate more: ash/charcoal handling or buying/storing pellets and accepting a milder smoke profile.
Real-world ownership
Fuel is part of the purchase price
A smoker is not a one-time expense. Pellets, lump charcoal, briquettes, wood splits and proprietary smoke media have very different costs and storage needs. More important than the exact dollars per cook is whether the fuel is easy to buy near you and whether you are willing to keep it dry. A bargain smoker that needs specialty fuel you hate sourcing is not a bargain for long.
Capacity claims need translation
Square inches are useful, but grate shape matters. A round 18-inch kamado can have enough square inches on paper yet feel cramped around a full packer brisket. A vertical electric cabinet can advertise huge total rack area but force you to cut rib racks. We therefore translate area into the foods people actually cook: briskets, racks of ribs, pork shoulders and chickens.
Weather exposes weak insulation
A smoker that behaves beautifully at 75°F can become annoying in wind or near-freezing weather. Ceramic kamados and thick steel shrug off cold better than thin cabinets. Pellet and electric units compensate with thermostatic control but may burn more fuel or electricity. If you cook year-round, insulation belongs high on the buying list.
Automation changes the hobby
A thermostat, fan controller or pellet auger does more than hold temperature: it changes how you spend the cook. Some people want to tend a fire because fire management is the point. Others want to sleep during an overnight brisket. Neither is more authentic; buy the machine that matches the experience you actually want.
What I would buy in these situations
Cleanest easiest ownership
Pellet.
Strongest flavor with digital control
Gravity charcoal.
Best one-cooker grilling versatility
Compare a high-temp pellet model such as Searwood directly against Gravity 800.
Best for long overnight cooks
Both work; choose based on flavor/fuel preference and remote-control ecosystem.
Before you click Buy: the five-minute smoker check
Measure the patio. Use lid-open dimensions, not just the footprint with everything folded. Leave manufacturer-required clearance from siding, railings and combustible structures.
Price the fuel. Look at what pellets, lump charcoal, briquettes or hardwood splits actually cost near you. Shipping a specialty fuel every month changes the ownership economics.
Check the outlet question. Pellet grills, gravity-fed digital charcoal cookers and electric smokers require power. Make sure the outdoor circuit and weather protection make sense where the cooker will live.
Read the return policy for freight-sized items. A 150–250 lb smoker is not like returning headphones. Damaged boxes, assembly defects and freight returns can become expensive. Inspect the package and major components before throwing away shipping material.
Buy a thermometer before accessories. A good instant-read thermometer and one or more leave-in probes improve cooking more than decorative shelves, branded tools or a mountain of rubs. The smoker makes heat and smoke; the thermometer tells you when the food is actually ready.
Frequently asked questions
Does gravity charcoal taste smokier than pellet?
Often, yes, because charcoal and wood chunks produce a more pronounced combustion profile.
Which is easier to clean?
Pellet grills generally create less bulky ash, though grease management still matters.
Which gets hotter?
Many gravity charcoal cookers reach around 700°F; high-heat pellet models can reach roughly 600°F.
Do both need electricity?
Yes for their automated feed/fan/controller systems.
Sources & spec checks
- Weber — Searwood 600 official specifications
- Traeger — Ironwood XL current support specifications
- Masterbuilt — Gravity Series 800 specifications
- Masterbuilt — Gravity Series 1050 specifications
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