MASTERBUILT GRAVITY SERIES 800 GRIDDLETM Digital Charcoal Grill + Smoker User Manual

(Manual applies to the following model number(s) MB20040221). These numbers are located on the rating label of the grill.

IMPORTANT

Please record this information immediately and keep in a safe place for future use.

Two people recommend for assembly

WARNING

• This manual contains important information necessary for the proper assembly and safe use of the appliance.
• Read and follow all warnings and instructions before assembling and using the appliance.
• Keep this manual for future reference.

Failure to follow these instructions could result in fire, explosion or burn hazard which could cause property damage, personal injury, or death.

CARBON MONOXIDE HAZARD

• Burning wood chips, wood chunks, wood pellets, charcoal and propane gives off carbon monoxide, which has no odor and can cause death.
• DO NOT burn wood chips, wood chunks, wood pellets, charcoal or propane inside homes, vehicles, tents, garages or any enclosed areas.
• USE ONLY OUTDOORS where it is well ventilated.

WARNINGS AND IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS

SAFETY FEATURES

Lid Switch – Prevents grill from overheating.

• If the set temperature is above 500°F (260°C) the controller will regulate the grill temperature to 500°F (260°C) when the grill lid is opened. Once the lid is closed the grill will return to the set temperature.
• If the set temperature is below 500°F (260°C) the controller will continue to regulate the grill at the set temperature when the grill lid is opened.

Hopper Switches – Reduces chimney effect when hopper is opened.

1. Hopper Lid Switch: The fan will stop when the hopper lid is opened. The fan will restart when the hopper lid is closed.
2. Hopper Ash Door Switch: The fan will stop when the hopper ash door is opened. The fan will restart when the hopper ash door is closed.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

This product does not come with charcoal or wood chunks.

Firebricks

Metal Plates

The metal plates in the lower portion of the hopper hold the firebrick in place and protect it during the manufacturing and shipping processes. These burn out and drop into the ash pan. They are not necessary for the grill to function; therefore, we do not offer these metal plates as replacement parts. Running the grill at higher temperatures will degrade the metal plates faster than lower temperatures.

Firebrick

In the Gravity Series Hopper, your fire is contained to a 6” – 12” area that is reinforced with a food-safe soft ceramic firebrick to handle the higher temps in the lower portion of the hopper. The ingredients in the food-safe ceramic are approved by the FDA for use in food or as an indirect additive used in food contact.

The firebrick takes the heat from the charcoal fire and is to be replaced only once a hole burns in it that is more than 0.5” deep and 5” in diameter. These firebricks are warrantied parts and will also be available for purchase post-warranty as a full set (4 firebricks with temporary metal plates). Some initial firebrick degradation during burn-in and initial usage is likely, but degradation tends to stabilize.

Structural Proximity and Safe Usage Recommendations

REMINDER: Maintain a minimum distance of 10 feet from rear and sides to walls, rails or other combustible construction. This clearance provides adequate space for proper combustion, air circulation and venting. Should not be used on combustible materials like decks or other combustible materials.

Parts Diagram

Parts List

1	2	Smoking/Warming Racks	33	1	Hopper Lid Latch
2	2	Smoke + Sear Grates	34	1	Hopper Assembly – Top
3	1	Temperature Gauge	35	2	Hopper Gasket
4	1	Lid Assembly	36	2	Front/Rear Fire Brick
5	1	Handle Tube	37	1	Left Fire Brick
6	1	Heat Manifold Support	38	1	Right Fire Brick
7	1	Temperature Probe Bracket	39	1	Hopper Assembly – Middle
8	1	Temperature Probe	40	1	Grill Heat Intake Fiber Spacer
9	1	Heat Manifold (Griddle)	41	1	Heat Intake Slide (Large)
10	1	Body Assembly	42	1	Air Intake Slide (Small)
11	3	Lid/Door Switch	43	1	Hopper Door Latch
12	1	Side Shelf Assembly	44	1	Charcoal Grate Assembly
13	1	Controller Assembly	45	1	Fan Brace
14	1	Bottom Tray Assembly	46	1	Hopper Heat Shield – Bottom Rear
15	1	Left Rear Leg Assembly	47	1	Hopper Door Assembly
16	1	Left Front Leg Assembly	48	1	Fan
17	1	Grease Tray	49	1	Fan Guard
18	1	Side RH Leg Brace	50	1	Hopper Assembly – Bottom
19	1	Right Rear Leg	51	1	Hopper Heat Shield – Bottom Front
20	1	Right Front Leg	52	1	Ash Tray Assembly
21	1	Wheel Axle with Lock Nut / 3 Washers / 2 Bushings	53	1	Manifold Ash Grate
22	2	8” Wheel	54	1	Hopper Lid Assembly
23	1	Bottom Shelf Assembly	55	1	Hopper Shrouding
24	2	3” Caster	56	2	Lid Handle Base
25	1	Back Leg Brace	57	1	Antenna
26	1	Front Leg Cross Brace	58	1	Meat Probe
27	1	Side LH Leg Brace	59	2	Lid Handle Washer
28	1	Front Shelf Assembly	60	1	Griddle
29	3	Tool Hanger	61	1	Heat Manifold (Grill)
30	1	Hopper Lid Handle Washer	62	1	Heat Manifold Base
31	1	Hopper Lid Handle	63	1	Cord Managment Bracket
32	1	Hopper Heat Shield – Top		1	Power Cord / 3 Piece Plug – Not Shown

BEFORE ASSEMBLY READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

• Assemble on a clean flat surface.
• Recommend assembling on cardboard to avoid oil residue on floors or scratches.
• Gloves recommended for assembly. Hopper gasket is fiberglass and will irritate skin.
• Tools needed: Phillips head screwdriver, adjustable wrench, 19mm socket wrench.
• Approximate assembly time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.
• Recommend two people assemble to increase ease and reduce assembly time.
• Actual product may differ from picture shown.
• It is possible that some assembly steps have been completed in the factory.

• Remove all printed labels from the grill and hopper before use.

DO NOT RETURN TO RETAILER for assembly assistance, missing or damaged parts. Please contact MASTERBUILT Customer Service at www.masterbuilt.com/pages/support. Please have the model number and serial number available. These numbers are located on the silver rating
label on the grill.

Hardware

KEY QTY. DESCRIPTION

A	67	M6x12 Screw
B	30	M6 Hex Nut
C	2	M6x48 Screw with lock washer
D	10	M4x10 Screw
E	1	Tool
F	2	M6x12

Assembly

1. Keep hopper lid closed and latched for remainder of assembly. Do not add hopper lid handle until step 24.

2. To avoid personal injury and damage to grill, have someone help you lift the grill on its lid onto cardboard to avoid scratches.

3. Do not fully tighten screws.

4. Do not fully tighten screws.

5. Do not fully tighten screws.

6. Do not fully tighten screws.

7. Do not fully tighten screws.

Partially install screws. Do not fully tighten screws.

9. On the hopper, bend the circled piece up away from the fan toward the hopper. Note: Only bend this piece as necessary. Bending it too many times could damage it.

10. Slide notches in leading edge of bottom hopper under screw heads.
Partially install screws, Do not fully tighten screws.

11. Fully tighten all leg and bottom shelf screws/nuts at this time.

13. Connect hopper and fan wires to the grill body as shown.

14. Hold flat section of axle with adjustable wrench. Tighten lock nut with 19mm socket wrench.
Note: Careful not to overtighten.
Wheel should still spin.

15. Outer flange fits BEHIND rim of hopper opening.

Remove top heat shield screws. Slide bottom heat shield UNDER top heat shield. Reinstall after lower screws (D) are installed.

16. Remove top heat shield screws.
Slide bottom heat shield UNDER top heat shield. Reinstall after lower screws (D) are installed.

Outer flange fits BEHIND rim of hopper opening.

17. Install the antenna by screwing it onto the back of the panel. Then, turn the top portion of the antenna as shown.

18. Install top screws (A) halfway into grill side wall. Place shelf over screw heads, add lower screws (A), then tighten screws.

19. Connect the three cords from inside the grill to the digital control panel. Note that the prongs of the circled plug differ in size, with the larger one being the negative charge and the smaller one being the positive charge. Make sure to match the size of the prong with the size of the slot when plugging it into the control panel. This should not require much force. Connect the power cord last.

20. Stand grill upright and lock both casters for stability.

26. Remove hex nut and washer from temperature gauge, then reinstall as illustrated.

29. Insert screw heads on bottom of heat manifold (9) into manifold support. Slide manifold toward hopper. Tighten screws beneath manifold.

30. Install top screws (A) halfway into grill side wall.
Place shelf over screw heads, add lower screws (A), then tighten screws.

Operating Instructions

ASSEMBLY IS DONE. LET’S HAVE SOME FUN!

PRE-SEASONING

Pre-seasoning will rid your grill of chemicals and oils left over by the manufacturing process, allowing them to burn off. PRE-SEASON GRILL PRIOR TO FIRST USE.

1. Fill the hopper with charcoal approximately 1/4–1/2 full.
2. Start grill following the START-UP instructions and set the temperature to 250°F (121°C) for 60 minutes.
3. Set the temperature to 400°F (204°C) for 30 minutes.
4. Shut down the grill following the SHUTDOWN instructions.
5. Allow grill to cool COMPLETELY.
6. Using a napkin or cloth, rub a light coat of cooking oil on smoke + sear grates, warming/smoking racks, charcoal grate and the grill lid and bodY.
7. Repeat steps 3-6 at 350°F

GRIDDLE-SEASONING

1. Wipe griddle top of all debris.
2. Ignite grill and set temperature to 250F. Run for approximately 10–15 minutes until your griddle top becomes hot.
3. Pour a light amount of cooking oil on griddle top.
4. Spread the cooking oil over surface of griddle top using paper towels. Use spatula or heat resistant gloves to hold folded paper towels. Be sure to cover every part of griddle top.
5. Allow griddle to heat to 400°F (204°C). Smoking will occur as the oil begins to bond with the surface of griddle.
6. After smoke dissipates. Repeat steps 3–5 at 350°F
   Frequent seasoning prevents rusting. If rusting occurs, clean with a steel brush, apply vegetable shortening and heat as indicated above.

START-UP

1. REMOVE heat intake and air intake slides. (Refer to assembly step 21.)
2. Open hopper lid and hopper ash door.
   • There is a safety switch at each of these doors that will prevent the fan from running when these doors are opened.
   • If charcoal remains from a previous cook, shake the charcoal grate to ensure all ash falls through to the ash tray.
   • Discard any ash from the ash tray.

3. Fill hopper with charcoal.
   • Approximately 16 lbs. of charcoal briquettes.
   • Approximately 10 lbs. of lump charcoal.
   • Never use fast light charcoal or lighting fluid.
   • If charcoal slips through charcoal grate into ash can, remove before starting.
4. Place fire starter in charcoal grate and light.
   • Use a food safe fire starter block or twisted paper towel/paper.
   • Place in charcoal grate on the fire starter support bars.
   • Use caution and wear protective gloves.
   • Light with match stick or lighter.

5. Turn on controller and set to desired temperature.
   • Wait 1–2 minutes after lighting fire starter to ensure fire starter is fully lit.
6. Close hopper lid and ash door.
   • This will activate the fan.
7. Wait for grill to reach desired set temperature.
   • Approximately 13 minutes to reach 700°F (370°C).
   • Approximately 7 minutes to reach 225°F (105°C).

RELOAD

If it is necessary to refill the hopper while cooking, follow the safe reloading instructions below.
• DO NOT add charcoal when grill is in excess of 250°.
• The fan will turn off if you open the hopper lid or ash door. This reduces the chimney effect created when these doors are opened.
• Gravity fed technology works by maintaining a completely sealed hopper. When the hopper lid is opened the flame will rise from the top of the hopper like a torch. Closing the hopper lid and ash door will return the flame to the normal operating level.
• The amount of charcoal in the hopper determines how quickly the flame will rise when the hopper lid is opened.

Adding charcoal:

1. Open hopper lid.
   • Use caution and wear protective gloves. Hopper lid will be hot.
   • Flame will rise from hopper after a short time depending on the charcoal level.
2. Pour charcoal into hopper.
3. Close hopper lid.

SHUTDOWN

1. Turn controller off.
2. Close grill lid, hopper lid and ash door.
3. Install heat intake and air intake slides.
   • The grill is designed to starve the charcoal of oxygen when shut down. This allows a percentage of unused charcoal to be saved for the next cook.
4. Failure to install slides when shutting down may cause damage to grill.

ADDING SMOKE/FLAVOR

Option 1: Place wood chunks or charcoal in the ash tray to add flavor before setting temperature. As the charcoal in the hopper burns, the hot embers will fall onto the wood/charcoal in the tray, causing it to burn at a slower rate and release more flavor into the grill.

• NOTE: Never add more than 1⁄2 lbs at a time. Additional chunks or charcoal should not be added until any previously added have ceased generating smoke.
  Option 2: Mix wood chunks in the hopper with charcoal.
• NOTE: Never use more than 1.5 lbs of wood chunks throughout the hopper.

CONTROL PANEL

Power ON/Off Controller:

1. Press button to power controller ON.
2. Press and hold button to power controller OFF.

Set Temperature:

1. Press button.
2. Turn knob to desired temperature.
3. Press button again to set temperature (Time will automatically set after 3 seconds.)

Set Time:

• Countdown Timer

1. Press button.
2. Turn knob to desired hours.
3. Press button to set hours.
4. Turn knob to desired minutes.
5. Press button to set minutes. The timer will start.
6. Press button to pause and resume timer.
7. Press and hold button to reset timer.

• Count Up Timer

1. Press and hold button.
2. Timer will begin counting up from 00:00. Timer will count by Minutes :Seconds and then Hours: Minutes.
3. Press button to pause and resume timer.
4. Press and hold button to reset timer.

Set Meat Probe Temperatures:

1. Press button and turn knob to select meat probe (MP1, MP2, MP3, MP4).
2. Press temperature button.
3. Turn knob to desired temperature.
4. Press temperature button again to set the temperature. (If meat probe reaches 300°F, an alarm will sound and the meat probe must be removed from heat
   and given time to cool. Meat probe will be damaged if left at this temperature.)

• NOTE: Meat probe icon will flash while in setting mode.

5.Once set temperature is reached, alarm will sound. Press any button to clear.

Viewing Information on Display:

• Turning the knob will advance the display through grill temperature, timer and meat probes; MP1, MP2, MP3 and MP4.

BLUETOOTH + WiFi

Pairing Grill with Smart Device(s):

1. Download the Masterbuilt app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store onto your smart device(s). For more information go to masterbuilt.com/pages/app-device-requirements.
2. Once the download is complete, open the Masterbuilt app and follow the instructions for pairing your Bluetooth + WIFI grill and smart device(s).

BLUETOOTH

Pairing Grill with Smart Device(s):

1. Download the Masterbuilt app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store onto your smart device(s). For more information go to masterbuilt.com/pages/app-device-requirements.
2. Once the download is complete, open the Masterbuilt app and follow the instruction for pairing your Bluetooth grill and smart device(s).
   This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
3. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
4. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

FCC Warning

Warning: Changes or modifications to this smoker not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

FCC Statement

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.

However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
4. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Note: If you lose connection, smoker will continue as programmed. Smoker can be operated from the control panel if pairing or connection fails.

LATCH ADJUSTMENT

The hopper lid and door latches may require adjustment to ensure a proper seal and to prevent excessive smoke leakage. Loosen the latches slightly if they require excessive pressure to close. Tighten the latches slightly if there is excessive smoke leakage.

SMOKE + SEAR GRATES

Your grill features Smoke + Sear cast-iron cooking grates for low and slow smoking or high-heat searing. Simply flip the grates to the side that coincides with your method of cooking.

Note: Never flip while grill is on or hot.

CLEANING AND STORAGE

ALWAYS MAKE SURE GRILL IS COOL TO THE TOUCH BEFORE CLEANING AND STORING.

• Inspect hardware and assembled parts on a regular basis to ensure grill is in safe working condition.
• Clean grill and cooking/smoking grates with mild dish detergent. Wipe outside of grill with a damp rag.
DO NOT use oven cleaner or other cleaning agents. Make sure to dry thoroughly.
• Clean the temperature probe (pictured) periodically with mild dish detergent to ensure accurate grill temperature readings. Make
sure to dry thoroughly.
• After ashes are cold, clean ash tray and inside of bottom hopper after every use to remove ash buildup, residue and dust.
• Always empty the ash tray after each use once ashes have completely cooled. This will help prolong the life of the ash tray.
• Dispose of cold ashes by placing them in aluminum foil, soaking with water and discarding in a non-combustible container.
• Always cover and store grill in a protected DRY AREA. Store only when fire is out and all surfaces are cold. Store meat probes inside the home.
• When grill is not in frequent use, even when using a grill cover, remember to check your grill periodically to avoid possible rust and corrosion due to moisture buildup.

Troubleshooting

You can download the PDF version of the MASTERBUILT GRAVITY SERIES 800 GRIDDLETM Digital Charcoal Grill + Smoker User Manual here.