Masterbuilt vs. Traeger – Which Smoker is Right for Your Backyard?

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You’re ready to level up your BBQ, and you’re choosing between a Masterbuilt smoker and a Traeger pellet grill.

Both are “set & forget” BBQs.
Both make incredible smoked meats.
But they run on completely different fuels—charcoal vs. pellets.

So, which one actually suits your BBQ style? Let’s break it down.

What’s the Main Difference Between Masterbuilt and Traeger?

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Masterbuilt Gravity Series: Uses real charcoal but works like a pellet smoker—set the temp, and it holds it for you.
Traeger Pellet Grills: Runs on compressed wood pellets, and automatically feeds them to maintain temperature.

Both let you smoke meat without fire babysitting, but one gives you charcoal flavour, and the other gives you wood pellet convenience.

Round 1 – Flavour & Smoke Quality

Masterbuilt Smokers (Winner – Best Charcoal Smoked Flavour)
✅ Runs on real charcoal, giving you deep, rich, authentic BBQ flavour.
✅ Can add wood chunks for extra smoke.
✅ Gets better bark on brisket & ribs compared to pellet smokers.

Best Pick: Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 – The Charcoal Smoker That Runs Like a Pellet Grill

Why People Love It: You get charcoal & wood flavour without having to constantly manage a fire.

Traeger Pellet Grills (Runner-Up – Clean, Mild Smoke)
✅ Runs on wood pellets, which give you clean, consistent smoke.
✅ Best for low & slow brisket, ribs, and pulled pork.
✅ Less “campfire” taste than charcoal—but still way better than gas BBQs.

Best Pick: Traeger Pro 575 – The Easiest Smoker You’ll Ever Use

Why People Love It: It’s foolproof—just set the temp, and it does the work for you.

Round 2 – Ease of Use (How Much Effort Do You Want to Put In?)

✅ Winner: Traeger (Most Beginner-Friendly)

Pellet hopper feeds the fire for you—no messing with fuel.
WiFi control lets you adjust temp from your phone (perfect for lazy BBQ days).
No fire management needed—just load pellets and go.

Best Pick: Traeger Pro 575 – The Ultimate Set & Forget BBQ

✅ Runner-Up: Masterbuilt (Charcoal Without the Hassle)

Uses charcoal, but works like a pellet smoker.
Set the temp, and the fan controls airflow to keep it steady.
Still more hands-on than a Traeger, but way easier than a traditional charcoal smoker.

Best Pick: Masterbuilt Gravity 800 – Charcoal BBQ Without Babysitting Fire

If you love the idea of charcoal BBQing but want Traeger-style ease, Masterbuilt is perfect.

Round 3 – Cooking Versatility (What Can You Cook?)

Masterbuilt Smokers (Winner – Best for Smoking & High-Heat Grilling)
✅ Can do low & slow smoking at 110°C OR searing at 400°C+.
✅ Perfect for brisket, ribs, steak, burgers, and even pizzas.
✅ Works like a pellet smoker when needed, but also grills like a charcoal BBQ.

Best Pick: Masterbuilt Gravity 800 – The Most Versatile BBQ

Why It’s a Winner: You get charcoal flavour & high-heat grilling—Traeger struggles with searing.

Traeger Pellet Grills (Great for Low & Slow, Not as Good for High Heat)
✅ Amazing for brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and chicken.
✅ Struggles to hit hot enough temps for proper steak searing.
✅ Can’t cook over an open flame like charcoal BBQs can.

Best Pick: Traeger Pro 575 – The Low & Slow Champion

Why People Love It: It’s the easiest way to make perfect smoked meat, every time.

Round 4 – Cost & Running Expenses

Masterbuilt Smokers (Lower Fuel Costs, Higher Initial Price)
✅ Charcoal is cheaper than wood pellets over time.
✅ Higher initial price, but cheaper to run long-term.
✅ Can use any brand of lump charcoal or wood chunks.

Best Pick: Masterbuilt Gravity 800 – Built to Last

Traeger Pellet Grills (Lower Initial Cost, But Pellets Add Up)
✅ Pellets burn efficiently, but you have to use Traeger-style pellets.
✅ Can be more expensive over time than charcoal.
✅ More moving parts = more potential maintenance.

Best Pick: Traeger Pro 575 – Great for Hassle-Free BBQing

If you don’t mind spending a little more on fuel for ultimate convenience, Traeger wins.

Final Verdict – Which Smoker Should You Get?

Get a Masterbuilt Smoker if:
✅ You love real charcoal & wood smoke flavour.
✅ You want charcoal BBQ without managing the fire 24/7.
✅ You need a BBQ that can grill AND smoke.

Best Pick: Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800 – The Best of Both Worlds

Get a Traeger Pellet Smoker if:
✅ You want the easiest, most consistent smoking experience.
✅ You love low & slow BBQ but don’t want to babysit a fire.
✅ You like WiFi control from your phone.

Best Pick: Traeger Pro 575 – The Ultimate Set & Forget Smoker

Where to Buy a Masterbuilt or Traeger Smoker in Australia?

Skip the dodgy knock-offs and get a proper BBQ smoker from BBQ Spit Rotisseries:

18+ years of BBQ expertise
20,000+ happy customers
Fast Australia-wide delivery
1-2 year warranties on all smokers

Find Your Perfect Smoker Here

Final Thoughts – Masterbuilt or Traeger?

Want real charcoal flavour without the hassle? Go Masterbuilt.
Want pure convenience & foolproof smoking? Go Traeger.
Still can’t decide? Get both and never argue with yourself again.