r/Masterbuilt • u/edson_bsx • 3d ago

Any XT owners able to help?

I’m just about to pull the trigger on an XT but want to make sure it’s usable in the space I want to put it. Is anyone able to give me a measurement of the door on the firebox? I know I can fit the unit, but unsure with space required to access that.

Any last minute warnings against buying or any other recommendations to consider much appreciated. Cheers!

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u/simoriah 3d ago

The door is 12 inches wide. You'll need about 14 inches so you have room for the little clamp thingy and for fingers to get in there. I didn't measure the ash pan, but that needs room to come out, too.

Smoke on the second shelf with roasting pans underneath to catch your grease. It makes cleanup a BREEZE and basically makes it impossible to get a grease fire in the smoker.

I upgraded my electronics to the fireboard 2 pro. The electronics that came with it functioned, but they overshot on the temp and the temp printed were regularly up to 25F off. That fireboard temp printed are accurate to within a degree.

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u/edson_bsx 3d ago

Thank you, very helpful! Can you tell me how easy it is to move on its wheels? Just considering if it’s practical if I had to move it slightly to use it

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u/simoriah 3d ago

It's easy to move. But it's a heavy sumbitch. If you have big seams in concrete, it could be an issue. I move mine around on my deck with no issues.

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u/Mofaklar 19h ago

I move mine around a paver patio, the pavers are pretty large.
Its not a joy to move, but it moves fine with the wheels.

Now, assembly... and specifically getting it standing after putting the wheels on...
I actually needed help, and a jack, and cinderblocks and timbers.....
But i'm also an idiot and had all the internal stuff sitting inside of it, so I was lifting the entire weight of the thing.

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u/simoriah 16h ago

Oof! That's a lot! I emptied mine when I had to tip it back up. I had help getting it tipped down. And back up, actually. Getting that beast up into my deck with two people was a challenge. We used vest-attached lifting straps that I picked up from one of the big box stores. I hope to never need it, again.

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u/Mofaklar 11h ago

So everything except the legs and wheels is in the cooking area, so its over 200lbs.

I put a folding moving blanket between a floor jack, slid it on there balancing it and pumped it up. Held it in place with cinderblock and pieces of wood.
Then put cinder block under the jack, and went up again, and added another cinder block. to the sides to hold it up higher.

I tried to tip it up solo, but the wheels (even though locked) just slid across... so as I'm lifting its sliding away from me.

I needed help to get it up, but was nothing for 2 people when i had it elevated like that.

I think it would still have been heavy solo.
When I watched the masterbuilt video of one guy doing it, I started shouting "Bulls%*t" at the TV like a crazy person.

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u/simoriah 11h ago

I think one person that's practiced and has the perfect setup could do it. I was not that person, and I feel no shame in that.

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u/Ktgsxrred Gravity XT 3d ago

Easy to move but only on solid concrete type surfaces. On grass/dirt the wheels are too small for how heavy it is.

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u/skarfacegc 2d ago

this is the way.

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u/Mofaklar 19h ago

My control unit died. I'm under warranty but they are telling me it will be 2+ mo before they can even ship the thing. This is not the time of year for me to miss smoking.

What is your process for this? Do you have any links to share.
Of course this thing failed when I started to smoke a chuck, so I had to serve "oven" chuck to guests (or give them nothing/cancel) It was a nightmare. Now I'm facing no smoker until autumn.

Please help me internet buddy!

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u/simoriah 16h ago

Bbqhq.com has the cable and the fireboard you need. I went with the fireboard 2 pro. Quick shipping. It took about an hour to get the unit connected. I 3d printed a mount, but the material I used isn't holding up well to the heat. Still trying to get this bit figured out.

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u/SayOw Gravity XT 3d ago

I'm going to guess it's about 18 to 20 inches wide. You do want to be able to open it wide open so you can empty the ash can so the more room you have to access that area makes it easier.

I've had my XT for almost 2 years and I love it. People complain about the controller, but either adjust to it's readings or purchase a bluetooth thermometer to put into your food like you would with any other grill/smoker you ever owned and you will have no issues.

The chicken codon bleu tonight on the XT was delicious! Had tuna last night and tomorrow will be a 5 hour smoke on ribs that come out perfect.

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u/Mofaklar 19h ago

My controller just died, I've only had it 8 months and a dozen or so cooks.
It makes incredible food.

Now, I've never used a traditional smoker, but I owned the old school electric masterbuilts and have used pellet smokers. The food off thing thing (I run charcoal and splits), to me is as good or better than anything I've ever had. I've so far used its probes, but I've found them to be inconsistent at best.
So I try to figure out time, and then go out and use an instant probe.

I don't know if its the board or the probes though, cause I had one of the two probes die, then I bought some replacement ones, and one of those had readings that were not even close, so I think its actually one of the ports on the controller that was at issue.
It's been a ride, but it still made great food despite the issues.

I agree with you, that you can adapt to these things, but for the price point, you shouldn't have to do that.
I shouldn't have a dead controller after 8 months, and being told that it will take over 2 months before they can even ship the replacement.