Digital Charcoal App Overview

Table of Contents

Connect your Cooking Device to the App
Determine your:
  • App Version
  • MAC Address
  • Firmware Version
Update your Controller Software (Firmware)
Check the Current Firmware Version vs. Your Firmware Version
How to Force an Update to your Cooking Device
App Troubleshooting

Applied Products

Gravity Series® 560 Digital Charcoal Grill + Smoker
MB20040220
MB20041020
Gravity Series® 600 Digital Charcoal Griddle + Grill + Smoker
MB20041023
MB20041423
Gravity Series® 800 Digital Charcoal Griddle + Grill + Smoker
MB20040221
MB20042221
MB20010122
Gravity Series® 1050 Digital Charcoal Grill + Smoker
MB20041220
MB20041320
AutoIgnite™ Series 545 Digital Charcoal Grill + Smoker
MB20041124
MB20042724
710 WiFi Digital Electric Smoker
MB20070924
MB20072024
MB20072124
40-inch Digital Charcoal Smoker
MB20060321
MB20061321

How to Connect your Cooking Device to the App

Please note:

Before you can connect your cooking device to your App, you need to download the Masterbuilt App. Make sure you have the most current version of the App installed.

Make sure you are connected to WiFi, make sure your phone Bluetooth is turned ON.

Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play
Step 1: Add Device
You should see this on your App home screen. Click “Add a New Device”.
App screen displaying a circle around a plus sign in it and the text "Add a New Device" at the bottom of the screen. Click on the circle with the plus sign.
Step 2: Begin Pairing Process

Make sure you are near your cooking device and it is turned ON.

Press and hold the connect button on your cooking device until you hear a long beep. Your cooking device should display "PAIR" on the controller.

Phone screen with the message "Connect to your device" and an image showing the connect button on the device controller
LCD panel displaying word "PAIR"
Step 3: Let Phone Find Device

Your smartphone will search for your cooking device. Once the connection is made, your App will notify you.

Click "Next" to continue setup.

Screen that displays while phone searches for device
Screen that displays after the device has been found. The "Next" button is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Step 4: Name Device
Name your cooking device. This is the name that will be displayed on the home screen of your App.
Phone screen with keyboard and text "Name your device"
Step 5: Connect Phone to WiFi
Your smartphone will search for WiFi networks. Select your WiFi network and enter the password.
Screen that displays wait icon while searching for WiFi
List of available WiFi networks
Tip: WiFi SSID and Password may need to be less than 15 characters combined. (No spaces or special characters).
Step 6: Pair Phone and Device
Your smartphone will pair your cooking device to your WiFi network. Once complete, the connection icon will illuminate on your cooking device display. This means you have paired your cooking device to your App.
Screen with wait icon that displays while phone connects to device. Note this might take up to 5 minutes.
Connection icon is in lower right corner of control panel LCD
Step 7: Pairing Complete
Paring is complete. You have successfully connected your cooking device to the Masterbuilt App. You should see your device in your App.
App screen with "Setup complete" message
Screen displaying image of device, device name, "Disconnect" button and "Remote" button
Click on "REMOTE" button to begin cooking with the app
WiFi Strength
Phone screen with WiFi icon in bottom right corner
WiFi icon at different signal strengths, weaker on the left and stronger on the right. The icon becomes solid white at strongest signal strength.
Tip: The WiFi icon on the App will show your signal strength. If you have weak signal strength move your cooking device closer to your router.

Determine your App Version, MAC Address, and Firmware Version

Finding your firmware via the app

Step 1: Open Menu
Go to the home screen of your Masterbuilt App. Click on the menu bars on the top left hand side.
Menu icon is in upper left corner of the screen. Tap to open menu.
Step 2: Open Profile
Click on "Profile" in the menu
Screen with menu open. "Profile" is the first link.
Step 3: Find Version Information

Scroll down, your App will list the App version, Mac address, and Firmware Version and Revision.

Firmware version and revision are displayed as one number like 3.0.001. The first digit, 3, is the version number and displays on the controller as "V003". The second digit, 0, is the revision number and displays on the controller as "R000".

App screen showing app version, Mac address and firmware version
Tip: If your app does not list this information you need to update your app

Finding your firmware via the device controller

Step 1: Plug in device

Plug in your cooking device. You should hear a beep.

If your device is already plugged in unplug it and plug it back in.

Step 2: Check Displayed Model
The display will flash a number, "1050" for example. This is the model number.
LCD panel displaying model number 1050
Step 3: Check Displayed Version
The display will flash a number, "V002" for example. This is the version number.
LCD panel displaying version number "V002"
Step 4: Check Displayed Revision
The display will flash a number, "R004" for example. This is the revision number.
LCD panel displaying revision number "R004"
What is firmware?
You may see references to "updating your firmware". Firmware is the software programmed into your controller. It is the brain of the product. Like your smartphone, the firmware is constantly being updated.

How to Update your Controller Software (Firmware)

Please note:

You must have your cooking device connected to the App to see the update button. Please make sure you are running the most current version of the App.

Make sure you are connected to WiFi.

Step 1: Connect Device

Click "connect" in the App. This will check for an available update for your cooking device. Make sure your connection icon is solid and not flashing on your cooking device controller.

App showing device and "Connect" button
Connection icon is in lower right corner of control panel LCD
Tip: If icon circled in image is flashing, shut all your doors and lids and press the connect button on the controller.
Step 2: Check for Updates
When a new firmware update is available for your cooking device, you should see a "Device Update Available" button on your App home screen.
App with "Device Update Available" message displayed
Click the "Device Update Available" button to update your cooking device
Tip: Be patient, it may take your App a moment to recognize that there is an update. If the update button does not appear see App Troubleshooting below.
Step 3: Update
Once you click "Device Update Available" you will get a pop-up box with instructions on the update. Please read the instructions and hit "Update" to update your cooking device.
App screen with popup window. Update option is on the right. Cancel option is on the left.
Click "Update" in pop-up window to begin update
Step 4: Monitor Progress
The display will count from up 00% to 100%. Upon reaching 100%, your device will reset and display the new version information before shutting OFF. Power ON your cooking device in order to operate.
LCD indicating progress from 0% to 19% to completed version number
Tip: On rare occasions, you may have to reconnect your cooking device to the App after you update.

How to Check the Current Firmware Version vs. Your Firmware Version

Step 1: Current Firmware Version

Go to the apps page and select the app you are using

Click the drop down "Current Firmware Version"

App web page with Current Firmware Version text highlighted
Step 2: Model Numbers

The website will tell you the most current Version (V002) and Revision (R006) is displayed as "V002R006", for example.

Make sure you are reading the correct model number for your cooking device.

App web page showing model numbers that display after "Current Firmware Version" is opened
Step 3: Confirm Device Firmware Version

Confirm your firmware on your cooking device.

Plug in your cooking device. You should hear a beep.

If your device is plugged in, unplug it and plug it back in.

Step 4: Check Displayed Model
The display will flash a number “1050” for example. This is the model number.
LCD panel displaying model number 1050
Step 5: Check Displayed Version
The display will flash a number “V002” for example. This is the version number.
LCD panel displaying version number "V002"
Step 6: Check Displayed Revision
The display will flash a number “R004” for example. This is the revision number.
LCD panel displaying revision number "R004"
Step 7: Do You Need to Update?
If your cooking device firmware number does not match the Masterbuilt Website, you may need to update your cooking device.
What is firmware?
You may see references to "updating your firmware". Firmware is the software programmed into your controller. It is the brain of the product. Like your smartphone, the firmware is constantly being updated.

How to Force an Update to your Cooking Device

Please note:

This is a LAST RESORT. Do not execute these steps unless you have attempted all other troubleshooting tactics. Once this process has begun it cannot be undone. Make sure your cooking device is connected to WiFi.

Step 1: Plug in Device

Plug in your device. If it is already plugged in, unplug it, and plug it back in. Turn ON your device. Make sure your device is connected to WiFi. Make sure your connection icon is solid and not flashing on your cooking device controller.

Connection icon is in lower right corner of control panel LCD
Tip: If icon is flashing, shut all your doors and lids and press the connect button on the controller.
Step 2: Press and Hold Buttons
Press and hold the "Set Temp" and "Meat Probe" buttons on your controller. You should hear a beep. Your screen will display a series of numbers.
Control panel with "Set Temp" and "Meat Probe" buttons circled. They are the top and left buttons in the circle of buttons around the power button. LCD displays "0235"
Press and hold the circled buttons until you hear a beep and LCD displays numbers
Step 3: Scroll to Number 1
Scroll the knob clockwise until you see the display read "C" (flashing) and a number. The number should be 1.
Device controller with "C" in lower left corer of LCD circled. Scroll knob is at the far right of the controller.
Turn knob on right side of controller clockwise until circled "C" flashes and the number is "1"
Step 4: Scroll to Number 0

Press the "Meat Probe" button. The "C" should be solid and the number "1" should be flashing.

Scroll the knob counter-clockwise to get the number "1" to read number "0" as pictured.

Device controller with meat probe button above the power button circled. Scroll knob is at the far right of the controller.
Press the "Meat Probe" button and turn scroll knob counter-clockwise until display reads "0"
Step 5: Reset Controller

Press and hold “Set Temp” and “Meat Probe”. Wait 60 seconds.

Your controller should reset and enter into the updating process.

Device controller with "Set Temp" and "Meat Probe" buttons circled. They are the top and left buttons in the circle of buttons around the power button. The display reads "00".
Tip: During the updating process the display will count from up 00% to 100%. Your device may stay on 00% for some time. Upon reaching 100%, your device will reset and display the new version information before shutting OFF. Power ON your cooking device in order to operate.

If your controller does not enter the updating process

Step 1: Power OFF Device
Shut the device OFF by holding the power button.
Step 2: Unplug Device
Unplug the device from the wall. Wait 60 seconds.
Step 3: Plug In Device
Plug it back in. Your device should enter the updating process now. (You do NOT have to power ON).
Step 4: Does Device Update?
If device does not update, an update might not be available. Confirm a new firmware version is available on the website.
Step 5: Contact Masterbuilt Customer Support

If it does not update, and there is a new update available, contact Masterbuilt Customer Support with the following information:

  • MAC Address
  • Phone Model (e.g. Samsung S10e, iPhone X)
  • Phone OS Version (e.g. IOS14.3)
  • App Version (e.g. 3.1.21.20210115.1)
  • Firmware Version and Revision (e.g. V001R004)

App Troubleshooting

Do This First

Reset Your Controller
  1. Power OFF your cooking device
  2. Unplug your cooking device from the wall
  3. Wait 5 minutes, plug it back in
  4. Your controller is reset - check to see if the problem persists
Update Your App
Make sure your App is updated on your smartphone. If there is an App update, install the new version now.
Update Your Controller
Check Your Range
  1. Move your smartphone closer to your cooking device.
  2. Move your cooking device closer to your router (WiFi).
  3. Confirm your WiFi network is 2.4GHz and not 5GHz.

    4. The App will not work on 5GHz networks.

Check the antenna on the cooking device

Does it keep spinning while tightening?

If yes, remove the cover of the control panel, check to see if the wire is damaged for the antenna.

If the antenna wire is damaged, you need to replace your controller. Contact Masterbuilt Customer Support.

Tip: For grills the antenna is located under the side shelf. For the vertical smoker, antenna is located behind the front control panel.
Confirm the connection icon is solid on your cooking device

If the icon is flashing:

  1. Shut all your doors and lids
  2. Press the connection button on your controller
Connection icon is in lower right corner of control panel LCD
Make sure the circled icon is not flashing

I can't update my cooking device on my App

—The cooking device firmware can only be updated over WiFi. You cannot update over Bluetooth.

—It is required that firmware updates be completed on 2.4GHz WiFi connections (NOT 5GHz).

—It is not recommended to update over Hot-Spot connections.

—Check to make sure there is an available update.

—The App may need a moment to register that there is an update available. Please wait 60 seconds after connecting.

—If the “UPDATE” button does not appear after 60 seconds, unplug your cooking device for 5 minutes, plug it back in, power ON, and reconnect on the App.

—If the problem persists see How to Force an Update to your Cooking Device above.

My WiFi network doesn't appear, or I can't connect to my WiFi

Check Your Range
  1. Move your smartphone closer to your cooking device.
  2. Move your cooking device closer to your router (WiFi).
  3. Confirm your WiFi network is 2.4GHz and not 5GHz. The App will not work on 5GHz networks.
  4. Check the WiFi icon on the App for your signal strength.
Verify Your WiFi Settings
  • Confirm your WiFi SSID + Password are correct.
  • Confirm WiFi SSID and Password is less than 15 characters combined (No spaces or special characters).

APPROVED:

  • WiFi Name: Grill
  • Password: Master1

NOT APPROVED:

  • WiFiName: Grill House
  • Password: Master$! 1973*

I want to set up WiFi, but the App prompts me to set up Bluetooth. Why?

—The App will use Bluetooth to initiate connectivity between the App and the cooking device.

—There is no way of setting up WiFi without connecting via Bluetooth first. You only need Bluetooth for the initial setup. Then it is not needed.

—WiFi will take priority once set up, if WiFi is not present the controller will automatically swap to using Bluetooth.