Masterbuilt Charcoal Grill Err 3 — What It Means & How to Fix It
Err 3 on a Masterbuilt Gravity Series 600 means the grill has overheated, and the manual names a grease fire or a fan malfunction as the things to look for.
What this code means
Masterbuilt's table lists Err 3 as "Grill overheated". Its instructions are to turn the grill off, check for the cause of the overheat — it names grease fire and fan malfunction — and then restart. A gravity-fed charcoal grill gets its heat from the fan stoking the fire, so either too much fuel for the flames or a fan that will not stop can drive the temperature up.
Masterbuilt's manual for the Gravity Series 600 (model MB20041023) lists "Err 3" in its troubleshooting table with this meaning. Masterbuilt's other grills and smokers have their own tables, so check the manual for your model number.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Grease fire in the cooking chamber | Common | Yes — clean once fully cool |
| Fan malfunction | Occasional | No — contact Masterbuilt |
What you can try yourself
- Turn the grill off.
- Keep the lid closed and let the grill cool down completely before opening it up.
- Once cold, check for burnt grease on the grates and in the grease tray, and clean it out.
- Restart the grill and watch whether the fan responds normally as the temperature approaches the set point.
When to call a technician
- Err 3 returns on a clean grill.
- The fan keeps running hard after the set temperature has been passed.
Typical professional repair cost: Free if grease was the cause. A fan fault is a parts replacement through Masterbuilt Customer Service.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my Masterbuilt Gravity Series overheat?
The manual points to two causes: a grease fire, or the fan malfunctioning. Clean the grill first, since built-up grease is the one you can rule out yourself.
How do I clear Err 3?
Turn the grill off, deal with whatever caused the overheat, then restart it. That is the full sequence Masterbuilt gives.
Sources checked
Error meanings can vary by model. This guide was checked against the documentation above; use the manual for the model number on your own appliance when it differs.
Related Masterbuilt codes
- Masterbuilt Charcoal Grill Err 1 Err 1 on a Masterbuilt Gravity Series 600 means the grill's temperature probe is not fully plugged in to the controller.
- Masterbuilt Charcoal Grill Err 2 Err 2 on a Masterbuilt Gravity Series 600 means a meat probe has malfunctioned, and the manual sends you to Masterbuilt Customer Service.
- Masterbuilt Charcoal Grill Err 4 Err 4 on a Masterbuilt Gravity Series 600 means the charcoal failed to ignite, and the manual gives a five-point checklist before you restart.
- Masterbuilt Charcoal Grill Err 5 Err 5 on a Masterbuilt Gravity Series 600 means a meat probe is reading above 300°F — hotter than it is meant to measure.
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