Which is the best Rec Tec grill to buy? Read on for 5 items that grill delicious meats and offer the best value for your money.
If you’re looking for the perfect barbecue to help you to taste that glorious smokey taste in all of your favorite meats, Rec Tec grills are perfect. These grills provide you with that authentic barbecue taste from a brand you can trust.
Of course, there are a number of rec tec grills on the market, so it can be a little bit tricky to narrow down what will be the best option for you. Thankfully, we’re here to help you make the decision a little easier.
We’ve compiled a list of the best rec tec grills on the market, in addition to a handy buyer’s guide to help you to narrow down your decision.
Best Rec Tec Grill (Winner)
Rec Tec Grills Bull RT-700
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Best Rec Tec Grills – Comparison Table
Image | Product | Features | Buy |
---|---|---|---|
Rec Tec Grills Bull RT-700 | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON | ||
Rec Tec Grills Stampede RT-590 | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON | ||
Rec Tec Trailblazer RT-340 Wood Pellet Grill | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON | ||
Rec Tec RT-B380 – Bullseye | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
Rec Tec Grills Reviews
#1. Rec Tec Grills Bull RT-700 (Our Overall Top Pick)
When you buy a bunch of yummy, expensive meats, you don’t want to waste them on a mediocre grill. Honestly, that isn’t a worry that you even need to have with the Rec Tec Grills Bull RT-700. It’s perfect for feeding a whole family or even a massive group of people.
Of course, if you’re interested in grilling as a whole, then you’ll know that it can be difficult to get truly precise cooking. This is not an issue with the Rec Tec Grills Bull RT-700, where you will be able to cook at and maintain the temperature that you need.
There’s no need to worry about the issues that come with propane tanks and gasses either because this is a wood pellet grill. Sure it’s a little bit heavy but it’s still portable. The grill is made out of a stainless steel material that is very durable. It weighs 200 pounds but it does take a little while to assemble it.
The grill has a 40 pound hopper capacity which means that you don’t need to keep adding more pellets, and it comes with a PID controller positioned on top of the touchpad. All you will need to do is set the grill to the temperature you require. The controller will do all of the work for you from there.
The grill has a bunch of different cooking options, from baking to smoking, to roasting, grilling and searing. It’s incredibly reliable, and it even comes with two meat probes.
Pros
- Large cooking and hopper capacity
- 6 year warranty
- Durable construction
- Mobile operation
Cons
- It’s expensive
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON
#2. Rec Tec Grills Stampede RT-590
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON
Not everyone wants a massive grill, and in fact some people prefer portable options that they can lug along with them to a camping trip. In order to cater to this demographic of barbecuers, Rec Tec have created the Rec Tec Stampede RT-590 Wood Pellet Grill.
It should be noted right away that this device does not have a cooking area as large as the Bull we mentioned above, but it’s still got more than enough space. It has a 772 square inch cooking area that is more than enough for you to be able to feed a large group of people.
As we’ve said the unit is also quite portable as it’s relatively small. You can’t just put it into your car trunk, but it’s not all that difficult to move the grill around.
The grill is very attractive yet simply designed, so it will fit right in with your garden set up. It is a high quality unit consisting of a stainless steel material that is long lasting and insulates the grill well. It’s very easy to use, and it can even be controlled just by using your Smartphone. It has a 30 pounds hopper capacity too.
Pros
- 30 pound hopper
- More affordable
- Durable construction
- High quality customer service
Cons
- Smaller cooking space
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON
#3. Rec Tec Trailblazer RT-340 Wood Pellet Grill
CHECK PRICE ON RECTECH
For a precise and enjoyable cooking experience, look no further than the Rec Tec Trailblazer RT-340 Wood Pellet Grill. It’s a powerful grill despite the fact it’s not huge. You can cook your meat from pretty much anywhere because it is more portable.
The grill weighs only 80 pounds with a 15 pound hopper. It also comes along with 2 bags of pellet for you already! It has a 511 square inch cooking space which means you should be able to feed your immediate family fairly easily.
The grill is very easy to put together, and comes with a protective cover – no need to spend extra money on it! It incorporates WiFi technology that means you are able to control the grill from your phone.
The grill features a PID controller which means that you can maintain the cooking temperature for a long time without worrying about getting up and down to control it.
Pros
- 2 year warranty
- Portable
- Can be used with the lid open
Cons
- Not ideal for large groups of people
CHECK PRICE ON RECTEC
#4. Rec Tec RT-B380 – Bullseye
CHECK PRICE ON RECTEC
If you are looking for a Rec Tec grill on a bit more of a budget then you will be happy with the Rec Tec RT B380 Bullseye. The bullseye doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles of the more recent and more expensive Rec Tec models, but instead it is a versatile pellet grill that’s perfect for those on a budget.
The grill heats up very quickly, even to 600 degrees in 15 minutes. In fact, some users have seen the grill go up to 800 degrees. You aren’t likely to see temperatures this high in any other wood pellet grill on the market.
The grill doesn’t just go up to high temperatures, however. It can also go as low as 200 degrees for certain dishes. It’s even possible to use it with the lid open. You will have to monitor this grill a little more than you would need to monitor some of the other models on this list, but aside from that it’s a really good choice for affordability and versatility.
Pros
- Able to get to low and high temperatures quickly
- 15 pound pellet hopper
- Portable
Cons
- Not ideal for large groups
CHECK PRICE ON RECTEC
Rec Tec Grills Buyer’s Guide
Key Things to Look for in a Rec Tec Grill
The amount of consistency and precision of a grill is going to change depending on the unit’s ability to keep a consistent temperature through all weather conditions. Of course, there are a lot of different things to think about when you are buying a Rec Tec grill in addition to that.
PID Control
This is probably one of the biggest selling points of a Rec Tec Grill. Essentially, it measures the temperature inside of the grill so you can adjust the cycles by keeping the desired level of heat throughout the meat as you cook. This feature also helps to add the pellets in at the right time so you know that the grill has the right cooking temperature.
WiFi Connectivity
Wifi connectivity is a super handy feature to have in any grill. Using the wifi connectivity, you will be able to control your Rec Tec pellet grill right from your phone, computer or tablet. This also means that you don’t need to control the grill manually so you can get on with your other activities while you grill away.
Secondary Cooking Racks
You should always doesble check whether an extra cooking rack comes with the grill or whether it’s something optional that you can add on. Secondary cooking racks are handy because they can help you to make the most out of your cooking space.
Inputs for Meat Probes
Some Rec Tec grills come with controllers that will have a separate output for the meat probes. This makes it easy and very simple to track the temperature of the food you are cooking and you don’t need to open the lid. All you will need to do is insert the one end into the meat and then plug the other one into the control board.
Meat Probes
While your grill may be able to accommodate a meat probe it doesn’t necessarily mean that it actually comes with a meat probe. You should always check the control boards before you try to get a meat probe to make sure that they are able to connect properly. If you have a programmable one it is also possible to use it to regulate the temperature in the grill as you need to.
Cooking Area and Size
It’s possible to find Rec Tec grills in a range of different sizes based on your individual requirements. You can get built in pellet grills that you can use with an outdoor kitchen, or you can get portable models that you can use for camping. You will need to check the dimensions and cooking area in order to make sure that the grill suits your space and lifestyle.
Usually Rec Tec pellet grills come along with two different cooking surfaces, the primary cooking area and the total cooking area (which consists of secondary racks and the main cooking grate). If your family is around an average size then you can get a grill that comes with a cooking area of around 450 to 500 square inches. If you are often going to be dealing with large groups of people, you will need a larger grill.
Temperature Ranges
Of course, this is going to depend on the kinds of foods you plan on cooking on the grill. A lot of the units mentioned here are very effective at indirect heating and are easily able to get to any temperatures from 180 to 500 degree Fahrenheit. Generally, the standard temperature range is okay for baking, roasting, grilling and smoking. If you are going to be searing you’re going to need temperatures that go above 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Price
A good quality grill is going to give you a fantastic, consistent performance that will likely last you for many years. With that being said, if you opt for a cheaper grill you’re going to spend less initially but it’s not likely to last as long so you may need to spend more money in the long run by getting a replacement.
Construction and Build
It’s always important to focus on the quality of the build. This is because if the grill is made out of poor quality materials then the components of the grill may start to break down after a couple of years.
You should always try to check out the joint, welding and any other hardware to make sure that the heat won’t escape. Always check reviews and product specifications if you are looking online for a grill.
Rec Tec are actually well known for their stainless steel pellet grills because they’re very durable and provide fantastic performance. In addition, having a high quality construction and materials will save some energy too, costing you less in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you operate a Rec Tec Grill?
Once you turn the grill on, the processor of the smart grill will begin to energize the igniter rod inside of the grill’s firepot. From here, it adds the fuel in order to begin the fire, and after a few minutes of waiting you will be able to smell and see the smoke. After a while, the smart grill processor will add more pellet fuel for you to reach the temperature that you need. It will keep this temperature up while you cook.
What’s better: Traeger or Rec Tec?
It can be a little tricky to choose a winner between these two companies because they both have incredible products with their own pros and cons. Many users do prefer Traeger grills to Rec Tec grills. Some other people prefer to go for Rec Tec grills, however, due to the Smart Grill technology. It generally just comes down to personal preference, though.
Are Rec Tec smokers good?
The biggest problem with Rec Tec smokers is that they tend to be a little bit expensive. There are a lot of great features in these grills though so they’re certainly a good investment. The price tag is worth it, as the manufacturer makes very durable products with a lot of functionality and advanced features. They are also all covered by a 6 year warranty.
Where are Rec Tec grills made?
Generally, Rec Tec grills are made in China and the USA. The body of the grill is constructed in china, but the vast majority of the grill, including the advanced technology is made in the USA. The powder coat is made in the USA and the grills are put together in the Rec Tec facility in Georgia.
Is Rec Tec better than Louisiana Grills?
As far as price and easy set up is concerned, Louisiana grills are a better choice than Rec Tec. With that being said though, if you do have some more money to play with, then you’re better off getting a Rec Tec model. As far as construction is concerned, Rec Tec is definitely better and they consume less pellets.
In addition to this, they don’t tend to have as many features as Rec Tec grills.
What are the biggest problems with Rec Tec grills?
While Rec Tec grills are made out of quality materials, they generally are not totally resistant to rust. Some people that have used Rec Tec grills before have said that the auger doesn’t always work properly. The brand does offer an excellent warranty though so even if you do have problems you can get the assistance of Rec Tec’s customer service.
Is it easy to clean Rec Tec grills?
Rec Tec grills are generally really easy to clean. The grills are easy to clean, and the grills come with grip pans so if you cover the grill with aluminum foil all you need to do is wipe it down.
Can Rec Tec grills be used in any weather?
Yes! Rec Tec grills are constructed well and feature impeccable quality workmanship which means that no heat escapes from the grill and no cold air is able to get in. You should opt for a cover though just for some extra protection.
Is the heat distribution even on a Rec Tec grill?
Rec Tec grills have very even heat distribution. A lot of them use a patented PID algorithm that means the temperature is kept even across the whole cooking area. It also keeps track of the temperature to make sure that it’s correct.
In addition to this, the grills also tend to come with a heat deflector built into the fire pot, and a blower fan which helps to keep any hot spots away. There is also a drip pan that ensures you don’t get any flare ups.
Will my food taste nice with a Rec Tec grill?
You bet! Of course, a lot of this will come down to how you prepare. Before you start cooking, you should preheat the grill between 400 and 500 F for 10 minutes. It will be all ready to cook then. You should then bring the temperature down to around 180 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, which means you can slow cook for long periods of time if you need to.