Rec Tec feedback

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timtimmay

Action Team
Original poster
Jan 6, 2010
609
18
Colorado
Hey All,

I used my chargriller smokin pro fully moded out until it fully rusted out (which didn't take that long).  I went electric with the Bradley but I had to add a second heating element and the controller frequently freezes up.  After having been burned, I'm ready for a quality unit that won't need a ton mods to work acceptably.  I'd rather invest my time in the kitchen prepping food than I would in the shop moding the smoker.

After a ton of research, I've settled on the Rec Tec.  It looks to be high quality, but not exorbitantly priced.  The reviews are almost all positive and it looks like out of the box it keeps temperature without mods.  I have pulled the trigger and ordered one but it has not yet shipped.  I've kept reading up on it and after reading all the glowing reviews I have one hesitation.

Every review or thread on the unit talks about how great the customer service is.  You get the owner's cell phone and they answer it most of the time to quickly help you out.  My hesitation is where are the people that didn't have problems with the grill?  I like good customer service as much as the next guy and I'll sure appreciate it if I need it, but I'd rather not have problems in the first place.  Aside from good service when you have problems, are there Rec Tec owners out there that are happy just because of the product itself?  Any Rec Tec owners that have not needed to call for help?

Thanks
 
I did a lot of research on that unit myself.  You would be hard pressed to find a reasonable negative review.  I've seen a few posts about people needing a part and having it same day mailed.  I really considered buying one, but I think I'm going to go the UDS route.  Enjoy your smoker, I think you're going to be happy with it.  I am a bit jealous.  
 
Thanks, I'm really hoping that it's as good as I think it is, not just that they manage their image well. Hopefully someone that owns one will chime in and put me at ease.
 
Hi Tim,

I bought a Rec Tec 2 years ago...and its been my primary smoker and grill ever since. I cook on it 2-3 times a week year round, and even more than that during the warm months.

My experience: all the good things you've read and posted about the RT have been true for me. Straight out of the box it has been a great pit for me with no problems that needed customer service. And I've never had to do any mods to it other than adding a folding front shelf...which I highly recommend.

Only one experience for me with their customer service: The same day my new grill arrived 2 years ago, I got an email from Rec Tec, saying that in a small number of the newest batch of grills they'd shipped, there was an epoxy used in the bellows fan that was failing at high temps...so they were shipping me a brand new fan free of charge. I never needed it...the original fan is still going strong 2 years later. That new fan is still in the box in my garage if I ever need a new one...it was nice to know that they were willing to eat the cost to keep a new customer satisfied.

There are plenty of really good pellet cookers on the market these days. If you wanted to spend 2K or more, there are some out there that have some nice features that a RT doesn't have...but IMHO the Rec Tec is just about the best value for the price.

Hope you are as happy with yours as I am with mine...and let me know if I can answer more questions...don't mind helping if I can.

Red
 
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I've had mine since the beginning of February and use it anywhere from 3-5 times per week.  It worked flawlessly out of the box and I have not had to call for customer service once.  I suspect that when my heat rod goes bad (which they will and they do provide you with a backup heat rod), I will need to contact them to help me figure it out.  It's nice to know I will be able to have them walk me through it when it does happen.

I did make a couple of mods, but nothing major.  I put in a downdraft mod (which consists of a $3 aluminum 3" 90 degree elbow) and I have half a bag of fullers earth in the bottom of my chamber.  It would work just fine without them, but I get a bit more consistent temps across the grates with the downdraft mod and my temps recover a bit quicker due to the fullers earth (it also absorbs any grease that may get past the drip pan).

Bottom line - I love it and would never look back.  Welcome to the club!

Lance
 
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Thanks Red,

This and some responses I got from asking the same question on Amazon put me at ease.  I'm excited to get that bad boy going.  I still have my Bradley, I'm not sure if I'll keep it for a backup and additional capacity for cooking larger events or sell it off.  My gasser that I used for grilling got into an argument with the wind and lost over the weekend.  I did order the sear kit for the Rec Tec so I'm hoping that the Rec Tec will replace both of them so I don't also have to replace the Gasser, although if I do I'm going for a higher quality build this time as I've learned my lesson on the cheap stuff.

I ordered about a week ago, hoping to hear that its shipped soon.

--Tim
 
I've had mine for over a year now, and have had great results with everything
I've cooked. I have no mods & my unit holds temps great where I set it at. I
have not experienced the great customer service as of yet, because I have had
zero problems. Just a good solid pit!
 
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Thanks Red,



This and some responses I got from asking the same question on Amazon put me at ease.  I'm excited to get that bad boy going.  I still have my Bradley, I'm not sure if I'll keep it for a backup and additional capacity for cooking larger events or sell it off.  My gasser that I used for grilling got into an argument with the wind and lost over the weekend.  I did order the sear kit for the Rec Tec so I'm hoping that the Rec Tec will replace both of them so I don't also have to replace the Gasser, although if I do I'm going for a higher quality build this time as I've learned my lesson on the cheap stuff.



I ordered about a week ago, hoping to hear that its shipped soon.



--Tim

After I satisfied myself that my RT would put a good sear on a steak, I gave my gas grill to one of my sons. Here's a link to the last thread I posted of grilled steaks on my RT:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/183786/couple-of-quick-ribeyes-on-the-rec-tec-w-qview

I keep an old GOSM cabinet-style gas smoker...as an overflow or backup smoker, and for cold smoking. My RT does everything else I need it to do.

Red
 
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Add me to the list of happy customers, my mod was also the front shelf.  Customer service has been great, not that I really needed anything, just asked general questions and got info. I've had mine about a year and a half, use it very often, several times a week all year round, no issues.  I did replace the controller but that was my choice to try their "ultimate smoke" option which now comes standard on the grill.  I would do it over again in a heartbeat, the food is amazing, using it is simple and the maintenance is low.  For me, wipe it down, clean out the ash once in awhile ....... pour in pellets.
 
Okay, I've switched from nervous to excited.  Mine's supposed to ship tomorrow or Monday.  With any luck next weekend I'll get to break it in.  Red, nice steak thread.  I did order the sear kit with mine.   I don't think I'll do a shelf.  I'm working on an outdoor kitchen concept where there may be a counter right next to the Rec Tec.

Thanks
 
 
Okay, I've switched from nervous to excited.  Mine's supposed to ship tomorrow or Monday.  With any luck next weekend I'll get to break it in.  Red, nice steak thread.  I did order the sear kit with mine.   I don't think I'll do a shelf.  I'm working on an outdoor kitchen concept where there may be a counter right next to the Rec Tec.

Thanks
Go to the store, buy meat, LOTS of meat!  The first week is the worst, you won't want to shut it off ......   
grilling_smilie.gif


 
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