After many years of drooling and coveting a pellet cooker, my wife told me my Father's day/Anniversary gift this year was to pick out the Pellet Grill that I want. (She's tired of hearing my complain about the back and forth with my trusty old homemade propane smoker.)
Now for over a year, I've been researching by reading hundreds of site reviews, watching videos, checking on forums and up to this point, the Rec-Tec has been the one that keeps sorting it's way to the top of my list. Looking at around $1400 with shipping and sear option. A little more that I think she's planning on but I have the following pros: thicker steel, porcelain lid, lots of stainless steel parts, built in light, 40lb hopper, 6 year warranty, cold smoke attachment and I think it's the best looking of all the pellet grills out there. Cons: Price, no temperature probe for the meat, no pellet dump, not easy to clean the burner pot, no side sear grill, $80 more for cover.
The other unit that has really caught my eye is the Camp Chef Woodwind with sear box. Pros: Large cook area and tall, stainless lid and cap, meat temp probe, easy hopper dump, easy burn pot clean out, sear box, free shipping and cover included all for $899 also a very nice looker. Cons: 3 year warranty, not 6 like Rec-Tec, thinner steel, only 18lb hopper and don't receive the amount of pellets with the order as you do on the Rec-Tec
The $500 difference plus the searing attachment have me leaning hard toward the Woodwind right now. Yesterday was the first I had really looked at Camp Chef pellet grills though so I don't have as much info on them to compare. I also saw that Cabela's pellet grill is made by Camp Chef and they have the same searing attachment. Not stainless but has a viewing window, (can't believe you could see much for long on that) and Cabela's carries a Lifetime warranty on any of their named products such as this.
I want to get this ordered soon but I want to make the right decision too.
What thoughts can you all give?
Thanks!!!
Now for over a year, I've been researching by reading hundreds of site reviews, watching videos, checking on forums and up to this point, the Rec-Tec has been the one that keeps sorting it's way to the top of my list. Looking at around $1400 with shipping and sear option. A little more that I think she's planning on but I have the following pros: thicker steel, porcelain lid, lots of stainless steel parts, built in light, 40lb hopper, 6 year warranty, cold smoke attachment and I think it's the best looking of all the pellet grills out there. Cons: Price, no temperature probe for the meat, no pellet dump, not easy to clean the burner pot, no side sear grill, $80 more for cover.
The other unit that has really caught my eye is the Camp Chef Woodwind with sear box. Pros: Large cook area and tall, stainless lid and cap, meat temp probe, easy hopper dump, easy burn pot clean out, sear box, free shipping and cover included all for $899 also a very nice looker. Cons: 3 year warranty, not 6 like Rec-Tec, thinner steel, only 18lb hopper and don't receive the amount of pellets with the order as you do on the Rec-Tec
The $500 difference plus the searing attachment have me leaning hard toward the Woodwind right now. Yesterday was the first I had really looked at Camp Chef pellet grills though so I don't have as much info on them to compare. I also saw that Cabela's pellet grill is made by Camp Chef and they have the same searing attachment. Not stainless but has a viewing window, (can't believe you could see much for long on that) and Cabela's carries a Lifetime warranty on any of their named products such as this.
I want to get this ordered soon but I want to make the right decision too.
What thoughts can you all give?
Thanks!!!