Entry level pellet smoker

[TexSons4]

Hello-
Long time lurker, first time poster here. Looking to get my 77 year old father a pellet smoker and would appreciate any recommendations. Criteria below:
* price range up to $500
* he lives by himself and is highly unlikely to cook for others, capacity is not a concern, just need room for brisket and a smoke tube
* do not need wifi, simpler the better
* ability to grill/sear would be helpful
* large enough hopper would be good so he doesn't have to tend it much

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

 

[JLeonard]

Welcome to the forum from Mississippi. Check out this. Rectec has a pretty good following on here.

RT-B380 Bullseye Wood Pellet Grill

Enjoy direct-flame grilling and restaurant-quality searing with the RT-B380 Bullseye. With a temperature range of 200°F to 750°F, this wood pellet grill can handle all the cooking you throw its way, whether it's the neighborhood cookout, the weekly meal prep, or a family get-together. Experience...

www.recteq.com

Jim

 

[02ebz06]

Greetings and welcome to the group from New Mexico.

RecTeq's are a good pellet grill.
However, the low end RecTeq pellet grills only have a 14-15lb hopper.
You would not be able to do a brisket or a pork shoulder at normal low and slow temps without having to refill the hopper.

If your wallet can afford it, the RT-590 is on sale right now for $675. Regularly $899.
It has a 30lb hopper. That would handle pretty much any cook.
RT-590

FYI - I don't own a RecTeq, just know of their reputation.

 

[clifish]

Welcome to the forum from Mississippi. Check out this. Rectec has a pretty good following on here.

RT-B380 Bullseye Wood Pellet Grill

Enjoy direct-flame grilling and restaurant-quality searing with the RT-B380 Bullseye. With a temperature range of 200°F to 750°F, this wood pellet grill can handle all the cooking you throw its way, whether it's the neighborhood cookout, the weekly meal prep, or a family get-together. Experience...

www.recteq.com

Jim

Nice Jim, I never gave this one a look. This looks to be the one that could replace both a gasser and a smoker.....hmmmmm. Anyone here have this one?

 

[JLeonard]

Nice Jim, I never gave this one a look. This looks to be the one that could replace both a gasser and a smoker.....hmmmmm. Anyone here have this one?

I know..... I'm thinking about it for my dad. His gasser is gasping its last. Reviews look good. But I'm like you...Someone on here with a real hands on use. And the hopper is kinda small. But he doesnt do a lot of long cooks. Mostly burgers and steaks type stuff.

Jim

 

[TexSons4]

Thanks, guys. It looks like it checks all of my boxes. Separately, any thoughts on this entry Pit Boss?

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/pit-boss-pellet-grill-green-10771-1600255?store=2724&cid=Shopping-Google-Local_Feed&utm_medium=Google&utm_source=Shopping&utm_campaign=&utm_content=Local_Feed&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAxreqBhAxEiwAfGfndHrwhiy_M0XNcLWCrldA5q64wMraj0Vbetan1OoU11u-tdHmEoGzKxoCwMgQAvD_BwE

 

[Bigtank]

I have the older RT 340 its a very good pellet cooker. The new version has folding legs. I was on another forum devoted to recteq the 380s are not well liked for smoking they are more suited to high heat for grilling and pizza etc.

 

[Bigtank]

I've never had a pit b, It does not have a PID controller, in my experience you get what you pay for. I hope some Pit Boss owners chime in.

 

[mike243]

Been running my pb Austin LX for 6+ years without any problems hold temps well would buy another without any problem

 

[WaterRat]

Thanks, guys. It looks like it checks all of my boxes. Separately, any thoughts on this entry Pit Boss?

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/pit-boss-pellet-grill-green-10771-1600255?store=2724&cid=Shopping-Google-Local_Feed&utm_medium=Google&utm_source=Shopping&utm_campaign=&utm_content=Local_Feed&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAxreqBhAxEiwAfGfndHrwhiy_M0XNcLWCrldA5q64wMraj0Vbetan1OoU11u-tdHmEoGzKxoCwMgQAvD_BwE

Looks like an older style PitBoss with the old controller which I do NOT like - I’ve replaced mine several times. For that $$ you can get a new style that’s better all around.

 

[Fueling Around]

I have the short lived Masterbuilt pellet grill and the controller is basically a clone of the older style PitBoss. It requires a lot of patience to keep the temps.

I would recommend a Z Grill 450B with a PiD controller.

 

[mike243]

So do you own a Z grill?

 

[Fueling Around]

So do you own a Z grill?

I don't but it is what I would purchase if a first time buyer.
Friend's son has a few year old model and it is built well and grills and smokes well.
Now that they went with a PiD controller and sub $500 almost a no brainer for entry level.

Been running my pb Austin LX for 6+ years without any problems hold temps well would buy another without any problem

SiL has a re-branded Cabelas that is basically a PB Austin with a glass door.
To say it is not a quality unit is a gross understatement.
2 controllers and an auger motor replaced under warranty. Breaks the auger bolt pretty frequently. The only reason I can figure out is the auger motor is not aligned with the auger.

 

[mike243]

I've not seen anybody posting about a Zgrill in a long time, I know rural king was carrying a couple but haven't seen any in awhile. My sister inlaw has a small PB probably about as small as you can get without being a table top, they use it often for grilling mostly, I learned a long time ago a high heat chicken cooking doesn't work well with 30lbs on lol I have only cooked on 2 pellet smokers and ate food off 1 more, all have been PB. Wanted a RT but for the $$ I'm not sure I would have been happier,

 

[Buckeye1]

I have done overnight cook on the Recteq 340. There were plenty of pellets left in the hopper. That grill would be perfect for your dad.

 

[ChasP]

Hello-
Long time lurker, first time poster here. Looking to get my 77 year old father a pellet smoker and would appreciate any recommendations. Criteria below:
* price range up to $500
* he lives by himself and is highly unlikely to cook for others, capacity is not a concern, just need room for brisket and a smoke tube
* do not need wifi, simpler the better
* ability to grill/sear would be helpful
* large enough hopper would be good so he doesn't have to tend it much

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

I'm also a new member, and although many recommended the ReqTech, I just purchased the NexGrill Oakford 790 and put it together easily last night. Finished seasoning it today. It is actually pretty high quality at a lower price than many. With my military discount, I only paid $386 + tax. Mike talked about it here: https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/oakford-790-pellet-smoker.322687/

Nexgrill Oakford 790 Wifi Pellet Grill Smoker in Black 910-05002 - The Home Depot

Ignite a passion for woodfire flavor. Wood-fired infusions, bold new recipes, family, friends, and mouthwatering flavors. That's the promise of the new Oakford Pellet Grills from Nexgrill. The promise

www.homedepot.com

 

[gimpel]

where are yall finding the recteq rt-590 for sale? I can't find it anywhere but on Amazon way overpriced. They are selling the Deckboss everywhere.

I have had the GMG Daniel Boone for 4 years. Love this grill, but have had to replace the wifi controller twice. Their customer support has gone downhill, and the last issue ruined my thanksgiving dinner , and threatens to ruin Christmas dinner too.

Yall convinced me to get an RT-590 but I can't find it anywhere online. Would love a link to a good price for it.

 

[Bigtank]

RT website has 15% off https://www.recteq.com/collections/wood-pellet-grills

 

[Gonna Smoke]

I would recommend a Z Grill 450B with a PiD controller.

On sale right now for $399...

PIONEER 450B - 2024 NEW UPGRADE

Compact-sized, affordable, yet highly reliable, the versatile 450B Pellet Grill brings easy and delicious wood-fired barbeque to your backyard or back patio.

www.zgrills.com

 

[ChasP]

On sale right now for $399...

PIONEER 450B - 2024 NEW UPGRADE

Compact-sized, affordable, yet highly reliable, the versatile 450B Pellet Grill brings easy and delicious wood-fired barbeque to your backyard or back patio.

www.zgrills.com

That looks like a nice one!