First Pellet Smoker - Need Advice

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Amateur BBQ

Newbie
Original poster
Aug 30, 2025
3
0
Hello, first post here and need opinions. I currently have a Masterbuilt 560 gravity series but would like to try a pellet grill, would be my first. Wife is not a huge fan of charcoal smell and I would like to try something new. My biggest concern is lack of smoke flavor in pellet grill. Having said that I think I have narrowed my options to Recteq flagship with attached Reqteq smokebox or a Woodwind Pro 24. I really like the smokebox included in the woodwind pro to add wood chunks. The Pitts and Spits Maverick 800 with a added smoke cage also intrigues me but that's another price range. I'm looking for any helpful advice. Thank you in advance.
 
Don't have any of the ones you are looking at, so no help there.
But, welcome to the forum from New Mexico.

I do know people's taste buds are different.
You may like whatever smoker you get without an add-on smoke box.

Smoke boxes are also good for smoking cheese and anything else you don't want heat applied.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Amateur BBQ
I was thinking I had seen adding wood chunks to the charcoal on a gravity feed system.

Do a google on that.
 
I know absolutely nothing about pellet grills/smokers but every Recteq owner here swears by them.
I do happen to swear more than I should and often when it’s a good swear I am standing next to my Recteq…..LOL couldn’t help it.

My wife doesn’t like charcoal smell or a heavy smoke profile at all. So the Recteq is a perfect solution. To me when I run the copper pot wood burner clean the RT is really close to that tone, but it does it day in and day out…. The flagship with a side smoke box would be a solid cooker all the way around! I’ve slowed down a bit with my RT 1250 but still burning 550 to 600lbs a year in pellets….it just keeps cooking great food!
 
  • Like
Reactions: normanaj
I do happen to swear more than I should and often when it’s a good swear I am standing next to my Recteq…..LOL couldn’t help it.

My wife doesn’t like charcoal smell or a heavy smoke profile at all. So the Recteq is a perfect solution. To me when I run the copper pot wood burner clean the RT is really close to that tone, but it does it day in and day out…. The flagship with a side smoke box would be a solid cooker all the way around! I’ve slowed down a bit with my RT 1250 but still burning 550 to 600lbs a year in pellets….it just keeps cooking great food!
Could you send me the link to the copper pot wood burner?
 
Rec Teq for the win! Ive had mine over a decade, rock solid, great flavor, second to none customer service. Absolutely the best purchase in a very long time, zero regrets! Do it and you wont regret it.
 
https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t...h-vertical-cabinet-aka-the-copper-pot.268790/

oh here you go…..if you call my wife she would sell it to ya….and I would be the grown man curled up crying in the corner as it would leave…..lol.

The Recteq 1250 at our house gets used 15 to 1 it’s just toooooooo easssssyyyyyyy! We have 5 smokers and if we were to have only 1 it would be a Recteq…..
Thank you very much for the Recteq advise. I went to check and now it's sold out, arghh. That's really too bad because it's on sale now and I have a $100 off first time buyer code from Recteq but it it's only valid for another few hours (was only good a couple days, wasted to much time researching and thinking).
 
Thank you very much for the Recteq advise. I went to check and now it's sold out, arghh. That's really too bad because it's on sale now and I have a $100 off first time buyer code from Recteq but it it's only valid for another few hours (was only good a couple days, wasted to much time researching and thinking).
I’d send them a note that you want one and ask if they would honor the first time buyer coupon when they are back in stock……they may surprise you…..
 
  • Like
Reactions: Amateur BBQ
I’d send them a note that you want one and ask if they would honor the first time buyer coupon when they are back in stock……they may surprise you…..
you read my mind. they are super customer oriented.
 
Thank you very much for the Recteq advise. I went to check and now it's sold out, arghh. That's really too bad because it's on sale now and I have a $100 off first time buyer code from Recteq but it it's only valid for another few hours (was only good a couple days, wasted to much time researching and thinking).
HI! I just bought a Grilla Chimp. Its a small tailgater,
1st time pellet grill, very happy with it !
Chimp had alot I was looking for:
Has a 2nd warming rack, double walled insulated chamber body, 1 cooking probe, Stainless steel grates and burn pot , Wifi PID,
PID has a smoke mod to increase the smoke, have not used it yet. PID has a few adjustments to Taylor the cook ! increase or decrease settings.
My wife does not like heavy smoke: Our food was Great !
Made pork chops/potatoes, Chicken thighs, Burgers/Hotdogs.
Going to use the PRO Smoke mode to do BBQ Ribs next few days.
Currently they are selling 40 % off : Chimp and a Siverbac bulti in which can be put on a cart.
These are closeout models, they still have other newer models for more $?
They ship direct, no middle man dealer.
I used the BBQLAB code. Good on accessories.
Got free shipping, A cover, extra grease bucket (which I do not need)
All for under $500 shipped ! saved over $200 + No Tax also.
Check them out? do not forget to use the BBQLAB code !
Grilla grills .com
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Amateur BBQ
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
Clicky