Yes, the Grilla Silverback has about 100sq in more of cooking space than does the
Rec Tec RT590.
But none of it's cooking space, not one square inch of it, is under WiFi control.
Same as the cooking space on my
Weber Kettle is not under WiFi control.
The Grilla has PID capability, but no WiFi control capability at this point. Hopefully they will get it soon and existing Grilla Silverback owners can upgrade to WiFi capabilities at a reasonable price.
The
Rec Tec RT590 does have both WiFi capability as well as PID capability, and the 100sq in of cooking space that it gives up to the Grilla Silverback, can be made up with a cheap aftermarket grate.
The Grilla Silverback Alpha, which has PID capability, but no WiFi, is $799.00.
The
Rec Tec RT590 is $899.00. The extra $100.00 that the RT590 costs gets you the WiFi and a 30lb hopper and 2 meat temperature probes for food, vs the Silverback's 20lb hopper, one meat probe for food and no WiFi.
The
Rec Tec has a ceramic ignitor rod, rated for up to 100,000 starts. The Grilla's ignitor rod, I don't believe, I could be wrong, is not ceramic
The question then becomes, do you want to have a pellet dump, double shielded lower barrel, and lower cabinet doors, 100 extra sq in of cooking space, but none of it under WiFi, and a 20lb pellet hopper offered by the Silverback Alpha. Or do you want a 30lb pellet hopper, not one, but 2 food temperature probes, an ignitor rod that you'll likely never have to replace, and WiFi which will allow you to monitor the grill and control it remotely for the additional $100.00 .
Well, I'm not a big believer in shielding the bottom of a grill in an effort to minimize heat loss, any more than I would insulate the floor of my basement and neglect insulating my attic in an attempt to cut down on my heating bills because of the simple fact that heat rises. Always has, always will. Why isn't the lid of the Grilla not double shielded since heat rises? And so I don't see the double shielding on the bottom as a value added benefit.
I chose the Rec Tec for the extra 100 bucks. The 100 bucks gets what is important to me. Mainly WiFi capability and all of the benefits which go along with that, right out of the box. WiFi contributes to, accentuates, supplements the whole "set it and forget it" concept.
it allows for ignition or shutdown of the grill remotely. It allows for temperature adjustment if desired or necessary, again remotely. It allows monitoring the progress of the cook again, remotely and without going aftermarket to do so. I can monitor or alter things from the comfort of my bed, from the supermarket, or from elsewhere. I can start things up and go to Home Depot and monitor, keep an eye on things from right in the paint department of Home Depot, Lowes, Sam's, you get the picture. All things which to me are crucial to the "set it and forget it concept". Even if you've "forgotten" about it, well then if you want to check, or alter things, well you can. Remotely.
I chose the RT590.. And would choose it again.