My New Recteq Backyard Beast 1200, Condo-Style

[mneeley490]

Decided to branch off from the original OP's thread.
My condo is undergoing a remodel, but my apt lease is up, so I still have to move in, in 2 days. Right now, the kitchen is gutted, along with the sinks & vanities in both bathrooms. So the only running water and drainage at the moment are the showers and toilets. Not optimal, but I guess I can live with it for 2-3 weeks, until the new cabinets, countertops, and sinks are installed. (Going to have to go to the office early to shave and brush my teeth.) I will still have a running fridge and microwave, so like Bear Grylis, I'll survive.

Kitchen (Note the groovy 60's-70's wallpaper)

Guest & main baths

Yesterday, as the plumber was there updating the 1969 valves and piping, I was out on the deck putting together my new Recteq Backyard Beast. (Pellet grills somehow slipped through the HOA covenants.)

So far, I'm very impressed. This was a HEAVY son of a gun to maneuver by myself. And that is a solid, cast iron deflection shield. Should distribute the heat more evenly than stainless steel.
I'll give it the inial burn-in, in a day or two.

 

[mneeley490]

In the meantime I stopped by our forum friend, Y2K's (Jeff's Texas Style BBQ) near me, for lunch on the go yesterday.

Had a cold ham sandwich that was to die for. He smoked, then thin sliced, and stacked it about 1" thick on a sweet brioche bun. Loaded up with lettuce, tomato, slivered red onion, and a fantastic mustard-based sauce. Wish I had taken a pic, but I was eating while driving. No easy feat.

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

Congrats on the new pit bud… looks a good one. Never heard any bad on RT. What’s the maiden voyage smoke gonna be?

And nice to visit another member place, sure it was tasty!

 

[Brokenhandle]

Looks like a beautiful smoker! Look forward to it's maiden voyage!

Ryan

 

[Redicans]

Nice looking Rig! I'll bet you will be happy with that!!

 

[mneeley490]

Did the initial burn-in tonight. This was at 400 degrees for an hour; I could see and feel the hot smoke near the vents. But as a test, I purposely positioned it about 8" away from the wood railing behind it, and the wood wasn't even warm. I touched the pellet box, and it was also cool to the touch. That tells me this thing is very well insulated.

The only problem I had, was that I couldn't connect the wifi. Four times, it would get to 99% completed, then throw an error message. I'll call them about it tomorrow. Might be my 5G connection.

 

[h8that4u]

See if you can find some Jealous Devil wood blocks, I add one on top of the cast iron deflection shield, it really helps add smoke flavor to the food. They make hickory, cherry, and whiskey barrel. I got the hickory and cherry from my local home depot, but it it hit and miss on the stores that carry them. They can also be ordered online through several sites.

 

[JLinza]

Awesome. I don't have a Recteq, but have only heard good things about them. Can't wait to see the first cook

 

[normanaj]

From what all the other Recteq owners here say about the customer service you shouldn't have any issues getting that set up right.

 

[sawhorseray]

BEAUTIFUL RIG, ENJOY MIKE! IF I EVER GOT A PELLET POOPER IT'D HAVE TO BE A RECTEC, THEY SEEM TO BE TOP-OF-THE-LINE WITH GREAT C-S. RAY

 

[chopsaw]

Nice to see you back in business ! Looks like Rec Tec is improving on the overall visual appeal of the smokers . Loose the horns and go with a solid handle and they'd have it for me .
Really like the cart on that one .
Enjoy Mike .

 

[jaxgatorz]

Did the initial burn-in tonight. This was at 400 degrees for an hour; I could see and feel the hot smoke near the vents. But as a test, I purposely positioned it about 8" away from the wood railing behind it, and the wood wasn't even warm. I touched the pellet box, and it was also cool to the touch. That tells me this thing is very well insulated.
View attachment 724626

The only problem I had, was that I couldn't connect the wifi. Four times, it would get to 99% completed, then throw an error message. I'll call them about it tomorrow. Might be my 5G connection.

Duplicate

 

[jaxgatorz]

nm

 

[sandyut]

I had that same issue... Called them . The smoker will only connect to 2.4 wifi , not 5. So they got it connected for me while I was on phone with them. It happened a few more times . I finally gave up trying to hassle with my router . Too much a PITA for me to keep it connecting every time. I found that I didn't need to bother with it being connected. I use a couple of Bluetooth probes. You will find ( at least I did ) The smoker ( 1400xl ) runs damn near perfect temps every time I run it , so I gave up on the reqtec app connecting. I believe the remote start was the only good reason to use their app. They eliminated that from the app shortly before I got my 1400xl. On the reqtec forums , tons of info on all that and OTHER apps that will run it much easier and they connect to 5g ( and some that even allow remote start ). The reqtec app , even when working , didn't do much for ME. YMMV. have fun with your new toy !!!

This, turn off the 5 ghz then it should connect real easy. When done, turn the 5 ghz back on.

Congrats on the smoker! Now get smokin! thats far too clean.

Living through a renovation...I know all too well. Had so many dinners using a garbage can for a table, plastic folding chairs on the subfloor. One toilet downstairs etc. You get through and make due. It increases your appreciation for things that work.

 

[mneeley490]

See if you can find some Jealous Devil wood blocks, I add one on top of the cast iron deflection shield, it really helps add smoke flavor to the food. They make hickory, cherry, and whiskey barrel. I got the hickory and cherry from my local home depot, but it it hit and miss on the stores that carry them. They can also be ordered online through several sites.

I just took a look at those. I already have 4 boxes of assorted flavor wood blocks that I use in my Smokin'-It Model 1. Looks like basically the same thing. Thanks for the idea!

 

[fxsales1959]

Decided to branch off from the original OP's thread.
My condo is undergoing a remodel, but my apt lease is up, so I still have to move in, in 2 days. Right now, the kitchen is gutted, along with the sinks & vanities in both bathrooms. So the only running water and drainage at the moment are the showers and toilets. Not optimal, but I guess I can live with it for 2-3 weeks, until the new cabinets, countertops, and sinks are installed. (Going to have to go to the office early to shave and brush my teeth.) I will still have a running fridge and microwave, so like Bear Grylis, I'll survive.

Kitchen (Note the groovy 60's-70's wallpaper)
View attachment 724421

Guest & main baths
View attachment 724422
View attachment 724423



Yesterday, as the plumber was there updating the 1969 valves and piping, I was out on the deck putting together my new Recteq Backyard Beast. (Pellet grills somehow slipped through the HOA covenants.)
View attachment 724417
View attachment 724418
View attachment 724419
View attachment 724420

So far, I'm very impressed. This was a HEAVY son of a gun to maneuver by myself. And that is a solid, cast iron deflection shield. Should distribute the heat more evenly than stainless steel.
I'll give it the inial burn-in, in a day or two.

Nice rig, gotta love those @#$$% HOA's

 

[fxsales1959]

Decided to branch off from the original OP's thread.
My condo is undergoing a remodel, but my apt lease is up, so I still have to move in, in 2 days. Right now, the kitchen is gutted, along with the sinks & vanities in both bathrooms. So the only running water and drainage at the moment are the showers and toilets. Not optimal, but I guess I can live with it for 2-3 weeks, until the new cabinets, countertops, and sinks are installed. (Going to have to go to the office early to shave and brush my teeth.) I will still have a running fridge and microwave, so like Bear Grylis, I'll survive.

Kitchen (Note the groovy 60's-70's wallpaper)
View attachment 724421

Guest & main baths
View attachment 724422
View attachment 724423



Yesterday, as the plumber was there updating the 1969 valves and piping, I was out on the deck putting together my new Recteq Backyard Beast. (Pellet grills somehow slipped through the HOA covenants.)
View attachment 724417
View attachment 724418
View attachment 724419
View attachment 724420

So far, I'm very impressed. This was a HEAVY son of a gun to maneuver by myself. And that is a solid, cast iron deflection shield. Should distribute the heat more evenly than stainless steel.
I'll give it the inial burn-in, in a day or two.

Holy schnikeys. being easily enabled I went on google to see what they were going for. Looks like I'm stuck with my POS pit boss fer awhile.

 

[civilsmoker]

Very nice and you soon find out why it’s called the beast….I love my RT

Nice to see you back in business ! Looks like Rec Tec is improving on the overall visual appeal of the smokers . Loose the horns and go with a solid handle and they'd have it for me .
Really like the cart on that one .
Enjoy Mike .

I wasn’t a fan of the horns but I have come to like them LOL…..they “grow” on you

The beast should have a dual band WiFi but as sandy says I had of the 2.4 to connect then on to the 5. I recently got a new router and didn’t have to do anything it connected right up to the 5

 

[mneeley490]

I called RT about the wifi, and got a "Call back during business hours" message. I didn't leave a message, but they called me back the next day anyway. I was transferred to their IT people, and we got it sorted out in a couple minutes.
Fantastic customer service!

BTW, I like the horns. They're different.

 

[mneeley490]

I'm at home today, cabinets just came in. 26 big boxes worth. They say they're sending out a guy to install on Monday.
Meanwhile, I couldn't wait any longer, so the chuckie went on about 2 hours ago. Rubbed with Meatchurch Holy Voodoo.