New smoker

[mickgriller]

i am looking to get a new smoker, and I am trying to decide between the Traeger ironwood 850, RECTEC bull 700 and Grilla Grills Silverbac Alpha. There are things I like about each of them, open to opinions and reasons why I should choose a certain one.

 

[SlowmotionQue]

i am looking to get a new smoker, and I am trying to decide between the Traeger ironwood 850, RECTEC bull 700 and Grilla Grills Silverbac Alpha. There are things I like about each of them, open to opinions and reasons why I should choose a certain one.

What things are important to you in a new smoker?

 

[mickgriller]

I would like WiFi and enough room to cook for family and friends when needed. Stainless steel would be nice and a good controller that will hold temp really well. Now that I am thinking about it I just basically described the RECTEC rt700.

 

[DoubleBull]

I have just purchased a Rec Tec and it should arrive today, but no hands on experience. YET....Just from exhaustive research the past couple of months though on pellet smokers I would forget Traeger unless it was gifted to you.

 

[SlowmotionQue]

I would like WiFi and enough room to cook for family and friends when needed. Stainless steel would be nice and a good controller that will hold temp really well. Now that I am thinking about it I just basically described the RECTEC rt700.

Yes, you did.

Notice in my response to you, I asked what “you were looking for in your new grill”.

Now in a little bit, a guy is going to come into your thread, ranting about how you don’t “need” a PID controller or this or that. And he’s going to do his best to hawk the Grilla and tell you how you should to buy one.

He’s going to talk a lot of crap about how non PID controllers provide “more smoke” to food thus making it taste better, and makes better tasting bbq. That wild temp swings are a “good thing”.

When he does that, ask him to prove it.

Notice I didn’t attempt to tell you what you “needed”. That’s presumptuous and insulting.

But bear in mind that a couple things you did not mention in your post above, possibly because you may not have known it, Rec Tec offers.

A 6yr warranty that the other makes you mention don’t have.

A 30day no questions asked return policy. If you are not satisfied for any reason.

BTW. I own a Rec Tec and we are exceptionally satisfied with it. Immensely satisfied with it. My “suggestion” if you’re looking for suggestions, would be the Rec Tec. For the reasons you described and the two others I gave you.

Good luck on your purchase though. Whatever you decide.

 

[sweetride95]

I say go with the Rec Tec. PID control, wifi, ridiculous warranty, and horns for handles if you get into that.
The price is very attractive too when you factor in what you get.
I have a $1000 in my Traeger after adding the Savannah controller.
No way to lose unless you just don't end up using it.

 

[SlowmotionQue]

Like clockwork.

 

[mike243]

Im liking the ignore feature blood pressure is doing good now lol, good luck an picking 1 lot of good choices and prices out there

 

[sandyut]

Get the Bull! Had mine about 9 months and I absolutely love it. Rock solid, fires up quick, no temp swings, conservative on pellets, killer warranty and customer service, WiFi controller it very robust - probe alarms, on/off, adjust settings, graphs etc.. MAKES GREAT SMOKED MEAT!

I threw down for a package (they changed them since I purchased - go silver package) came with grates, pellets, all kinda of good stuff. I also bought the cold weather cover because its damn cold here in winter and now I can smoke year round!

 

[SlowmotionQue]

When you say “grates”, I’m thinking that you mean the special searing grates as opposed to the included stainless steel grates which come with Rec Tecs

 

[sandyut]

haha yes the Sear Kit not the included stainless grates for everyday use :)

 

[Mtorell]

Go Rec Tec, ive posted in another thread, but not only is the quality of the grill incredibly high, but the customer service can't be beat. I had a an issue come up with my Stampede and I worked with customer service to try and fix it and when we couldn't get it going, Rec Tec sent me a whole new grill. Cannot recommend them enough.

 

[retfr8flyr]

I have a Traeger Timberline 1300 and although I like it, I wouldn't have gotten it if it weren't for the fantastic deal I got on it. I don't think the Traeger grills are worth the price they want for them. Personally I just can't stand the guys running Rec Tec and I was going to get the Silverbac but wanted wifi. Now with the new Alpha, you have the best of both worlds in the controller. I think their customer service is just as good as anyone's and the double insulated bottom is a big feature, for me, as I grill year round. I really don't think you could go wrong with whichever grill you choose.

 

[SlowmotionQue]

Since we all know that heat rises,.... if “double wall insulation” is such a valuable feature, then why isn’t the lid “double insulated” instead of, or at least in addition to, the bottom?

Why does the lid have no gasket?

Seems odd to “double insulate” the bottom part of the grill and not also double insulate the lid and put a gasket around it to prevent rising heat from escaping.

The “double insulation”, sounds more and more like a marketing gimmick, at least to me. However I understand if others see it as a “feature” though

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

I think the pellet grill debates are one of the best parts of this forum lol I don't own one but if I ever did decide to buy one I know you guys would have me covered

 

[SlowmotionQue]

Yep, we have you covered.

MAK, Yoder if you’re looking in that $1800.00 range. Rec Tec if you’re looking in that mid price range and are looking for value, build materials and build quality, warranty and customer service.

I think the pellet grill debates are one of the best parts of this forum lol I don't own one but if I ever did decide to buy one I know you guys would have me covered

 

[sawhorseray]

Meadow Creek, Yoder offsets, 1/4" plate steel, no electricity needed, no wifi, no pellets, better smoke flavor, burn wood you cut from a tree yourself. You'll never get the smoke flavor from pellets that you'll get from a stick burner, never. RAY

 

[DoubleBull]

I picked up my RT 700 yesterday, assembled and did burn in.
My lid fits perfect so I may not use the Lava Lock gasket as planned, no smoke leaking from door.

Bad news is my smoke box looks pretty sad straight out of the box. I get to try out the vaunted customer service straight away.

 

[SlowmotionQue]

I’d contact them immediately. Looks like shipping damage, and if it was, I have no doubt that they will take care of you.

 

[sawhorseray]

Sorry, I didn't realize this was a "Pellet Smokers" only thread, and I certainly wasn't trying to infer that anyone was an "idiot". I've got two friends with Traegers who've had nothing but problems with the pellet feeders and wifi.. Good luck to you. RAY