Rec Tec or BGE?

[snakehead]

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

I recently sold my home and moved into a new place. I had to leave my XL BGE behind, so now I'm looking for a new setup. I've used the heck out of my BGE, from smoking meats, grilling steaks (Cooking them at 600°+ for 2 mins per side, resting for 5) and even baking pizza. I typically used my Egg 3+ times / week.

My good friend tx smoker suggested I look into getting a Rec Tech instead of a replacement Egg. I'm open to the idea, but I'd like to hear from others (without starting a war of course) who have used both to get their insights. Any thoughts and help in making my decision would be greatly appreciated! I'm looking to pull the trigger within the next couple of days.

 

[jcam222]

For me the choice is simple as I strongly prefer lump charcoal for grilling and smoking. A BGE or Primo Kamado would be my choice. That said if I were to buy a pellet rig it would be either the Rec Tec or a Yoder

 

[jlud]

2 different animals....pellet grill like an outdoor set and forget oven...minimal work, cooking easier and less time. I’m not sure if any pellet grill that hits 600 either, think most max at 500 ish.

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

If you are used to the BGE I don't think you will be happy with a pellet rig. 2 different beasts in themselves. I think you would he happier getting a replacement egg especially using it as much as you did.

 

[tx smoker]

I guess a lot has to do with your lifestyle and how much time you have available to cook. Folks are turning out some world class food with the pellet grills but there's no beating an Egg (no pun intended). They are nothing short of amazing. The beauty of a pellet grill is that you can toss a piece of meat on it in the morning, program the grill with your phone, and come home to a great meal. If you have time available to manage the Egg, stick with that would be my suggestion. Now...the flip side is that Rec Tec has some packages available that include a sear box and a bunch of other goodies. Not sure how high the temp with the sear box goes but my understanding is that it's primarily for steaks. I've been doing a ton of research on the RT 700 Bull and have read nothing but rave reviews about it. That's what is pushing me toward going ahead and pulling the trigger on getting one. It's just hard to justify with all the other cookers I have but it being your only one, for now at least, I can certainly see your dilemma Gerald. Keep us posted on your decision.

Not helping much,
Robert

 

[chopsaw]

Sounds like you had the egg figured out .

 

[retfr8flyr]

I have both a Kamado Joe and a pellet grill and they are completely different flavor profiles. Before you make up your mind I would highly recommend finding one of your friends with a pellet grill and trying some food cooked on one. Some people like the cleaner flavor from a pellet grill and some don't. I like poultry from my Timberline 1300 but much prefer steaks and prime rib on my KJ. A pellet grill is pretty much set and forget but with your BGE experience you know that a Kamado grill is also easy to use, as far as temp control goes. If you decide on getting another Kamado type grill you should really check out the Kamado Joe lineup, they have some new advantages over the other brands.

 

[tx smoker]

Before you make up your mind I would highly recommend finding one of your friends with a pellet grill and trying some food cooked on one.

Well Gerald...this is a good point. Ricky has a Camp Chef Woodwind with the sear box attachment and he loves it. Not sure how big a hurry you're in but I could reach out to him and see if he'd be willing to load his up and bring it here one weekend for you to play with. We can set it up right beside my Egg and you can play with both if you want....but you're already very familiar with the Egg so that may be pointless.

This may work,
Robert

 

[sandyut]

I would be one of the rave reviewers of the Rec Tec Bull. for the reasons listed above, set it and forget it. wifi controller with temp alarms on the probes = killer. I have done low and slow, hot and fast. Made pizza at 450. wings - smokem low then sear them hot for crispy skin. favor profile will be different than you are used to - but so easy and versatile.

 

[tx smoker]

I would be one of the rave reviewers of the Rec Tec Bull. for the reasons listed above, set it and forget it. wifi controller with temp alarms on the probes = killer. I have done low and slow, hot and fast. Made pizza at 450. wings - smokem low then sear them hot for crispy skin. favor profile will be different than you are used to - but so easy and versatile.

I really wish you had not written this I've been on the fence for months whether or not to buy one. When I got the Santa Maria a few months ago it was a toss up between that and the RT 700. I decided on the SM though after reading so many amazing threads here. Well, Tracy gave me the green light a couple weeks ago to buy the RT 700 and I'm just having a fight with myself whether or not to pull the trigger. The only thing it offers that I don't already have is the very accurate time and temp controls. I however am very fortunate to have time available to man a pit or other cooker and honestly don't have a need for the controls the RT offers....but I still want one In my estimation the controller kinda takes away from some of the artistry of making great food, managing the fire, and keeping track of the time. For a lot of folks though, though the set-it-and-forget-it aspect would be a Godsend if they have a different lifestyle and don't have the time that I have. If it was a $500 cooker, it'd be here already. The package I'm looking at will knock a big hole in $2K and that's a big pill to swallow for something I'm having a hard time justifying. Oh well....I know I'll most likely get one at some point regardless of the justification.

Out of all the reading I've done though, there has been no mention of how long a load of pellets will last. I know that it'll somewhat depend on the chosen level of smoke you set it to run at but I'm at a total loss on this. Now...when we did the Cen Tex Que and Brew event, I loaded up the Egg with lump charcoal and hickory chunks, did an all-night cook, then the next day did 3 racks of ribs. The Egg ran basically 24 hours non-stop and there's still fuel left for another cookout. That's pretty impressive to me.

Still on the fence,
Robert

 

[snakehead]

I really wish you had not written this I've been on the fence for months whether or not to buy one. When I got the Santa Maria a few months ago it was a toss up between that and the RT 700. I decided on the SM though after reading so many amazing threads here. Well, Tracy gave me the green light a couple weeks ago to buy the RT 700 and I'm just having a fight with myself whether or not to pull the trigger. The only thing it offers that I don't already have is the very accurate time and temp controls. I however am very fortunate to have time available to man a pit or other cooker and honestly don't have a need for the controls the RT offers....but I still want one In my estimation the controller kinda takes away from some of the artistry of making great food, managing the fire, and keeping track of the time. For a lot of folks though, though the set-it-and-forget-it aspect would be a Godsend if they have a different lifestyle and don't have the time that I have. If it was a $500 cooker, it'd be here already. The package I'm looking at will knock a big hole in $2K and that's a big pill to swallow for something I'm having a hard time justifying. Oh well....I know I'll most likely get one at some point regardless of the justification.

Out of all the reading I've done though, there has been no mention of how long a load of pellets will last. I know that it'll somewhat depend on the chosen level of smoke you set it to run at but I'm at a total loss on this. Now...when we did the Cen Tex Que and Brew event, I loaded up the Egg with lump charcoal and hickory chunks, did an all-night cook, then the next day did 3 racks of ribs. The Egg ran basically 24 hours non-stop and there's still fuel left for another cookout. That's pretty impressive to me.

Still on the fence,
Robert

I've been doing a fair share of research on this, and my understanding that a full hopper of pellets will last quite a while (24+ hours). I received this as a response from another forum:

I have been using BGE's since 2005, my son since 2008 . He bought a Bull in March and I bought a Stampede in September based upon his recommendation.
Glad I have both. The RecTec is a set it and forget it regarding temperature control. BGE must be watched and baby sat.
Not sure in searing on RedTec yet. I have heard it does well. I bought the searing plates but have not used yet. Hoping to do steaks with them tonight
No problem with searing on BGE'S.
If I had to pick just one, it would be a RecTec, no question.

So, I'm ordering my Rec Tec today with the Silver package. As tx smoker said, it's going to put a pretty large whole into a $2k budget! :)

 

[sandyut]

I read the RT 700 should consume one LB per hour (pretty sure). Unless its super cold out. I bought a package with 200 Lbs of pellets and I just finished the last bag - took 11 months. I cooked almost every weekend over the summer and numerous winter cooks with the cold weather blanket. when it 10 degrees out - she eats more pellets. Summertime - seems like they last forever.

the front shelf is a must have. in TX you may not need the blanket. haha.

their customer service is the best I have ever experienced. nothing broke, just questions and whatnot.

Anyone who has read my reviews before knows - I would recommend Rec Tec without hesitation. it was not an easy decision, but one that feels real good after a year of flawless use.

 

[sandyut]

DAMN! the Silver package is killer! better than what i got last year for the same coin. it now includes the interior shelf - which I have since purchased.

their rubs are pretty good too...

 

[tx smoker]

So, I'm ordering my Rec Tec today with the Silver package. As tx smoker said, it's going to put a pretty large whole into a $2k budget! :)

Dammit Gerald, now I just have to order one. That way when you come over to play and help with the cooking duties you'll have two to play with that you're familiar with. One thing though....sausage gravy must be made on the Egg That stuff was fantastic!! Did they give you an ETA for delivery?

Heading to the Rec Tec site,
Robert

 

[tx smoker]

P.S. That;'s also the same package I was looking at

Silver is good,
Robert

 

[tx smoker]

their customer service is the best I have ever experienced. nothing broke, just questions and whatnot.

I have heard this and that's a big part of what's pushing me toward pulling the trigger. It sucks to drop a ton of cash on something then get abandoned by the company you bought it from.

Robert

 

[sandyut]

I have emailed them at night and they are calling me in the morning to discuss. Full of good info, they know their product and go above and beyond.

you guys live where its hot - you may want to read this thread on adjusting the auger minimum feed rate.

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

Dammit Gerald, now I just have to order one. That way when you come over to play and help with the cooking duties you'll have two to play with that you're familiar with. One thing though....sausage gravy must be made on the Egg That stuff was fantastic!! Did they give you an ETA for delivery?

Heading to the Rec Tec site,
Robert

You are going to run out of room on your porch Robert!

 

[tx smoker]

You are going to run out of room on your porch Robert!

Nah....I've been in the construction industry all my life. I'll just make the patio bigger, as if 1000 square feet isn't enough Worst case, we have 3 lots all combined into 3 3/4 acres and the house is right in the middle. I'll just build a party shack to the right of the house and put in a walkway to the pool. Simple stuff. I already have the plans drawn up and the engineering done. Just need to convince Tracy that we need to drop half of our retirement on a party shack. That may be a bit difficult.

Robert

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

Nah....I've been in the construction industry all my life. I'll just make the patio bigger, as if 1000 square feet isn't enough Worst case, we have 3 lots all combined into 3 3/4 acres and the house is right in the middle. I'll just build a party shack to the right of the house and put in a walkway to the pool. Simple stuff. I already have the plans drawn up and the engineering done. Just need to convince Tracy that we need to drop half of our retirement on a party shack. That may be a bit difficult.

Robert

Might just have to justify a trip to Texas if you had a party shack