Rec-Tec Stampede or Trailblazer?

[Lightngsvt]

Hello all, newbie here. I currently have a Large BGE, Weber Genesis and a Smokin-It #2 electric smoker. I've been reading and decided I want a pellet smoker and will sell my Smokin-It. I've decided on a Rec-Tec, but am not sure whether to go for a Trailblazer or stampede?

The majority of my smokes are for 2-6 people, sometimes 8 (rarely more than that). That's generally 2, maybe 3 racks of baby back's plus some other meat. I think the Trailblazer with the optional shelf would cover me for ribs, brisket, butts, etc but I'm not sure if its big enough to do Beer Can Chicken, or whole turkeys?

I'm also curious how the amount of smoke compares to an electric like the Smokin-It (super easy to use but I find if I'm not careful I can get a little bit of a bitter taste), or a BGE?

 

[Lightngsvt]

Does anyone here have a Trailblazer? Is it large enough smaller smokes: 1- butt or decent size brisket, 3 racks of ribs or ber can chickens? Or, would you recommend going with the Stampede?

 

[InThePittBBQ]

I'm looking at adding a Rec-Tec as well, you can lay 3 racks of ribs width wise in the Stampede and have some room left between them and good air flow at both ends.

Most pellet cookers work like a convection oven to some extent, air flow is a big deal for good results. I'll use it for similar amounts of cooking at home to what your planning on, and while the Stampede would be enough to get by with I'll likely buy the Bull.

The best BBQ I ever make only takes up 50% of the space on any of my stick burners running in the "sweet spots" where temps fluctuate the least and I've owned a few pellet pits as well.

Out of all of them only the Cook Shack had reasonably even temps across the cooking area, rest of them all had spots that were hotter and colder in certain areas.

Given the design of the Rec Tecs being similar to other pits I have used I'd expect differences end to end and corner to corner in temps, when I cook ribs or chicken for the house I trim it all about even up and I want to put it on and pull it off all at once.

For what it's worth, you can't have to much grill when it's time to cook for a small crowd.

 

[Lightngsvt]

thanks for your reply! Sounds like from what you're saying the Stampede is "good insurance" over the little Trailblazer. The Bull looks sweet, and yes you can never have to much grille when you need it, but I really don't foresee the need for that beast in my back yard.

Do you know if the Rec Tec's go low enough to make Jerky, or smoke salmon or cheese?

 

[InThePittBBQ]

I don't know if they will reliably get that low or not, I have more desirable kit to do that sort of thing with and never looked that far into it if I really want to smoke something that's going to happen over firewood.

I'd definitely say the Stampede is good insurance, and from most of what I read the owner's are really happy with how they perform.

My main desire for having another pellet grill is cooking chicken and pork ribs mostly, I've never had better chicken than what comes off pellet grills and it's just nice to toss a couple racks of ribs on and take it easy while the grill does all the work.

I'm waiting until Friday at this point to order one to see what the big announcement is, I had called Rec-Tec to place an order and they advised I wait to see what the big secret is so I'm assuming it's either a new grill model or some special pricing.

 

[Lightngsvt]

I checked the Rec-Tec website and don't see any changes (price or otherwise) for the Trailblazer or Stampeded. Did I miss something? I see they added the Wyldfire, but that's not something I'm personally interested in.

 

[InThePittBBQ]

Well they released a few new models, nothing in the smaller grill line as they already have that covered but one that interested me is their new "BFG" grill. It's much larger larger with 3 cooking levels on the grates than the 700 bull model, and I'm glad I waited and didn't order the bull because with the addition of the comp cart and front shelf option versus the discounted pre-order price with free shipping they have on the BFG it's only a couple hundred apart with all the features I wanted and it's way more grill.

So, it was worth the wait for those of us wanting a little more in a larger grill than what the Bull offers.

 

[Lightngsvt]

I saw the BFG and its a monster! Why not go for the Beast, the picture of it on the trailer with 2- bulls really puts it into perspective! Best of luck with your BFG, looks like a very nice piece.

I emailed Rec-Tec and after talking to them, and based on your advice, I I'm going to go with the Stampede. Its better to have to much room rather than not enough.

 

[mike243]

Keep the smoking it electric as a pellet smoker wont go low,and if you like to do sausages I don't know of any way to hang them in a horizontal smoker,see my aviator picture? that's in my Masterbuilt electric smoker

 

[ToppDogg]

I purchased the Rec Tec Stampede a few weeks ago and am very happy with it. They were also quick to ship.

 

[tbrtt1]

Keep the smoking it electric as a pellet smoker wont go low,and if you like to do sausages I don't know of any way to hang them in a horizontal smoker,see my aviator picture? that's in my Masterbuilt electric smoker

As someone who has a Smoking-It and a pellet pooper, I would second keeping the Smoking-It and just adding the Rec Tec. My Smokin-It has been purposed for sausage making and for that alone it is worth keeping. If all you got is 3 BBQ tools, you need to add a net new tool. Hell, I think everyone should own at least 5.

In all seriousness, to answer your questions:

*The electric is good for the lower stuff and paired with a PID (maybe yours already has one) it is indispensable for things like sausage, jerky, salmon, etc.
*Good move on the larger size. In the absence of monetary constraints, always go bigger (within reason of course)
*You will not get the same smoke profile or level of smoke that you do in the Smoking-It. The Smoking-It and all the Cookshack clones are prone to over smoke or impart bitterness if not careful. I posted ad nauseam about this on more than one forum several years ago. I did a pretty exhaustive discovery about why this is and essentially it comes down to 2 things: too much wood and the scorching of the wood. Pellet smokers are inherently lighter on the smoke profile. Most pellet smoker users augment the smoke flavor level with an auxiliary device like an Amaze-n pellet tray or tube or something like that. However, the smoke flavor that is there is very good indeed.

 

[Lightngsvt]

Thanks for the replies. I have found with the Smokin-It that there is either to little smoke flavor, or it can be bitter. I initially found my wood was igniting, I added the chip tray and started foiling the wood and it made a difference. But I think the pellet smoker will be better for my needs. Plus, my wife prefers a lighter smoke, I still like a moderate to heavy smoke flavor. I have an A-mazin tray already.

ToppDogg, can you provide a short review of your Stampede? Curious since I probably wont get mine until spring.

 

[tbrtt1]

Amaz-N tray + Pellet smoker = good Q. Just set the smoker for a very low setting for a couple of hours as that will maximize the smokiness (it will still not be too smokey for your wife). Then bump the temp up.