RecTec or big box store?

[FLH Rider]

I believe RecTec is a better pellet grill than the ones at the big box stores. The electronics seem to make the biggest difference. I have called RecTec twice and they are informative and helpful without being pushy. My shopping cart on their site has everything I want for the Bull 700. My hesitation is, I keep wondering can I save hundreds by getting big box store pellet grill and then spending a couple hundred extra on upgrading electronics. I’m aware of the great warranty offered by RecTec and their customer service is top notch. My shopping cart is just under $2400 for the things I want on the RecTec.

I’m sure others have considered this in the past and I would like some input. Is it better to upgrade a pit boss or other major brand to be comparable or just take the hit and get the RecTec?

 

[FLH Rider]

I should add I’m handy with modifying things. I should also add my wife has approved the purchase of the RecTec. Lol

 

[oldsmokerdude]

I recommend you buy your second grill first. If you have the budget for the RecTec, that would be the way I would go. However, there is nothing wrong with a PitBoss or similar and lots of great Q come out of those cookers. That said, regardless of the mods you make to one of the more inexpensive cookers, you will not be able to duplicate the quality of construction and steel that the more high-end cookers (like RecTec) have.

 

[SonnyE]

You decided, somewhere along the Journey, you wanted a Rec Tech.
Right now you are pondering that choice, challenging it, analyzing it.
Why?
Lesser costly grills can surely do the same thing.
But consider this:
They won't have horns.

 

[FLH Rider]

Lol Sonny you funny

 

[ChrisFitz]

Buy Once, Cry Once...life is too short to cheap out on things you really want.

 

[retfr8flyr]

I always look at what the overall cost will be for several years. If you buy a big box store grill for say $500 thinking you are saving a bunch and then 3 years down the road you upgrade and get a Rec Tec, or some other high quality grill, for say $2000. You have actually paid $2500 for your quality grill because the first $500 was basically wasted. I much prefer to get what I really want and cry once, rather then always regret not getting something and making do with a lesser product.

 

[noboundaries]

My dear old dad said it best: buy first what you'd buy last because you'll save a ton of money in the long run.

 

[mike243]

Or you try a cheaper unit and decide you don't like the taste profile or the hands off ,you sell it for 1/2 of what you gave.I wanted a rectec but went for what I could afford at the time and I have no regrets after almost 1 year

 

[sweetride95]

Have you owned a pellet grill before? What is your grilling experience? If you have confidence your going to use the hell out of it, maybe the rectec is worth it.
But, if you keep it covered up and have any decent amount of respect for it, a pitboss or traeger will last years for you and make just as good of food.
I get the buy once mentality, but if you fizzle out, youre selling a $2400 grill for half price to the next guy later on down the road.
You can get PID controllers for around $200 for almost any name brand grill if you need that tight of control. Going that way, your still under half the cost.
If I wore my traeger out, I still don'l know if I personally spring that cash for a grill. To each their own though, life's short.

 

[ross77]

You get what you pay for in most cases. If the wife approved it then the answer is clear.

 

[banderson7474]

My buddy has the bull and loves it. It's expensive but you are not going to get the same quality at big box store in my opinion.