Requesting suggestions on my next grill/smoker

[Panicman]

Hello from Oregon!
I got sold on Traeger years ago, and purchased a Lil Tex that has been great for years and years. I typically cook for 4-8, but occasionally wind up cooking for crowds around 25 for family events. At that point, the lil Tex feels very cramped.
I like the fact that I can crank the Traeger to as high as 450 for some searing, pizza, etc.. I also like that I can cook quickly in the evenings for dinner after work.

I am ready to do some research and choose something that will upgrade my cooking and experience.
I don’t want to spend more than $2500 unless a small reach above that would result in a monumentally better buy for my needs.

I am used to pellets, so that’s kind of where my head is.
I need the unit to be durable and it has to withstand the damp Oregon realities and live outside.
Appreciate any direction and advice!!

 

[bregent]

I'd look at the Cookshack PG500, It has the best searing and grilling capabilities of any pellet grill, and is a great smoker. All stainless steel. Smoking capacity is bigger than you might think.

 

[normanaj]

You might want to take a look at the Reqtec line of grills.

 

[retfr8flyr]

I have a Gen 1 Traeger Timberline 1300 and it has been a great grill for me. The new D2 version is supposed to be even better. Mine sits outside year round, under the Traeger cover and still looks great. If you are happy with your current Traeger, you should give the 1300 a serious look. With the double insulated design, I have cooked at 5°F OAT without any problems. I also leave the pellets in the hopper year round and have never had any problems with moisture getting in them. There are a lot of Reqtic fan boys on the fourm but I have had great service from the 1300 and it has fabulous room for my large cooks.

 

[curly11]

I've been really happy with my Yoder YS640. Absolute tank and rock solid temps.

 

[Panicman]

I have a Gen 1 Traeger Timberline 1300 and it has been a great grill for me. The new D2 version is supposed to be even better. Mine sits outside year round, under the Traeger cover and still looks great. If you are happy with your current Traeger, you should give the 1300 a serious look. With the double insulated design, I have cooked at 5°F OAT without any problems. I also leave the pellets in the hopper year round and have never had any problems with moisture getting in them. There are a lot of Reqtic fan boys on the fourm but I have had great service from the 1300 and it has fabulous room for my large cooks.

thank you! Have there been any durability issues? I bought my LT right after a string of production issues, and it makes me gun shy! Mine was built after they resolved their problems, and I have felt lucky just doin

 

[chef jimmyj]

The MAK 2 Star General, 304 Stainless, Memphis Beale Street, 430 Stainless, Cookshack PG500, 402 Stainless, the Louisiana Grills Estate 860, all 304 Stainless, and the Cookshack PG1000 201 Stainless, is a bit more but all are in your neighborhood...JJ

Note: The MAK2, LG Estate and PG1000 are better suited to Wet areas.

 

[chesterinflorida]

Mak 1 star around 2k and the Mak 2 star general around 3k are made in Oregon and designed to handle the damp weather. You can do a search on any forum and will find rave reviews on them. They are built to last. Not the prettiest grills around, but they use high quality materials, and a really nice design. I’d start there in my search.

 

[retfr8flyr]

thank you! Have there been any durability issues? I bought my LT right after a string of production issues, and it makes me gun shy! Mine was built after they resolved their problems, and I have felt lucky just doin

I have not had any issues, except for a few wifi connect problems, which turned out to be more my router setup then the 1300. They sent me a new controller last year, to make sure I had the latest upgrades, it was a fairly easy install and things work better then ever now. I can't recommend the 1300 for high temp grilling though, inspite of what Traeger says. If you want to do high temp grilling, then I would recommend getting a MAK, either the 1 Star, or 2 star General, I think they both have the flame Zone now. The MAK Flame Zone system that is unbeatable for high temp grilling with a pellet grill and they are also a quality grill that holds much more then it looks like they do.

 

[sandyut]

Check out Rec Tec, Yoder and MAC. those should in budget with some variation. I have had a rec tec a love it RT700.for 2.5 years cant see spending more, but I dont have the others to compare.

 

[Buttah Butts]

Check out Rec Tec, Yoder and MAC. those should in budget with some variation. I have had a rec tec a love it RT700.for 2.5 years cant see spending more, but I dont have the others to compare.

I second this !!

 

[JWFokker]

All the Rectec people are here, Mak and Cookshack users are found elsewhere so you will receive mostly Rectec suggestions here. Mak and Cookshack are definitely a higher grade. Rectec is competitive with Traeger, Yoder, GMG, and Camp Chef. With your budget you would be upgrading to a top tier cooker that will last a very long time.

 

[Buttah Butts]

All the Rectec people are here, Mak and Cookshack users are found elsewhere so you will receive mostly Rectec suggestions here. Mak and Cookshack are definitely a higher grade. Rectec is competitive with Traeger, Yoder, GMG, and Camp Chef. With your budget you would be upgrading to a top tier cooker that will last a very long time.

I am sorry but Rec Teq is on a whole lot better level than traeger, GMG and camp chef. Yes there are better units than Rec Teq like Mak but they are pricey and more than most people need

 

[JWFokker]

All of those companies have higher end models that are on par with Rectec.

 

[JWFokker]

Grilla deserves a mention as well.

 

[SKade]

I’m going to throw the Masterbuilt gravity series into the mix. If your familiar with pellets it’s similar just with fewer moving parts. It uses charcoal and wood chunks. I’ve been vary pleased with the flavor I’ve gotten out of it. It has the temperature control like a pellet. The app can be accessed through the internet so if you have to run out to grab something you can monitor or change temperature from your phone. The temperature ranges from 150-700f so you can definitely do your pizzas. I love mine. Hade it a little over a year and no complaints.

 

[chef jimmyj]

Pitts & Spitts Maverick 1250 is in this higher end neighborhood. And speaking of Gravity Charcoal Grills...The Char-Griller 980 is getting rave reviews for its quality construction...JJ

 

[Buttah Butts]

All of those companies have higher end models that are on par with Rectec.

I’ve had the timberline and the GMG Daniel Boone. Far from quality and reliability that you get from Rec Teq. Never had a camp chef or know anyone personally who has one. Of course this is just my option after using 3 of the units

 

[jp71291]

Pitts & Spitts Maverick 1250 is in this higher end neighborhood. And speaking of Gravity Charcoal Grills...The Char-Griller 980 is getting rave reviews for its quality construction...JJ

I bought the Char Griller 980 and hate it. Horrible smoke. Can't get a good smoke from it and I"ve tried everything. Also the temp is 50 degrees off from what it's reading. I'm returning mine. Many people are having problems with the fan flap burning up as well.

 

[Panicman]

Thanks and keep the replies coming. I’ll admit, the RecTec RT700 looks like the front runner although I am still reading.

Does anyone have any criticisms about the RT700?