Although relatively new to the wood pellet grilling scene, REC TEC has distinguished itself as a top grill manufacturer with its exciting range of high-tech grills. Time and again, REC TEC has displayed a remarkable commitment to ensuring customer experience and top quality.
Read about the features, performance and quality of the best REC TEC pellet grills to find out which model is most relevant for your culinary desires.
3 Best REC TEC Pellet Grills
REC TEC Bullseye Pellet Grill
The REC TEC Bullseye Pellet Grill looks more like a charcoal kettle grill than a versatile pellet smoker. The reason why it is so versatile is that it doubles as a gas grill and a pellet grill. However, contrary to what its appearance may suggest, the grill does not have a charcoal grilling capability.
You can get the best of both worlds with this two-in-one grilling platform. It works immaculately as a pellet smoker and a gas grill.
One of the best features of the Bullseye is a sophisticated controller, along with an efficient thermostat. These are instrumental in producing good grilling results on a continuous basis. The grill has good searing capabilities – it certainly does become scorching hot while searing. This is quite impressive considering the fact that it relies (like all pellet smokers) on indirect heat rather than an open flame. For quick searing, other grills rely on direct heating methods, such as infrared. The REC TEC Bullseye Pellet Grill does provide access to an open flame for direct heating, but since the fire is fueled by wood pellets, the heat is not as intense as other gas grills.
The first thing that comes to mind when talking about REC TEC is product quality. REC TEC grills are renowned for their superior construction and material quality. The Bullseye is certainly no exception to this trend. It has plenty of rigid and strong components manufactured from stainless steel, which is why it feels very solid. It also sports a digital controller so that you can easily key in your required temperature.
The unit’s thermostat works with the help of the temperature sensor within the grilling space, which monitors the heat level inside. Based on this temperature reading, the controller regulates the amount of pellets that are burned in order to maintain the required heat level. The controls are easy to use and allow users, including beginners, to start using the grill right away despite their lack of experience.
The unit’s interface has 2 red switches. One is marked ‘Power’ and the other is labeled ‘Igniter’. The electronic ignition is very user-friendly and reliable since you only have to press it once and the pellets start smoldering after the passage of a few seconds. The igniter rod shuts off automatically once the flame is large enough to burn on its own. This is very convenient since ignition can be a tricky and frustrating aspect of certain grills.
You then have to press the ‘Power’ switch and set the temperature using the dial. The grill then does the rest for you. Knowing that the grill will work efficiently with only occasional supervision can make your life a bit easier. You can enjoy plenty of convenience with the set and forget style of grilling when cooking with the REC TEC Bullseye Pellet Grill. You just have to press the power button to initiate the shutdown process.
One striking aspect of the kettle-shaped grill is that it lacks a chimney. This is quite unusual for a pellet smoker. Instead of fitting a chimney, the company has included a metal spacer that can raise the lid slightly, thus allowing the accumulated smoke to escape.
Another key design aspect of the unit is the flame deflector plate. Pellet smokers usually have a flat and solid drip plate below the cooking grates. This component serves to distribute heat evenly and also channels away grease from the barbecue. The Bulleye uses a deflector plate. However, it is perforated so that food can be cooked on an open flame. Although its shape is quite different from conventional plates, it distributes heat quite well. There is also a fair amount of gap between the cooking grates and deflector plate so that you can use a water pan comfortably.
The Bullseye makes low and slow cooking over several hours simpler, thanks to high precision in temperature control that can maintain the same heat level for a long duration. You can also use it to make great smoke rings, in addition to enjoying superb smoke flavor in steaks, rib racks, briskets and other barbecue items.
Since the maximum temperature can go up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, you can also sear the food easily with a high level of consistency. In fact, this is more than what you need. The fact is that searing can become quite precarious at temperatures above 500 degrees since the intense heat flow can burn food easily if you are not extra careful. You can, therefore, grill burgers, sausages, steaks and briskets that have a crispy brown exterior and succulent tender interior.
The unit’s igniter rod is made from porcelain to ensure extended service life. The kettle has a porcelain coating for extra corrosion resistance. This is a durable and reliable grill at a budget price.
REC TEC Trailblazer RT-340 Pellet Grill
If you like close control over the temperature, then you are going to love the REC TEC TrailBlazer RT-340 Pellet Grill. This high-tech grill burns wood pellets at just the right rate to maintain highly consistent heat levels that deviate a little from the temperature that you have set.
Although small but impressive, the Trailblazer is just what you need for the 4th of July or other barbecue parties with your family. Since it is compact, you can haul this grill anywhere you like without excessive exertion.
The pellet smoker has several salient smokers that all grill chefs will appreciate. Despite being compact and portable, the 510-square inch cooking area is impressive for its diminutive size. It also has caster wheels so that you can easily transport it to the location of your choice. The grill also has solid construction for durability and even heat distribution. The HotFlash ignition gets the grill going in a few seconds without requiring any intervention from your side. Rather than just one, there are two meat probes for better temperature control and improved multitasking.
The trailblazer was launched to replace the Mini, which created a name for itself in the compact grill segment. Just like its predecessor, the Trailblazer works equally well for camping trips and backyard grilling sessions.
The trailblazer is an entry-level grill that will set you up for success as a proficient grill chef. This grill is just right for small families whose cooking needs are not too demanding.
REC TEC did a good job at incorporating additional useful features while retaining the properties that made the previous model successful. The overall weight of the unit is 80 pounds, which is considerably lighter than other full-sized pellet grills. If one is wondering why its weight is not lower than this amount, then the answer is that it boasts high quality construction. You might think that a portable grill should have a lower weight than 80 pounds. However, the grill is made from thick gauge stainless steel and does not cut costs with inferior materials or thin gauge sheets. In short, the grill does not compromise quality and durability for the sake of portability, which is what, unfortunately some brands indulge in.
The legs can even be folded down to make it even lower and smaller. This grill is ideal for those who have limited space in their homes and backyard.
The cooking space of the unit, which is just above 500 square inches, is sufficient for cooking food for a family of 4 or 5. Although the TrailBlazer’s original area is 340 square inches, you can combine the regular shelf as well as an optional purchase to extend the area beyond 500 square inches. This is enough space to cook multiple steaks, whole chickens, briskets in one go.
The grill assembly of the unit is not too difficult. In fact, it is one the easier REC TEC grills to set up. You can set up the grill in a short time and start cooking after seasoning it.
The company has designed the grill so that a few key features are automated for enhanced grilling experience. Its build quality is excellent due to stainless steel construction. Powder-coated stainless steel parts lend a high visual appeal and aesthetics, which leave beholders in no doubt that this is an exceptional model. The shimmering silver color of the bull-horn shaped handle bars on the barrel lid stand out in striking contrast against the glossy, dark powdered coated barrel lid. The brilliant design of these handles in nothing less than a masterstroke that exudes the class and elegance of the Trailblazer.
The unit’s grilling grates are also made from stainless steel for high corrosion resistance and durability. This material is also easy to clean. Easy cleanup is an important feature considering that grilling grates can get doused in grease and juices from meat throughout cooking.
Thanks to the ceramic material ignition rod, starting up the grill is a cinch. With just one press of the ignition switch, the wood pellet will start smoking after a few seconds. It does not take too long for the grill to reach its target temperature.
The state-of-the-art PID controllers maintain high heat precision due to which temperature swing is small. To make things even better for you, the grill also has WiFi capability so that you can monitor the grill with comfort via your smartphone even when you are at a distance. With WiFi control, you will not need to stand by your grill for long periods. This grill will work for you rather than the other way round.
REC TEC Stampede RT-590
The REC TEC Stampede RT-590 is a medium-sized grill designed for great grilling performance and easy portability. Portability is an important consideration to make room for barbecue parties in smaller backyards.
With the REC TEC Stampede, you will have better control over temperature levels as well as the entire cooking process. This pellet grill is a great choice for an economical yet high-tech barbecue appliance.
A quick breakdown of its key features can help you decide if the REC TEC Stampede is right for you.
- Cooking area of 772 square inches together with an optional grilling grate provides sufficient space for grilling large food quantities.
- WiFi-powered PID controller works seamlessly to automate several processes for maximum comfort, convenience and time saving.
- The grill can reach a temperature in excess of 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which is more than enough for quick searing.
- It is also equipped with two meat probes rather than one, which is a standard feature on most other pellet smokers.
With so many impressive features, the Stampede is yet another successful grill model launched by REC TEC. It provides all the functionality that you need from a pellet smoker in a well-designed compact package.
At 772 square inches, the cooking area is enough to cook for a medium-sized gathering on one go. Yet, the grill is compact enough so that you can port it without too much discomfort towards a suitable spot. If you do not intend to cook more than 5 rib racks in one go, then the REC TEC Stampede is certainly big enough for your cooking needs.
While the primary grilling grate is just under 600 square inches big, the secondary grate can extend the cooking space by another 180 square inches.
The grill is mounted on 4 wheels. Two of them are fixed wheels while the remaining two are caster wheels. Moving this grill around is comparatively easier than other grills that normally have two wheels.
The REC TEC Stampede has plenty of visual appeal that you expect to see in a high quality model. Instead of the traditional rotund barrel, the main body has an octagonal shape. This clever design feature also extends the internal space of the unit. These well-thought out innovative features give the unit an edge over the competition.
The immaculate grill is constructed from thick gauge stainless steel sheets for extra resilience and corrosion resistance. Both the secondary and primary grills are constructed from 304 stainless steel for long service life. The choice of material for the grilling grates makes cleaning them a cinch.
The heat deflector, drip pan, fire box and other components are also constructed from stainless steel so that they can tenaciously withstand corrosion for several years.
While several innovative changes have been made to the REC TEC grills over the years, one thing has remained constant: user-friendliness. The grill is built so that it is easy to use even for novice barbecue enthusiasts. This is evident from its simple controls and high level of automation that take the guesswork out of grilling.
The grill design has been optimized for even heat distribution. 3 smoke vent holes have been positioned strategically to allow hot combustion air to flow through all parts of the heating chamber uniformly.
The PID controller works efficiently to minimize intervention on your part, as far as temperature control is concerned. You just need to set the temperature in the interface and the controller handles the rest without a fuss. There is no need for you to struggle and strive to maintain the target temperature. The advanced algorithm will work quietly in the background for you so that you can be relaxed and stress-free.
The automatic ignition is dependable and nearly instantaneous. All you have to do is depress the ignition button so that the ceramic ignition rod heats up. The heated rod will set the pellets aflame in just a few seconds and then shut down automatically, without any manual intervention when its task is over.
To initiate automatic grilling, you just have to set the temperature and time on the interface. The grill takes over after this point. The unit can work for long hours with minimal supervision. Monitoring can even be done on smartphone. The smartphone app will inform you of the grilling time and temperature. When the time is over, the unit will activate automatic shutdown. During the grilling session, you can afford to relax alongside friends and family with a cocktail in hand.
The 30-pound hopper capacity is perfect for smoking marathons lasting well in excess of 12 hours. You will also have to load the pellets less often. The PID controller ensures that the grill does not consume excessive wood pellets.
This grill has all the technology and performance features that will appease even the most finicky grilling experts.