Gas Grill vs. Charcoal vs. Pellet

[USAF Retired E7]

Big Green Egg and Rec Tec!

 

I have a Rectec 680 pellet smoker, bought it 3 years ago and every cook, we feel it's the best purchase we ever made.

 

There's nothing better than a reverse seared filet off this smoker.

 

We use my older Weber gasser to sear. I've seared on the Rectec, but feel it's best to not crank the temps...not worried, but easier on the gasser.

 

6 year warranty from Rectec. Only issue I've had is my temp probe went bad. Called them Saturday night on a holiday weekend. Rectec called me back in 5 minutes and had the new probe sent Monday am. The owner gives his cell number out to call if you need help.

 

If you want more of a grill, the Rectec Bullseye should be perfect. Its shaped like a Weber kettle but is a pellet grill/smoker.

 

Check reviews on Rectec and their customer service.

 

https://www.rectecgrills.com/grills/

[sTmGolfer]

I'm in the market. I'm a smoker guy myself and am split between a RecTec, Orion, or green egg. I read some reviews on the egg, that's promising. I've never owned a pellet grill and I'm pretty hesitant. I chugged along with a barrel style with side smoke box. It worked well so long as I babysat it. Would be great if they made a 3 dimensional grill that could maintain consisten heat over a wide resolution, do a good smoke, and have the capability to sear. If anyone knows of such a grand grill; I am in the market for it.

 

I was very similar to you ... hesitant to buy a pellet grill. I was used to using a stick burner and UDS. The purist mantra kept itching its way into my head ... “pellet grills don’t produce good smoke flavor, blah blah blah.” But I just don’t have the time or patience to put that much effort into it anymore with young kids. So I made the leap and purchased the pellet grill. Haven’t regretted that decision. Not. One. Bit. It’s been so much fun to use and produces amazing food. My only regret ... not doing it sooner. Seriously.

 

I’d highly recommend looking into the Grilla Grills company rather than a Rec Tec. When I started this thread, I was doing a ton of research ... definitely overkill but I enjoy researching things like this ad nauseum.

 

They cost less, build quality is at a minimum equal to if not better, their customer service is leaps and bounds better. They’re just a fantastic company. Absolutely the best bang for the buck for pellet grills. Can hit temps of 500 which is plenty to grill on. It’s prodiced by far the best bbq I’ve ever made and with such ease.

[sTmGolfer]

Big Green Egg and Rec Tec!

 

I have a Rectec 680 pellet smoker, bought it 3 years ago and every cook, we feel it's the best purchase we ever made.

 

There's nothing better than a reverse seared filet off this smoker.

 

We use my older Weber gasser to sear. I've seared on the Rectec, but feel it's best to not crank the temps...not worried, but easier on the gasser.

 

6 year warranty from Rectec. Only issue I've had is my temp probe went bad. Called them Saturday night on a holiday weekend. Rectec called me back in 5 minutes and had the new probe sent Monday am. The owner gives his cell number out to call if you need help.

 

If you want more of a grill, the Rectec Bullseye should be perfect. Its shaped like a Weber kettle but is a pellet grill/smoker.

 

Check reviews on Rectec and their customer service.

 

https://www.rectecgrills.com/grills/

 

Amen to reverse seared ribeyes! Feel like I can’t go back and do it any other way.

[Kingcat990]

I'm in the market. I'm a smoker guy myself and am split between a RecTec, Orion, or green egg. I read some reviews on the egg, that's promising. I've never owned a pellet grill and I'm pretty hesitant. I chugged along with a barrel style with side smoke box. It worked well so long as I babysat it. Would be great if they made a 3 dimensional grill that could maintain consisten heat over a wide resolution, do a good smoke, and have the capability to sear. If anyone knows of such a grand grill; I am in the market for it.

 

I was very similar to you ... hesitant to buy a pellet grill. I was used to using a stick burner and UDS. The purist mantra kept itching its way into my head ... “pellet grills don’t produce good smoke flavor, blah blah blah.” But I just don’t have the time or patience to put that much effort into it anymore with young kids. So I made the leap and purchased the pellet grill. Haven’t regretted that decision. Not. One. Bit. It’s been so much fun to use and produces amazing food. My only regret ... not doing it sooner. Seriously.

 

I’d highly recommend looking into the Grilla Grills company rather than a Rec Tec. When I started this thread, I was doing a ton of research ... definitely overkill but I enjoy researching things like this ad nauseum.

 

They cost less, build quality is at a minimum equal to if not better, their customer service is leaps and bounds better. They’re just a fantastic company. Absolutely the best bang for the buck for pellet grills. Can hit temps of 500 which is plenty to grill on. It’s prodiced by far the best bbq I’ve ever made and with such ease.

 

This is without a doubt exactly the kind of information I was seeking. I got so used to a regiment of smoking with the barrel that anything else seems impervious to an original outcome. The fear of applying a new process I suppose. I also have little ones, so a set and forget system would be ideal.

 

When you guys purchased a new grill/smoker, did you throw low quality meats in your grill the first few times to get the hang of it? Or did you guys jump right into the family reunion feast?

[sTmGolfer]

I'm in the market. I'm a smoker guy myself and am split between a RecTec, Orion, or green egg. I read some reviews on the egg, that's promising. I've never owned a pellet grill and I'm pretty hesitant. I chugged along with a barrel style with side smoke box. It worked well so long as I babysat it. Would be great if they made a 3 dimensional grill that could maintain consisten heat over a wide resolution, do a good smoke, and have the capability to sear. If anyone knows of such a grand grill; I am in the market for it.

 

I was very similar to you ... hesitant to buy a pellet grill. I was used to using a stick burner and UDS. The purist mantra kept itching its way into my head ... “pellet grills don’t produce good smoke flavor, blah blah blah.” But I just don’t have the time or patience to put that much effort into it anymore with young kids. So I made the leap and purchased the pellet grill. Haven’t regretted that decision. Not. One. Bit. It’s been so much fun to use and produces amazing food. My only regret ... not doing it sooner. Seriously.

 

I’d highly recommend looking into the Grilla Grills company rather than a Rec Tec. When I started this thread, I was doing a ton of research ... definitely overkill but I enjoy researching things like this ad nauseum.

 

They cost less, build quality is at a minimum equal to if not better, their customer service is leaps and bounds better. They’re just a fantastic company. Absolutely the best bang for the buck for pellet grills. Can hit temps of 500 which is plenty to grill on. It’s prodiced by far the best bbq I’ve ever made and with such ease.

 

This is without a doubt exactly the kind of information I was seeking. I got so used to a regiment of smoking with the barrel that anything else seems impervious to an original outcome. The fear of applying a new process I suppose. I also have little ones, so a set and forget system would be ideal.

 

When you guys purchased a new grill/smoker, did you throw low quality meats in your grill the first few times to get the hang of it? Or did you guys jump right into the family reunion feast?

 

I just buy meat when they put it on sale the vast majority of the time. Started with pork butts because they’re the most forgiving and hard to screw up. But undoubtedly, I’ll still screw something up which is part of the fun I suppose.

 

One advantage of the pellet grills is that it does make it much easier to produce good bbq. Maybe not as intense of smoke flavor, but always great flavor, moist, and super easy.

[jhonmiller]

Thanks for such healthy discussion on the topic of pellet Grills. It really help me out in getting the valueable insight.

[buckrogers71]

3 burner weber gasser. Does fine for everything I need. I can get a few racks of ribs or a butt on there and get a decent smoke using a v shaped smoker box. Used it for a 20lb thanksgiving turkey too.

[MK7Golf21]

for quick and easy get a nice gas grill. Easy for all around use and especially if you live in a colder climate in the winter, can just start up the gas and throw your steaks on instead of making a mess in kitchen and smoking up the house.

also a second grill as a Weber charcoal as well. This is for warmer temps when you can be outside and want that charcoal grill flavor, can smoke food with as well.

 

[sTmGolfer]

I will say this ... I have a Weber Genesis gasser and a Weber Kettle tailgater. Both get rarely used since I got my Grilla Pellet Grill. The pellet grills produce much better flavor.

Added benefit to the Grilla Grill is that it is double walled insulated so it holds temperatures fantastically. Even in cold temps during the winter months.

They have the ability to do pretty much anything a gasser can do but can also do low and slow bbq with ease. Can’t such enough how happy I’ve been with my purchase and I was very reluctant prior to buying.

[soregongolfer]

Love my Traeger, and there are at least 4 places where I can buy pellets for it compared to three places where I can get propane in my smallish city.

[Broke100]

Brinkmann Pittmaster with hardwood charcoal outside & DCS natural gas inside (rain or snow).

[QuigleyDU]

If I had the money and the space I would have all three. they all have benefits and draw backs.