I think I've decided on a RecTec - any regrets from owners?

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fat_46

Newbie
Original poster
Oct 17, 2007
16
12
Coon Rapids, MN
I'm 90% certain I'm spending my bonus on the RecTec "kitchen sink" package.  I know its not made i the USA.  My previous smoking experience is with a homebuilt UDS and a MES 40.  I've made some amazing things on both.  The MES will still be used for cold smoking(with an Amazen pellet smoker).  I usually smoke the "standards" - brisket, ribs, butt, some sides.  I've done cheese and fish as well.

All that being said - if YOU were going to drop 2k on a smoker(it will be used exclusively in Minnesota), and want convenience(I get too drunk on overnight attended smoke sessions) would you choose the RecTec?

Thanks in advance folks.  The more I learn here the less I know!
 
Howdy Fat_46.

I've owned my Rec Tec for right at 2 years, and I really like it a lot! It's well-made of heavy gauge steel with all stainless interior parts. The computer brain/temperature controller is rock solid. It'll hold any cook temp from 180* to 500* within just a few degrees by the simple push of a button. It is also a very serviceable high-temp searing grill, especially with the addition of the the Grill Grates searing kit (which I believe is included in the Kitchen Sink package).

The most common complaint I hear from folks who don't like them is that there a less heavy smoke flavor than you get from charcoal rigs or stick burners. It's true that, because the pellets burn very cleanly, these rigs don't make as heavy a smoke as other types of pits. If you haven't eaten food cooked in a pellet cooker yet, you might want to find someone who has one and taste some of the meat it produces to see if it suits your tastes. It'd be a shame to shell out $2K, then be unsatisfied with the smoke flavor it produces. Most pellet burners who want more smoke flavor, including me, will use one of Todd's smoke tubes to supplement the smoke (I believe also included in the Kitchen Sink Package).

Bottom line is, if you've made up you mind to buy a pellet cooker, I believe you'd be happy with the Rec Tec...it's a good product, and the company has excellent customer service when/if you need it.

Good luck! Let me know if I can assist in any way...

Red
 
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Thanks Red.  I knew/had researched the smoke flavor "issue" and believe a tube/maze can alleviate some of that.  I really like a pellet smokers positives - great temp control, easy clean up, no water pan, good capacity.

That being said, I know I can and do overlook things - hence the post!
 
If I had 2K to spend, I'd be looking at one of the Memphis grills. 
 
A few reasons to consider:

Double wall construction

Lower pellet consumption rate

Made in USA

Don't get me wrong, I would love to own a RecTec and not trying to talk you out of it but if it was in my budget I'd probably get a Memphis. I've cooked on my friends Pro and it was really solid. The Memphis is a real convection cooker too - not sure how that aspect compares to RecTec

If I were looking to spend less, then RecTec or Yoder would probably be my choice.
 
 
A few reasons to consider:

Double wall construction

Lower pellet consumption rate

Made in USA

Don't get me wrong, I would love to own a RecTec and not trying to talk you out of it but if it was in my budget I'd probably get a Memphis. I've cooked on my friends Pro and it was really solid. The Memphis is a real convection cooker too - not sure how that aspect compares to RecTec

If I were looking to spend less, then RecTec or Yoder would probably be my choice.
I would agree that those Memphis pits are really nice rigs, but here's the problem:  that Pro you mention retails for $3K +.  Only their smallest and lowest-end model goes for less than his budget of $2K.  If I had an extra 3 grand laying around, I'd probably buy a Memphis Pro too...but for a budget of 2K, I'd stick with something like a Rec Tec, Yoder, or Blazing Grill Works.  These are excellent pits that are more affordable than the high end Memphis line.

Just MHO...

Red
 
I just spoke with the nearest Memphis retailer.  For a close "apples to apples" in terms of size I'm looking at outside my budget, plus shipping.

If my money tree sprouts this spring I'll reconsider!  Unfortunately, my biggest vices are cooking and firearms.  Good ingredients, and good guns, account for most of my disposable income.
 
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You're right Red. I was thinking about the 'Advantage', which is 2K+ and once you add options, tax, shipping, it's really getting up there. The 'Select' is the only one under 2K which doesn't have all the bells and whistles. Looks like a nice grill though. 
 
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