What kind of grill and/or smoker is everyone using these days? After a trip to Lowe's this morning I saw a Pit Boss that looked pretty nice. Did a little research when I got home and landed on Traeger's website. Anyone have a Traeger grill similar to the current models? I'm very interested in being able to grill and smoke in the same package. 

I have the pit boss Austin xl and it’s great. U can technically sear/grill but the area where u can  do that isn’t that big. It works great as a smoker tho. I grilled steak and chicken at 500 degrees 4 times this week. It does catch fire tho 

I purchased a Traeger about 6 months ago and really like it. I have seared anything from hot dogs and burgers to steak and chicken, it sears quite well. Low and slow bbq I use a foil water pan for the longer cooks, it retains the moisture in the meat better than without. It does fluctuate around +/- 10° to 15° but once you figure that out it really doesn't become a problem. Don't run it out of pellets, major pain in the ass, you'll lose a good bit of time during your cook. Other than what I listed the versatility of the Traeger is well worth it.

Which model did you get?

I'm using a Weber 3-burner grill I bought at Lowe's three years ago, and after using many, many models over the years, I'll never use anything else...it's awesome.

posted by justincredible

Which model did you get?

The cheapest $599 model at the Depot

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Traeger-Eastwood-22-Wood-Pellet-Grill-and-Smoker-in-Silver-Vein-TFB42DVBO/206597584

I have a Rec Tec RT-700.  The best in the business.  I did tons of research.  I ranked them higher than Traeger, Green Mountain, and Pit Boss.  Amazing customer service.  when you purchase a Rec Tec you actually get the owner's cell phone number.  If you try to call outside their normal business hours and it's an emergency on Thanksgiving, the owner will answer and help you out.  Just awesome.  The thing is a beast.  40lb. pellet hopper.  I have done 18 hour briskets and never had to refill the hopper.  I have purchased the Rec Tec sear grates to do burgers and steaks.  I haven't touched my Weber gas grill since I've got my Rec Tec.

And comes with a 6 year warranty.

https://www.rectecgrills.com/rt-700-pellet-grill/

I have a traeger and no complaints. Easy to use. Feels like cheating. 

Found the pellet grill subreddit and have been doing a little more research. Seems to be a lot of complaints about Traeger, mainly about lack of customer service if a grill does have an issue.

I'm reading good things about Rec Tec, but for the price Grilla seems to be a very good option. I had never heard of them until today.

posted by TedSheckler

I have a Rec Tec RT-700.  The best in the business.  I did tons of research.  I ranked them higher than Traeger, Green Mountain, and Pit Boss.  Amazing customer service.  when you purchase a Rec Tec you actually get the owner's cell phone number.  If you try to call outside their normal business hours and it's an emergency on Thanksgiving, the owner will answer and help you out.  Just awesome.  The thing is a beast.  40lb. pellet hopper.  I have done 18 hour briskets and never had to refill the hopper.  I have purchased the Rec Tec sear grates to do burgers and steaks.  I haven't touched my Weber gas grill since I've got my Rec Tec.

And comes with a 6 year warranty.

https://www.rectecgrills.com/rt-700-pellet-grill/

The more research I do the more I like this grill. I can't decide if it's too much grill for me, though.

As of right now, I think I've landed on the Rec Tec RT-700 with the silver package add-on. It's not cheap, but I'm extremely impressed with everything I'm seeing from the grill and the company. Reps for brining it to my attention, Ted.

posted by justincredible

As of right now, I think I've landed on the Rec Tec RT-700 with the silver package add-on. It's not cheap, but I'm extremely impressed with everything I'm seeing from the grill and the company. Reps for brining it to my attention, Ted.

Welcome to the Rec Tec Mafia!  You won't be disappointed.  Going big time with the silver package.  I may as well have.  I bought the cover, sear kit, front shelf afterwards.  Also be sure to check out the REC TEC Grill Owners Of America on Facebook, if you're on FB.  Great info and recipes get shared.  Ray Carnes, the owner, is in the group also and answers questions.  I've made one modification.  I upgraded my wifi antenna.  It was always tough to keep a signal before.  Now I've never had it drop.

Red Tec is this shit.

BTW......I smoked chicken with Pecan wood.  My new favorite

posted by Spock

Red Tec is this shit.

 

BTW......I smoked chicken with Pecan wood.  My new favorite

Which grill do you have?

I've had my RT680 for 5 years now. Love that thing. I've moved it across the country 2 times. it's a little beat up, but overall its in great shape. Only thing i've ever had to do with it was  change the ignition rods (i actually tested one of the first batches of ceramic rods while they were developing them). Ray Carnes called me once to step  me through an issue i was having with the logic board and even overnighted me a new one.

Long story short, even if it's not the best grill (i think it is) it's damn sure the best customer service i've ever had.

Along the same lines, i'm about to buy the griddle plate for my RT.  anyone have it? If so, what are your thoughts?

posted by j_crazy

I've had my RT680 for 5 years now. Love that thing. I've moved it across the country 2 times. it's a little beat up, but overall its in great shape. Only thing i've ever had to do with it was  change the ignition rods (i actually tested one of the first batches of ceramic rods while they were developing them). Ray Carnes called me once to step  me through an issue i was having with the logic board and even overnighted me a new one.

 

Long story short, even if it's not the best grill (i think it is) it's damn sure the best customer service i've ever had.

 

Along the same lines, i'm about to buy the griddle plate for my RT.  anyone have it? If so, what are your thoughts?

Same thing.  My controller kept throwing codes.  Tech support couldn't figure it out.  Overnighted a new controller that day.

I have the griddle.  Only used it once.  Seasoning it was a pain.  Took a good 5 hours.  Still not where I want it.  I thing I'm going to go through another seasoning with Buzzywax instead of grapeseed oil.  

I smoked out a breakfast on the griddle.  Did bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns.  Turned out really good.  The griddle for the 680 and 700 is huge!

posted by TedSheckler

Same thing.  My controller kept throwing codes.  Tech support couldn't figure it out.  Overnighted a new controller that day.

 

I have the griddle.  Only used it once.  Seasoning it was a pain.  Took a good 5 hours.  Still not where I want it.  I thing I'm going to go through another seasoning with Buzzywax instead of grapeseed oil.  

I smoked out a breakfast on the griddle.  Did bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns.  Turned out really good.  The griddle for the 680 and 700 is huge!

i've read similar complaints about the seasoning. and knowing it's a huge griddle, couldn't i just season the damn thing on my stove top? seems like it'd save time. 

posted by j_crazy

i've read similar complaints about the seasoning. and knowing it's a huge griddle, couldn't i just season the damn thing on my stove top? seems like it'd save time. 

I will probably do it in my oven next time.  It will hold a more consistent temp.

Finally bought a Grilla Chimp last night. Should be here in a week or so.

posted by justincredible

Finally bought a Grilla Chimp last night. Should be here in a week or so.

Those are good grills but that’s kinda small?

I'm cooking for two people.

posted by justincredible

I'm cooking for two people.

I get it and I usually do too and I got an 820 but then instantly regretted it when I wanted to cook a brisket and pork shoulder at the same time for a tailgate and had to stuff them in there. Just a thought. 

Just bought a Recteq.  

I got a Blackstone flattop 36” Pro Series over the summer and I love it. My wife might enjoy cooking on it even more then I do. She loves to make fried rice on it. It’s really easy to clean and take care of once you got a nice seasoning on it. 

Next summer I’ll probably look for a Grilla Grill to add to the patio. Then the patio will be complete.

posted by sportchampps

I got a Blackstone flattop 36” Pro Series over the summer and I love it. My wife might enjoy cooking on it even more then I do. She loves to make fried rice on it. It’s really easy to clean and take care of once you got a nice seasoning on it. 

Those things look really cool. Do you have a normal grill to or have you switched to mostly using that instead? I want to buy a new smoker too, but I'm a cheapskate so I haven't pulled the trigger yet.

posted by geeblock

I get it and I usually do too and I got an 820 but then instantly regretted it when I wanted to cook a brisket and pork shoulder at the same time for a tailgate and had to stuff them in there. Just a thought. 

I started this thread over a year ago and just pulled the trigger. Lots of thought was put into this purchase.