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Full Review – Recteq RT-700 Pellet Grill
First of all, there has been a name change with this company. What was once REC-TEC Grills is now recteq. And yes, that’s a lowercase r on that name. There is a story behind it, but I’m not going to go into that. Suffice to say, REC TEC is now recteq. What matters is that this is the same company that has been building fan-favorite grills for the past decade or more. The reason these grills are popular is more than just the big stainless steel horns on the front. The recteq grill is solidly built. No, they are not loaded with a lot of extras. They work on the classic design and they do it well.
The recteq RT-700 Pellet Grill is the flagship of this line of pellet grills. If you’re familiar with these pellet grills, this is the model closest to what they called the Rec-Tec Bull pellet grill a few years ago. It is large and heavy. You can add optional grates to bring the capacity to more than a thousand square inches. This grill also weighs in at 195 pounds without a lot of extras loaded aside from its WiFi-enabled controller. You do get a solid build. It also has a massive rear-mounted hopper. You can load this up with 40 pounds of pellets that will run at smoking temperatures for nearly two days. The downside is that it doesn’t have a hopper dump so you can’t easily get the pellets out if you want to.
What You Get
With the recteq RT-700 Pellet Grill, you get a full WiFi-enabled cooking system (that they call the Smart Grill Technology)with two meat temperature probes and a nice little hole to run the wires through (some companies can’t seem to grasp this). The layout is simple. You will have to pull out the grates and diffuser plate to clean out the firepot every few cooks, but hey, you bought a pellet grill. Live with it. It’s part of the process. Fortunately, the RT-700 is built like a tank so it can take some punishment.
The bottom line here is that this is a straightforward pellet grill. It operates at temperatures from 200 to 500 degrees F. There is a super smoke mode that will run at slightly lower temperatures, and when allowed to heat up, it can exceed the 500-degree point on a warm day with little wind. The construction is solid and you get a ‘bumper to bumper’ warranty that lasts six years. This is a pretty good warranty for a pellet grill. You can also trust that recteq will be around. They are a growing company that is invested in further growth. Buying the recteq RT-700 pellet grill is not a mistake. Especially if you are looking for a real pellet grill that can make some very good barbecue.
The recteq App is basic. It allows you to monitor the smokers temperature as well as the two meat probes. You can make adjustments to the cooking temperature from anywhere. This app is, however, comparatively simple. Recteq doesn’t have pockets as deep as Traeger or Weber, so what you get is pretty basic functionality. Of course, most of us don’t need advanced programmable functions or exhaustive lists of recipes. The app works and that is all you really need to know.
If you are looking for something a little smaller, I suggest considering the Recteq Stampede RT-590 Pellet Grill. This model has similar features, but a smaller capacity and lower price.
Specifications – Recteq RT-700 Pellet Grill
- 702 square inches of primary cooking area with space for additional racks
- 180 to 500 F temperature range
- Five-degree increment temperature PID controller
- 40-pound capacity rear mounted pellet hopper (no cleanout)
- WiFi-enabled controller with associated smart device app
- Two meat temperature probe ports
- Stainless steel rod cooking grates
- HotFlash ceramic ignition system
- One internal halogen light
- Powder-coated steel construction with some stainless steel components
- Total weight of 195 pounds
- Six year ‘bumper to bumper’ warranty
- Made in China for Recteq Grills (formerly known as REC TEC Grills)
PROS
- Very Large Hopper
- Large Capacity
- Good Construction
- Unique Styling
- Solid Construction
CONS
- No Hopper Dump (they suggest using a scoop to take out the pellets)
- Limited Distribution
recteq RT-700 Pellet Grill Review
Summary
When the pellet grill patent ran out, recteq, then known by the name REC-TEC, was one of the first companies to jump into the business. To be honest, this company started out as a venture in marketing, but the pellet grill they made quickly became a fan favorite. Their first model, the REC-TEC Bull, with its trademark horns showed that the little guy could make a pellet grill and make a good pellet grill.
In this price range (around $1,300USD) this is one of the best pellet grills you can buy. It is not, however, loaded with features. There is WiFi-enabled app that allows for remote control and monitoring of the grill. That app is comparably simple but more than enough for you. If you need a grill that holds your hand then, consider looking at the Traeger Ironwood Pellet Grill instead. If you and solid construction and a reliable pellet grill, then the RT-700 might just be the pellet grill for you.
Options
The RT-700 comes with most everything you need. However, there are some extras that you should consider when buying this pellet grill.
- Cover – While the exterior of this grill has a good finish, it won’t last in the hot sun. A cover is an important investment with any grill, particularly a pellet grill. I do wish that the recte1 cover was better quality, but it should last you a few seasons.
- Front Shelves – If you’ve ever tried to pull a hot brisket out of a pellet grill you will appreciate having a front shelf. These days this is an option on recteq grills, but one I strongly encourage you to invest in. This shelf folds down to get out of the way but will make your grilling and smoking much easier.
- The Sear Kit – The maximum temperature on the RT-700 is around 500ยฐ F. This is hot, but if you want to do some serious searing you are going to need a little help. The optional sear kit is a set of GrillGrates. These are adonized aluminum and are excellent at capturing and transferring heat. They don’t make the grill hotter, but they do get that heat to the meat better than the standard stainless steel cooking grates on this grill.
About Me
I have been writing about Barbecue & Grilling for 25 years. I have cooked on almost every grill or smoker ever built. In that time, I have endeavored to match people with the grill or smoker that is right for them. I believe that the right product is the one that you find easy to use, capable of doing everything you want, and is reliable. If you have a good first experience, you will be back for more. In this way, we grow barbecue for the next generation. I want you to make the memories that your children will cherish.
Affiliate Disclosure
This article and the website it appears on uses sales affiliates to cover the cost of operation. If you choose to purchase a product through the links provided, a portion of that sale will go to me. It helps me create content, so I can help you and others have the best barbecue experience. I am grateful to all my readers over the years that have been so kind as to assist me in my exploration of outdoor cooking. Thank you.
One response to “Recteq RT-700 Pellet Grill Review”
I have had my RT-700 for two years. One of the best investments I’ve made. The construction is rock solid. I live in Memphis, where summer can easily go above 100, and winter can often be in the teens. I have had consistent results year round without ever having to adjust the feed rate or buy a thermal blanket. I love the mobile app that connects via wifi. I can go to bed at night knowing I can trust the Bull to do its thing while catching some shut-eye. Something I definitely could not do with my previous pellet smoker or my offset charcoal smoker.
The quality of the smoked meats is awesome. Great smoke flavor, but not so strong you can’t enjoy the flavor of the meat you just cooked. It does take a while to heat up to the 500 mark for searing steaks, but I have no problems with those, burgers, hotdogs, or chicken.
The only thing that gave me pause when making the buying decision was the lack of pellet dump. However, it turns out that I rarely ever miss it. I just don’t change pellet flavors enough for that to be an issue.