If you would like to master the art of smoking meat in the comfort of your home, you may want to consider getting a pellet grill. These haven’t been around for a long time, and have yet to be perfected but offer a lot in return.
First off, they are the most user-friendly among grills. They are as close as you can get to smoking and cooking meat on auto-pilot.
Secondly, they use pellets, which are not only inexpensive but also give a deep, smoky flavor. They are a renewable, eco-friendly resource which produces less ash when compared to charcoal.
The Rec Tec is considered one of the top brands in wood pellet grills industry. The two founders started out selling their first products out of a garage. However, they quickly became very successful.
Their product line now consists out of five top-quality smoker grills. These score high on all of the reviews we’ve stumbled across. The model that built the company, the famous RT-680 was discontinued and replaced with an improved version – the rec tec bull RT-700. Keep reading if you would like to find out what makes the newest RT model stand out from the crowd.
Info
This is a wood pellet grill manufactured by Rec Tec (Augusta, Georgia).
Features
- PID and WiFi control
- Sturdy stainless steel construction
- Multiple cooking options
- Huge expandable cooking area
- 40 lb hopper
- Grease management system
- 6-year warranty and 30-days money-back guarantee
It is essential to mention that while Bull can do the searing, you will have to be very patient, as it isn’t explicitly designed for that kind of cooking. If you prefer your meat with a nice crust, we suggest getting a charcoal grill instead.
Why Get It?
The RT-700 is plentiful, sturdy and professional looking. It is made out of high-quality stainless steel, inside and out. Most of the competitors use the much cheaper 430 stainless steel, which will rust in less than a year, even if you don’t use it at all. This happens because of the iron component, so it isn’t as durable as the pure stainless.
The Rec, on the other hand, uses the heavy-duty, marine grade 304 steel. A little rain or snow won’t harm the Bull, as it will never rust. The ceramic igniting rod will also last five times longer than the average metal tipped rod.
The grill comes with a gigantic hopper. You can fill it up to 40 lbs of wood pellets, so there’s no way you’ll run out of fuel in the middle of smoking. To be exact, you can expect it to last you for 40+ hours of grilling!
This model has a huge cooking area of 702 square inches, which can further expand to 1045 square inches with the additional second shelf. You can cook two pork ribs and brisket on it at the same time. Or, you can fit six large ribs, double if you use rack holders.
The hopper lid doubles up as a heating surface. You can set any extra food on it, which is especially useful for parties. It is located on the back of the grill, which means there is less chance for any mechanical problems in the long run.
Real hardwood pellets are used to fuel this giant. You will get a rich, smoky flavor regardless of what you grill. The hopper is divided, so you can even blend flavors by adding pellets of different kinds if you like. The real genius of this machine lies in the automation. After turning it on, the grill will automatically light up. The only thing you need to do is set the desired temperature on the touchpad.
PID (proportional-integral-derivative controller) is a smart technology that keeps the temperature steady at all times. The pallets are automatically transferred from the hopper to the firebox at the corresponding rate for maintaining the temperature.
The heat range is 200 to 500°F. If necessary, you can use the “Full” setting (over 500°F) for searing, or switch to “Xtreme Smoke” mode (below 200°F) to increase smoldering. The temperature can be set in 5°F increments for the best cooking results.
The model is equipped with two built-in probes, measuring the temperatures of two separate cooks. It is convenient that the probe ports are on the sides and shut when not in use.
If you install the free app and connect the grill to WiFi, you won’t even have to stand in front of it to know what’s going on with your meal. The app will allow you to monitor and control the cooking process remotely, via your phone.
Another neat feature is the interior hood light, allowing for 24-hour cooking. Shutting down is automatic – push the button, and the device will enter cool down mode.
Once you’re done with the grilling, the clean-up is super easy, thanks to the drip tray. The maintenance is minimal – you can wipe down the exterior with water and soap, and the grates are dishwasher-safe.
Accessories & Upgrades
Aside from the enormous BBQ, inside of the basic package, you will find these items:
- drip pan,
- cooking rack,
- grease bucket,
- deflector plate,
- bull ring for towels,
- lid handles shaped like bull horns,
- tool hooks,
- legs and wheels,
- two probes,
- cooker shelf and side shelf.
There are also different accessory bundles available that you can purchase along with the product. Depending on the package you choose, you can get some of these upgrades, or all of them:
- searing kit,
- smoker box,
- cover,
- cooking mats,
- competition cart,
- front folding shelf,
- two additional interior shelves,
- instant Bullpen thermometer,
- Rub & Sauce bundle,
- premium koozies, and
- large rubber pad.
Warranty
Rec Tec stands behind its products. The Bull comes with a 6-year warranty on any defects, excluding rust, paint, and the grill cover. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked.
The chances are you won’t need to return the product, as it is sturdy and constructed on module design. If any part goes bad or has a defect, you can always replace it.
Pros & Cons
PROS
- Made from marine grade stainless steel
- Ceramic igniting rod
- 40 lbs capacity hopper
- 1045 square inches cooking area
- Real hardwood pellets
- Auto-ignition and cool down
- PID smart technology
- “Full” and “Xtreme Smoke” modes
- 5°F temperature increments
- Two built-in probes placed on the sides of the grill
- WiFi control via a free app
- Interior hood light
- Minimal maintenance
- Easy part replacement
- 6-year warranty
- Overall 88%
CONS
- No pellet hopper release
- The fire pot can’t be pulled out for cleaning
Testimonials
“I’ve been using this grill for about two months now, and I have to say I’m impressed! It is so simple to use; you just set up the temperature and let it do the rest. I’ve even done one cook while at work and was able to check up on it via the phone app.
One thing’s for sure – this beast sure can cook! I’ve used it for many recipes: pork roast, pork bellies, vegetables, ribs, lamb, turkey, chicken, and every single time I got the best results ever! As for the cleaning process – the stainless steel bucket and drip pan make a world of difference.
I’d never smoked a thing in my life before getting the Bull. I just hated the thought of all the hassle and the stress of maintaining the temperature throughout several hours. The Rec makes the process so easy it almost feels like cheating!”
What to Watch Out For
No Pellet Hopper ReleaseHaving a hopper release would be a useful feature if you decided to switch to a different pellet kind mid smoking. . |
The Fire Pot Can’t Be Pulled outEmptying the fire pot would be much easier if it were removable. What you can do is vacuum it out instead. |
A Piece of Advice
Never use wood pellets for home heating. They are not the same kind as the cooking ones. The heating pellets can contain pressure treated wood, which is poisonous, as well as the awful-tasting pine.
Make sure to use quality pellets and keep them dry. Also, don’t use a water pan, as steam can affect the accuracy of the thermometer.
Verdict
The first thing you notice about the RT-700 is its large, sturdy, stainless steel construction. Despite the innovative design, it is very straightforward to use. The Bull is equipped with PID and WiFi control, offering effortless grilling and smoking experience.
This beautiful piece of equipment has many useful features, and it is worth every penny. However, if you are on the budget or don’t plan to cook for a larger crowd of people very often, you may want to consider getting a smaller grill, such as Rec Tec Trailblazer or Rec Tec Stampede RT-590.
