I found the pellet grill thread from a year ago https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...730056964#5730056964
and based on that I have pretty much decided to go with a RecTeq pellet grill. My question is regarding size. My wife and I are retired, we don't have a lot of folks over and the wife is not a huge meat eater (at least she got of the vegetarian kick a while back). The wife is not crazy about the idea of second grill on the patio but has relented. As a result, I am looking to keep the size down to just what is necessary. I also assume that having a large grill if just cooking for two would result in a lot of wasted pellets to heat the larger volume. So with all that in mind I am looking at either the small RT340 (340 sq in) or the medium RT 590 (590 sq in) models. What do you experts think of the above two sizes for my needs? I don't want to get too small and regret it.

Also, if someone wants to throw in some other recommendations for brands since the market may have changed since the above thread is a year old that would be fine too. I mean who doesn't want to talk about grilling?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: straightshooter01,

What is the other grill?

I ask because my RecTec Bullseye has replaced my propane completely. I’m not a “smoking enthusiast”, as it were, so for me, a hybrid made sense. To that end, the Bullseye does a good job at straddling the line. It can do low and slow for smoking and it can run up to over 700 degrees for high heat searing.

I’d say get that one and give it a try. You’ll probably find you don’t need whatever your other grill is and can dump it and make the wife happy as well as you happy.

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
What is the other grill?

I ask because my RecTec Bullseye has replaced my propane completely. I’m not a “smoking enthusiast”, as it were, so for me, a hybrid made sense. To that end, the Bullseye does a good job at straddling the line. It can do low and slow for smoking and it can run up to over 700 degrees for high heat searing.

I’d say get that one and give it a try. You’ll probably find you don’t need whatever your other grill is and can dump it and make the wife happy as well as you happy.

Interesting. Other grill is a four burner stainless steel semi built-in propane unit. Don't think I would want to give up the ability to quickly roast a few hot dogs or quickly sear some steaks after sous vide.

Edit: After reading up on the Bullseye I guess it heats up pretty fast but I have a nice rectangular space in my outdoor counter for the current grill.

quote:

Originally posted by straightshooter01:

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
What is the other grill?

I ask because my RecTec Bullseye has replaced my propane completely. I’m not a “smoking enthusiast”, as it were, so for me, a hybrid made sense. To that end, the Bullseye does a good job at straddling the line. It can do low and slow for smoking and it can run up to over 700 degrees for high heat searing.

I’d say get that one and give it a try. You’ll probably find you don’t need whatever your other grill is and can dump it and make the wife happy as well as you happy.

Interesting. Other grill is a four burner stainless steel semi built-in propane unit. Don't think I would want to give up the ability to quickly roast a few hot dogs or quickly sear some steaks after sous vide.

Edit: After reading up on the Bullseye I guess it heats up pretty fast but I have a nice rectangular space in my outdoor counter for the current grill.

When I switched to the bullseye I found that a Camp Chef cast iron griddle fit perfectly on the grates of my 3 burner propane grill. So now the griddle lives on that and I have an outdoor griddle plus the Bullseye. Just something to consider.

The Bullseye is great for quick things like frozen burger patties and dogs. It heats up just as fast as my propane but adds a touch of wood smoke essence.

Consider spending a little more and get a USA made Yoder YS480.

https://www.yodersmokers.com/p...ys480s-pellet-grill/

I have the Yoder YS640 and I haven't used my Weber Genesis gas grill since I bought it....


.

And I was having some sticker shock at the Weber prices.
Some of these

I really like my Bullseye. I had used a Weber Charcoal Kettle for 25 years. Finally got tired of dealing with charcoal.

For what I cook (Steaks, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Ribs, Chicken) it does a great job. The pellets are easy to deal with. Starts fast and is easy to clean.

Might do some more reading at the RecTeq Forum.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
And I was having some sticker shock at the Weber prices.
Some of these

Yep. The folks at Yoder are laughing all the way to the bank.

I have the RT-700. I can do a whole chicken or two and a pack of thighs and a pack of legs all at the same time. Just me and the wife but I tend to do a bunch at one time and live off it for the week.

I can also do a brisket and a few slabs of ribs at the same time, same idea.

If I were the type to do more frequently, I would probably go with the smaller unit.

I considered the 540 but decided to go with the bigger deck because I felt like there are enough times that I need to cook up a bunch or do something for a group that I might be constrained by the smaller platform.

As to using it as a traditional grill, it works fine. But, it takes longer to get to a hot temp than my old 5 burner grill so it's not as convenient. Can't just turn it on and scald a steak. It does a great job, just takes a while to get to max temp ready for a grilling and you are not getting direct heat with any of the Rec Tec's unless I'm missing something. I use the "grill grates" whenever I an grilling. Not unhappy about the process, it's just different.

I love my Rec Tec, and I live spittin' distance from Yoder! I do recommend "Yoder Meats" for their fine meats!

My 2 cents.

I bought the recteq 590. It’s fantastic when I want to do a whole brisket with corn, and baked Mac and cheese. There’s so much room. Most if the time I wish I had the smaller smoker. The 590 is too big most of the time. I went bigger because I had maxed out the capacity of my smaller Traeger.

I’ll have a better idea come summertime when I cook outside a lot more.

That said, the recteq is badass and I doubt you will dislike it. Super awesome smokers.

Get the 590

quote:

Originally posted by TomV:
I really like my Bullseye. I had used a Weber Charcoal Kettle for 25 years. Finally got tired of dealing with charcoal.

For what I cook (Steaks, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Ribs, Chicken) it does a great job. The pellets are easy to deal with. Starts fast and is easy to clean.

Might do some more reading at the RecTeq Forum.

Thanks that forum is fantastic for information.

I was trying to decide the same thing four years ago. Discovered in cool weather, you need an insulated jacket or the pellet grills struggle to get up to temp. Living in VT, I ended up with a ceramic smoker. I see you are in Texas, so you may not have an issue.
I bought the Kamado Joe. Lump coal is awesome! A little learning curve, lighting, planning enough for the smoke, temp stability, etc. it’s been a blast!
Good luck with your decision. If I was to buy a pellet grill, it would be a Yoder! If you want to slowly evolve starting with cheaper grills and up grading every few years, that’s fine. But like buying a scope, buy once....

I like my Grilla Grill

I like my Smokin Brothers pellet grill Made in the USA.

quote:

Originally posted by TomV: I had used a Weber Charcoal Kettle for 25 years. Finally got tired of dealing with charcoal.

Tired of dealing with charcoal?

Does your husband know you said this?

Get the 590. The 340 seems to be the redheaded stepchild and doesn't get a ton of love. The 590 is still small enough but has room for more food if you sometimes have guests.

quote:

Originally posted by mark60:

Get the 590. The 340 seems to be the redheaded stepchild and doesn't get a ton of love. The 590 is still small enough but has room for more food if you sometimes have guests.

Unless I'm missing something on the website, the Bullseye is the only model that has the option to get really hot, for searing.

Other side of that coin, it looks like the only model that does not have WiFi for the controller.

quote:

Originally posted by maxxpower:
Consider spending a little more and get a USA made Yoder YS480.

https://www.yodersmokers.com/p...ys480s-pellet-grill/


I have the Yoder YS640 and I haven't used my Weber Genesis gas grill since I bought it....


.

This. I bought the smaller 480 a few months ago and love it. I wanted a USA built smoker.

There is just the wife and I in our household and we don't entertain that much, but, I've always found, just like buying a gun safe; figure out the one you think would suit your needs and then buy the next size larger. In your case, it sounds like the 590 would fit the bill.

We have the "Bull", aka the RT 700, and it is big smoker, but, I usually smoke couple of pork butts at once which, once cooked, can be shredded and frozen for later good eats. Let me add, the WIFI on many of their units is a great option to have.