RECTEQ Pellet Grills/Smokers 2022 – Features and Reviews

Want a new grill but don’t know where to start? You are not alone! With so many products regularly appearing on the market, it can be difficult to know what to go for.

We have put together this handy guide to take you through everything you need to know about grills and smokers from RECTEQ.

This company has recently brought out some great grill models, ideal for newbies or seasoned grill-masters.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the incredible range of grills and smokers that RECTEQ offers.

RECTEQ Company Background

Founded in 2008, RECTEQ has been in the grill and BBQ game for just over a decade.

They are based in Georgia and are dedicated to creating truly excellent pieces of barbecue equipment, made with high-quality materials and innovative designs that come with being USA-built.

This company has been at the forefront of developing new features for both grills and smokers – from PID controllers to 304-grade stainless steel, has done it all. 

Most of their products feature their signature handles that are in the shape of a bull’s horn. RECTEQ want you to take the bull by the horns and get cooking some delicious food.

Bullseye Wood Pellet Grill

First up, we have the RT-B380 Bullseye Wood Pellet Grill. 

This is the smallest grill available from RECTEQ and is one of the lightest pellet grills available from anywhere today. Interestingly, it is smaller than most portable pellet grills too. 

RECTEQ may not have designed this grill with portability or tailgating specifically in mind, it would definitely work well. It works equally brilliantly on your patio to cook up a small barbecue for a few people. 

The Bullseye Grill has certainly gone through some pretty significant upgrades. The earlier models did not have the same stainless steel lid, and they did not have a proper control panel.

Instead, there was just a variable speed dial for the pellet motor.

You are looking at 380 sq inches of cooking space with this grill. This should fit around 25 burgers at any one time which is more than enough room to cook up a delicious and quick meal for two.

The wide temperature range from 225° to 500° (105 °C to 260 °C) means that no heat has been sacrificed due to the Bullseye’s small size.

When talking about temperatures, it is important to remember that external conditions may affect the maximum temperature. This just means that your grill may struggle to hit its maximum temperature in the depths of winter.

You may also find that the entirety of the cooking surface does not get to or remain at the same temperature. This is an easy fix – just experiment with your cooking style to find out what works best for you.

Fortunately, this has been scrapped and now the Bullseye comes with a PID control panel, so you can get a much more accurate idea of your grill’s temperature.

These upgrades mean that the new model of the Bullseye is as functional as it is aesthetically pleasing.

RT-340 Pellet Grill

Next up is the RT-340 Pellet Grill. This grill is pretty close to a conventional grill – it is just a bit smaller.

It is pretty similar to the Bullseye, but it is a more traditional grill or barbecue shape. 

The RT-340 is a little smaller than the Bullseye in terms of cooking space. But this size difference is not so significant as to make this grill inferior.

In fact, the traditional grill shape of the RT-340 may suit some people’s cooking style more than the Bullseye’s round grills.

You can also fit an upper-level cooking rack to the RT-340, something that is not possible with the Bullseye. This will increase your cooking area to around 511 square inches. 

On the subject of cooking, this grill will work best when you use it for low and slow grilling sessions. The hopper capacity on the RT-340 is 20lb which should give you 225° (107 °C) temperatures for roughly 20 hours.

You could get more heat into this grill, but remember that you will go through fuel much more quickly.

This grill comes with a steel burn pot – another upgrade from the Bullseye – and a grease tray with a stainless steel heat deflector.

Unusually, the main grilling chamber is stainless steel as well. Such high-quality materials are quite rare for a grill in this price range.

Like the Bullseye, the RT-340 has a PID temperature control. But, unlike the Bullseye, this one has Wi-Fi.

Some may say that this is a bit of an unnecessary sci-fi kit – these people have obviously never considered that they can go out when slow cooking on their grill! 

Using the RECTEQ app you can control your RT-340 grill. You can control the temperature, turn it off all from your phone no matter where you are.

It is worth mentioning that RECTEQ has made it possible to turn this grill on from the app.

This is very innovative and is going to take the grilling world by storm.

Just think of how easy it is to preheat your grill while you are at the store, so it is ready for you when you come home – just season and chuck it on.

RT-590 Pellet Grill

If you are looking for a grill a little bigger than the RT-340 but with the same amazing features, the RT-590 is the way to go.

This grill offers a good 592 square inches of cooking space with just the main grill. Need more room?

Just use the upper shelf, and you have now got 787 square inches. 

Unlike other RECTEQ pellet grills, the RT-590 does not have a round barrel-shaped design for the body of the grill. Instead, it is angular and sort of hexagonal in appearance.

We are not entirely sure why RECTEQ has gone for this shape for this model, but it has made cooking substantial cuts of meat easier to cook.

The RT-590 comes with all the stainless steel internal design of the RT–340 and the grease tray is still made from 304-grade stainless steel.

Other elements of this grill, like the steel grade of the main chamber, are unclear. 

That said, the steel grade should not matter too much if you plan to take good care of your grill. Yes, higher grade stainless steel is more corrosion resistant than others, but corrosion should be avoided at all costs anyway.

The RT-590 has 10lb more hopper space over the RT-340, allowing you to cook for a bit longer. There is a little more variation with the RT-590 too – it can cook at 200° to 500° (95 °C to 260 °C) – so you may find it easier to perfectly grill different cuts of meat.

Like the RT-340, temperature control is a dream thanks to the PID controller with Wi-Fi connectivity.

RT-700 Wood Pellet Grill

The RT-700 seems to be the most popular RECTEQ grill at the moment.

It is certainly not the largest but strikes a happy medium between size and running costs, making it ideal for family cookouts or hosting your friends.

RECTEQ has stepped up the design for this model.

The grill still features RECTEQ’s famous bullhorn handles and the signature stainless steel cooking chamber with a black lid, but just about everything else is different! The most striking difference is that there is no pellet hopper.

Well, not quite. Because the RT-700 is such a large grill, it needs a huge hopper capacity. Instead of being on the side of the grill, the 40lb pellet hopper has been shifted around to the back.

This means that you can’t see it from the front.

One of the advantages of this new design is that the pellet burn port can now be centrally positioned, allowing for a shorter auger length.

This will dramatically reduce the likelihood of an auger blockage and so will create a safer, more convenient grilling experience.

RECTEQ appears to have overcome the difficulties that other rear-mounted hopper grills have come into. Just from a cursory look at the inner workings of the pellet hopper, it seems that the RT-700 has found a better angle to sit at.

This means that it is not too flat or shallow, thus the pellets are not able to overlap and get stuck above the auger.

The RT-700 gives you a solid 702 square inches of cooking space. As with all RT models, attach the second shelf for some more room. This will boost up your available cooking space to 1,054 square inches.

Do you like the heat? You need to check out the RT-700. 

This grill comes with the PID temperature controls with Wi-Fi connectivity, but you also have the option to use the ‘full’ cooking setting. If you choose this option, you can heat your grill to over 500° (260 °C).

This is largely reliant on the environment that your grill is in – winter, for example, will not be a 600° (315 °C) cooking experience!

RT-2500 BFG Pellet Grill

What does BFG stand for? We will let you use your imagination!

The RT-2500 is a humongous grill that packs in a whopping 2,535 square inches of cooking space over the main grill plate and two additional upper racks.

Equally whopping is the 53lb pellet hopper that offers around 53 hours of cooking time at 225° (107 °C).

Remember that low and slow is the way to go with the RT series!

You will be forgiven for thinking that this grill is the same as the RT-700 but inflated. A key difference is that the BFG comes with lockable castor wheels and sits on top of a competition-style cart.

The BFG also has two chimneys rather than one, reducing hot and cold spots while you cook as heat and smoke are drawn away more evenly.

As ever, the BFG comes with PID temperature control and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Turning your grill on while you are not at home may be more useful here than ever before – you just know that this baby is going to need some time to warm up!

Lastly, the lid. All of that stainless steel is going to weigh a bit. Fortunately, RECTEQ has fitted the BFG with hydraulic lid assists meaning that you always have quick and easy access to the cooking chamber. 

Keep in mind that hardly anyone will need a pellet grill that is as big as the BFG. That said, it is a great bit of kit that any grilling enthusiast would thoroughly enjoy – and all for a reasonable price.

Chuckwagon And Beast Pellet Grills

Technically, the Chuckwagon and Beast pellet grills from RECTEQ are two different products. But they are sold as one – the Chuckwagon is just the Beast grill that has been mounted onto a trailer.

They seem to be made to order for the commercial catering industry but are all made in the USA, so you know you are getting a quality product. 

Take your grilling competitions very seriously? You are sure to be head and shoulders above the rest with this monster in your arsenal.

The available cooking surface for the Chuckwagon/Beast grill is not all that much bigger than the BFG in terms of the cooking area alone. However, the layout has been given a bit of an upgrade. 

The Chuckwagon/Beast has two pellet fire pits. This is ideal for searing and grilling at the same time as you can have areas of different temperatures.

This is the only feature that we have found that is drastically different from the BFG.

Key Features

Now we have done a quick run-through of RECTEQ’s products, we are going to look at some key features of each of these models. It’s time for a deep dive into what makes RECTEQ so good!

PID Smart Grill Temperature Control

All of RECTEQ’s pellet grills now come with a PID temperature control system – apart from the most basic and smallest Bullseye model.

PID is short for Proportional Integral Derivative. All PID control systems constantly check the temperature of the grill using the built-in thermometer and compare this to the temperature that you have chosen.

Any adjustment can then be made to reach your specified temperature – either starting up the fan to cool things down a bit or speeding up the pellet feed auger process, creating a larger flame and more heat.

As we say, a PID-controlled system constantly compares the actual temperature to your chosen temperature. This is quite accurate. You will find that your grill has an accuracy range of 5°.

So if, for example, you have set your grill temperature to 300° (148 °C), the PID system will stop correcting the temperature once the internal thermometer reads between 298° (147 °C) and 302° (150 °C). 

Some grilling traditionalists have made outrageous claims that they prefer the old-fashioned time-temperature controller. You really have got to ask why! 

These temperature control systems cannot reach or hold at a specific temperature anywhere near as efficiently as the PID system. You can expect a 25° grace window with time-based systems, making them a whole 5 times more inaccurate than the PID.

Also to keep in mind is that an inefficient temperature control system makes for an inefficient grill. Inefficiency means that the combustion process, in this case, the burning of the pellets, is flawed, and too much smoke is produced.

This may not be the end of the world, but it can be unpleasant and time-consuming to fix. 

PID With Wi-Fi

How do you make PID controllers better? You connect them to the internet! 

All the RECTEQ grills with PID controllers come with Wi-Fi connectivity options. This is a fantastic upgrade.

Other grills that can connect to your phone tend to use Bluetooth which is just plain inferior. 

Bluetooth has a connectivity range of a couple of feet. A PID connected via Bluetooth is only going to work in your yard or maybe your house, but you’d need to be next to an open window.

The connection is also not as strong and is likely to be cut out randomly.

With Wi-Fi, however, you will feel pretty unstoppable. A Wi-Fi control panel will connect up to your Wi-Fi router, creating a strong connection that is very reliable.

Anywhere that you can connect to your Wi-Fi, you will also be able to connect to your grill.

You will also find that you can connect up to your grill anywhere that you have a strong enough 4G or 5G signal on your phone. Grilling on the go has never been so easy!

Temperature Probes

RECTEQ continues to set itself above the competition with its extra features. Their PID systems come with two probes – A and B – so you can quickly and easily find out the internal temperature of your meat.

This data is essential if you want to get that perfect steak!

Having built-in probes that read on the super-nifty display is a big plus. This setup is far more convenient than having to use your own meat probe – who even has a dedicated grilling probe anyway!?

RECTEQ: An Overview

Still not convinced? Keep reading to find out more about RECTEQ’s company ethos and what they are striving to create. Understanding their core values may help you decide if a RECTEQ grill is right for you.

Spoiler alert – we think it will be!

RECTEQ has got a huge variety of grills, so you are pretty much guaranteed to find one that works for you. Their grills range from $500, to $1,000, to around $2,000.

You could spend even more if you wanted to – the Chuckwagon will set you back anything from $8,000 to $10,000 but keep in mind that this is primarily for a professional catering setup.

Keep in mind that RECTEQ grills are only available from RECTEQ. You won’t find their grills in Lowes or Walmart or anywhere else. Want the real deal? You need to go to their website.

There is a good reason for their exclusivity. Selling their products themselves means that they don’t have to include anything from 20 to 30% for seller’s fees and additional transport.

This means that the costs of their grills are kept as low as possible, without compromising the quality of the raw materials. 

Pellet Grill vs Gas Grill

RECTEQ only offers pellet grills, and you may be wondering why. Let’s go through some key differences between gas and pellet grills.

First, the basics. A pellet grill is great for easy cooking as you can ‘set and forget.’ With this in mind, you could think of a pellet grill as a high-tech outdoor oven.

It cooks best at low and slow and injects a delicious smoky flavor thanks to the wood pellets that are burnt.

A gas grill, on the other hand, is ideal if you tend to cook at medium-high or above temperatures. But you will have difficulty maintaining a constant temperature on low heat, and you will miss out on some smokiness in your food. 

That said, remember that RECTEQ is standalone in the world of pellet grills. We think that they are probably the only grill manufacturers who could truly replace a gas grill’s heat efficiency.

This is because the pellets are rear-mounted, allowing for a more even burn of fuel, creating more efficient and warmer combustion. 

If you do some research, you will find that other pellet grills that offer ‘steak cooking’ cheat and come with a separate gas grill.

Remember, RECTEQ is the only grill manufacturer we have found that can replicate the heat of a gas grill with the smokey and delicious flavor of a pellet burner. 

What Do I Need To Know Before Buying A Pellet Grill?

First, you need to think about your cooking preferences. Do you want to grill low and slow for heaps of flavor and juicy meat?

Or do you prefer quick frying for that wonderful charred finish? 

Temperature control is also super important when you are trying to find the perfect grill. Almost all of RECTEQ’s range come with PID temperature control systems.

This is one of the most superior control systems available at the moment and is super accurate. 

An efficient grill is a good grill. This is true for the cooking process, but also fuel economy. All of RECTEQ’s grills will burn an average of 1lb of pellets per hour.

This strikingly low fuel consumption is partly thanks to its central-hopper design, but also due to the even way that the grill burns pellets.

Next, you need to think about how high-tech you want your grill to be. All RECTEQ grills come with Wi-Fi connectivity which allows you to connect to your grill anywhere that you have a Wi-Fi connection or 4G/5G signal.

Out shopping? Preheat your grill on your way home, so you are ready to get cooking as soon as you walk through the door.

The size of the grill you need usually depends on how much cooking surface you want.

All pellet grills will read like they have a massive amount of cooking space, but keep in mind that many companies include two or even three additional upper racks in this size guide.

This means that you have far fewer square inches of cooking space than you thought you had.

All of RECTEQ’s sizes are for just the main cooking grill, so you can be sure that you know what you are getting. 

One of the most obvious signs of a good pellet grill will be the quality of its materials and how it has been constructed. One issue that many pellet grills face is inadequate ignition systems.

An igniter rod that is made from steel, the most common type, will easily corrode and not ignite at its proper efficiency after just a couple of cycles.

A ceramic igniter rod, on the other hand, is corrosion resistant and RECTEQ’s ignition system is designed to work perfectly for 100,000 ignition cycles. That’s a lot of grilling!

Nervous about buying a grill online? RECTEQ offers a generous warranty and an excellent return's policy.

This means that you can sit back and relax, waiting for your new grill to arrive. If you have any issues, you can always contact customer services to get wheels in motion to fix your concerns. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Pellet Grills Need Electricity?

Yes, pellet grills need electricity to run. The electricity source is almost always a standard household electrical current unless you are purchasing a real specialist bit of kit.

Once the grill is plugged in, the ignition rod can spark when you want the grill to light.

The auger – a rotating paddle to move pellet into the flame to be burnt – will then begin to move to deliver the appropriate volume of pellets to the fire pot, depending on what temperature you have set.

If you have a more high-tech pellet grill, electricity will also be used to power the PID temperature control panel and any Wi-Fi connectivity features.

So if you plan on remotely starting up your grill while you are out, make sure that you plug it in first!

How Long Can You Store Wood Pellets?

Like any biomass fuel, the length of time that wood pellets can be stored depends on the humidity of the environment in which they are kept.

The greater the humidity, the shorter the maximum time span of pellet storage. 

This is because the pellets will draw in moisture from the air. When their moisture level gets to a specific point, the pellets will not burn properly and will not be usable.

As a basic guide, a storage area with less than 10% humidity will keep pellets usable for 6 months. Any longer and you may find that they are too damp.

Any room with over 10% humidity levels, and you are looking at a maximum storage time of around 3 months.

Can You Keep Wood Pellets In The Hopper?

It is not recommended that you keep pellets in the hopper of your grill. But we all know that sometimes life happens, and they end up sitting there for a while! 

Depending on the humidity of where you live, your pellets can be ok to use anything from 2 weeks to 2 months after being stored in the hopper.

Low humidity areas will be closer to 2 months and very high humidity areas can last 2 weeks, but don’t be surprised if the pellets are not usable after 7 days.

How Often Do I Need To Clean My Pellet Grill?

The frequency of a grill clean will depend on you – how frequently you cook in it, what you cook in it, and how you cook in it.

A grill that is regularly used will need a clean frequently to prevent pipes from clogging up with ash or debris blowing around the cooking chamber and landing on your food.

A grill that is not used frequently will have fewer debris and ash in it, so there is not a lot to clean up.

That said, you need to do a deep clean of your grill at least once a year, no matter how rarely you use it. This will help keep your grill working properly and hygienically!

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a new grill, we definitely recommend that you check out RECTEQ. They offer a wide range of high-quality pellet grills to suit everyone’s grilling needs.

One key thing to note about RECTEQ is that they are alone in their field of pellet grills – no other company is offering grills with these features or this quality for their price points.

From the compact Bullseye to the hugely impressive BFG and Chuckwagon models, RECTEQ really does have something for everyone no matter your budget.

On the subject of the BFG and Chuckwagon, yes they are super impressive, but are they practical?

The BFG might be the perfect choice for you if you host a lot of cookouts, but we love the functionality of the smaller and more compact models.  

Whatever you decide, just know that you have selected one of the best pellet grills on the market today.