Buyer's Guide Table of Contents
Last Update: October, 2023
Imagine this. It is early fall and there is a game on the television. Thick in the air is the heavenly scent of smoked BBQ. Worry not. That odor is coming from your house – not your neighbors.
This could easily be you after arming yourself with the right knowledge before heading out to the shop. Wood pellet grills are made for your stomach and nose. It is hard to resist that smoky scent of delicious BBQ.
Not all pellet grills are made the same, however, and we are going to help you find out what brand and model grill will be best for you. With a range of options, from portable to so large you could cook for a party in one go, you will want to stick around to make sure you’re investing in the best model for you.
Grill | Summary |
|---|---|
Rec Tec RT700 | This Rec Tec grill features a cooking chamber made entirely of stainless steel. It also includes WIFI technology that will allow you to control the temperature from a phone app. |
Rec Tec Trailblazer | Featuring foldable locking legs, this Trailblazer grill is perfect for backyard use and traveling. Equipped with a cool down mode which can be switched on with the push of a button. |
Traeger TFB42LZBC | This large capacity grill’s temperature controller and electronic ignition excel at providing you with a top-notch meal. |
Traeger TFB29LZA | The smaller size and foldable legs of this model make it perfect for those with smaller spaces. |
Traeger TFB65LZBC | This large grill allows you to make one big meal in one sitting while allowing you more freedom with regulating temperature controls. |
Pros:
Cons:
More About The Rec Tec RT700
The Rec Tec RT700 or The Bull is one of the newest Rec Tec grills on the market. You’ll be happy to know that this particular model offers several new upgrades and innovative features.
This model has a cooking chamber that is made up entirely of stainless steel so no paint will ever peel or crack with this design.
Dual meat probes are also offered by this model. They plug directly into the grill controller so you don’t have to worry about purchasing a separate cooking thermometer to check the temperature of your meat.
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Shop Related PRoducts | |
|---|---|
Traeger Grills TFB38TCA  | Traeger 10526 Bronson  |
Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill  | Camp Chef SmokePro  |
Pros:
Cons:
More About The Rec Tec Trailblazer
The Rec Tec Trailblazer is equipped with Wi-Pellet WIFI technology and smart grill technology. This grill maintains its temperature well and you are even able to monitor it remotely with your device.
With this Trailblazer model, you won’t have to worry about messy charcoal or wood with this grill. It is equipped with an automatic shutdown feature which cools down in temperature increments of five degrees.
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Shop Related PRoducts | |
|---|---|
Traeger Grills TFB38TCA | Traeger 10526 Bronson |
Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill | Camp Chef SmokePro |
Pros:
Cons:
More About The Traeger TFB42LZBC
This Traeger pellet grill is the premium choice for that wood-fired taste. The original wood-pellet grill was introduced by Traeger, and they have greatly improved the barbeque cooking experience.
Adjusting the temperature on this grill is easy – just turn a dial and the Elite controller will keep the temperature range between +/-20 degrees. This consistency is key to cooking perfect grilled, baked, roasted, braised, smoked, and barbequed food on this versatile grill.
Wood pellets can be stored in the convenient 18-pound hopper.
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Shop Related PRoducts | |
|---|---|
Traeger Grills TFB38TCA | Traeger 10526 Bronson |
Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill | Camp Chef SmokePro |
Pros:
Cons:
More About The Traeger TFB29LZA
This Traeger is a smaller, more compact size which makes it the perfect grill for those with smaller living spaces, like an apartment. The legs, wheels and all, also fold up so you can store it or take it with you on the go.
Its compact size does not affect its extreme cooking ability. The hopper on this model is on the smaller side, so be sure to be prepared to add wood chips as you go if you’re cooking a big meal or all day. The design of this grill is well thought out, so you do not lose much grilling space.
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Shop Related PRoducts | |
|---|---|
Traeger Grills TFB38TCA | Traeger 10526 Bronson |
Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill | Camp Chef SmokePro |
Pros:
Cons:
More About The Traeger TFB65LZBC
This Traeger grill was made for those who want to go big or go home. The grill size is large at 646 square feet, so you can cook whatever you want in one go. The consistency of this grill is trustworthy, so you can hang out with family while your meal is steady cooking to juicy perfection.
The digital controller allows you to easily control the temperature to within +/-20 degrees all while allowing you versatile choices in barbecue, smoked, grilled, roasted, baked or braised meals.
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Shop Related PRoducts | |
|---|---|
Traeger Grills TFB38TCA | Traeger 10526 Bronson |
Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill | Camp Chef SmokePro |
Rec Tec and Traeger, The Comparison
We’re not through yet.
Let’s do a little comparing. Rec Tec and Traeger are two well known brands in the grilling world. Both are great, but you might be wondering which one is for you and which one has features that you will appreciate the most. We will be discussing pellet grills and their features.
So, let’s dive right in.
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Temperature Control
First off, what are we looking at in terms of temperature control? We want a grill that cooks at a consistent and high temperature.
The Traeger grills use dial technology with a red digital readout for easy viewing at night. These grills stay within 20 degrees of the set temperature and you can set a minimum and maximum setting for faster or slower cooking. One downfall is that the Traeger grills have a maximum setting of 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Rec Tec grills are designed to maintain even temperatures over a longer period. The digital readout can be adjusted in 5-degree increments, and Rec Tec tends to keep it within that temperature range. To top it off, their grills can accommodate temperatures as high as 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Features
Both brands create exceptional grills with many features. The Rec Tec is heavier than many Traeger grills, sometimes 100-pounds heavier. This is because the Rec Tec is made from 304 stainless-steel while the Traeger is made from powder coated steel.
Get this – in addition to the stainless-steel lasting longer, the Rec Tec will hold its temperature longer and remain consistent throughout.
Rec Tec makes branded products that range from shelves to searing kits. When ordering, you can customize your order with these accessories. That way, when your package arrives, you can get everything, even including sauces and rubs, in one order.
Traeger makes some branded products; for example, basics like wood pellets and grill covers.
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Hopper Capacity
Rec Tec comes with an oversized hopper that can fit about 40-pounds of wood pellets inside. Most pellets are sold in 20-pound bags, so this could hold two entire bags.
Meanwhile, the Traeger hopper capacity is about 18-pounds.
Note: The Traeger hopper will not even fit one full bag of wood pellets.click here
Grilling Space
Rec Tec makes two different types of pellet grills in size small and large. The small size is 341 square-inches while the larger model is 702 square-inches.
Here’s the thing.
Traeger makes several different sized grills – from compact and portable to large, spacious grills made to cook an entire meal in one go. Its largest grill lands in at 1,300 square-inches and its compact model sits at a pleasant 300 square-inches.
Portability
Sometimes we want to take our grills to the park or out to the game for a tailgate party. Both companies make a smaller, more compact grills. These grills have the option of folding up at the legs for easier portability. Traeger grills have carts that can either be locked into place or you can remove them for ease of moving.
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Customer Service
Customer service is one of the most important factors when making an investment.
Seriously.
You’re dropping a lot of money on a grill like these two brands, so it makes sense that you’d want excellent customer service if something ever goes wrong or you need help installing a new feature.
Both companies offer a warranty. However, Rec Tec products come with a 6-year warranty while Traeger products come with a 3-year warranty. It is still worthwhile that both come with a warranty.
In addition to warranties, both companies also have amazing customer service representatives that are based in the US and are friendly and helpful in assisting you with all manners of questions. Rec Tec takes their business a step further, however. Each product that you buy comes with a card that has the cell phone numbers of the two founders of the company. Some customers have even stated that they have received a call back from manager-level employees – even on holidays.learn more
Conclusion
All in all, there are many different options available to you for your wood pellet grill. This kind of investment should be carefully considered. Quality in multiple areas is vital to ensuring that you are getting the ideal grill for your needs.
Now, make it happen.
We want you to make sure that you’re creating and eating the best possible meals.learn more
