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***Official Grilling and Smoking Thread*** (4 Viewers)

Planning to replace my old (dead) gas grill this spring (postponed from last year) with a pellet grill/smoker. (I already have a big charcoal/wood smoker; looking at something more set-and-forget for smaller/quicker cooks.)

Previously I was eyeing the RecTeq Bullseye 380 for its stainless body and "riot mode" 750F max temp. And it's still a great-looking grill, but thanks to my work bonus being higher than expected, my budget has increased a fair bit.  Any recommendations in the ~$1K neighborhood? 

 
Did a reverse sear whole  picanha tonight. First time cooking this cut, it turned out pretty damn good. 

I scored the fat cap and seasoned heavy with coarse salt, fresh cracked black pepper, and a little garlic/onion powder. Cooked at 225° in the oven until it was about 112°. Pulled and seared over raging hot lump charcoal for about a minute per side, then let it rest for about 10 minutes. Sliced and served with fresh chimichurri and roasted potato wedges. 

Flavor was outstanding and it had the texture of prime rib. The bright & spicy chimi really was a nice contrast to the rich, fatty beef.

Will buy and make again.

Ready for oven

Seared and resting

Sliced and plated

 
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heckmanm said:
Planning to replace my old (dead) gas grill this spring (postponed from last year) with a pellet grill/smoker. (I already have a big charcoal/wood smoker; looking at something more set-and-forget for smaller/quicker cooks.)

Previously I was eyeing the RecTeq Bullseye 380 for its stainless body and "riot mode" 750F max temp. And it's still a great-looking grill, but thanks to my work bonus being higher than expected, my budget has increased a fair bit.  Any recommendations in the ~$1K neighborhood? 
Click to expand...
I’m very happy with my pitboss. I have the classic

 5 yr warranty , I’m not sure I paid $300 for it 

https://pitboss-grills.com/grills/wood-pellet/pit-boss-classic-wood-pellet-grill

 
Last edited by a moderator:
heckmanm said:
Planning to replace my old (dead) gas grill this spring (postponed from last year) with a pellet grill/smoker. (I already have a big charcoal/wood smoker; looking at something more set-and-forget for smaller/quicker cooks.)

Previously I was eyeing the RecTeq Bullseye 380 for its stainless body and "riot mode" 750F max temp. And it's still a great-looking grill, but thanks to my work bonus being higher than expected, my budget has increased a fair bit.  Any recommendations in the ~$1K neighborhood? 
Click to expand...
I have the RT700 and love it.  Not sure that I would get a 1250 for the extra cash.  If you can extend the budget, get the 700.  Better to go bigger and not need it then to go small and wish you had the extra space.  I got mine last year before the price hikes but do really like it.

 
cj* said:
I have the RT700 and love it.  Not sure that I would get a 1250 for the extra cash.  If you can extend the budget, get the 700.  Better to go bigger and not need it then to go small and wish you had the extra space.  I got mine last year before the price hikes but do really like it.
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I ordered the RT590 late last week with the optional 2nd shelf insert.  Bigger than the old grill was, and I still have my big vertical offset if I need to do a really large smoke. With only 2 of us and not doing a ton of entertaining I think it'll be enough space.

 
heckmanm said:
I ordered the RT590 late last week with the optional 2nd shelf insert.  Bigger than the old grill was, and I still have my big vertical offset if I need to do a really large smoke. With only 2 of us and not doing a ton of entertaining I think it'll be enough space.
Click to expand...
I didn’t fully read your post before commenting.  I’m sure the 590 will be a good fit.

 
cj* said:
I didn’t fully read your post before commenting.  I’m sure the 590 will be a good fit.
Click to expand...
I briefly considered the 700 but instead spent the difference adding the extra shelf, cover, 200# of pellets, grate brush, and the mat for underneath it.

 
How long do pellets keep? Like say I'm planning to put my first smoker to a toooonnnnn of use all summer - any downside to buying a lot of pellets if I have the space?

 
Instinctive said:
How long do pellets keep? Like say I'm planning to put my first smoker to a toooonnnnn of use all summer - any downside to buying a lot of pellets if I have the space?
Click to expand...
Good question.  I’ve definitely used 6 month old pellets before.  So long as they aren’t getting moist it’s probably fine. My guess is fresher is better though as was the case with regular wood chunks.

 
Cowboysfan8 said:
I’m not sure about this. We have no idea how long these bags have been sitting in a warehouse

Ive used 6+ month old from my garage and noticed no difference from just bought 
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This is true.  Tbh I’ve never even looked for a expiration or creation date in these bags.  Do they even have one?  I would be curious to see what super fresh pellets taste like.  But i usually order off Amazon and I’m sure they have been sitting for a while.  
 

I just know that fresher wood is usually much stronger(when i was using my WSM switching to quality wood made sooo much difference).  But who knows what happens in the making of the pellets and if the process changes that.  But i would bet the fresher you can get and use them likely the better.  Time for an experiment!  Let me see if i can get and verify a fresh batch and see.  

 
PinkydaPimp said:
This is true.  Tbh I’ve never even looked for a expiration or creation date in these bags.  Do they even have one?  I would be curious to see what super fresh pellets taste like.  But i usually order off Amazon and I’m sure they have been sitting for a while.  
 

I just know that fresher wood is usually much stronger(when i was using my WSM switching to quality wood made sooo much difference).  But who knows what happens in the making of the pellets and if the process changes that.  But i would bet the fresher you can get and use them likely the better.  Time for an experiment!  Let me see if i can get and verify a fresh batch and see.  
Click to expand...
Hmmmm, yeah I’ve never looked for date either. Interesting 

FYI, Walmart.com sells pitboss pellets CHEAP and free shipping over 35$

 
Instinctive said:
How long do pellets keep? Like say I'm planning to put my first smoker to a toooonnnnn of use all summer - any downside to buying a lot of pellets if I have the space?
Click to expand...
As long as they don't get wet, they're just fine. I wound up with 24 bags of Rec Teq ultimate blend pellets a couple years ago and I'm still working through them. No noticeable degradation. All this stuff is kiln dried, just like the wood chunks they sell in stores so...

 
Ron Swanson said:
As long as they don't get wet, they're just fine. I wound up with 24 bags of Rec Teq ultimate blend pellets a couple years ago and I'm still working through them. No noticeable degradation. All this stuff is kiln dried, just like the wood chunks they sell in stores so...
Click to expand...
Thank you.

I already get #### from the wife for eating sour cream (unopened) that is 2-3 months past it's expiration date. I don't want to have to worry about my charcoal/pellet dates. 

 
Ron Swanson said:
As long as they don't get wet, they're just fine. I wound up with 24 bags of Rec Teq ultimate blend pellets a couple years ago and I'm still working through them. No noticeable degradation. All this stuff is kiln dried, just like the wood chunks they sell in stores so...
Click to expand...
Good to hear since I got 5 bags with my new grill. Finally getting warm enough to unbox it this week

 
OK, unboxed the grill and got it assembled this afternoon.  In the process I discovered that the pad that I bought to go underneath it was nowhere to be found.  It was on the shipping list with everything else, so I'm guessing the freight company lost it somehow.

I e-mailed RecTeq about it.  FOUR MINUTES LATER I got an e-mail copy of a shipping order with a new one being sent out at no charge.  Two minutes after that, a response to my e-mail apologizing and letting me know that a replacement was on the way.

Pretty good customer service, these guys :thumbup:

 
heckmanm said:
OK, unboxed the grill and got it assembled this afternoon.  In the process I discovered that the pad that I bought to go underneath it was nowhere to be found.  It was on the shipping list with everything else, so I'm guessing the freight company lost it somehow.

I e-mailed RecTeq about it.  FOUR MINUTES LATER I got an e-mail copy of a shipping order with a new one being sent out at no charge.  Two minutes after that, a response to my e-mail apologizing and letting me know that a replacement was on the way.

Pretty good customer service, these guys :thumbup:
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That's pretty awesome of them to respond so quickly. I'm in the process of shopping for a portable pellet smoker to take camping and customer service like that is a big check on the plus side. 

 
Gents, question.  What is the best bbq in Lockhart?  Im headed down that way for work.  Ive been to Kreuz and Blacks both of which are great and have been my staples.  Any others i should check out in Lockhart or the New Braunfells area?  I know franklins but im not going to be up that way. 

Thanks!

 
I would make the drive to Louie Mueller's in Taylor (roughly 1 hour North) or Burnt Bean in Seguin (30 minutes south). Louie Mueller's is legendary and my favorite BBQ in TX. The beef rib is life altering.  Burnt Bean is a newer place but is really, really good. Both are superior to any BBQ in Lockhart these days, IMO.

 
Joe Bryant said:
Nice. Do you have a link? What else did you consider there?
Click to expand...
Didn't really consider any other brands, I already own an egg and didn't want to upgrade that yet. I  just had been putting off getting one of the nicer ones. Glad I waited because I think this one is pretty new and the new side table is freaking great.  Put it together Saturday, we've used it three times already and going for four tonight. 

 
The Gator said:
Didn't really consider any other brands, I already own an egg and didn't want to upgrade that yet. I  just had been putting off getting one of the nicer ones. Glad I waited because I think this one is pretty new and the new side table is freaking great.  Put it together Saturday, we've used it three times already and going for four tonight. 
Click to expand...


Thanks. It's a flat top griddle, right? 

What is the thinking for how mostly you'll use it? 

 
I keep debating getting a black stone.  I’ve always been a charcoal guy though, but as a second grill I think it would be a nice option for doing quick burgers / dogs, breakfast, fried rice, cheesesteaks, etc

 
Joe Bryant said:
Thanks. It's a flat top griddle, right? 

What is the thinking for how mostly you'll use it? 
Click to expand...




Yes, it's basically a huge cast iron-ish cooking surface that drains to the back center. 

Great question because I was just thinking this last night. :lol:

If you had asked me before I bought it my thoughts were that I'd use it like a BBQ, just with different techniques and you get to do a few extra things on it. (eggs, hash, rice) 

Now that I've used it three times and I don't see a reason to not use it for anything you want.  I mentioned cast iron earlier and this is just next level imo. When I do my steaks inside using my cast iron, my routine is; sear, flip and baste, finish in the oven. I can already envision the benefits of the griddle. Sear your steaks, when you flip and baste move them over to a cooler temped area. Then the benefit is now you get the crust/grease/flavor area that you just seared on to cook your veggies/sides.

The sear on this thing is amazing and I feel like you can add levels of flavor to your cooking with it. 

 
Dan Lambskin said:
I keep debating getting a black stone.  I’ve always been a charcoal guy though, but as a second grill I think it would be a nice option for doing quick burgers / dogs, breakfast, fried rice, cheesesteaks, etc
Click to expand...


I was in the same boat. Own and egg and love charcoal for BBQ and I smoke a bit. Glad I ended up getting this thing, game changer for cooking imo.

 
The Gator said:
Yes, it's basically a huge cast iron-ish cooking surface that drains to the back center. 
Click to expand...


Thanks. Is it just like a little hole in the flat top with a container below to catch the grease? That seems like a great idea.

 
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Joe Bryant said:
Spring Branch was closed today. Greenwood Plaza seems like it's about the only prime BBQ spot open today. 
Click to expand...
Not BBQ but if you're in town longer, check out Wild Oats in the Farmer's Market on Airline.  It's a Chris Shepherd restaurant that just opened last month. Fantastic.

https://wildoatshouston.com/

Loro, the Aaron Franklin/Uchi mashup is open now as well. It was good, but didn't blow me away.

 
Well I decided to take the hour drive to the Rec Teq facility in Evans Georgia yesterday just to "look around". Man what a place. I was in heaven. 

I just recently decided to purchase a pellet grill that I can take in the RV with us and their RT-340 caught my attention. Well we definitely didn't come home empty-handed. I purchased the RT-340 and the sear kit. The young lady that helped us was nice enough to throw in a second shelf and a 40 lb bag of pellets. Today I will do the initial burn in and then cook a couple of filets. 

My visit to Rec Teq

ETA

I also bought a grill mat for half price from their scratch and dent section. 

 
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In The Zone said:
Well I decided to take the hour drive to the Rec Teq facility in Evans Georgia yesterday just to "look around". Man what a place. I was in heaven. 

I just recently decided to purchase a pellet grill that I can take in the RV with us and their RT-340 caught my attention. Well we definitely didn't come home empty-handed. I purchased the RT-340 and the sear kit. The young lady that helped us was nice enough to throw in a second shelf and a 40 lb bag of pellets. Today I will do the initial burn in and then cook a couple of filets. 

My visit to Rec Teq

ETA

I also bought a grill mat for half price from their scratch and dent section. 
Click to expand...
Pretty cool.  The rec tec is a nice smoker.  Enjoy!

 
Joe Bryant said:
Thanks. It's a flat top griddle, right? 

What is the thinking for how mostly you'll use it? 
Click to expand...




Use #3423

My wife hosted bunco tonight- So I cooked, bacon, 32 sliders, roasted potatoes and sautéed onions on it tonight.  Also toasted the buns.

Literally the only time i haven't cooked on it since I bought it was when I was out of propane. That was only for three days though. :banned:   

 
Question/Advice - After more than a year, I finally put together my Weber Smokey Mountain 18 inch today. I need somewhere to keep it and use it safely. I don't have a patio as I have a deck. 

Instead of creating a project for myself and putting pavers/stones on my lawn, at the bottom of my deck, is there some sort of mat that I could put it on while still on grass?

 
SayChowda said:
Question/Advice - After more than a year, I finally put together my Weber Smokey Mountain 18 inch today. I need somewhere to keep it and use it safely. I don't have a patio as I have a deck. 

Instead of creating a project for myself and putting pavers/stones on my lawn, at the bottom of my deck, is there some sort of mat that I could put it on while still on grass?
Click to expand...
i use one of these "GRILLTEX Under the Grill Protective Deck and Patio Mat, 39 x 72 inches" Under my smoker but im on pavers.  If its flat though it should work.  Otherwise, you can keep it in the grass.  I would put a cover on it though when not using it.  You could also just sit the legs on a couple bricks. 

 
I used to make spares in my upright propane smoker pretty often, and they were really great.

I bought a pellet grill a year or so ago and started smoking baby backs. They were always good. But not great.

I picked up a rack of spares Friday and smoked them on the pit boss 3-2-.5

They were more tender and moist than any baby backs I’ve ever eaten. 
 

I don’t think I’ll ever buy baby’s again 

 
The Gator said:
Use #3423

My wife hosted bunco tonight- So I cooked, bacon, 32 sliders, roasted potatoes and sautéed onions on it tonight.  Also toasted the buns.

Literally the only time i haven't cooked on it since I bought it was when I was out of propane. That was only for three days though. :banned:   
Click to expand...
That's why you need a 2nd propane tank.  When do you run out ... while you are using it.

 
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