Help deciding on Pellet grill

[ff13375]

First post but have been reading over this forum and others. Right now I have a Masterbuild 30 that I have been using for the last 6 month. I am hooked and looking to upgrade into a pellet grill to replace the MSB 30 and my gas grill. I live in Maryland so I have warm summers and cold winters, I need something I can use year round. I live in a townhouse so I am looking for a smaller set up, right now I am only cooking for two.I really like the Rec Tec 680 but i think it might be a little big for what I need.  So I think I have narrowed it down to two of them the Rec Tec mini and Traeger 2016 PRO SERIES 22 - BRONZE but open to others.
 So here is my concern
Rec Tec mini. $499
1. The vent is in the back, Does rain or snow get in the vent while grilling?
2. Winter uses, I know people use moving blankets to help with holding heat with the vents in the back what can you use?
3. I see a lot of people using the downdraft mod on the big rec tec, with the vents in the back this is not possibly. Is the downdraft mod worth looking at a grill with a stack and not vents?

Traeger 2016 PRO SERIES 22 - BRONZE $799
1. See people saying the build materiel used on the Traeger is not as good as Rec Tec, is this true?
2. Controller is not has good as on the Rec Tec, is the true?

Thanks in advance for any help. I have been reading forms for about a month now and still can not decide.   

[smokeasaurus]

First off, we would all like to welcome you properly...why not head over to General Discussion and introduce yourself so we can all say Howdy 

Rec Tec vs Traeger......this is really a no brainer............

Rec Tec and if I would ever own a pellet grill, I would make sure the one I get has a downdraft hood made for it. I have had a downdraft hood on a Traeger a Rec Tec and a Green Mountain Grill and they are a noticeable improvement once installed. It forces the heat and smoke more towards grate level and does help in evening out the temps.

[muebe]

Rec-Tec is better than a Traeger IMHO

[TMB]

Go Ret Tec you won't regret it

[tailfeathers]

Rec Tec hands down

[ff13375]

So I got offered a lil tex elite with a cover and top thermometer. It's only 6 months old for $450... worth getting or still hold out for the rec tec...

[smokeasaurus]

Ooooh that is a tough one. That is a pretty good price and Traeger does have good customer service if needed.............

[Savannahsmoker]

So I got offered a lil tex elite with a cover and top thermometer. It's only 6 months old for $450... worth getting or still hold out for the rec tec...

So give um $400 for the lil tex elite and run with it even the $450 if need be.  Ya can't go wrong for that price.

[HighOnSmoke]

So I got offered a lil tex elite with a cover and top thermometer. It's only 6 months old for $450... worth getting or still hold out for the rec tec...

So give um $400 for the lil tex elite and run with it even the $450 if need be.  Ya can't go wrong for that price.

Agree!

[Cinredman]

RecTec - my sister-in-law has one and loves it. Likewise, their customer support is grade: prime.  Now, she has had some issues with the ignitor and RecTec sent her parts "next day". When the error returned, they were quick to react with more parts.

The build quality is also superior and the dual-bin hopper a real plus for long cooks.

With that said, I found the Browning PG24LTD(camp chef) on woot.com for $495 and pulled the trigger. This is much smaller than some of the RecTec and overall build quality is OK, but not like the RecTec.

Good luck

[tomcrete1]

So I got offered a lil tex elite with a cover and top thermometer. It's only 6 months old for $450... worth getting or still hold out for the rec tec...

So give um $400 for the lil tex elite and run with it even the $450 if need be.  Ya can't go wrong for that price.

Agree!

X2

[ff13375]

Thanks for all the help.... I offered him $400 we will see what happens. Will keep you posted

[ff13375]

So it looks like I am getting the traeger for $450... I figured even with a PID controller and downdraft mod I will still be way under a new Rec Tec. Might not be as good as a Rec Tec but at least it gets me into the pellet grill and I can go from thier....

[smokeasaurus]

I had a downdraft mod on a lil tex elite...if I remember it gets in the way of the top 1/2 cooking grate...but so worth it

[tomcrete1]

So it looks like I am getting the traeger for $450... I figured even with a PID controller and downdraft mod I will still be way under a new Rec Tec. Might not be as good as a Rec Tec but at least it gets me into the pellet grill and I can go from thier....

Comgrats!!