Pitmasters! Today we’re talking recteq once again, with an in-depth look at the one and only RT-700 “The Bull.” The RT-700 is recteq’s flagship grill model, and specs say it punches much higher than it’s current sale price of $1199. How well does the RT-700 work? What makes it different from others at a similar price point? Well, folks, I’m here to find out. Let’s do this thing.

recteq sent us this grill for testing and review purposes; however, all opinions are our own.

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recteq RT-700 Features

The RT-700 has an impressive feature list!

Check out the great features of the recteq RT-700 pellet grill:

• 702 sq. in. of cooking space
• 40lb hopper
• Temperature ranges from 180°F-500°F+
• Control directly from your phone with the recteq app and built in Wi-Fi
• Monitor your food temperature with two meat probes (included with the RT-700)
• Easy start-up with the push of a button
• Constructed with high-quality components
• 40hr. of non-stop cooking with a full hopper
• Interior light which is great for late-night check-ins on your cooks
• Utilizes PID technology for precise temperature control
• 6 YEAR WARRANTY

recteq RT-700 Build Quality

Let me tell you right now, recteq’s build quality on all of the grills I’ve tested is absolutely top-notch. With the RT-700, you get stainless steel everywhere it matters and, boy, do I love my stainless steel. The cooking chamber, grates, firepot, heat deflector, drip pan, side shelf, and even the smoke cap are all made of stainless, where others in the market usually choose cheaper powder coated steel instead.

Construction bonuses don’t stop short at the materials. The leg system recteq has built for their larger grills is extremely sturdy. Featuring “rollerblade” style wheels, this grill is super easy to get it right where you need it, and it’s as solid as a rock while doing so.

The lower shelf is a much welcome addition. At this price point in the grill market, it’s tough to get a grill built this well that also includes lower storage like this. It’s the perfect place to throw the folded up cover or some extra pellets.

As far as assembly goes, it’s slightly easier than some of the other grills I’ve put together. You can tell the RT-700 was built with the consumer in mind being easy to put together and very easy to swap out parts if you ever need to. The RT-700 went from in the box on my porch to fully assembled and cooking in about an hour with basic hand tools.

Cooking with the RT-700

Cooking on the RT-700 is a Backyard BBQ Hero’s dream!

Low and Slow

The RT-700 has an absolutely massive 40lb pellet hopper that recteq claims can last up to 40 hours of cooking. Folks, I filled that bad boy, set it to 225, let it eat until it was completely out of pellets, and I got an incredible 43 HOURS. Incredible, and much longer than you’d ever need for one smoking session.

The RT-700 also has a light on the inside, making late night check ins much more convenient. One flick of the switch and you can easily illuminate that 702 sq. in. of cooking space!

I cooked the tri-tip below just like I’d cook a brisket. I know, I know, tri-tip is supposed to be medium rare, but sometimes I just can’t help myself in the pursuit of great bark. The RT-700 ran for a solid 9 hours on this one without a temperature variance of more than a few degrees either way. The smoke ring and the bark speak for themselves. This low and slow tri-tip was super moist and packed with flavor!

Grilling and Searing

High temperature grilling and, yes, even searing are completely within the capabilities of the RT-700. Recteq says the temperature range of this grill is from 200℉-500℉ but I’ve found it’s more like 180℉-550ish set on low and hi modes, respectively. Other pellet grill manufacturers claim to hit temperatures this high but most struggle in my experience. The beautifully high temperature and the grills’ ability to hit it lie directly in the construction. Stainless steel components handle high heat much better than competitors powder-coated steel, and, with the hopper mounted on the back, the length the auger has to carry pellets is much shorter. This translates into less work for the auger motor, and the ability to supply an ample amount of pellets to support that 500℉ plus temperature.

The RT-700 Controller

Usually, I don’t include a section in a review on controllers unless something stands out, good or bad. A lot of recteq’s reputation comes directly from their controller technology and I’m here for it. I’d recommend staying out of the settings though, unless you know what you’re doing and have your owner’s manual handy.

The controller is super easy to use. Just push the button, dial in your temperature (in 5 degree increments) and the PID technology does the rest. Recteq has been developing the algorithm their grills ship with for years and it’s dang near perfect. When set on a lower setting, like 225℉, the fan and auger cycle on and off to keep a thin blue plume of smoke rolling out of the chimney cap, while staying within just a few degrees from that setting. The RT-700 packed in more flavor than any other pellet grill I’ve used, and I think that is a direct result of the superior controller programming.

The sharp-eyed reader must have noticed that tiny antenna by now, and yes, that means Wi-Fi. Generally, Wi-Fi and apps aren’t even a thought in my mind when looking at a new grill. Every manufacturer I’ve used has major issues in this department, mostly connectivity issues combined with a terrible app. It’s bad enough I just don’t bother with it anymore.

I’m here to tell you that recteq is a massive exception to my Wi-Fi woes. I haven’t had one single issue with connectivity during my time with this RT-700, and their app has worked for me without a hitch. You’re able to turn the grill on, off, and set your temperature right from the app. Recteq has also included some fancy temperature graphing features here for your RT-700 internal and external probes.

What We Like

Here are some of our favorite things about the recteq RT-700:

• Stainless Steel components – Manufacturers need to up their game here. I would choose this grill over others just because of the stainless.
• 40lb Hopper – Fill that hopper way less!
• Rock Solid Performance – The temperature control on this pellet grill is top of the class.
• 6 YEAR WARRANTY

What Could be Improved

Even though this is a great grill, there are a few things that could be improved with the recteq RT-700:

• Sharp Edges – While this is pretty nit-picky, some of the edges on the stainless steel body were pretty sharp out of the box. I actually managed to cut my finger fairly deep during assembly.
• No Pellet Cleanout – This isn’t a big deal for me, but I know others love the ability to swap pellets on the fly or empty the hopper after each cook. The RT-700 is lacking here.

Recipes to try on the RT-700

Do you have the recteq RT-700 in your back yard, or are you planning on buying one in the future? If so, I recommend trying these awesome recipes with your pellet grill.

• Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket
• Fireball Peach Smoked Ribs
• Dr. Pepper Jalapeno Beef Jerky

recteq RT-700 Review: Final Thoughts

The RT-700 from recteq is the king of the pellet grills at this price point. I’d recommend it to anybody, from beginner to expert, that is looking for a brand new pellet grill that will provide years of faithful service. The stainless steel construction and the flavor the RT-700 can pack in puts it far ahead of the pack. The RT-700 easily took the top spot on my personal list of favorite pellet grills.

You know recteq stands behind their product with that 6 year warranty, and their customer service is the best in the business. If ever there is an issue that needs solving, one phone call to recteq and they’ll take care of it.

For all my Utah friends, recteq opened a brand new location right here in Lehi! Make sure you stop by to check these grills out first hand, and tell them Brandon from Hey Grill Hey sent you! You can find them at 5025 W Hudson Way Suite 10, Lehi, UT 84043.