recteq RT-B380 Bullseye Review

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Gather ’round grill masters! It’s time for a review of one of the most unique and versatile pellet grills on the market today, the recteq Bullseye RT-B380! This lightweight bruiser gives you all of the sweet, sweet grilling power you need, whether you’re at home or taking it on the run. Recteq says the Bullseye will grill, smoke, bake, and even sear anything you throw at it; all while being light enough to be considered portable. Does the RT-B380 live up to those lofty expectations? Well, let’s get after it!

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

Please note: Hey Grill Hey is supported by its readers. We may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you if you buy through a link on this page.

recteq RT-B380 grill on a wooden deck
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recteq Bullseye Features

The versatility recteq has crammed into this grill is impressive!

Check out the great features of the recteq RT-B380 Bullseye pellet grill:

  • 22″ rack, providing 380 sq. in. of cooking space
  • Removable carbon steel flame deflector
  • Stainless steel cooking chamber and lid
  • Easy to use PID controller technology
  • 225℉ – 749℉ temperature range via RIOT mode
  • Direct Flame Grilling, unique to the pellet grill market
  • 15lb hopper
  • One Meat Probe included
recteq RT-B380 grill lid

recteq Bullseye Build Quality

The RT-B380 is on the short list for the easiest pellet grill I’ve ever put together. The whole process from unboxing to finished assembly took me a measly 20 minutes maximum. I built it by myself with basic hand tools.

The first thing anyone will notice when they look at this grill is the massive stainless steel dome lid and matching grill body underneath. The finish work on my unit is great, but there was one spot where the lid had some light rub marks.

recteq RT-B380 front view of grill on wooden deck

Lift that dome lid and you’re quite likely to find a nice 22″ grill grate above a heat deflector. The grate is about the quality you’d expect from a grill similar to the Weber Kettle, but that deflector is solid. It’s a bit heavier than it looks due to its carbon steel construction and it does a great job keeping the temperatures in the cook chamber even.

recteq RT-B380 grill internals

Obviously, the cooking grate and deflector system come right out, revealing the real muscle behind this grill; the fire pot and ignition system. The HotFlash Ceramic igniter is rated for over 100,000 lighting cycles, according to recteq documentation.

recteq RT-B380 firepot

Lookin’ a little to the left, you’ll find the 15lb hopper. The construction of the unit feels solid and features a giant embossed recteq bull logo on the stainless steel lid. The handle screwed to the hopper feels a tad bit flimsy when pulling the grill around, but it’s nothing I’d consider a deal breaker. It doesn’t take a super stout handle to pull around a 70lb grillin’ machine! If you look inside the hopper you’ll notice the care recteq puts into making sure every part of their grills are sealed as tightly as possible!

recteq RT-B380 inside of the hopper

Addressing Portability

Now, onto the support system below. I know, I know, you’re all thinking those leggies are looking like they skipped one too many leg days at the gym, and you’re not wrong. This is the only real qualm I have with the Bullseye, but this is what makes this grill as light-weight as it is.

That’s not to say they don’t do their job, they just don’t do it particularly well. When stationary, the RT-B380 Bullseye is plenty stable. Grab that handle and start pulling, and it feels like the grill is going to wiggle itself apart. After a few times of moving the recteq RT-B380 around I went back around and retightened all the hardware to make sure it wasn’t my assembly job that was the wiggly culprit. The loose feeling persisted, much to my dismay.

Where this grill makes up for loosey goosey though is in straight up portability. Only clocking in at a measly 70lbs makes the recteq RT-B380 Bullseye a breeze to move around. The grill can be lifted into a truck bed by one person with relative ease, and the big wheels roll over grass, gravel, and concrete without complaint. If you’re needing a grill on the go and you have a power source, the RT-B380 Bullseye will fill that role nearly as easily as the common kettle grill.

chicken on the grill grates

Cooking with the RT-B380 Bullseye

First, I just want to point out that the temperature range on this grill is incredible for a pellet grill. With a 225℉ – 749℉ temperature range, the possibilities are nearly endless. When recteq says you can grill, bake, sear, or smoke, they aren’t pulling your chain. The grill heats up quickly and is easy to control, especially since the Bullseye features the PID technology recteq is known for.

Yes, it will hit that upper temperature. In fact, when placed in RIOT mode, the unit I was sent hit an impressive maximum temperature of 763℉, plenty of heat to sear that wagyu ribeye your significant other is still mad at you for buying.

Grilling

This spatchcock chicken was cooked at 375℉ and turned out absolutely beautiful. The grill packed in as much flavor as it could and I had to fight my wife for the leftovers the next day.

chicken on the grill grates of the recteq RT-B380

Full, the 15lb hopper lasted around 13 hours for me at 225℉ with an ambient temp around 55℉. They claim it’ll last a bit longer on the recteq website and it probably will under the right conditions. That length of time is plenty long enough for most low and slow cooks and, even if you have to refill you’re only doing it once. Pellets will burn much faster at higher temperatures, but I promise 15lbs will provide enough heat to cook all the burgers you can handle.

ribs on the grill grates

Smoking

The recteq RT-B380 Bullseye held 225℉ without a hitch for the entire 5 hours while cooking these spare ribs. The smoke flavor imparted by the grill and recteq-brand pellets were on point, the ribs maintained a ton of moisture, and a killer smoke ring was produced to top it all off. The RT-B380 Bullseye produced the best rack of ribs I’ve had from a pellet grill in a long time.

ribs on butcher paper

Grease Management

When cooking low and slow on the Bullseye, you’ll notice that grease will build up in the bottom. There is no grease collection system, so if you don’t keep your grill clean you can have a monster grease fire. I mitigated this with a quick, RIOT mode burn off after each low and slow cook. Another option is to just clean the grill after a greasy session.

What We Like

Here are some of our favorite things about the recteq RT-B380 Bullseye:

  • Unique and Versatile – The RT-B380 Bullseye is in a category of its own in the pellet grill world and excels in categories where most others fall short.
  • Portable and Light-Weight – At 70lbs it’ll easily go wherever you do, provided there is AC power close by.
  • PID Controller – recteq is known for their controller technology and it works well with the RT-B380 Bullseye

What Could be Improved

Even though this is a great grill, there are a few things that could be improved with the recteq RT-B380 Bullseye:

  • The Legs – Seriously guys. The only thing I didn’t like is the flimsy feeling stance this has when moving it around. A better attachment method or a brace or two would go a long way.
recteq RT-B380 lid vents

Recipes to try on the RT-B380 Bullseye

Do you have the recteq RT-B380 Bullseye 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.

recteq RT-B380 Bullseye Review: Final Thoughts

The Bullseye from recteq is a solid buy whether you’re looking for a grill that is a solid performer for your backyard or for your most high-profile tailgating sessions. The ultra light weight and massive temperature range make this grill one of the most versatile setups on the market, making hot ‘n’ fast or low ‘n’ slow an option wherever you need it to be. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this grill to anybody, provided they can handle the less-than-optimal leg setup.

For all my Utah friends, recteq is opening a new brick and mortar location in Lehi! Head on down and check one of these out in person, then come back and tell me how wrong I am about the legs! The new location opens the week of the 23rd, May 2022.

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Reader Reviews

19 Reviews

  1. kenneth hermens,md says:

    this grill is Sh T! only one year since purchased and Have excessive smoke. looks like house is burning done. sister-in law had to go to ER from facial burns due to flareup. Have corresponded with company NUMEROUS time and get same song and dance. We have done everything to no avail..used premium pellets, cleaned all charcoal from unit, used shop vac to remove pellet/debris..all to no avails. All we get if F……..g runaround fro company. I am now trashing the unit..it’s worthless..even though have another year on warranty. No-one in this area provides service..and continue crap from company and rep. [REDACTED]. I have photos that are IMPRESSIVE for the smoke..almost can’t even see the unit due to such. Clothes stink like hell with the smoke and all company says is “it’s supposed to smoke”. you be the judge if you can download photos by going to my email. So the 2 main issues why you shouldn’t touch this product with a 10ft. pole are…defective product,,poor customer support (there is no-one in this area to help out), also difficulty in assembly of the product when arrived (I had to cut out sheet metal to make parts fit). so there you are….If you purchase this piece of S..T you might as well vote for [POLITICAL OPINION REDACTED]…am including email that you can pull-up to see photos that are IMPRESSIVE! so now I have to get rid of unit..maybe salvage company will give me something for scrap metal and will order a bettter product of Traeger or Weber. Dr. ken Hermens

    1. Hey Grill Hey says:

      Send those photos to brandon@heygrillhey.com. I’d like to see it. Also, recteq is widely known for having the best customer service in the business, so I feel like we’re not getting the full story here. As for cutting it apart to put it together; maybe that’s why they aren’t honoring your warranty(again, I don’t think we’re getting the full story). If you were doing any cutting, you were trying to put it together incorrectly. The grill only goes together one way. It’s not uncommon for nobody to service your grill in the area. It would be incredibly expensive for them to pay techs to do that all over the country, so industry standard for all these grill companies is to send you replacement parts and walk you through the process yourself and if you can’t do that they’ll usually have you ship the grill back to them. I will tell you that you for sure aren’t going to get a better product from Traeger or Weber that is the same as what recteq is offering here. Maybe a charcoal grill from Weber, but they’ve got Traeger beat for sure. Reach out at the email I provided if you’d like to continue this conversation or provide some more detail. I do have to edit your comment a little bit though. Can’t have you name dropping people like that. Not cool Ken. -Brandon

  2. Tom says:

    Do not waste your money here! this thing doesn’t work!! it burns the pellets in the holding container and it can’t even maintain a cooking temp. it’s a POS, wish i never wasted $500 on this junk!

    1. Hey Grill Hey says:

      Have you reached out to Recteq for answers? They have a reputation for having some of the best customer service in the space.

  3. Lindsey Lee says:

    Enjoying your reviews. Very informative. You’ve helped me pare my choice for a new grill to the recteq RT-B380 Bullseye and the RT-590 Wood Pellet Grill (based on your review of the RT-700). Most times I grill for two people, my wife and I. Largest group I have grilled for is 6. Sunday is steak night. Thanks for your thoughts.

  4. John Cook says:

    JUST GOT 1 AND SET FOR 250, SELDOM SAW IT AT 250. 350 TO 145 MOST OF THE TIME WOULD NEVER BUY THIS GRILL

    1. Hey Grill Hey says:

      That’s not normal. Call Recteq and I’m sure they’ll help you out!

    2. Lawrence Watts says:

      I have the same issue but it does work correctly sometimes. It is very inconsisent and unpredictable. I would love to know if this is from a faulty lot and can be replaced.

      1. Scott R says:

        I had the same issue using Costco pellets. I switched to Bear Mountain and have not had the temperature swings.