The "grease fire" issue can be 95% solved with some lava rock on the heat deflector. With bacon, I would have laid it on a tray/pan. I bought a Bullseye and love it. Covered my gas grill and put it away indefinitely. Try Cuisinart Cherry Rum pellets (Walmart). I mix it with Pit Boss pellets 50/50. Sometimes straight Cherry Rum. Nice thing about this grill is the fact that 22" Weber accessories fit it. Can also use a 22" cast iron grate to improve searing (this puppy can roll over 700 deg!), especially with the Charcoal blend pellets.
I just got mine. I guess I am niche market guy. I had bad luck with a pellet smoker before. So, I sent it back and they sent me out their version of a Kamado grill, Could not be happier. I love my Weber grill. But, it's not the best cold weather grill. MN winters are cold. So, I am trying a Rec Tec Bullseye. Will see what happens.
I'm looking for an all-rounder grill for living full time in a fifth wheel with my wife. Needs are: durable, smallish footprint, able to sear steaks, salmon etc, as well as low and slow ribs and occasional pulled pork. I used to roll with a weber kettle, and while it made great food, the learning curve for each kettle is steep, and my wife refused to use it. Also, I don't like smoking out my neighbors with a charcoal chimney getting the kettle going, and that issue is compounded in a tight RV park or campground. Think the bullseye could work for my application?
Wish I had your video before buying the 380 a couple of weeks ago. Had problems with a "error 2". I am going to say there is a learning curve that I am still in. With mine it needs hand primed with pellets to come up to temp fast. ( Otherwise it is 40 min.) Have had the grease fire on my steaks but that I have learned not to run on 500 degrees. Rectec does say not above 350 on greasy foods. I think it is running hotter than it says. Best thing I have done so far is add a set of grill grates and remove the lid spacer. Both reduce chances of flare up and give you a better overall grill. I love my Rectec 680 and it has never done anything but impress. Like you have said the 380 compares with the weber grill and that is what I am replacing. In the end I believe I will be glad I bought it. To recommend it to others, well there is going to be that pause like you had. Thanks for not only this video but for having a great channel.
Do a temp check with reference temp probes. A lot, including myself, found theirs running hotter than indicated. So your bacon cook could've been easily running 400+. There a way to ajust the offset and get it spot on if not close. Hopefully that'll help with some of your concerns with it. I understand the point of not being the best portability wise. I have the 590 & the 380. We love both and they both have their niches. Hopefully in the future you'll have better cooks on it.
I've been looking at this for the exact market you are talking about - started with a weber kettle, and just looking for something that requires less fiddling throughout the day for the longer cooks. We never have big crowds for bbq, so not too concerned about being able to do a dozen rib racks.
Wow that grease fire could’ve been really bad considering how close that propane tank was. I have a Grilla Grill Silverbac and I’ve come to appreciate it for the convenience factor, however, I also realize that it’ll never replace my Kettle or Kamado. Thanks for sharing
I appreciate the video. I currently have a Primo Jr oval built in to an outdoor kitchen, natural gas Firemaster searing unit and a Masterbuilt electric smoker. Have not found the natural gas searing unit of much use. Primo works great but I hate dealing with ashes. Masterbuilt is okay but was hoping a pellet smoker would deliver more flavor. So I want a smoker/grill for a second home in the NC mountains. Something easy to fire up and clean and be versatile in a small package? think I might be that niche buyer? You hit R.I.O.T. mode for a second but then backed off to 500 degrees. You never said anything else about the Jack Daniels pellets. Biggest drawback on 380 bullseye seems to be no drip trap. Most recommend mat under the grill? Price is spot on at $399. Looks to me like reverse sear is the way to go to avoid grease fires or low temperature start and then sear to finish. Do u have more videos that talk about the R.I.O.T. mode. Seems to be the only unit out there that reaches 750* Fahrenheit? Thx.
I have the original bullseye. Went through an extra igniter and control board. RecTec customer service was great but I would have preferred better quality. I learned how to avoid grease fires, you have to be very careful with anything above 300 degrees if you have any grease/fat in the cooking chamber. It looks like they've made some improvements but I would still recommend other options whether you're going pellet or not.
Thanks Mike for the honest review....I have been waiting for a review like this and truly will not buy one now....my weber kettle rocks it so I’ll just stick with that and for the ultimate tailgater I’ll go with Grilla Grills Chimp!!!! Oh how about the Jack Daniels pellets, what was your final thoughts?
Wow, massive grease fire on your first cook. Seems Rec Teq definitely needs a better grease management system. Great review sir, thank you for being so honest. It's very difficult to find honest reviews on anything Rec Teq with the crazy fan boys slaughtering everyone who says anything concerning them.
Right? I've got a friend that's totally fanboy for this damn thing. I use the Weber, and for smoking Masterbuilt uprights with a large smoke attachment. Works great. Can't see spending the money when what I have works so well.
Ha the EXACT same thing happened to me. I have a video up regarding the issues as well. Mine still takes 30 minutes to get to grilling temps though. Great grill concept just needs a little more tweaking and it will be perfect for the price point.
So did I. I bought it to use as a smoker. If you did then it will be the best smoker for the quality and your money. Every review I see is about it preforming as a grill and how hot they can get it. It is really unfair compare it as a grill. Pellet smokers were meant to be just that, a SMOKER. Traeger decided to also market it theirs as a grill for marketing purposes. If I want to grill, I’ll use my charcoal or gas grill. If I want to smoke 2 10lb pork butts or some brisket for 10-12 hours, I’ll use this bullseye every time. I think you’ll love it for smoking.
Recteq recommends a drip pan on top of the diffuser to prevent grease fires.
Thanks for the tip.
Anybody know the shipping carton dimensions and weight? Trying to find a decent way to get one of these to Hawaii. Thanks.
I'm not sure but I'm sure one of the viewers knows....
The "grease fire" issue can be 95% solved with some lava rock on the heat deflector. With bacon, I would have laid it on a tray/pan. I bought a Bullseye and love it. Covered my gas grill and put it away indefinitely. Try Cuisinart Cherry Rum pellets (Walmart). I mix it with Pit Boss pellets 50/50. Sometimes straight Cherry Rum. Nice thing about this grill is the fact that 22" Weber accessories fit it. Can also use a 22" cast iron grate to improve searing (this puppy can roll over 700 deg!), especially with the Charcoal blend pellets.
What about the burn pot? What about the cleanup? Do you need to vac after each use? What about the grease cleanout? Maintenance?
I just got mine. I guess I am niche market guy. I had bad luck with a pellet smoker before. So, I sent it back and they sent me out their version of a Kamado grill, Could not be happier. I love my Weber grill. But, it's not the best cold weather grill. MN winters are cold. So, I am trying a Rec Tec Bullseye. Will see what happens.
I found that cabalas pellets are the best.
I'm looking for an all-rounder grill for living full time in a fifth wheel with my wife. Needs are: durable, smallish footprint, able to sear steaks, salmon etc, as well as low and slow ribs and occasional pulled pork. I used to roll with a weber kettle, and while it made great food, the learning curve for each kettle is steep, and my wife refused to use it. Also, I don't like smoking out my neighbors with a charcoal chimney getting the kettle going, and that issue is compounded in a tight RV park or campground.
Think the bullseye could work for my application?
I have a kettle for my camper, and the wife doesn’t like lighting the charcoal, is this easy to light?
It lights itself. Very easy to use.
Wish I had your video before buying the 380 a couple of weeks ago. Had problems with a "error 2". I am going to say there is a learning curve that I am still in. With mine it needs hand primed with pellets to come up to temp fast. ( Otherwise it is 40 min.) Have had the grease fire on my steaks but that I have learned not to run on 500 degrees. Rectec does say not above 350 on greasy foods. I think it is running hotter than it says. Best thing I have done so far is add a set of grill grates and remove the lid spacer. Both reduce chances of flare up and give you a better overall grill. I love my Rectec 680 and it has never done anything but impress. Like you have said the 380 compares with the weber grill and that is what I am replacing. In the end I believe I will be glad I bought it. To recommend it to others, well there is going to be that pause like you had. Thanks for not only this video but for having a great channel.
It's been 5 months since your post, how do you feel about it now? Mine arrives today. Any tips you'd care to share?
Do a temp check with reference temp probes. A lot, including myself, found theirs running hotter than indicated. So your bacon cook could've been easily running 400+. There a way to ajust the offset and get it spot on if not close. Hopefully that'll help with some of your concerns with it. I understand the point of not being the best portability wise. I have the 590 & the 380. We love both and they both have their niches. Hopefully in the future you'll have better cooks on it.
Terrific video!
I've been looking at this for the exact market you are talking about - started with a weber kettle, and just looking for something that requires less fiddling throughout the day for the longer cooks. We never have big crowds for bbq, so not too concerned about being able to do a dozen rib racks.
Wow that grease fire could’ve been really bad considering how close that propane tank was. I have a Grilla Grill Silverbac and I’ve come to appreciate it for the convenience factor, however, I also realize that it’ll never replace my Kettle or Kamado. Thanks for sharing
I appreciate the video. I currently have a Primo Jr oval built in to an outdoor kitchen, natural gas Firemaster searing unit and a Masterbuilt electric smoker. Have not found the natural gas searing unit of much use. Primo works great but I hate dealing with ashes. Masterbuilt is okay but was hoping a pellet smoker would deliver more flavor. So I want a smoker/grill for a second home in the NC mountains. Something easy to fire up and clean and be versatile in a small package? think I might be that niche buyer? You hit R.I.O.T. mode for a second but then backed off to 500 degrees. You never said anything else about the Jack Daniels pellets.
Biggest drawback on 380 bullseye seems to be no drip trap. Most recommend mat under the grill? Price is spot on at $399. Looks to me like reverse sear is the way to go to avoid grease fires or low temperature start and then sear to finish. Do u have more videos that talk about the R.I.O.T. mode. Seems to be the only unit out there that reaches 750* Fahrenheit? Thx.
I have the original bullseye. Went through an extra igniter and control board. RecTec customer service was great but I would have preferred better quality. I learned how to avoid grease fires, you have to be very careful with anything above 300 degrees if you have any grease/fat in the cooking chamber. It looks like they've made some improvements but I would still recommend other options whether you're going pellet or not.
Solid review and I own the 340 as well and it is great smoker. I ve dealt with Customer support several times and I will tell you they are the best.
What’s the recipe for those poppers please?
I had mine for a couples months n I love it
Thanks Mike for the honest review....I have been waiting for a review like this and truly will not buy one now....my weber kettle rocks it so I’ll just stick with that and for the ultimate tailgater I’ll go with Grilla Grills Chimp!!!! Oh how about the Jack Daniels pellets, what was your final thoughts?
Wow, massive grease fire on your first cook. Seems Rec Teq definitely needs a better grease management system. Great review sir, thank you for being so honest. It's very difficult to find honest reviews on anything Rec Teq with the crazy fan boys slaughtering everyone who says anything concerning them.
Right? I've got a friend that's totally fanboy for this damn thing. I use the Weber, and for smoking Masterbuilt uprights with a large smoke attachment. Works great. Can't see spending the money when what I have works so well.
Ha the EXACT same thing happened to me. I have a video up regarding the issues as well. Mine still takes 30 minutes to get to grilling temps though. Great grill concept just needs a little more tweaking and it will be perfect for the price point.
Damn I just bought one.
So did I. I bought it to use as a smoker. If you did then it will be the best smoker for the quality and your money. Every review I see is about it preforming as a grill and how hot they can get it. It is really unfair compare it as a grill. Pellet smokers were meant to be just that, a SMOKER. Traeger decided to also market it theirs as a grill for marketing purposes. If I want to grill, I’ll use my charcoal or gas grill. If I want to smoke 2 10lb pork butts or some brisket for 10-12 hours, I’ll use this bullseye every time. I think you’ll love it for smoking.
Awesome video boss do you have another video For your jalapeño poppers
So what if I've been wanting a pellet grill/ smoker and have a low budget? Is this pit a good choice for me?
yeah, or get a pitboss pro series... if you want to fork out a bit more go with the rec tec 340.
Here from the “302”👍
Great video Mike, I’m still holding out for the RT-700 Bull
Dooo it love my bull
Mike recteq has the scratch and dent sale going on right now
Lot of negativity
Sorry, I'll get my yoga mat out and recenter myself.
Uuuh jack Daniel's whiskey sucks..