EX6 or RT700 (OR 1250)


 
@Jon Tofte by 5G do you mean 5G cellular or 5GHz WiFi? Either way it will likely never work with that. The controller on the grill probably has a 2.4GHz WiFi card like most other pellet grills. If so, they‘d have to make a new controller and you’d probably have to pay to get it and that’s if they make it a retrofit. Most new routers are dual band and many can create a guest network that is solely 2.4GHz. If I remember correctly 2.4 penetrates walls better, so that‘s why they continue to use it.
Shane, he meant 5gHz WiFi......the original RT's would only work on a dedicated 2.4gHz WiFi network (no dual band.) That, however, has changed with a new chipset in the new version of the controller. I know the 1250 comes with the new controller, I don't know for sure if they are shipping new 700's with the new controller or not. Most people have the capability to set up a 2.4gHz only WiFI network, however, not everybody has the know-how to do it, so it has caused some frustration when folks first are trying to set it up. Having said that, the grill works fine with no WiFi, just no app for control.

@Mac LA, I think that you will be very happy with your purchase (admittedly, I think you would have been happy with an SF also.) Please don't hesitate to ask if you have questions. There's a RecTeq users forum, too (recteqforum.com), that is NOT run by RT, where you can ask questions, etc.

R
 
Shane, he meant 5gHz WiFi......the original RT's would only work on a dedicated 2.4gHz WiFi network (no dual band.) That, however, has changed with a new chipset in the new version of the controller. I know the 1250 comes with the new controller, I don't know for sure if they are shipping new 700's with the new controller or not. Most people have the capability to set up a 2.4gHz only WiFI network, however, not everybody has the know-how to do it, so it has caused some frustration when folks first are trying to set it up. Having said that, the grill works fine with no WiFi, just no app for control.

@Mac LA, I think that you will be very happy with your purchase (admittedly, I think you would have been happy with an SF also.) Please don't hesitate to ask if you have questions. There's a RecTeq users forum, too (recteqforum.com), that is NOT run by RT, where you can ask questions, etc.

R
Thanks Rich
This will be my first venture into the pellet world. Just wanted something else to tinker with on those lazy days where I do not want to clear out ash or setup my WSMs.
 
I think you will be very happy. We will look forward to follow up reports and pictures. Pick up a smoker tube while you are waiting😎!
 
Shane, he meant 5gHz WiFi......the original RT's would only work on a dedicated 2.4gHz WiFi network (no dual band.) That, however, has changed with a new chipset in the new version of the controller. I know the 1250 comes with the new controller, I don't know for sure if they are shipping new 700's with the new controller or not. Most people have the capability to set up a 2.4gHz only WiFI network, however, not everybody has the know-how to do it, so it has caused some frustration when folks first are trying to set it up. Having said that, the grill works fine with no WiFi, just no app for control.

@Mac LA, I think that you will be very happy with your purchase (admittedly, I think you would have been happy with an SF also.) Please don't hesitate to ask if you have questions. There's a RecTeq users forum, too (recteqforum.com), that is NOT run by RT, where you can ask questions, etc.

R
Yep that’s exactly the situation. I originally had dual capability, but my millennial son set up the Google home thing and now I am only 5G WiFi. I tried hooking up my old extender in the garage. It seems to be offering 2.4G there but the Rectrq App still doesn’t seem to work right now. I plan to try again.
 
How long ago did RT's not support dual band not like dual band has not been around for years. I'm not sure anyone, might be wrong these days who has wifi whatever that does not support dual band.
 
How long ago did RT's not support dual band not like dual band has not been around for years. I'm not sure anyone, might be wrong these days who has wifi whatever that does not support dual band.
I bought my RT700 14 months ago.

Here's the thing, Brian.....RecTeq is a grill company, not a networking company. I've seen this a lot when companies add WiFi to a non-tech product. They don't really know anything about networking or the tech, and they want to keep costs down. There's also the notion that 2.4gHz spectrum has a longer range (true, but probably not really enough to matter for most folks, and since the spectrum is crowded/noisy, any range gains are offset up other possible issues.) So, the non-tech savvy company goes cheap(er) on the chipset, without really fully understanding the impact on their customer. Medical device manufacturers have been really bad at this since they first started putting WiFi in things like infusion pumps and other gear. It's a nightmare for hospitals, and the people who help them design wireless network infrastructure (like me.....well, ok, so like my engineer partner, since I'm just the sales schmuck!) :)

I agree, poor choice for them initially, but one that they have now rectified. I'd be willing to bet that once the supply chain stuff is humming, and they start to have available stock, I'd be able to upgrade to the new controller. Then again, mine works perfectly, so there's no reason for me (but not everyone has a full Meraki WiFi6 implementation including outdoor AP's like me........I get a hefty discount.) :)

R
 
Congrats on your purchase! I'm late here, which is fine because I have nothing better to offer than what others have shared. I have an RT-700, Traeger Ironwood, and SmokeFire. I haven't experienced issues with any of them thus far (aside from my first SmokeFire that I returned) but I have not used the Ironwood in 1+ years. I think it's a little more challenging for me to capture a smoky flavor from it that satisfies my taste buds.

I have loved every moment with the RT-700. I particularly like a smoke stack over a vented unit such as what is on the Ironwood and SmokeFire based solely on eye appeal. Recteq also allows us to have access to some of the controller settings, which can be helpful in some circumstances. And judging only by touch and sight I will go out on a limb and say I think the RT series has more robust metalwork than that of the SmokeFire (one case in point: if I fully load the SF with pellets the hopper bulges--or something happens--where the lid does not fully-seat without some manipulation).

But the SF does something and appeals to me in a way I cannot quite describe, which I can only assume is the result of it not having a full sheet drip pan/shield. Yet there are times where that "more-open" pit environment necessitates that I use a drip pan more so as a shield so that I don't char the underside of my food to an undesirable level, yet at other times it is a welcome feature.

In my day job much of my time requires reviewing and analyzing data, probably so much so that in my free time I abandon tasks that require analysis and that might be one reason I have not made an attempt to perform a simultaneous taste test. But here's another reason, I think: I can use any one of these cookers individually and our family can walk away with the feeling that we enjoyed a mighty fine and tasteful meal. So for me, I prefer access to a variety of cookers for fun rather than fretting over which unit I believe may deliver the best taste (which could vary from time-to-time, I suppose).
 
Congrats on your purchase! I'm late here, which is fine because I have nothing better to offer than what others have shared. I have an RT-700, Traeger Ironwood, and SmokeFire. I haven't experienced issues with any of them thus far (aside from my first SmokeFire that I returned) but I have not used the Ironwood in 1+ years. I think it's a little more challenging for me to capture a smoky flavor from it that satisfies my taste buds.

I have loved every moment with the RT-700. I particularly like a smoke stack over a vented unit such as what is on the Ironwood and SmokeFire based solely on eye appeal. Recteq also allows us to have access to some of the controller settings, which can be helpful in some circumstances. And judging only by touch and sight I will go out on a limb and say I think the RT series has more robust metalwork than that of the SmokeFire (one case in point: if I fully load the SF with pellets the hopper bulges--or something happens--where the lid does not fully-seat without some manipulation).

But the SF does something and appeals to me in a way I cannot quite describe, which I can only assume is the result of it not having a full sheet drip pan/shield. Yet there are times where that "more-open" pit environment necessitates that I use a drip pan more so as a shield so that I don't char the underside of my food to an undesirable level, yet at other times it is a welcome feature.

In my day job much of my time requires reviewing and analyzing data, probably so much so that in my free time I abandon tasks that require analysis and that might be one reason I have not made an attempt to perform a simultaneous taste test. But here's another reason, I think: I can use any one of these cookers individually and our family can walk away with the feeling that we enjoyed a mighty fine and tasteful meal. So for me, I prefer access to a variety of cookers for fun rather than fretting over which unit I believe may deliver the best taste (which could vary from time-to-time, I suppose).
What sort of controller setting do they allow access to?
 
I will certainly report back. I wanted to stick to Weber because I'm as loyal as a dog but the construction materials of the RT seemed better to me.
Hi, I had same dilemma regarding concerns over the SF Gen 1 issues so after much research i decided on the Recteq RT-590 Stampede which i imported to the UK as not sold here. Build quality is sublime and i have had zero issues including with the app. Customer support has been responsive and helpful and i get the impression they will sort an issue further down the road even out of warranty. Looking forward to seeing your feedback on your new pellet beast!!
 
I’ll shoot you straight:

The Smokefire still has issues. The food off of it isn’t bad, but it’s nowhere close to my beloved charcoal. I suspect this is the same with any pellet...I also have a Green Mountain Davey Crockett; if it’s small enough to fit on the GMG, and the Smokefire dies on me, I toss it on the GMG.

Am I happy about my purchase? Sorta. It’s a great unit, the design is the best out there. The controller sucks badly, as does the hopper. It just struggles to feed consistently.

Having purchase those two, I’ll never spend bucks on a pellet of any kind from anyone, over $1000 for inferior food? Sounds dumb to me. I’m on the fence about keeping Smokefire, if I returned it I would get a GMG Daniel Boone Choice and call it a day. $1600 on a pellet?? That’s crazy talk.

I can count on charcoal and wood, so far can count on my GMG, I cannot start a cook on Smokefire without a backup plan ready to rock and roll....I had a kettle fired up for both thanksgiving and Christmas just in case
 
I’ll shoot you straight:

The Smokefire still has issues. The food off of it isn’t bad, but it’s nowhere close to my beloved charcoal. I suspect this is the same with any pellet...I also have a Green Mountain Davey Crockett; if it’s small enough to fit on the GMG, and the Smokefire dies on me, I toss it on the GMG.

Am I happy about my purchase? Sorta. It’s a great unit, the design is the best out there. The controller sucks badly, as does the hopper. It just struggles to feed consistently.

Having purchase those two, I’ll never spend bucks on a pellet of any kind from anyone, over $1000 for inferior food? Sounds dumb to me. I’m on the fence about keeping Smokefire, if I returned it I would get a GMG Daniel Boone Choice and call it a day. $1600 on a pellet?? That’s crazy talk.

I can count on charcoal and wood, so far can count on my GMG, I cannot start a cook on Smokefire without a backup plan ready to rock and roll....I had a kettle fired up for both thanksgiving and Christmas just in case
Interesting, I hate to hear that, I haven’t had any problems post auger and welded chute replacement.
 
The guy that said I set everyone straight....

I said shoot straight. Meaning no BS. VERY different from setting straight...
 
Is the unit I got spendy, sure, I do not find the price unreasonable though. Not sure how you can simply state a pellet unit would put our inferior food. I've had some great bbq at competitions made on pellet units. I guess I'll see what I can do with one soon.
 
I’ll shoot you straight:

The Smokefire still has issues. The food off of it isn’t bad, but it’s nowhere close to my beloved charcoal. I suspect this is the same with any pellet...I also have a Green Mountain Davey Crockett; if it’s small enough to fit on the GMG, and the Smokefire dies on me, I toss it on the GMG.

Am I happy about my purchase? Sorta. It’s a great unit, the design is the best out there. The controller sucks badly, as does the hopper. It just struggles to feed consistently.

Having purchase those two, I’ll never spend bucks on a pellet of any kind from anyone, over $1000 for inferior food? Sounds dumb to me. I’m on the fence about keeping Smokefire, if I returned it I would get a GMG Daniel Boone Choice and call it a day. $1600 on a pellet?? That’s crazy talk.

I can count on charcoal and wood, so far can count on my GMG, I cannot start a cook on Smokefire without a backup plan ready to rock and roll....I had a kettle fired up for both thanksgiving and Christmas just in case
Your Smokefire still has problems but there are thousands of us that don't have your issues. My EX6 is 17 months old and has never lost me a cook. An individual disgruntled owner's assessment is always biased so you're not shooting
straight. We get it. You prefer charcoal. Go for it.
 
Well Lew no offense there are probably hundreds of people who had problems maybe more you have a good experience that does not mean people don't have issues and maybe your lucky to be one of them but I don't see the need to bash anyone who has issues. You if I remember don't use it for high heat which was the whole point of the design. Others who do and not quoting anyone out of respect have parts disintegrating cause they actually do use it that way and its all great that Weber is replacing those parts with better parts but that should have been done from the start. To me like most here I have multiple grills not a Smokefire it would piss me off to no end if I had bought this as an all in one grill got rid of my other grills and then when I had issues wait for parts replacement and have no grill to cook on.

The Smokefire for some people who love them feel the need to defend them nothing wrong with that. I out of curiousity surf another Weber Smokefire forum, there is a member there again who has not had any problems basically calls anyone who does a moron not talking about parts that can be replaced like the auger or whatever. Same poster in regards to a post where the parts are disintegrating tries to blame it on the grill not covered or a humid climate or the grill covered I forget and of course this person lived in a climate where humidity was not an issue.

I also would add who cares what you do with your money if Mac wants to spend more money to get what he is happy with so be it.
Is the unit I got spendy, sure, I do not find the price unreasonable though. Not sure how you can simply state a pellet unit would put our inferior food. I've had some great bbq at competitions made on pellet units. I guess I'll see what I can do with one soon.
Amazing how people get so passionate with grills love my Silver C my performer and my UDS. My neighbors would think I am crazy except for a few of them do have Webers not the old ones so they paid 700 or more whatever got plenty of events that I have gone to other homes they got the low end gassers and totally happy. In 4 years in the trash buy another one.
 

 

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