Jon Tofte
TVWBB 1-Star Olympian
Shane, I did not at all mean to direct anything at you. I completely agree with your assessment. I was only acknowledging that when we talk about build quality in these mid-market pellet grills, that they are not in the same league as your MAK and other high-end, made in USA grills. Like you noted, it is kind of like someone who owns a Weber Genesis babbling on about its build quality to the owner of a FireMagic. So, I was just trying to be realistic about context and in no way trying to say or imply anything negative. I think you made a first-class choice. My Recteq is a great choice for what it is - a good, easy to use pellet grill - but just not really comparable.
With so many players in the pellet grill arena, I think the lines are getting a little blurred. That new Recteq is a sign they are trying to push up market a little. I totally agree they should have bumped up the price and used more 304 stainless, but it is still a notch up. Up to now, I think Recteq has focused more on competition bbqers for their more expensive - and enormous - offerings. Meanwhile, Traeger is also trying to go after more upmarket buyers. Their new Timberline sure has style (to me at least), but I have my doubts how long it will look good. I am still glad they are putting more emphasis on that rather than selling cheap grills at Walmart, etc. which really hurt their reputation. There are so many others that might be described as being in the twilight zone between mid-market and higher end. Smokin Brothers and maybe the offering from Smoke Daddy quickly come to my mind. It is a fun time to watch competition and see how things in this relatively new market play out.
Sometime when you can, post some pictures of that MAK in action!
With so many players in the pellet grill arena, I think the lines are getting a little blurred. That new Recteq is a sign they are trying to push up market a little. I totally agree they should have bumped up the price and used more 304 stainless, but it is still a notch up. Up to now, I think Recteq has focused more on competition bbqers for their more expensive - and enormous - offerings. Meanwhile, Traeger is also trying to go after more upmarket buyers. Their new Timberline sure has style (to me at least), but I have my doubts how long it will look good. I am still glad they are putting more emphasis on that rather than selling cheap grills at Walmart, etc. which really hurt their reputation. There are so many others that might be described as being in the twilight zone between mid-market and higher end. Smokin Brothers and maybe the offering from Smoke Daddy quickly come to my mind. It is a fun time to watch competition and see how things in this relatively new market play out.
Sometime when you can, post some pictures of that MAK in action!