Recteq RT-700 Bull vs Recteq RT-590
Quick take: The Recteq RT-590 costs $300 less; the Recteq RT-700 Bull offers more cooking space (702 vs 590 sq in); the Recteq RT-590 reaches a higher max temp (700 vs 500°F).
| Spec | Recteq RT-700 Bull | Recteq RT-590 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199 | $899 |
| Rating | 4.7★ (3,100) | 4.6★ (1,800) |
| Type | Pellet Grill | Pellet Grill |
| Cooking Area | 702 sq in | 590 sq in |
| Max Temp | 500°F | 700°F |
| Fuel Type | Wood Pellets | Wood Pellets |
| Build Material | 304 Stainless Steel | 304 Stainless Steel |
| Hopper Capacity | 40 lb | 30 lb |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | Yes | Yes |
| App control | Yes | Yes |
| Meat probe | Yes | Yes |
| PID controller | Yes | Yes |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 55 x 28 x 49 in | 44 x 24 x 43.5 in |
| Weight | 190 lbs | 150 lbs |
| Warranty | 6 years | 6 years |
Pros & cons
Recteq RT-700 Bull
- ✓The true PID controller is widely praised for holding within ±5°F, often steadier than Traeger, so overnight briskets stay locked in
- ✓The enormous 40 lb hopper runs up to ~40 hours, meaning you can do a long overnight cook without ever getting up to refill pellets
- ✓Heavy 304 stainless steel lid and body resist rust and look great for years, justifying the price versus painted-steel competitors
- ✓Recteq's customer service is legendary in BBQ forums - real US phone support that ships parts fast and treats owners well
- ✓The industry-leading 6-year warranty gives a lot of peace of mind compared to Traeger's 3 years
- ✓It hits a genuine 500°F+ and with the optional sear kit you can get respectable searing for a pellet grill
- ✓Build quality and the signature bull-horn handles feel premium and substantial, not flimsy like budget units
- ✓The app and WiFi are generally more stable than Traeger's, with fewer dropped-connection complaints from owners
- ✗Assembly out of the box is involved and the grill is heavy at 190 lbs, so plan for a friend and an hour or two
- ✗There's no built-in pellet-level sensor, so on the rare super-long cook you still glance at the hopper
- ✗The bottom of the barrel/firepot can run hotter than the edges, creating some hot spots you learn to work around
- ✗Smoke output at low temps is good but not quite as aggressive as Traeger's dedicated Super Smoke setting per some users
- ✗It's a direct-to-consumer purchase, so you can't see it in a store first and shipping a 190 lb unit can mean freight-damage risk
- ✗The single included controller probe port setup feels dated next to grills offering four built-in probe ports
- ✗At $1,199 it's a real investment, and the basic open-cart design lacks the enclosed storage some rivals include
- ✗A few owners report the igniter rod or auger motor failing eventually, though Recteq support replaces them quickly
Recteq RT-590
- ✓It carries the same tight ±5°F PID control as the flagship Bull, so it nails low-and-slow temps for a mid-priced grill
- ✓Recteq rates it up to 700°F, giving it more high-heat searing headroom than most pellet grills that cap at 500°F
- ✓The 30 lb hopper is huge for this size class and easily covers an all-day cook without a refill
- ✓304 stainless lid and solid construction punch above the $899 price and resist weathering far better than painted competitors
- ✓Same 6-year warranty and acclaimed Recteq phone support back it, which buyers consistently rave about
- ✓At 590 sq in (expandable to 760 with a second shelf) it suits most families while taking up less patio space than the Bull
- ✓WiFi and app performance are reliable, letting you tweak temps and watch probes remotely without the connection dropping
- ✓It heats up quickly and recovers temperature well after lid openings thanks to the responsive controller
- ✗The 700°F rating is optimistic - real-world searing still benefits from GrillGrates and it won't match a dedicated gas sear station
- ✗Like the Bull there's no pellet-level sensor, so longer cooks require an occasional hopper check
- ✗It's still a 150 lb direct-ship purchase you can't try in a store, with the usual freight-damage gamble
- ✗Some hot spots exist toward the firepot side of the cooking grate that you learn to rotate food around
- ✗The open-cart design lacks enclosed storage, and side-shelf space is modest for prepping
- ✗Assembly takes time and the instructions could be clearer per several owner reviews
- ✗Smoke flavor is good but a few users wish it had a dedicated extra-smoke mode like Traeger's Super Smoke
- ✗At $899 it's pricier than budget pellet grills like Z Grills or Pit Boss that offer more square inches per dollar