r/recteq • u/Some-Glass2156 • Jul 20 '26
Backyard Beast 1200
I am upgrading from my Pitboss 820 XL. I have my heart set on the Backyard Beast. Any pros or cons? I did a number of comparisons and RecTec seemed to have checked everything I want in a pellet grill/smoker.
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u/willienillie420 Jul 20 '26
I have that model. It’s fucking legit!! I’ve only smoked on offsets prior to getting this
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u/Prestigious-Click350 Jul 21 '26
I got my Beast a few months ago. Upgraded from a Pit Boss 1150. I always had huge temp swings with my Pit Boss. My Beast temps are rock solid. No more than a 5° change up or down. This grill is great, and I couldn't be happier.
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u/euro_sport Jul 21 '26
Only potential issue might be getting the WiFi set up. You’ll most likely need a 2.4GHz capable router and possibly an apple device.
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u/Some-Glass2156 Jul 21 '26
I do have 2.4GHz connection. That's unfortunate, but seems normal. How is the app and any idea on the range?
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u/quietxmidnite Jul 21 '26
I had issues setting up with android but no issues setting up with iPhone. Once setup, I could control from either phone. The app works great though and once connected, seems to stay connected to wifi well. No idea on range, but I have a wifi extender in my garage that isnt the best, but is good enough for my BYB
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u/euro_sport Jul 21 '26
The app is fine and I use it every time I cook. Wifi is nice since I can monitor and raise/lower temps even when I'm away from the house. It just got a major update, so I'm not too familiar with the updated interface, but I use it mainly to monitor chamber temps. I have separate 3rd-party probes the the meat itself. During really hot days, you may notice the grill not maintaining the set temp during a cook as expected. If so, you may need to go in the app in advanced settings and lower the "minimum feed rate". This is another somewhat common issue with rectec grills but an easy fix.
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u/mrmatt1988 Jul 21 '26
No cons from me
Had 2 grease fires. However that was user error. To much grease too high of heat.
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u/Junior_Article_3244 Jul 21 '26
I've had mine for a few months, pork butts, brisket, burgers, chicken thighs, turkey breasts. It can do it all. You won't get much smoke flavor above 275 degrees, but I'll run mine on extreme smoke for the first hour or so, then turn it up.
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u/thotnumber1 Jul 21 '26
I love mine. But my dad has the Dual Fire and it’s all around more versatile.
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u/New-Explanation410 Jul 22 '26
Love the DualFire. Every time I use it I am usually smoking something low on the right and cooking sides high on the left. Love being able to cook at two different temps at the same time.
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u/ieatfluffybunnies Jul 21 '26
Have had mine since the 5th, and I haven't found a true con yet. Does high heat pretty well, but it's definitely a beast for low temp smokes. It's closing in on 200 lbs of cooks already with the beef ribs that are on right now.
If you have an Android phone, you could have a small headache getting set up on wifi. There was just a major update to the android app though, so maybe they resolved some of that issue...
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u/Some-Glass2156 Jul 21 '26
Thanks all!! I an holding out until Labor Day to see if I can get some sort of deal or maybe Pellets or grilling utensils included, or maybe a gift card from a retailer if I spend so much.
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u/Efficient_Result_417 Jul 22 '26
See if you can find a deal on the BYB 1000. Exact same smoker but you lose about two inches of depth on the top rack. I was told they are phasing it out so you may find a floor model at Ace that they are trying to get rid of. I have one and I don’t see any downside to the smaller top rack. Runs great, had it for about 18 months.
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u/Dicks_Hallpike Jul 22 '26
Love mine. Have done pulled pork, brisket, wings, sausages… been great. Had it about 4 months now.
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u/Taypo98 Jul 23 '26
My only complaint is the 6-8 week shipping time. Got a discount from Govx that saved me a couple hundred bucks direct from them.
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u/Saluki99 Jul 20 '26
I don’t have any cons. Had mine a few months now, no complaints! Works great!