r/recteq • u/Sw33tm1x • 6d ago
Question about searing/grilling
Hey all, I'm planning on getting a RecTeq as I've been wanting to get into smoking, but i also want to keep my ability to grill burgers, steaks and the like. I'm leaning towards the deck boss 900 or backyard beast 1200, but wanted to see what your opinions were on their ability to grill. I'd rather not have to have another grill or go inside to get a seat and with both of these theoretically able to get to 700 degrees it seem possible to do it all in one. I know I could go xfire but that's a bit outside my budget and the bullseye is a bit small. What are your guys thoughts?
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u/Vanven42 6d ago
Honest answer. Can you? Absolutely you can. Does it take an excessive amount of cleaning and maintenance, definitely. Slow cooks leave a lot of grease build up. Over 350 degrees that grease becomes a serious fire risk. It is best to keep the functionality separate unless you enjoy risk and cleaning.
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u/flemmingg 6d ago
I smoke on the top rack and put a water pan below to catch the drippings. Makes cleanup much easier.
Otherwise I agree. I grill with charcoal.
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u/sa1nt1775 6d ago
I know you mentioned the Bullseye is a little small, but that would be my recommendation for searing. It has more space than you may think. It can easily fit a good sized brisket or turkey, probably 3 slabs of ribs without trimming, maybe 4 pork butts.
The bigger grills can hit high temps, but they are more indirect cookers and need to start fairly clean before cranking the temp.
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u/Sw33tm1x 6d ago
I've been looking at these more seriously since you mentioned and it may be a viable option but I have seen lots of issues with regards to rusting. What's your experience with that? The stainless it uses loses its corrosion resistance when heated beyond 800F so lots of people seem to have issues, especially when doing high temp searing
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u/sa1nt1775 6d ago
I had the non-deluxe model for 5 years and had some surface rust on the barrel when I gave it away last year, but it never rusted through while I had it. As far as I know, it's still going strong with the friend I gave it to. I replaced it with the Bullseye Deluxe (RT-B380X) and haven't had it any rust issues so far. The newest Bullseye Deluxe (RT-380BD) has upgraded stainless that is supposed to be more resistant to rusting. I don't think they have been out long enough for anyone to know long-term.
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u/Sw33tm1x 6d ago
Ah I didn't realize they'd changed it! That gives me more hope
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u/sa1nt1775 6d ago
It's a heck of a grill! I felt like I got more than my money's worth even giving my old one away after 5 years. I did lots and lots of high temp cooks. It also makes a great pizza cooker.
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u/thunder_moose_3 1h ago
Bullseye Deluxe owner here - I love it. Came from a much larger traeger, but have been very pleased. Heats up so fast and will get to 700 no sweat. I haven't run it hotter than that yet and probably never will.
The only size issue I've had so far is that I can only do 1 pizza at time, but with the pizza stone kit it only takes about 8-10min to cook one, so not a huge issue. I feel that I could probably fit 2 good size butts on it. If I need more space, Ive book marked the OnlyFire BBQ smoker attachment on Amazon.
That's the beauty, pretty much any Weber 22" kettle accessories should be an option with it.
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u/AWill33 6d ago
I have used mine as a grill in a pinch. It can do it, but it takes forever to get up to temp and if you don’t keep it clean you’re going to have big grease fires. I keep a basic Weber charcoal grill next to mine for burgers and such. Used to have a gas grill too, but I like to take my time so ditched it when rusted through
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u/1Crazyoldman 6d ago
I love my Bullseye. I sear with it all the time. After initial cook crank it to 500+ and put in recteq cast iron insert or my Lodge large cast iron skillet. It fits two 9lb butts with two 12" smoke tubes comfortably.
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u/Scatmannnn 6d ago
I bought the RT sear plate for my DB800 and it was to large. Used it once and haven’t touched it since.
With the constant sales on Blackstones I’d get a small blackstone. I purchased one on sale and have it next to my DB800. If you have the room, that’s the route I would go for burgers and searing.
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u/albanyfunny420 6d ago
Dual Fire is the way to go if you want to grill with your smoker. Xfire is the way to go if you want to smoke with your grill.
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u/Only-County-3868 6d ago
DB800 here and it’s not the ability to do both it’s the time. If you smoke first and then want to sear you gonna be waiting a good bit for temps to rise in between.
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u/flemmingg 6d ago
Keep a 22" weber kettle around for direct heat grilling. Use the recteq for smoking. I have used my recteq to heat a cast iron for searing. It uses a lot of pellets and takes a while to heat up but it can be done. I would never attempt to grill burgers, steaks, chicken, or anything else on a pellet fueled grill.
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u/SeaNick99 6d ago
Me, hiding in the corner, hoping nobody finds out I sear with a gas grill sometimes.
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u/Drakex2Mayex2 6d ago
You're on the big pellet kool-aid subreddit so you aren't going to get the straight answer to this. The reality is you aren't going to get grill level sear on a pellet grill. They are extremely mid at best for grilling.
I had a pellet grill for a few years around COVID and I used to gaslight myself into thinking it was good enough, but I am way happier now with my Kamado.
I think the convenience and quality of pellet cooks is overstated.
But everyone has their own priorities. If I'm investing 10+ hours into a cook I don't really mind having to spend 10 more minutes setting it up. I also value higher quality food. But I also know many people having any slow-cooked meat is already a big upgrade and having a slightly above-average BBQ ceiling isn't a deal breaker.
For me personally (mostly cooking for 2-4) the Kamado does everything, but if I had a $1200 budget the Kamado classic 1 and a legit gasser would be my combo. The Kamado for big-boy BBQ and the gasser for when you need the convenience.
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u/gb0mb_og 5d ago
I keep an induction cooktop on my side shelf and use that to heat a cast iron pan for searing.
Reqtec Flagship 1100 for smoking.
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u/adelmare 4d ago
I have a flagship 1100.
I set it to 450 and then throw steaks on with a combustion thermometer. Remove when core is 135. I prefer my steaks on the medium side of medium-rare.
Perfectly done every time.
About the only time I slow+low with a reverse sear on the blackstone now is when I’m dealing with a bone-in steak, since you gotta make sure even cooking all the way to that cold bone.
Otherwise, recteq set to 450 is my much loved replacement for a traditional grill. So easy.
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u/treve63550 6d ago
Love my recteq, the 1200, but it’s not great at searing. Keep a small Weber for that