Getting a new RecTec

[Marauderer]

Oz, I have the 18" tube and used it on my gasser. I am trying this batch from the frozen way and next I will use a smoker tube. It is always great to have options.

[Ozric]

Want more smoke flavor from your pellet pooper? Use an A-Maze-N Tube Smoker (I have the 6" and 12" tubes; they also make an 18", but why?). I use the 100% flavorwood pellets that come in the 1 lb bags from BBQr's Delight. I use the tubes for both cold- and hot-smoking. I can get a couple of hours of smoke from the 6" tube and four or more from the 12" tube. The tubes can withstand high heat, but it's never made any sense to me to use them when grilling. So...I tend to cold-smoke my beef and hot-smoke my pork and chicken. If I'm going to "sous vide" the protein, then I cold-smoke it, whatever it is.

These tubes are great. I passed on the 8" x 8" trays because of the grill space they take up. The tubes solved that problem nicely. I started with the 12" tube, but I wind up using the 6" much more often, so I'd suggest starting with that. Wingman (Rob) has a video review of the 12" tube on his website, if you want to check it out (smokingpit [dot] com).

Note: I use these tubes in my Yoder YS640 and my Weber kettles. I REALLY wish they'd existed when I was cooking on Traeger BBQ125 (the big boy).

[Jon Solberg]

Holy smokes Barry Your smokin on a smoker. TOO COOL MAN!

[Marauderer]

I I can't remember where I read it but, for pellet smokers which usually have less smokey flavor putting them on frozen keeps the meat cooler longer so it is suppose to absorb more smoky flavor. I took the ribs and put my HRR on them and left them in the fridge for 48 hrs and then froze them on sheet pans and when frozen but them in a big plastic bag and they have been there since this laswt Monday. It will be interesting to see how they do. It was also recommended for pork butts and they said a 9 lb butt would only take an extra 1.5 hrs on avg for the cooking time. So if you must freeze do all your brining and rubbing before you freeze then just take out of the freezer and onto the grill.

[Huskee]

Interesting technique, frozen ribs. Sounds awesome!

[Marauderer]

Well, I cranked up the RecTec this morning after installing the Maverick box probe and with the RecTec set on 225*F It stabilized at 223-227*F on the Mav.


I also took it apart after the 1+ hr burn in yesterday and vacuumed out the ashes.



I then reassmbled it and lined the drip tray with foil to facilitate cleaning up afterwards.




Found a small shop vac down in the shop for vacuuming out ashes.



Anyway reassembled unit, brought up to 225*F and got a couple of slabs of ribs on that I used Huskees Rib Rub on and then froze on sheet pans so I could put on the RecTec frozen and hopefully get a bit more smokey flavor.

[Marauderer]

Thanks Darrel.

[hdarrel22]

I got my rec tec this spring and it has been awesome! You will love it and customer support is amazing.

[Marauderer]

There was no RecTec towel in my bundle. I looked it up in their store and for that price I will do without today.

[The Burn]

Man, I miss my Corvair. My 1st car - a '68 that I got in '80 with only 29,000 miles on it. Leaked oil like a sieve, of course, but it was fun.

[Marauderer]

Installed the drip bucket.



put some pellets in the hopper



Plugged it in turned on set to 400*F for initial burn in.



When the pellets get going you will initially gets some white smoke.



And within about 5 min it will clear.



I let it burn at least an hour. That cures the powder coating and then it is ready to cook. The manufacturer says a lot of folks cover the drip pan with aluminum foil and I will probably do that before I put on the ribs in the morning.

[Marauderer]

Install the SS Grates.


The bulb and lens for the box light.



The optional front folding shelf. This had a certain amount of difficulty for me. It did not line up correctly initially but with a bit of massage work it fits great.

[Marauderer]

The Airbox assembly. At the rear is the hole where you can see the auger. After it is all plugged in and set uo you turn it on and make sure the auger is turning clockwise. You also vacuum out the Airbox and make sure it is nice and clean with no debris in it.


Next you install the Flame deflector. It looks like it has a film on it but, mine didn't and it was evident it didn't when I did the initial burn in. The Flame Deflector only installs one way and it is very evident the correct way.






On top of the flame deflector goes the drip pan. It also looks like it has a film on it but, it doesn't.


It only installs one way. You do need to be careful of the box temperature probe when installing/removing the drip tray.

[Marauderer]

I love it, thanks, I cant wait to hear how it runs, Ive been looking to buy the rec tec but there are "haters" out there that always say "you cant get real smoke from pellet grill" so Im going back and forth in my mind between RecTec and Backwoods Chubb,
I can't wait to hear your results.

As Aaron said don't worry about the haters. Some won't like the RecTec because it is made in China. Really it is a CMAD unit. CMAD= China Made American Designed. I am comfortable with that. I really like American made but it isn't the only way to go all the time.

[Jon Solberg]

Just keeps getting better man!