The REC TEC Stampede is one of the high-end models in the REC TEC grill line.
It is actually the mid-size model being offered by them, with the features of their high-end premium model Bull RT-700, but in a smaller, more compact and cheaper unit.
With that being said, I have written a full REC TEC Stampede Review, including reviewing its features, construction, warranty, customer support, etc.
Note: If you are in a hurry, you can read the quick comparison table below or just click here to jump directly to the conclusion..
Why Should Buy a Wood Pellet Grill?
Before jumping into the product review, here are a couple of advantages of using pellet grill smokers over other traditional gas grills or more affordable electric smokers:
Temperature Control
Because pellet grills were invented in the 20th century, they took advantage of the development of technology and incorporated advanced temperature control systems.
On most models, all you have to do is adjust and set the desired temperature and the system will make sure to maintain and provide that temperature.
It will release or prevent pellets from reaching the firebox, by making sure that the temperature stays even and on the exact level you want.
Wood/Charcoal Flavor
Another benefit of using pellet grill smokers is the wood and charcoal flavor they add to your food.
Maybe not a major benefit for a few but the unique wood and charcoal flavor when grilling is important to a lot of people.
At the end, it adds to the overall food taste by making it more different than the traditional pan/oven cooked food.
Ease of Use
Next we have the ease of use these models provide.
They have automated a lot of different tasks which for a lot of people are boring and time consuming.
Things like maintaining an even temperature, throwing pellets/wood to the fire when needed etc. are fully automated to pellet models. You don't have to watch or worry if the temperature is increased or decreased as the controller automatically adjust it as needed.
REC TEC History & Customer Reviews
As I already explained in our REC TEC Bullseye Review, the REC TEC Grills is a newly created brand, founded in Georgia in 2009 by two best friends, Ray Carnes, and Ron Cundy.
In just a few years, they have built and grown the REC TEC brand to be widely known by everyone in the BBQ community.
The core principles of doing business are the Direct-to-Consumer approach while producing credible and affordable high-quality grilling devices.
They have developed a Smart Grill Technology System which allows their products to produce accurate cooking temperatures by using the convenience of gas and flavor of charcoal combined.
As for construction, almost all their products are made of heavy gauge stainless steel material, which will make them last for years.
Quick Overview on REC TEC Stampede
REC TEC Stampede Technical Details
The REC TEC Stampede is a mid-sized grill, which is just right for the average family.
It offers you all the great features and construction quality of a REC TEC product, at a size which is enough to accommodate a medium to large family.
With the traditional features and temperature control is present, the REC TEC has included a smart Wi-Fi Pellet Technology, called Wi-Pellet, which allows you to control your cook from anywhere you are.
The combination of this new technology and the PID Controller gives this unit the ability to maintain a precise temperature, which is very important in order to cook a good meal.
The Stampede model has a unique octagon-shaped cooking chamber, which is made mainly from stainless steel, which gives this model great durability.
The REC TEC Stampede is the perfect model for a family’s cooking needs, without having to worry if your food is going to fit.
Key Features of REC TEC Stampede Grill Smoker
What We Like
Cooking Size & Performance
The REC TEC Stampede is a mid-size grill which is great for medium to large family gatherings.
Overall, it features 772 square inches of total cooking space, from which 592 square inches is the main cooking area and the remaining 180 square inches come as a second shelf for cooking more food or doing any preparation work.
The main cooking chamber is large enough to fit a whole turkey, beer can a chicken or fit 5 large racks of ribs so you won’t have any fitting issues with any kind of food.
It features two 304 stainless steel cooking grates, which thanks to their material, are very durable and will last a lifetime. They are both easy to remove in case you need to do any cleaning.
On the bottom, it is located the 304 stainless steel firepot, which is very durable to heat and other destructive factors, making it last for years to come.
Next, to the durable fire pot, you can find the heat deflector.
It has an integrated smoke tray, made of stainless steel, which will help the heat distribute evenly throughout the cooking chamber.
The unit is fired up by the HotFlash Ceramic Ignition System, which is one of the longest lasting ignitions available, making sure that the smoke will fire every time you want to.
And, in the end, all the debris and drips are accumulated by the stainless steel drip pan, which catches them by a dedicated funnel from the chamber into the bucket.
In order for the unit to work, you will need to plug a 110-volt cord into an electrical outlet so you may want to prepare and plan to place it near an AC plug in your house.
Temperature Control
The main feature which gives a huge advantage when compared to its competitors is the Smart Grill Technology.
This advanced system is capable of having total control over the unit’s temperature, and thanks to its Proprietary PID algorithm, it will successfully maintain a specific cooking temperature without any issues.
Another thing which contributes to the great temperature control is the Wifi technology incorporated with the pellet system, also known as Wi-Pellet.
This system allows you to control the pellets and monitor your device remotely using your smartphone device, making it very easy to have an eye on the progress.
The REC TEC Stampede is capable of cooking different foods in temperatures ranging from 200°F to 500°F and thanks to its versatility abilities, you can choose to grill, smoke, bake, sear, roast, broil or dehydrate your food.
And for the fans of low and slow cooking, you can use the LO setting and make the unit to operate with under 200°F smoke, achieving maximum smoke output and low cooking temperature.
It is also capable of achieving a temperature above 500°F by using the FULL setting on the controller but this high temperature is impacted from the pellets, their quality and if they are completely dry or not.
In order for you to have an eye on the temperature without opening the lid, there are two meat probes, probe A and probe B, to monitor 2 cooks at the same time.
The automatic lighting feature, thanks to its HotFlash ceramic ignition system, makes the startup pretty fast, without using messy charcoal or unsafe starters based on liquids.
Stampede's Pellet Hopper Box
And when you are finished, you can use the automatic shutdown feature by just pressing a button. This mode will allow the unit to automatically turn off and slowly cool down without any issues.
Construction, Built Quality & Design
On the outside, the Stampede model features a unique octagonal shape, which gives it more space inside than the traditional barrel design smokers. You can easily fit a whole turkey or huge chunk of meats inside.
REC TEC Stampede Stainless Steel Construction
REC TEC Stampede Stainless Steel Construction
The cooking chamber is made of stainless steel, so there is no paint to fade or peel off from the high temperature and the lid is made of baked-on porcelain enamel material, which makes it very easy to clean and gives the unit a cool look.
You can easily open and close the lid by using the REC TEC’s iconic bull horn handles, also made of polished stainless steel.
The heat and smoke escape from the cooking chamber through the 3 vent holes, making the heat to go in three different directions and providing even heating across the surface.
If you want to store some tools, there is a dedicated shelf below the cooking chamber, which also increases the unit's stability.
One thing which I like about this grill is the rubber grommets at all the wire through holes, which prevent wire chafing and increase the safety of the unit.
Efficiency
As for the efficiency, when it comes to pellet grills, the first thing you want to consider is the hopper size and then the pellet’s burning speed.
This particular model has a 30-pound hopper capacity, which is more than enough to provide heat and smoke for up to 30 hours. So, on average, this model burns around 1 pound per hour of use at a medium cooking setting.
When the pellets run out, you can easily refill the stainless steel hopper by opening its lid and throwing the pellets. The hopper lid can also be used as a warming surface for side dishes or foods.
Versatility
The Smart Grill Technology developed from REC TEC Grills and the Proprietary PID algorithm will give this product the ability to have total control of temperature and actually cook almost any food you can think off.
It is capable of grilling, smoking, searing, broiling, baking and even dehydrating your food if you want to.
The 30-pound hopper capacity will allow you to cook for 30 hours straight so you can trust to cook a whole turkey or long-cooking-time recipes, such as chuck roast.
Mobility
As for mobility, the REC TEC Stampede is a compactly designed grill, perfect for medium families and huge gatherings.
Even though it weighs about 123 lbs, the rollerblade style wheels and locking casters will allow you to easily move around and re-position the grill if needed.
The two built-in stainless steel pull bar handles will give you the ability to move and lock your grill in place when you need to.
Assembly, Warranty & Support
As most of the pellet grill models on the market today, the REC TEC Stampede comes disassembled.
You have to assemble it and it may take a few minutes to one hour, depending on your assembly skills.
The included instructions manual gives you detailed steps on how to assemble each part, making it easy even if you are not a huge fan of assembling things.
As for warranty, this model comes with 4 years of warranty for all the components and 30 days time to return and get a full refund in case you don’t like it at all.
And in case something goes bad, it has a modular construction, which allows you to remove and replace only a specific part.
Their support is pretty good too, responding and helping you with any question or issue you may have.
What We Don't Like
While I didn’t found any major disadvantage on this product, one thing which is a drawback I think is the price.
This model is slightly more expensive than the average pellet grill of this size. I think that this is because of the heavy duty construction and the tons of features included.
So, if you don’t mind spending a bit more but want to have peace of mind with a model which will last for years to come, then go for it.
REC TEC Stampede Video Review
Final Thoughts
The REC TEC Stampede is the perfect option for the medium to large size family and for those who are looking for a complete all around pellet grill smoker.
It has heavy-duty construction, Smart Grill Technology, Wi-Pellet System, 4 years of warranty and if you don’t mind spending a couple of dollars extra just to have all these features and benefits into one single unit, then this is the perfect option for you.
FAQs
Here are a few frequently asked questions about REC TEC Stampede model:
Can You Use Any Pellet with this Model?
Yes, you can use any pellet brand and type on this model as long as they are dry and compatible with the unit's requirements.
Where are REC TEC grills made?
While the REC TEC base units are made in China, the Smart Grill Technology computer is made in the USA.
The powder coat and final assembly, together with the quality control take place at their facility control in Georgia, USA too.
Good review. Price at Amazon includes about $300 in accessories. Actual factory price alone is $899. A good deal either way. IMO
THE PARTS THAT THEY SAY ARE 304SS INSIDE THE GRILL ARE NOT 304SS, THEY ARE SOME OTHER STEEL. I CONFRONTED THEM ON THIS ,AND THEY FINALLY CONFESSED THAT IT WAS NOT 304SS. A MAGINET SHOULD NOT STICK TO IT IF IT IS 304SS. I BOUGHT MINE IN APRIL OF 2019. AND I DONT KNOW IF THEY CHANGED THERE STEEL OR NOT. THEY SAID THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGE TO THE 304SS, TO MATCH WHAT THEY SAY IN THERE DISCRIPTION OF WHAT SHOULD BE 304SS……..
MY RT-590 is only very slightly magnetic on the black surfaces.
Will the Smoke box from RecTec fit this model?
No. It only fits the RT-700 Bull
THE PARTS THAT THEY SAY ARE 304SS INSIDE THE GRILL ARE NOT 304SS, THEY ARE SOME OTHER STEEL. I CONFRONTED THEM ON THIS ,AND THEY FINALLY CONFESSED THAT IT WAS NOT 304SS. A MAGINET SHOULD NOT STICK TO IT IF IT IS 304SS. I BOUGHT MINE IN APRIL OF 2019. AND I DONT KNOW IF THEY CHANGED THERE STEEL OR NOT. THEY SAID THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGE TO THE 304SS, TO MATCH WHAT THEY SAY IN THERE DISCRIPTION OF WHAT SHOULD BE 304SS……..
Compared to Traeger, the Recteq’s are a little more expensive but worth the money. They are much more sturdy and have a more heavy duty feel to them. Traege’s are very over priced for what you get. I think it’s because they spend a fortune on advertising. My nephew, and a good friend of mine talked me into getting a Recteq to replace my three year old Traeger. I’m very happy I did. Not to sure about the 304SS complaint posted twice in caps with questionable grammar. Everybody has their own opinion. Mine is Recteq is worth the little bit of extra money up front. Do your own research. Touch and feel both Recteq and Traeger and go with your own instinct and gut feeling. The next step up is a Yoder which is supposed to be the King. You can purchase two to three Recteq’s for the price of a Yoder with the same, if not better warranty. Nothing against Yoder. They are an incredible tank of a pellet grill. Yoder is worth the money if you have it to spend.