Introduction
The world of outdoor cooking is constantly evolving, with pellet grills taking center stage for their convenience, versatility, and ability to infuse food with that sought-after smoky flavor. Among the many contenders in this market, Recteq has established itself as a brand synonymous with quality and innovation. Their grills are known for their robust construction, precise temperature control, and user-friendly features. And at the apex of their offerings sits the Recteq Backyard Beast, a colossal pellet grill designed for those who demand the utmost in capacity and performance.
This isn’t just another grill; it’s a statement. A statement that you take your barbecue seriously, that you’re ready to feed a crowd, and that you appreciate the finer things in outdoor cooking. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve deep into the Recteq Backyard Beast, exploring its features, performance, pros, cons, and ultimately, whether it lives up to the hype and justifies its price tag. This review is targeted at the serious barbeque enthusiast, those who frequently cook for large groups, and anyone contemplating investing in a high-capacity pellet grill that can handle virtually any culinary challenge.
An Overview of the Recteq Backyard Beast
Let’s start with a quick look at what makes the Backyard Beast a standout. This grill isn’t just about size, though it certainly excels in that department. It’s about a combination of well-engineered features, durable construction, and intelligent design that work together to create a truly exceptional cooking experience.
First and foremost, the cooking area is immense. We’re talking about enough space to smoke multiple briskets, racks upon racks of ribs, and enough chicken to feed a small army. The primary grilling surface offers ample room, allowing for efficient heat distribution and even cooking. This is a key selling point for anyone who regularly hosts large gatherings or simply enjoys the freedom to cook a variety of dishes at once.
Constructed primarily from stainless steel, the Backyard Beast is built to withstand the elements. The heavy-gauge stainless steel is not only durable and resistant to rust but also contributes to the grill’s overall temperature stability. This is a grill that’s meant to last, providing years of reliable service.
At the heart of the Backyard Beast is its advanced PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) controller. This sophisticated piece of technology is responsible for maintaining precise and consistent temperatures within the grill. Unlike simpler controllers that can lead to temperature fluctuations, the PID controller constantly monitors and adjusts the pellet feed rate to ensure that your grill stays within your desired temperature range. This translates to more consistent cooking results and less need for constant monitoring.
The grill comes equipped with multiple meat probes, allowing you to monitor the internal temperature of your food without opening the lid and losing heat. This is a crucial feature for achieving perfectly cooked results, especially when dealing with large cuts of meat like brisket or pork shoulder. The digital display provides clear and easy-to-read information about the grill’s temperature, meat probe readings, and other settings.
The hopper capacity is also noteworthy. It holds a generous amount of wood pellets, allowing for extended cooking times without the need to constantly refill the hopper. This is particularly important for low-and-slow smoking, where maintaining a consistent temperature for hours is essential.
Beyond the core features, the Backyard Beast also boasts modern conveniences like WiFi connectivity. This allows you to monitor and control the grill from your smartphone or tablet, giving you the freedom to step away and attend to other tasks without worrying about your cook. You can adjust the temperature, set timers, and receive alerts, all from the palm of your hand.
As for the unboxing and assembly, the Backyard Beast does require some assembly. The process is fairly straightforward, however, the sheer size and weight of certain components necessitate having an extra set of hands. The packaging is well-designed to protect the grill during shipping, and all the necessary hardware is included.
Performance and The Joy of Cooking on The Beast
The true test of any grill is its performance in the cooking arena. The Recteq Backyard Beast excels in this regard, delivering exceptional results across a range of different cooking styles and dishes.
Temperature control is where this grill truly shines. Thanks to the PID controller, the Backyard Beast maintains incredibly consistent temperatures. Fluctuations are minimal, even when opening the lid to check on the food. This is crucial for achieving consistent cooking results and preventing unwanted temperature spikes. The grill also recovers quickly after the lid is opened, minimizing the impact on cooking times. The even heat distribution across the cooking surface eliminates hot spots and ensures that your food cooks evenly, regardless of its placement on the grill.
To put the Backyard Beast through its paces, we conducted a series of cooking tests, focusing on dishes that are notoriously challenging to perfect.
Ribs
First up were ribs. We smoked a rack of spare ribs using a classic three-two-one method, and the results were outstanding. The ribs were tender, juicy, and infused with a deep smoky flavor. The consistent temperature maintained by the grill ensured that the ribs cooked evenly, and the meat probes allowed us to monitor their internal temperature to achieve perfect doneness.
Brisket
Next, we tackled a brisket, the holy grail of barbeque. The Backyard Beast handled this large cut of meat with ease. We smoked the brisket for hours, maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the cook. The results were phenomenal – a tender, juicy brisket with a beautiful smoke ring and a rich, smoky flavor. The ability to monitor the brisket’s internal temperature with the meat probes was invaluable, allowing us to pull it off the grill at the precise moment of perfection.
Chicken
Chicken is often considered a simpler dish to cook, but it can be tricky to get the skin crispy without drying out the meat. The Backyard Beast excelled at cooking chicken, producing birds with crispy, golden-brown skin and juicy, flavorful meat. The consistent temperature allowed us to cook the chicken evenly, and the smoky flavor added another layer of complexity.
Other Foods
We also tested the grill with other foods, including salmon, pork butt, and various vegetables. In each case, the Backyard Beast delivered impressive results, demonstrating its versatility and ability to handle a wide range of cooking styles.
The smoke production of the Backyard Beast is excellent, providing a consistent and flavorful smoke that permeates the food. The intensity of the smoke can be adjusted by selecting different types of wood pellets. We experimented with a variety of pellets, including hickory, mesquite, and applewood, and each imparted a unique flavor to the food.
The Backyard Beast is remarkably easy to use. The digital interface is intuitive and user-friendly, and the WiFi connectivity allows you to monitor and control the grill from your smartphone or tablet. The convenience of these features cannot be overstated, especially during long cooks.
Cleaning and maintenance are also relatively straightforward. The stainless steel construction makes it easy to wipe down the grill, and the ash cleanout system simplifies the process of removing ash from the firepot.
The Upsides and Downsides
Like any product, the Recteq Backyard Beast has its strengths and weaknesses. Let’s break down the pros and cons:
The Good
On the plus side, the cooking capacity is truly massive, making it ideal for large gatherings. The build quality is exceptional, ensuring years of reliable performance. The temperature control is precise and consistent, leading to predictable and repeatable results. The smoke production is excellent, imparting a rich and flavorful smoke to the food. And the user-friendly features, like WiFi connectivity, add a layer of convenience to the cooking experience. Finally, for the size and capabilities it offers, the Backyard Beast presents a compelling value proposition.
The Not So Good
However, the Backyard Beast is not without its drawbacks. The price point is undeniably high, placing it out of reach for some buyers. Its large size may not be suitable for those with limited outdoor space. And pellet consumption can be high during long cooks, requiring you to keep a supply of wood pellets on hand.
Standing Against The Competition
In the crowded market of high-capacity pellet grills, the Recteq Backyard Beast faces stiff competition. Brands like Traeger, Yoder, and other Recteq models offer alternative options for those seeking a large-format grill.
Compared to Traeger, the Backyard Beast boasts superior build quality and more precise temperature control. While Traeger grills are generally more affordable, they often lack the durability and performance of the Recteq.
Yoder grills are known for their exceptional build quality and performance, but they also come with a significantly higher price tag. The Backyard Beast offers a comparable level of performance at a more accessible price point.
Compared to other Recteq models, the Backyard Beast stands out for its immense cooking capacity. While other Recteq grills may offer similar features and performance, none can match the sheer size of the Backyard Beast.
Who Is This For?
The Recteq Backyard Beast is not for everyone. It’s a grill designed for a specific type of user – the serious barbeque enthusiast who frequently cooks for large groups.
The ideal user is someone who values build quality, performance, and convenience. They’re willing to invest in a high-end grill that will provide years of reliable service. They appreciate the ability to monitor and control their grill from their smartphone. And they demand a grill that can handle any culinary challenge, from smoking briskets to grilling steaks.
If you’re someone who only occasionally grills for a small group, the Backyard Beast may be overkill. But if you’re a serious barbeque enthusiast who wants the best possible cooking experience, this grill is definitely worth considering.
Final Verdict
The Recteq Backyard Beast is a truly impressive pellet grill. Its massive cooking capacity, exceptional build quality, precise temperature control, excellent smoke production, and user-friendly features make it a standout in the high-capacity pellet grill market.
While it’s not the cheapest grill on the market, its overall value proposition is compelling. If you’re looking for a high-end pellet grill that can handle virtually any cooking task, the Recteq Backyard Beast is an excellent choice.
We wholeheartedly recommend the Recteq Backyard Beast to anyone who is serious about barbecue and demands the best possible cooking experience. It’s an investment that will pay off in countless delicious meals and memorable gatherings.
Your Thoughts?
Do you have any questions about the Recteq Backyard Beast? Have you used this grill before? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! Want to learn more about other great outdoor cooking tools? Read our review of the Recteq sear kit. Enjoyed this review? Share it with your friends on social media!
