Recteq 590 Vs. 700 Pellet Grill: Which Is Better For You?

Pellet grills have become incredibly popular in recent years, allowing backyard grill masters to achieve real wood-fired flavor with the convenience of temperature controls and automation.

Two of the top brands in the pellet grill game are Recteq and their 590 and 700 models. But which size Recteq is right for your needs?

In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore the similarities and differences between the Recteq 590 and 700 to help you decide. We’ll compare grill size and cooking area, temperature range, construction quality and features, price point, and real owner experiences.

By the end of this Recteq showdown, you’ll know exactly which model is the better fit for your budget, cooking requirements, and grilling style! Let’s get smoking!

A Brief Comparison Table

Specs	Recteq 590	Recteq 700
Primary Cooking Area	590 sq. in.	700 sq. in.
Total Cooking Area	740 sq. in.	927 sq. in.
Dimensions	57”W x 22”D x 51”H	82.5”W x 22”D x 51”H
Weight	165 lbs	225 lbs
Temperature Range	180°F – 500°F	180°F – 500°F
Hopper Capacity	30 lbs	30 lbs
Grill Grates	Porcelain-coated steel	Porcelain-coated steel
Construction	304 stainless steel	304 stainless steel
WiFi Connectivity	Yes	Yes
Warranty	30 years parts/paint	30 years parts/paint
Center Shelf	No	Yes
Rear Shelf	No	Yes
Price	$1,200 – $1,400	$1,400 – $1,600

Recteq 590 Overview

The Recteq 590 is the smaller of the two grills, but still boasts ample cooking space and rugged construction. Here are the key specs and features of the 590:

• Cooking Area: 590 square inches (740 square inches total including warming rack)
• Temperature Range: 180°F to 500°F
• Construction: 304 stainless steel exterior, powder coated steel interior
• Hopper Capacity: 30 pounds
• WiFi App Connectivity: Yes
• Dimensions: 57”W x 22”D x 51”H
• Weight: 165 pounds

The Recteq 590 may be the smaller grill, but it’s still spacious enough to cook around 25 burgers simultaneously.

The porcelain coated steel grill grates provide 590 square inches of primary cooking area.

Add in the 150 square inch warming rack and you get a total cooking surface of 740 square inches.

This mid-size pellet grill can handle any backyard cookout with ease. The temperature range starts lower than other grills at 180°F, making it easy to smoke fish, jerky, or cheese. It reaches up to 500°F for perfect searing.

Made from high quality 304 stainless steel, the Recteq 590 is built rock-solid and made to last. The hopper holds up to 30 pounds of wood pellets so you can smoke low and slow for hours without refueling. WiFi connectivity allows monitoring and adjusting your cooks remotely via app.

Recteq 700 Overview

Now let’s look at the specs on the larger Recteq 700 model:

• Cooking Area: 700 square inches (927 total including warming rack)
• Temperature Range: 180°F to 500°F
• Construction: 304 stainless steel exterior, powder coated steel interior
• Hopper Capacity: 30 pounds
• WiFi App Connectivity: Yes
• Dimensions: 82.5”W x 22”D x 51”H
• Weight: 225 pounds

With 700 square inches of primary cooking space, you can grill up to 30 burgers at once on the Recteq 700.

The additional 227 square inch warming rack brings the total cooking area to 927 square inches.

The Recteq 700 shares the same precise temperature control, high quality construction, huge pellet hopper, and wifi connectivity as the smaller 590.

It simply has more overall grill real estate for large gatherings.

Both of these Recteq grills are built like tanks and made to last a lifetime. Let’s compare some of the common features side by side.

Feature Comparison

Though different sizes, the Recteq 590 and 700 share a lot of similar features and benefits:

• Temperature range: Both allow smoking as low as 180°F and sear up to 500°F
• Construction: Both feature a commercial grade 304 stainless steel exterior housing and powder coated steel interior
• Hopper capacity: Both have a 30 pound pellet capacity for extended cook times
• PID controller: Maintains perfect temperature control within a few degrees
• WiFi connectivity: Allows monitoring and adjusting cooks from your smartphone
• Meat probes: Comes with a high quality food probe for perfect doneness
• Warranty: Both have an outstanding 30 year warranty on parts and paint

The core construction quality, precise temperature control, and generous warranty are identical on these two Recteqs. Where they differ is mainly in overall size and cooking capacity.

Now let’s compare that grill space and dimensions.

Grill Size Comparison

Here is a side by side look at the cooking space and dimensions of each grill model:

Specs	Recteq 590	Recteq 700
Primary Cooking Area	590 sq. in.	700 sq. in.
Total Cooking Area	740 sq. in.	927 sq. in.
Dimensions	57”W x 22”D x 51”H	82.5”W x 22”D x 51”H
Grill Grate Material	Porcelain coated steel	Porcelain coated steel
Weight	165 pounds	225 pounds

The Recteq 700 clearly provides much more overall grill real estate. The additional 110 square inches of primary space and 187 additional total inches make a noticeable difference in capacity.

You can fit about 5 more average sized burgers on the 700 at once. The larger model is better suited for big groups and parties, while the 590 has plenty of room for most family meals.

Another benefit of the 700 is that you can cook different foods at varying temperatures. With indirect and direct heat zones, you could smoke ribs on one side while searing steaks over higher heat on the other.

Temperature Performance

Now let’s look at how these grills perform when it comes to temperature control and ranges:

• Temperature precision: Both utilize PID controllers that maintain set temps within just a few degrees. Owners report they hold steady across the full range with minimal fluctuation.
• Max temperature: Both the 590 and 700 can hit 500°F+ for proper searing.
• Low temperature: They similarly go down to 180°F for true low and slow smoking.
• Heat retention: The thicker 14 gauge steel offers excellent heat retention and minimizes the impact of cold weather.

When it comes to maintaining precise temperature control, there is no clear winner. Both pellet grills do a phenomenal job holding rock steady temps across their full range.

The greater capacity of the 700 may allow you to create more distinct direct and indirect heating zones. But both can hit 500°F and down to 180°F for true smoking with the same high quality construction.

Construction Quality

Recteq pellet grills are widely considered among the most well-built and durable on the market. How does construction compare between the 590 vs 700?

• Exterior: Both feature a thick 14 gauge 304 stainless steel housing that won’t rust or corrode over time.
• Interior: They share a heavy duty 16 gauge steel interior powder coated in Recteq’s iconic blue.
• Lid: The lids are double walled stainless steel for maximum heat retention.
• Grates: Porcelain coated grill grates resist rust and simplify cleaning.
• Hopper: The pellet hopper is high quality stainless steel as well.
• Legs: They have sturdy rubberized steel legs with locking casters for stability.
• electronics: Water resistant and protected under the hopper.

There are no compromises with either Recteq. They are overbuilt like commercial grills for unmatched durability and longevity in residential use.

Owners rave that these grills really are built like tanks. The heavier gauge steel construction compared to competitors like Traeger is noticeable.

The only differences in construction are a result of the larger size of the Recteq 700. It features an additional support leg in the center, along with a shelf rack.

Features and Add-Ons

What about special features and available add-ons? Here is a look at what each pellet grill model offers:

Shared Features:

• WiFi smartphone app for monitoring and control
• Meat probe included
• Stainless steel bull horn handles
• Tool hooks for utensil storage
• Locking casters for easy mobility
• Removable grease pan and heat deflector

Recteq 700 Extras:

• Center front shelf
• Rear shelf
• Additional center leg for structural support

Optional Add-Ons:

• Front and side shelf kits can be added to both grills
• Insulating blankets help retain heat in cold weather

While basic operation and core features are identical, the 700’s extra built-in shelf space adds prep room right at the grill. Both grills give you the ability to enhance with shelves and blankets à la carte.

Ease of Use

Usability is another area where the Recteq 590 and 700 are well matched:

• Hopper cleanout: Tool-less pellet dump makes changing pellet flavors simple.
• Grease management: Removable drip pans and grease buckets are easy to access.
• Ignition: Automatic ignition with the push button fire pot gets you cooking without hassle.
• Shutdown: Simple shutdown button makes turning the grill off a breeze.
• WiFi app: Allows remote temperature adjustment so you don’t have to open the lid.
• Ash cleanup: Tool-less ash pan removal simplifies periodic cleaning.

Both grills are designed for user convenience. Touchpad and WiFi app controls coupled with key access panels minimize DIY maintenance.

The higher capacity 700 may require a bit more ash and grease cleanup from extended cooks. But the process stays equally straightforward on both grills.

For basic operation, the Recteq 590 and 700 are on par for simplicity. Neither presents much of a learning curve.

Pellet Fuel Consumption

With pellet grills, pellet usage is another practical consideration:

• Fuel type: Designed for premium food grade wood pellets in flavors like hickory, apple, mesquite.
• Hopper capacity: 30 pounds on both the 590 and 700.
• Average usage: Around 1.5 to 2 pounds per hour at smoking temps.
• Approximate cook times: You can smoke around 15 to 20 hours on a full hopper.

The pellet consumption depends more on your temperature settings than the size of the grill. Since they share the same 30 pound hopper, you’ll get roughly equal cook times per fill on the 590 vs 700.

Higher searing temperatures will burn through pellets quicker than low and slow smoking. But even at higher heat, these grills are fairly fuel efficient thanks to good insulation.

You can expect to smoke around 15 to 20 hours before refueling, or longer at lower temperatures. Opting for quality BBQ wood pellets designed for grilling will also maximize performance.

Maintenance and Cleanup

Here is an overview of the typical maintenance required on the Recteq 590 and 700:

• Exterior: Wipe down stainless housing as needed.
• Grates: Brush grates after preheating to remove residue.
• Grease tray: Empty drip tray after every few cooks.
• Heat deflector: Scrape off accumulated drippings occasionally.
• Ash pan: Remove and empty ash pan every 5-10 cooks.
• Fire pot: Clear fire pot of ash buildup every 10-20 cooks.
• Interior: Use grill brush to scrape interior periodically.

General grill maintenance is pretty straightforward on both Recteqs. Following the manufacturer cleaning guidance keeps the grill in top shape.

The larger 700 may produce a bit more ash and grease from extended cooks. But cleanout processes are the same, and cleaning is not intensive for casual backyard use.

Properly caring for any pellet grill does take some hands-on cleaning. If you use and maintain it properly, a Recteq can last over a decade.

Warranty Comparison

The warranty coverage is an area where Recteq pellet grills really shine:

• Parts warranty: Recteq offers an industry-leading 30 year warranty on parts.
• Paint warranty: The high-temp paint also carries a 30 year warranty.
• Electronics: The control board and electrical components have a 5 year warranty.
• Coverage: Protects against defects in materials and craftsmanship.

This type of exceptional parts and paint protection demonstrates the confidence Recteq has in their grills. Owners confirm this warranty coverage is as good as advertised.

The identical industry-best warranty applies to both the 590 and 700 models. Recteq clearly stands behind their products better than competitors.

Recteq 590 And 700 Prices

Now let’s look at the MSRP pricing and real world cost considerations:

Grill	MSRP	Real-World Cost
Recteq 590	$1,499	$1,200 – $1,400
Recteq 700	$1,799	$1,400 – $1,600

MSRP gives the 700 about a $300 higher list price. But when comparing real world prices, these grills often sell for closer to $200 apart.

Actual sale prices vary based on availability, special promotions, and optional accessories. Budgeting $1,200 to $1,600 will get you a new Recteq in one of these sizes.

Considering the larger capacity and extra features, the Recteq 700 provides solid value for the higher cost. But the 590 remains the more affordable choice that still offers ample cooking space.

Recteq 590 and 700 Pellet Grill FAQs

Still trying to decide between the Recteq 590 and 700? Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about these popular grills.

Closing Remarks

In the end, both of these Recteq pellet grills are exceptionally well-built and share core performance capabilities. Which is ultimately better comes down to your space constraints, budget, and cooking demands.

The Recteq 590 is ideal if you want:

• A mid-sized grill around 600 square inches
• Significant cost savings over the 700
• Lighter weight and smaller footprint
• Sufficient capacity for most family meals

The Recteq 700 is the better option if:

• You need to feed large groups frequently
• Want maximum cooking surface and flexibility
• Seek extra shelf space built into the grill
• Appreciate the heavier duty construction

These two Recteqs have near identical temperature range, precision, construction quality, and ease of use. The 700 simply takes everything up a notch in terms of size and durability to match its bigger capacity.

You can’t go wrong with either of these phenomenal pellet grills. Choosing comes down to your space considerations, budget, and cooking demands. Hopefully this detailed comparison helps make your Recteq buying decision easier!