Any One Can Put The Heat To The Meat But Only A Few Can Barbeque

Rec Tec 590 vs 700 Comparison: Which is The Best For You?

Last Updated: July 23, 2026

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Pellets grills are the ideal pieces of equipment for food enthusiasts who like making tasty and smoked foods such as smoked ribs. They maintain a low and steady temperature for a prolonged cooking period with no need for adjustments. Most importantly, pellet grills don’t require regular propane refills or charcoal. We are going to compare between rec tec 590 vs 700 models.

But which is the best pellet smoker/ grill you can use or invest in? If you have found your way to this post, you’re probably conflicted about deciding between the RT 590 and RT 700 from Rec-Tec or Recteq. Rec Tec is one of the key players in the pellet smoker industry, making some of the best reliable and efficient pellet grills. It’s one of the manufacturers that has grabbed a significant pellet grill market share despite being in it for nearly a decade.

Update: The Recteq RT-590 and RT-700 have been discontinued. This comparison remains useful for readers considering a used model or comparing their features. For a currently available alternative, consider the Recteq Patio Legend 600 or Flagship 1600.

Verdict: 5 Reasons Rec Tec RT 700 is my Pick

  • RT 700 is large enough to accommodate food for a gathering
  • RT 700 features a more appealing design/ style that includes a smoke-like chimney
  • RT 700 has a larger hopper that can run about 40 hours with consistent heat
  • RT 700 has interior lights that make it easy to cook at night
  • RT 700 comes with a six-year warranty

Recteq Patio Legend 600

recteq Patio Legend 600 Pellet Smoker Grill with WiFi & App Connectivity, Outdoor Smokers Grills...
  • WIDE TEMP RANGE & CONSISTENT IGNITION: Enjoy versatile cooking on this Wifi pellet grill with...
  • CLASSIC FEATURES, STREAMLINED DESIGN: This recteq pellet grill & smoker is designed to turn out...
  • BUILT LIKE A TANK CONSTRUCTION: The wood pellet smoker is designed for performance and durability...

With 600 square inches of cooking space, Wi-Fi connectivity, PID temperature control, and a 180°F–700°F temperature range, the Patio Legend 600 is one of the closest currently available alternatives to the discontinued RT-590. It is not a direct replacement, but its size and intended use make it suitable for smaller families and everyday backyard cooking.


Recteq Flagship 1600

recteq Pellet Grill Smoker - Flagship 1600, Wood Pellet Smoker, BBQ, Wi-Fi Smart Grill, 1667 Sq. In...
  • SMOKY STATS: These wood pellet grills and pellet smoker grill combo deliver 1667 sq in of cooking...
  • DO IT ALL WITH ONE GRILL: Smoke, BBQ, Sear, Bake, Braise, & even Dehydrate on this outdoor grill...
  • CONSISTENCY: Rest easy, as our rock-solid PID algorithm will maintain the temperature within 5℉ at...

The Flagship 1600 is Recteq’s latest version of the original RT-700 platform. It offers significantly more cooking space, a 40-pound pellet hopper, Wi-Fi control, and a 180°F–700°F temperature range. It is best suited to large families, gatherings, and users who regularly cook multiple large cuts.


Rec Tec 590 vs. 700: Comparing Features and Capabilities of Pellet Grills

Both RT 590 and 700 models are great pellet grills. However, they still share some significant differences based on their features and capabilities.

Design

The RT 590 and the RT 700 have some similarities in their design. For instance, both feature a drip pan, stands with caster wheels, stainless steel body, and horn-like handles on the lid. Other similar features entail Wi-Fi compatibility with a PID controller and lower shelves for additional storage.

However, the RT 700 has a more circular shape and a smoke-like chimney on the right side. It’s also about 50 inches tall. 

On the other hand, the RT 590 features a box-like shape and three exhaust ports on the backside. It’s about 43.5 inches tall.

Size

Size is another significant difference between these two models. The RT 700 is bigger and bulky than the RT 590. The Bull weighs about 200 pounds, while The Stampede weighs approximately 160 pounds.

The RT 700 is an ideal choice for someone with a large family, while the RT 590 can cook enough for a mid-sized family.

Cooking Area

As outlined above, the RT 700 is bigger than the RT 590, and so is its cooking area. The RT 700 has a total of 1.054 square inch cooking area,

On the other hand, its counterpart has about 772 square inches, including standard and extra cooking racks.

Hopper Capacity

Hopper capacity between these two pellet grills is also notable. The RT 590 features a 30 lb. hopper size and can run about 30 hours of non-stop cooking with a full hopper. Conversely, the RT 700 has a 40 lb. size hopper that can run about 40 hours with a full hopper.

Temperature Control and Management

Controlling and managing temperature in these two models is easy. Both are WiFi-enabled; thus, you can control the temperature of any of the pellet grills using the Rec Tec App on your phone or tablet. It also entails preheating and turning off your pellet grill from the same app.

Efficiency

Both of these models are efficient and get the job done efficiently. Additionally, their stainless steel construction and design make it easy to clean and maintain.

Both of these models’ ideal temperature ranges from 180 degrees F to 500 degrees F. Therefore, you can cook different foods using various cooking methods such as grilling, searing, and smoking.

Both of these models use a ceramic ignition rod that can last over 100, 000 lighting cycles.

Price

The RT 700 price tag is higher than that of RT 590. This price difference is brought about by notable variations in size and features of the two pellet grills.

FAQs

Is the Rec Tec 590 big enough?

The Rec Tec 590 is big enough to accommodate food for a mid-sized family and still leaves more room for your few guests.

How much food can you fit on a Rec Tec 590?

The Rec Tec 590 can fit 18 standard-sized burgers, 5 baby back ribs, 6 whole chickens, or 75 chicken wings.

How many racks of ribs can you fit on a Rec Tec 590?

The Rec Tec 590 can fit about 5 racks of ribs

Is the Rec Tec the same as Recteq?

Recteq is the new name of the Rec Tec after it went through a rebranding to enable it to make other outdoor products and accessories in 2020. The “q” on the end was added to emphasize on quality Recteq provides to its customers. Therefore, Rec Tec is the same as Recteq: it resulted from rebranding the manufacturer’s name.

Conclusion

Are you still conflicted about which model to choose to join the Recteq family? The RT 700 is ideal for someone with a large family or who often holds a gathering with a group of friends. The RT 590 is a viable choice for people with mid-size families. As you can tell from the above Rec Tec 590 vs 700 comparisons, size is the most significant difference.

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