recteq Deck Boss 800 vs Traeger Ironwood 650
Recteq Deck Boss 800: The Stainless Steel Beast
The Recteq Deck Boss 800 is a mid-sized pellet grill with 810 square inches of cooking space, built for family meals and high-heat searing. Priced at ~$849-$949, it’s a value-driven choice for BBQ lovers.
Average Rating: 4.7/5 (Smoked BBQ Source, Taste of Home, Reddit)
- Smoked BBQ Source: 4.8/5, praised for stainless steel build and 700°F max temp.
- Taste of Home: 4.7/5, lauded for precise temperature control.
- Reddit: 4.6/5, loved for customer service and durability.
Pros:
- Huge Cooking Area: 810 sq. in. fits 24 burgers or 5 pork butts.
- High Heat: Reaches 700°F for excellent searing, per Smoked BBQ Source.
- Tank-Like Build: Full stainless steel construction, including 304 firepot and drip pan.
- Precise Temps: PID controller maintains ±5°F, ideal for long smokes.
- Big Hopper: 30-lb capacity supports 30-hour cooks.
- Top-Notch Support: 4-year warranty and US-based customer service, with users noting, “Recteq sent me a new probe overnight!” (@BBQFan123, social media, 2025).
Cons:
- No Pellet Sensor: Lacks low-pellet alerts, unlike Traeger.
- Basic App: Functional but less polished than Traeger’s WiFire, per Reddit users.
- No Pellet Dump: Harder to switch pellet flavors, a minor gripe on Reddit.
Why Buyers Chose the Deck Boss 800
- Build Quality: Reddit users like u/Upper-Can3005 cite “superior stainless steel” over Traeger’s thinner materials.
- Value: At $849-$949, buyers feel it outperforms pricier grills, with one saying, “Deck Boss 800 gives Flagship vibes for less!” (@GrillMaster22, social media, 2025).
- Customer Service: Recteq’s responsive US-based support, including direct founder access, seals the deal for many, per r/recteq.
- High-Temp Searing: The 700°F max temp draws buyers who want steakhouse-quality crusts, per Smoked BBQ Source.
Traeger Ironwood 650: The Tech-Savvy Smoker
The Traeger Ironwood 650, priced at ~$1,199-$1,299, offers 650 square inches of cooking space and premium features like a pellet sensor and Super Smoke mode. It’s a tech-forward choice for pellet grill fans.
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Average Rating: 4.5/5 (Taste of Home, CNET, Serious Eats)
- Taste of Home: 4.6/5, praised for app integration and smoke flavor.
- CNET: 4.5/5, noted for user-friendly tech but weaker searing.
- Serious Eats: 4.4/5, lauded for double-walled insulation.
Pros:
- Smart Features: WiFire app with touchscreen, pellet sensor, and MEATER probe integration, per CNET.
- Super Smoke Mode: Enhances flavor at low temps (165°F-225°F), a hit on Reddit.
- Insulated Build: Double-walled sidewalls hold heat in cold weather, per Taste of Home.
- Ease of Use: Interior lighting, pellet cleanout, and intuitive controls, praised by social media users: “Ironwood’s app is a breeze!” (@SmokinJoe, 2025).
- Brand Legacy: Traeger’s pellet grill pioneer status adds trust, per r/pelletgrills.
Cons:
- Smaller Cooking Area: 650 sq. in. vs. Deck Boss’s 810 sq. in., limiting capacity.
- Lower Max Temp: 500°F (650°F with Super Smoke) isn’t ideal for searing, per Serious Eats.
- Pricey: $300-$400 more than Deck Boss for fewer square inches.
- Mixed CS Feedback: Some Reddit users report slow Traeger support, unlike Recteq’s stellar service.
Why Buyers Chose the Ironwood 650
- Tech Appeal: Reddit user u/Mediocre_Degree_7465 chose it for the “polished WiFire app” and pellet sensor, ideal for tech-savvy cooks.
- Smoke Flavor: Super Smoke mode draws buyers seeking bold flavor, with social media posts noting, “Ironwood’s smoke is next-level!” (@BBQPro, 2025).
- Brand Trust: Traeger’s household name and availability at retailers like Home Depot sway buyers, per r/pelletgrills.
- Cold-Weather Performance: Double-walled insulation appeals to users in harsh climates, per Taste of Home.
