This Category-Shattering Grill Might Change Outdoor Cooking Forever

Pellet grills, more accurately described in some circles as pellet smokers, “aren’t a fad; they’re the future,” our former home editor once wrote in 2021. And he wasn’t wrong.

In the years since though, the category had seemingly hit a snag in the quest to make traditional gas and charcoal grills totally obsolete.

Pellet grills have always had an advantage over more traditional designs in consistently maintaining low to moderate levels of indirect heat. That’s why they’re often the preferable option for slow-cooking and smoking tender, moist meats.

Recteq

The same quality also makes the category relatively forgiving for new and easily distracted grillers. It’s just harder to accidentally cook the crap out of food on a pellet grill in the blink of an eye, at least compared to a traditional gas or charcoal grill set to max heat.

However, as with many things in life, these same strengths are the source of the category’s biggest culinary weakness. Many pellet grills struggle with high-heat cooking tasks like searing steaks quickly.

A few exceptions employ clever design tricks to work around this limitation. Still, at least on paper, Georgia-based Recteq’s new X-Fire Pro 825 appears to be a groundbreaking new option, especially for anyone willing to shell out to own one grill that cooks everything well.

Bringing the Heat (In Secret?)

Recteq

The eye-popping highlight of the X-Fire Pro 825’s spec sheet is its claimed max temperature. Recteq states the grill can hit a temperature of up to 1250ºF, which Recteq says qualifies it as “the hottest pellet grill on the market.”

Central to this feature is the grill’s so-called “Adaptive Sear Control”, which lets users adjust the direct flame via a control knob mounted on the right-hand face of the grill.

We haven’t verified this temperature range claim independently and there’s no clarification from Recteq on how long it takes the grill to hit this temp or how long the grill can conceivably sustain it.

Still if it’s true, it suggests that the X-Fire Pro 825 can get FAR hotter than other cutting-edge pellet grills, even if it falls well short of hitting its max in less than ideal cooking conditions.

Recteq

For comparison’s sake, Weber’s premium Searwood XL 600 Pellet Grill has a cooking range from 180° to 600°F, while Traeger’s Ironwood collection has a stated temperature range of 165°F to 500°F.

Those who follow the pellet grilling world closely won’t be surprised by this comparison alone, as a few of Recteq’s existing models are already known within the community for offering higher temperature ranges than the competition by 100 to 200 degrees.

But 1250ºF is ludicrously hot. Most gas and charcoal grills don’t get anywhere near that hot. Even some infrared grills, famed for their searing abilities and ultra-high max temperatures, struggle to reach that heat threshold.

What’s just as surprising is that the grill is still fueled by 100% natural hardwood pellets according to Recteq.

In other words, the X-Fire Pro 825 ridiculously high heat range isn’t achieved via a novel a hybrid design that leans on other fuel sources like propane or charcoal to help boost direct flame cooking temps, like Pit Boss’s Mile Hybrid Grill.

Recteq

Adding further to the intrigue is that Recteq’s press materials don’t call attention to any particular revolutionary technology or design innovation that’s driving this massive leap in performance.

And frankly, in my nearly two decades of covering product news, that feels strange, bordering on suspicious. In my experience, rarely does a brand miss an opportunity to crow about its innovations over the competition.

Then again, I can’t cite any factual evidence to support my wariness.

Recteq, in fact, has a strong reputation among vocal online communities like Reddit. Fans especially praise the company’s excellent customer service.

So perhaps Recteq just has its reasons for keeping the secrets of the X-Fire Pro 825’s insane heat producing capabilities close to the vest.

Two Modes of Cooking

Recteq

Like many other newer pellet grills, the X-Fire Pro 825 can operate in two distinct modes which the user controls via a knob mounted on the right hand face of the unit.

In Grill Mode, the grill utilizes its high-heat capabilities for open-lid, direct flame cooking, that’s ideal for searing and quick grilling.

Conversely, Smoke Mode does exactly what you’d think. It transforms the grill into a traditional wood-fired smoker / pellet grill and maintains steady temperatures for low-and-slow cooking.

Recteq

Cooking in this mode unlocks a few conveniences also found in other modern premium pellet grills. These include Wi-Fi connectivity that works with Recteq’s app to remotely monitor the grill’s temp settings. The app can also set cooking alarms and offers recipes.

A Goldilocks Size?

Recteq

Beyond its cooking versatility, the X-Fire Pro 825 is also relatively big and seemingly built to last.

It includes a 304 stainless steel firepot, steel drip pan, and stainless steel heat deflector to promote even cooking and easy cleaning.

It also offers 825 square inches of cooking space, which Recteq claims is big enough to tackle grilling up to 24 burger patties simultaneously.

Recteq

Those grilling surface dimensions place the grill in interesting Goldilocks territory compared to Weber and Traeger’s more premium standard and XL-sized offerings.

Weber’s standard Searwood 600 offers 648 square inches. Traeger’s regular Ironwood Pellet Grill offers a slightly smaller 616 square inches of cook space.

The Ironwood XL jumps to 924 square inches, while the Searwood 600 XL offers an even bigger 972 square inches of total cooking surface.

Recteq

The X-Fire Pro 825’s 20-pound hopper capacity matches that of Weber’s Searwood XL 600 Pellet Grill, though it’s slightly less than the 22-pound hopper of the Ironwood series. Still it should hold enough fuel for extended Smoke Mode cooking sessions.

Recteq also says the grill is “equipped with more stainless steel than any other grill in its class.” Though that figure apparently includes parts like the “micro-polished bull horn handles” on the exterior.

The grill comes with a 6-year limited warranty, too.

Pricing and Availability

Recteq

If you’re still waiting for a catch, it’s that this grill is pricey, though its truthfully far from the most expensive pellet grill out there.

The Recteq X-Fire Pro 825 grill alone is $1,550 directly through Recteq’s official website and Amazon, which puts it in an interesting position relative to other premium pellet grills.

It’s $350 more than Weber’s Searwood XL 600, but also $350 cheaper than Traeger’s premium Ironwood Pellet Grill.

It’s also true that you could easily purchase many of our recommended more affordable pellet grills and a separate charcoal or gas grill option and still spend less than the Recteq X-Fire Pro 825’s asking price.

But not everyone has the space to manage two grills, let alone the enthusiasm and/or dedicated to the craft to bounce between cooking various specialized solutions.

As such, with its combination of high-heat grilling, traditional smoking capabilities, and durable construction, the X-Fire Pro 825 is definitely an intriguing new option for anyone who can afford to pay for its premium performance.

Recteq

Recteq X-Fire Pro 825 Pellet Grill

• $1,550 at Recteq
• $1,550 at Amazon

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