Welcome to the forum! Coastal style homes are awesome, so you have my envy. You have been through many good stressors recently, but a Recteq grill helps to overcome many of them. You made a good call going with the RT-1250 because it is a perfected RT-700. Recteq obviously follows this forum...
Here's a pic of some pork chops with a "wet paste rub" so the grill marks are minimal, but this was pre-3 RPM auger motor & the RT-700 was at 450 degrees. I haven't taken more recent pics, but you may rest assured that the sear/grill marks at 500 degrees with these is awesome with a dry rub.
I like the heat deflector mod. Have you replaced the grates into the grill to make sure they still fit? my grates are really tight & I worry that the SS rods you've welded front & back might prevent fitting, unless the welded rods are more under the grate edge than the pic shows.
I have the Recteq griddle & just set it on top of the grates inside the RT-700 for storage. It is removed prior to cooks unless being used. It is well seasoned, & I've had no issues with rust. The grill is kept covered between uses & stays on an exposed deck as seen in my avatar.
Fat side up...self basting...fat is flavor...even oven cooked brisket has a "smoke ring". Sacred cows make tasty burgers/brisket :cool: :unsure::cautious:
There are no serious issues with the 3 RPM auger motor. Many members here have done all of the beta testing. No issues with grilling at high temp which is the main reason members use it. As long as the minimal feed rate is set at 20 on the grill's processor AUG setting, you should have no...
I called & emailed customer support today about the iron deflector. Phone call tech support guy said the iron deflector wouldn't fit the RT 700. I then sent email asking if it would fit, and if not, could it be modified to do so. I also asked for the dimensions of the iron deflector. A...
With the 3 RPM motor MFR set at 20, my Bull will run at 184 degrees on LO with ambient temp of 90 degrees in full sun without flameouts. I usually would do a low & slow smoke at 225 degrees so it's not an issue.
I absolutely would NOT go back to the 2 RPM Auger Motor. The minimal feed rate of 20 is about perfect. My Bull will run at 200 degrees on a hot day without flaming out or spilling pellets & will go from start to 450 degrees in about 13-14 minutes. However, it will "overshoot" during a cook...
I wouldn't use the mats for burgers. I use mine (Recteq mats) for veggies, kabobs, & fish & they work great. I did salmon with a glaze of dijon mustard, olive oil, soy sauce, horseradish, brown sugar, & rice vinegar this past weekend with the skin side down & the RT-700 running at 500 degrees...
The piece of "concrete" you describe is called a clinker & is common with pellet fuels. I note them in my 2 Breckwell Pellet stoves which I use to help heat my home, but not so much in my RT-700 which is likely a result of higher quality pellets used in grills with the absence of binders...