Recteq Flagship 1100: Built Like a Tank, Smokes Like a Pro
What Is the Recteq Flagship 1100?
The Recteq Flagship 1100 is a heavy-duty, smoke-blasting beast that goes head-to-head with top-tier pellet grills like the Weber Searwood. Built like a tank with stainless steel inside and out, it’s made to impress on your deck — and on your tastebuds.
Why We Picked It
We needed something in the same class and price range as the Searwood XL. When Recteq dropped the Flagship to $1,039 for the holidays (from $1,299), we jumped. With a great reputation and community support, it felt like the right call — and it was. Since that time, Recteq has raised the standard price from $1299 to $1399, with a sale at the time of this article (June 22, 2025) of $200 off, or $1199.
🔥 Performance
- Temps: Reaches 700°F without direct flame — seriously hot.
- Hopper: A monster 40 lb. pellet hopper means set it and forget it for long cooks.
- App Control: Dual probe ports and full app control with reliable WiFi connection.
- Build: Everything feels overbuilt — drip pans, grates, dials — all legit.
- Smoke: Traditional smokestack delivers richer smoke flavor than rear-vent designs like the Searwood.
Our Favorite Cooks
The Flagship handled everything from pepperoni rolls to crisp wings and reverse-seared ribeyes. The smoke flavor is noticeably deeper than what we get on the Searwood, even with Searwood's smoke boost cranked.
Quirks and Weak Spots
- ✅ Big startup power — but on two occasions, it struggled to heat up (needed a reset).
- ❌ No rotisserie support, which we missed after using the Searwood.
- ❌ No pellet dump — swapping pellets means scooping them out. Not a huge deal since you probably won't need to swap pellets often, but still a bonus feature when it's available.
- ❌ No fuel gauge — unlike the Searwood, you won’t know if you’re about to run dry. Again, not a showstopper, especially with a 40lb happer that will last for any cook you can conceive of if you fill it up at the beginning.
📦 Accessories Worth Mentioning
- Smoke Box (Highly Recommended): For extra flavor, cold smoking, and warming large trays — it’s a killer addition. Seriously one of the best accessories I've ever used, and it turns this already capable machine into a smoking beast.
- The optional front shelf is an extra $175, but it's a little low for my liking.
✅ Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Massive cooking capacity
- Exceptional smoke flavor
- Extremely solid construction
- WiFi + app control with dual probes
- Simple startup, no fuss
Cons:
- No rotisserie or griddle options
- No pellet dump or fuel gauge
- Shiny exterior browns fast
