The recteq Flagship 1100 is popular among people who are serious about outdoor cooking. If you love smoking, grilling, or slow cooking, this pellet grill comes up frequently, and for good reason. It’s packed with features that make backyard BBQ a whole lot easier, even if you haven’t spent years around smokers. I’ve spent many weekends trying all sorts of pellet grills, and the 1100 truly stands out as a mid to large size option with a great reputation for temp consistency and build quality.
Below, you’ll find a quick breakdown of the key details about the recteq Flagship 1100. After that, I’ll dig into my own experiences and everything you might want to know if you’re thinking about picking one up for your patio.
Model Name: recteq Flagship 1100
Manufacturer: recteq (formerly Rec Tec)
Grill Type: Pellet grill/smoker
Cooking Area: 1,100 square inches total
Hopper Capacity: 40 lbs (pellets)
Temperature Range: 180° to 700°F
Construction: Stainless steel
WiFi Capability: Included (recteq app compatible)
Warranty: 6 years
Price Range: Around $1,500 (varies by promo/retail location)
Overall Rating: 4.8/5
Ease of Use: 5/5
Grilling Performance: 5/5
Temperature Control: 5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Customer Support: 4.5/5
Free Shipping: Yes (in the U.S. for most sellers)
The main thing that stands out about the recteq Flagship 1100 is the brushed stainless steel and the eye-catching bull horn handle on the lid. What’s really impressive is how the 1100 handles long cooks and holds a steady temp, even when the weather isn’t exactly perfect. Not every pellet grill can make that claim, especially in this price range. The design helps you avoid temperature swings during those crucial overnight brisket or pork butt cooks. That’s a big reason why enthusiasts recommend it to friends and family members looking to get into real BBQ without a long learning curve.
About recteq (Rec Tec)
recteq, based in Augusta, Georgia, kicked things off in 2009. The company’s founders, Ray Carnes and Ron Cundy, aimed to create a userfriendly grill that could absolutely nail steady temperatures without costing a fortune. One thing I like about recteq is their major focus on customer service and being upfront about the quality of their materials. You’ll see this across their Facebook groups and their phone support lines—when something goes wrong, they act fast to sort things out.
If you poke around recteq’s community pages, you’ll see a loyal fan base. That’s largely due to the build quality (loads of stainless steel, not cheap painted panels) and the regular firmware updates that keep the grill features fresh. recteq actually interacts with their owner community, taking feedback and responding quickly. I once checked in about a WiFi question and was impressed by their helpful response. That’s definitely a bonus if you’re new to pellet grills and need good support in your pocket.
Design and Build Quality
The Flagship 1100 feels solid from the moment you unbox it. Weighing more than 200 pounds, it’s not built for dragging around the yard—it’s perfectly suited to life on a deck or patio and is meant to stay put. The body and cooking chamber are constructed out of stainless steel, so you don’t have to worry about rust or flakey paint after a summer afternoon storm or a rough winter.
The bull horn handle isn’t just a cool signature look. It’s big enough for hands with BBQ gloves, making it easy to lift the heavy lid without risking burned knuckles. Another stand-out feature is the powdercoated black finish on the lower shelf and accents. This not only looks sharp but reduces fingerprints and hides scratches in high-use spots.
recteq’s commercial grade stainless steel cooking grates are a major step up from what you’ll see on other grills around this price. Most just throw in basic wire grates, which can bend or wear down over time. On the 1100, the solid grates clean up with less effort and don’t warp, even after years of backyard BBQs.
Cooking Area and Capacity
With 1,100 square inches of cooking space, the Flagship 1100 truly brings big-crowd capability. To put that in practical terms: you can easily smoke three briskets at once, roast a turkey along with several racks of ribs, or line up more than a dozen burgers and still have room for vegetables and sausages. I’ve personally smoked two pork butts plus a pile of chicken quarters at the same time, and there was space left for more.
The main grate gives you 702 square inches, and the removable upper grate takes care of the rest. This works out well for split-zone cooking or simply handling a lot of food at family cookouts. It also means you can move things around easily, like bumping ribs to the top rack for a saucy finish without crowding your brisket on the bottom. Having sturdy solid grates makes moving things much smoother, especially when you’re flipping heavier pieces or large cuts with tongs.
Pellet Hopper and Fuel Usage
Worrying about running out of pellets mid-cook is a stress nobody needs. The 40-pound hopper on the Flagship 1100 is generous enough that you can cook for over 40 hours at low and slow temps—or more than 15 hours at grilling heat—without refilling. For most home pitmasters, that’s more than enough for even the biggest parties or multi-meal preps.
Pellet consumption on the 1100 is pretty efficient. Even in chilly weather, I’ve noticed I’m not burning through pellets any faster than with more expensive models. The insulation and durable body help keep heat where it belongs, cutting down on wasted fuel. There’s even a pellet cleanout chute that’s easy to use. If you want to switch flavors or just keep things fresh, it’s straightforward to dump the old and add new pellets to match whatever you’re cooking next.
WiFi Technology and App Experience
The built-in WiFi is a real convenience boost. By connecting the grill to the recteq app, you can monitor and control grill temps from your phone, see real-time alerts if anything goes off track, and use the included two meat probes to keep an eye on food temps in the app. My own overnight brisket cook went smoothly thanks to these app notifications—I was able to tweak temps and stay on top of the process without standing outside in the cold night.
There’s no subscription or added fee for app access. Initial setup is straightforward, specifically for anyone already familiar with smart home devices. recteq regularly pushes out firmware updates, which means you get new features and bug fixes as they roll out. I’ve only run into a single minor WiFi hiccup, and restarting the app fixed it. If you’re the kind of BBQ enthusiast who likes to mingle with guests, toss a ball with the kids, or run errands during big cooks, this WiFi feature offers peace of mind and extra flexibility.
Temperature Control and Performance
Getting BBQ right is all about steady heat. The Flagship 1100 uses a PID controller, which keeps tabs on grill temperature multiple times per second and then adjusts pellet feed and fan speeds to match. In my hands-on tests, I’ve run overnight smokes and stayed within 5°F of my setpoint the whole time—even with random wind gusts or cooler weather. That’s a level of control you’ll genuinely appreciate, especially if you’ve wrestled with older pellet smokers or basic offset drums before.
When you want high heat for things like searing or brick oven pizzas, the Flagship 1100 can push the main grate up past 600°F without issue. If classic direct-flame grill marks matter to you, though, you’ll want to consider an added sear kit or cast iron griddle. The default setup favors indirect convection heat, which works beautifully for roasts, ribs, and whole chickens. Most BBQ purists choose pellet grills for those long, even smokes anyway, and on this front, the 1100 shines brightly.
What’s It Like to Use Day to Day?
There’s not much frustration or second-guessing with the Flagship 1100. Loading pellets is quick, and cleaning the grates or draining the grease tray doesn’t become a chore. The integrated shelf is handy for trays, BBQ rubs, or your favorite beverage; the sturdy hopper lid doubles as extra prep space, which is one of those small things you’ll come to depend on during bigger cooks.
Getting the grill up to temperature from a cold start usually takes about 10 to 12 minutes. The bright display is readable even under direct sunlight—something that’s surprisingly rare in backyard grills. Night cooks are easy too: the built-in interior light gives a boost so you can spot what you’re cooking, even after dark.
Shutdown mode cools down and clears the burn pot automatically. There’s no fussing with hot ashes or shoveling out old pellets. The parts that need regular cleaning—the fire pot, deflector, and drip tray—are all easy to access, which makes basic maintenance a breeze.
Customer Support and Community
recteq’s customer support is quick, friendly, and actually knows their stuff. A lot of minor issues, like questions about firmware, shipping updates, or hardware quirks, are sorted out the same day or within 24 hours. With a six-year warranty (one of the longest in its class) and a reputation for sending out replacement parts promptly, you’re never left hanging. From what I’ve seen and heard, support is one of the main reasons why grill owners stick with recteq and recommend it to others.
The active online community is also worth mentioning. Plenty of Facebook groups exist for recipe exchanges, troubleshooting, and both newbie and pitmaster tips. If you run into an oddball problem or want to get feedback on your latest cook, support is only a post away. People genuinely enjoy helping each other, and sharing great BBQ photos has become part of the fun.
Is the Flagship 1100 Right For You?
If you enjoy cooking for a crowd, hosting neighbors or family, or simply want one grill that can smoke, bake, and grill for a lot of people, the 1100 fits the bill. You do not need loads of pellet smoker experience. Simply plug it in, fill up with pellets, hit your target temp, and go—it truly is that easy.
The 1100 might be too much if you’re only grilling the occasional burger or hot dog or if you have seriously limited outdoor space. However, if BBQ flavor and versatility matter to you, and you plan to jump into briskets, ribs, roasts, plus the flexibility to make great steaks or even backyard pizzas, then this grill is one you should consider. Compared to old-school charcoal setups or cheaper entry level pellet grills, the build quality and smart features are a clear step up.
recteq Flagship 1100: Pros and Cons
- Pros:
- Sturdy stainless steel build
- Massive hopper and large cooking area
- Consistent temperature control (PID-driven)
- WiFi and app support, no ongoing fees
- Easy cleanup, simple maintenance
- Supportive user community and strong warranty
- Cons:
- Takes up space (not ideal for tiny patios)
- No direct flame searing right away (accessory needed)
- More expensive than basic pellet grills
Wrapping Up: Thoughts and Where to Buy
If you want a pellet grill ready for big cooks, outdoor parties, and years of reliable use, the recteq Flagship 1100 warrants consideration. It’s not the least expensive option, but the quality, performance, and support set it above most competitors. You can buy it directly from recteq or through well-known online retailers; watch for occasional promos or package deals to save a little spot of money.
For accessory lovers, recteq offers extras like griddles, sear kits, and additional shelves, so you can trick out your grill as you learn or your needs grow. If you aim to give your backyard BBQ setup a boost without introducing a steep learning curve or high maintenance, the recteq Flagship 1100 is likely to become the centerpiece of your next get-together—and your go-to cooker for many years.