RT340 vs Chimp

[@carsoncunningham7993]

I have a chimp, but it is 2-3 years old. Seems like grilla has suffered QC issues in the last 2 years with pandemic. If you follow their FB groups, a lot of folks are having issues.

[@mike197019]

My Grilla Grills Chimp is a fantastic cooker. Love the Grilla company, awesome customer service!

[@ninjarider443]

Did a lot of research on the grilla chimp as I really want to buy it, but sadly I come across many reviews like this one where the reliability is just not there. Their newer wifi boards (can't buy old ones anymore) have even more complaints. Sad, cause 15% sale right now, but I don't want to own my first pellet smoker and have to sit and repair it all the time. Thank you for the honest and up-front review. I do like grilla's customer service as they are fast to respond to my questions, but, i just don't want to buy something that isn't reliable so going to pass on them.

[@sprayhawk808]

If I were to be buying another 'small' grill, I would be looking really hard at the new grill from Rectec - Road Warrior 340P. I just took the Chimp on a trip to Yellowstone and it worked fine for the two roasting chickens we did, but it just isnt as bullet proof as our 340 is IMO.

[@xD12xSiCkNaStY]

I have had my chimp for 4 years, has never let me down. I have grilled burgers at 450 when its zero outside here in the midwest and it just keeps going. I have used my chimp over 200 times easy. There super solid.

[@JeeSee689]

Did Grilla warranty cover the cost of replacement parts? Shame the reliability has its issues but a few years later, would you still recommend the Chimp for a first smoker?

[@sprayhawk808]

@@JeeSee689 Grilla sent me a complete new set of internals that I installed, under warranty. That said, I use the Rectec primarily, even though they are set up next to each other. When I get a new pellet smoker, it will be a Rectec.

[@kerryhawk8075]

What are the dimensions when legs are folded up on each of them? And what are the dimensions of the main grill grate on each of them?

[@joecampbell4579]

Thanks for your review of these two pellet grills Im still up in the air between them both. I was wondering if you can tell me the barrel diameter for both of them and the actual cooking dimensions for each? Take care and grill on!

[@sprayhawk808]

Can do on the dimensions when i am home. Practically speaking- they are the same. The Chimp has the shelf, which does give it more surface area when smoking. From an FYI standpoint, had another system fail with the Chimp last week. Manufacturer is being solid about it and is sending me a new unit to replace it. Havent had any hiccups with the RT so far.

[@MidniteSon]

Which unit produces more smoke and actually better tasting food? I'm gotten the chance to use the Chimp for 2 cooks, and I thought it was rather inconsistent. It shut down more than once, and even in PID mode, the temperature fluctuated more than I like.

[@sprayhawk808]

I don't think either of them produces a smokey flavor like my wood burning offset smoker. I've got a smoke tube that I've used once, but can't say that it made much of a difference. I would say that the RT-340 holds temp more consistently than the Chimp, but I think the final product is likely a coin toss between the two. I prefer the smoke box/control system of the RT, but the base of the Chimp is much more functional/stable - especially for transporting when we camp. The grate in the RT's hopper is probably getting cut out this summer - it is holding up some of the pellets and the auger has run dry a couple of times even though there were plenty of pellets still in the hopper.

[@MidniteSon]

@@sprayhawk808 Arent you returning the Chimp? I didn't like how the Chimp essentially shut off two times during a cooking session. It was difficult to get it hot again, and they both happened without me noticing. What about food results out of both?

[@sprayhawk808]

@@MidniteSon Like I said - it is a coin toss on the final product. I like what I have gotten from both units. I've been alternating which unit I use or using them at the same time with no noticeable differences. Because the Chimp hasn't failed me since they gave me the replacement components, I don't have grounds for a return and I'm essentially satisfied with the unit.

[@MidniteSon]

@@sprayhawk808 I just read the RT-340 manual, and it has a setting called 'Xtreme Smoke'. What is your experience with it, and can this mode be set above the 200°F mark, or is it just 200° and lower? Thanks

[@sprayhawk808]

@@MidniteSon Never have used it. When I'm smoking, I normally am at 225.

[@billdobberpuhl9507]

My sister has the chimp and I have the Rectec. No comparison, I’ll take the Rectec all day long. Fit and finish on the Chimp was disappointing.

[@ninjarider443]

Rectec it is for me

[@billdobberpuhl9507]

Great choice! You won’t be disappointed. I’ve had mine for over 4 years. No problems at all. Although you may want to wait a month. They are coming out with a brand new line up.

[@Smoker-te6sp]

Do you know when they are coming out with the new line up?@@billdobberpuhl9507

[@double_j3867]

I've been debating between the rec tec (cheaper and easy) and the KBQ C-60 which will give offset smoker quality every single time but you have to throw a log every 30 minutes (big cost diff too). Thoughts?

[@sprayhawk808]

Im not familiar with the KBQ C-60, but it looks like it is in a different class of smoker than the RT. I loved my big offset smoker, but the ability to do small smokes, grill and sear in the same unit is nice. Smokes are also very hands off. Fill the hopper, set the temp and load the meat. Only if you have a really long smoke do you need to check the hopper. Once you learn the smoke routine, the RT will produce very consistent results.

[@double_j3867]

@@sprayhawk808 Yeah probably not entirely an apples to apples comparison. I just debate if I'll get enough smoke flavor from the pellet grills to even make it worth my while.

[@sprayhawk808]

@@double_j3867 i agree about the smoke flavor- i dont get as much flavor as I did with my offset, but my overall quality of smoked meat is definitely better.

[@mmr0221]

So RT vs Kevin Hart model

[@daveshidler6003]

Grilla Chimp all day long!

[@ninjarider443]

Not sure, so many folks have silimiar complaints especially with their new wifi controller boards breaking. Reliability just doesn't seem to be there. Made in China so maybe they changed factories or something, or their quality control section reduced in work-force. just doesn't seem to be as good as they use to be with how many complaints i see surfacing.