Recteq X-Fire Pro 825 review: a smart grill that pulls double duty

At a glance:

• Dual‑mode pellet grill that switches between Smoke (225‑400 °F) and Grill (up to 1,200 °F) using separate controls
• Wi‑Fi connectivity via the Recteq app, two wired food probes and a 30‑day temperature log
• Stainless‑steel construction, two 10‑lb pellet hoppers and a $1,550 price tag place it in the premium outdoor‑cooking segment

Design and build quality

Recteq has built the X‑Fire Pro 825 almost entirely from stainless steel, from the outer shell down to the interior components. Unlike the company’s Deck Boss or Patio Legend models, the lid is not powder‑coated, which means owners need to dry it promptly after cleaning to avoid rust. The grill sits on a robust cart with premium casters, and the cooking surface is made up of four reversible cast‑iron grates that can be swapped for wider‑bar searing surfaces. A shallow top grate provides a convenient spot for resting foods or warming buns while the main fire pots do the heavy lifting.

The dual‑fire‑pot design also introduces two small pellet hoppers, each holding about 10 lb of wood pellets. While this limits overnight smoking runs, it gives the grill a balanced weight distribution and makes ash removal easier, as each side has its own ash tray with a lever for quick emptying. Overall, the construction feels engineered for durability, and the all‑stainless‑steel aesthetic gives the unit a premium look that matches its $1,550 price point.

Dual‑mode cooking operation

The X‑Fire Pro 825 distinguishes itself with two completely separate control sets. Turning the far‑left knob powers the unit, after which you select either Smoke mode or Grill mode. In Smoke mode the digital controller lights up and lets you set a temperature between 225 °F and 400 °F, with a preferred low of around 180 °F for cold‑smoking or a makeshift “keep warm” function. Grill mode bypasses the digital controller entirely; you use the front‑mounted knobs just like on a gas grill, selecting low (225‑400 °F), medium (350‑650 °F), high (500‑850 °F) or max (800‑1,200 °F).

Each mode uses a different fire pot: the left pot is dedicated to Smoke mode, while both pots can fire in Grill mode. The right pot often runs hotter, and an Adaptive Sear Control knob lets you open a direct‑flame channel for a true sear. This setup mimics the hot‑cold zones of a gas grill, allowing you to keep one side at a lower temperature while the other blasts at high heat—perfect for finishing steaks after a low‑and‑slow smoke.

Smart features and app

Wi‑Fi connectivity is handled through the Recteq mobile app, which mirrors the digital controller’s temperature read‑outs and lets you monitor both grill and probe temperatures remotely. The app stores a 30‑day cooking history, offers over 60 guided recipes, and contains a searchable library of more than 450 dishes. You can also save custom notes for each session, making repeat cooking more precise. While the grill supports two wired food probes simultaneously, wireless probes are sold separately and connect directly to the app rather than the grill itself.

In Smoke mode the app provides real‑time graphs and alerts, keeping the temperature within five degrees of the set point under normal weather conditions. The only downside is that when you flip to Grill mode, the digital controller shuts off, so you lose Wi‑Fi monitoring and probe read‑outs, forcing you to rely on the manual knobs for temperature control.

Performance in smoke and grill modes

During low‑and‑slow tests, the X‑Fire Pro held a steady 275 °F for an eight‑hour pork‑shoulder smoke, with only minor dips when the lid was opened. The temperature stability matched Recteq’s claim of ±5 °F, even though a windy, cold day produced slightly larger fluctuations. In Grill mode, the unit delivered true high‑heat searing; steaks and burgers benefited from the wood‑pellet flavor while achieving a crisp crust thanks to the Adaptive Sear Control.

The dual‑hoppers, however, limit marathon smoking sessions. A full 10‑lb hopper on the right side lasted the entire grill‑mode cook, but the smaller left hopper would need refilling for an overnight brisket. Users who plan extended low‑temperature smokes should keep an extra bag of pellets handy.

Limitations and missing features

While the X‑Fire Pro excels in many areas, it lacks a few conveniences found on competing pellet grills. There is no folding front shelf, which makes using large pans or wrapping foods a bit awkward. Interior lighting is also absent, so loading the grill before dawn or after dusk requires a flashlight. Additionally, the grill does not support wireless food probes, and the separate control scheme means you cannot use probe data while in Grill mode.

These omissions are balanced by the grill’s solid build and the fact that it truly offers two distinct cooking experiences in one chassis. For users who value the tactile feel of gas‑grill knobs and the flavor of wood pellets, the trade‑offs are reasonable, especially at a price that undercuts many high‑end dual‑fuel units.

Comparison and pricing

Few competitors provide a dedicated dual‑mode system. Pit Boss models feature a “Flame Broiler” lever for direct fire access, but they still rely on a single control set. Weber’s Searwood offers an open‑lid mode, yet it does not separate smoke and grill operations as cleanly as Recteq does. The X‑Fire Pro’s $1,550 price places it firmly in the premium segment, but when you consider you are essentially buying two grills—one pellet smoker and one high‑heat searer—the cost appears justified.

Overall, the X‑Fire Pro 825 lives up to its marketing promise: a smart, stainless‑steel grill that delivers both authentic pellet‑smoked flavor and the high‑heat searing power of a gas grill, all while staying connected via a polished mobile app.