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[GatorDave]

Sams club is selling the Lifesmart 1160 for $449.  I have never heard of this grill, but it seems like a decent price for what you get.  Then again, if it's a piece of garbage the price may be high..lol.

[Bar-B-Lew]

I thought this was about a security system

[MikeMcQ]

I thought this was about a security system

Yes a pellet powered security system 

[tewharaunz]

Smokie and the Bandit

[BigDave83]

I think they are the company or buy from the China folks that make some or maybe all of Rec Tec stuff.  When  RT brought out the Bullseye Lifesmart was selling one also, this cooker is looks like the 590 from RT just different materials.

[Ross77]

Looks similar to the RecTec knock off that Home Depot was selling.

[okie smokie]

 Mixed reviews.  Saw it under two different brand names.  C/o slow heat up and hard to get over 400* List price *800 but almost all reviews said it can be found for $500 or less. I guess for low slow, it would be fine with a PID controller. Not much explanation of specs etc. Comments that the structure is very thin steel. 
I would need to see a real professional review. 

[BigDave83]

Looks similar to the RecTec knock off that Home Depot was selling.

I am thinking other way around, RT needed something in the mid size as people had been asking, this was already being made so they had the company making it change some materials and put their controller in it. Why would their new mid size cooker be a different shape than what their current offerings were if it wasn't that they found one already made and adapted it to their needs material and color wise.

[Ross77]

Looks similar to the RecTec knock off that Home Depot was selling.

I am thinking other way around, RT needed something in the mid size as people had been asking, this was already being made so they had the company making it change some materials and put their controller in it. Why would their new mid size cooker be a different shape than what their current offerings were if it wasn't that they found one already made and adapted it to their needs material and color wise.

Maybe but the knock offs appeared after the RT model was available. 

[okie smokie]

Looks similar to the RecTec knock off that Home Depot was selling.

I am thinking other way around, RT needed something in the mid size as people had been asking, this was already being made so they had the company making it change some materials and put their controller in it. Why would their new mid size cooker be a different shape than what their current offerings were if it wasn't that they found one already made and adapted it to their needs material and color wise.

Could be.  However, besides the SS upgrade, the controller is also the key to RT's success with their version.  Reliable and easy to program if needed. I am very happy with mine.  I think RT should make a second shelf available as well as an option. (not for me, but as an attraction for those who need the extra space at times).
I'll bet the auger assembly and blowers, and firepot are different. Certainly the control is different.  Looks to be a Roanoke or nock off of such. My RT easily gets to 500+ (actually had it up to 540*). On one of the videos of the LifeSmart in which they were hot grilling steaks and burgers, I did not see any evidence of charring or grill marks on them.  And there was a customer review saying that it was hard to get to 400*. GrillGrates might help achieve better grilling. 

[ArborAgent]

The last time this was posted (or maybe I was on a different forum), you could actually see a rec tec controller in the lifesmart youtube video. I'm sure it comes from the same factory with a knockoff PID controller. I suppose you could save some money by buying one of these and then buying the rec tec controller but I think the upgrade to stainless steel is worth the extra price of the rec tec unit.

[okie smokie]

The last time this was posted (or maybe I was on a different forum), you could actually see a rec tec controller in the lifesmart youtube video. I'm sure it comes from the same factory with a knockoff PID controller. I suppose you could save some money by buying one of these and then buying the rec tec controller but I think the upgrade to stainless steel is worth the extra price of the rec tec unit.

Might be worth going over to Sam's and looking at the unit (unless it is mail-order only). 

[ylr]

Weight on the unit is only 120 lbs., so one may need every bit of that 30lb hopper on longer cooks.....

[okie smokie]

Weight on the unit is only 120 lbs., so one may need every bit of that 30lb hopper on longer cooks.....

Why the concern over the weight? 

[ylr]

Weight on the unit is only 120 lbs., so one may need every bit of that 30lb hopper on longer cooks.....

Why the concern over the weight?

Because the lightweight steel used in construction won't allow it hold heat very well, especially when it gets colder.