My best friend of 40 years called today. He wanted advice on getting a new pellet smoker. His current one is constantly messing up. His latest calamity was coming home from a quick trip to the ER (he’s a retiring Dr.) to find the pellet hopper on fire. It’s just one thing then another. He’s no stranger to smoking great food or I’d have ask more questions. He has a kamado and a stick burner that he’s very good with. He wants very good quality and a system that just works. I know nothing of pellet smoking so I’m asking y’all what should he get?
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LSG...... -
Which pellet smoker does he have now?Comment
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If he wants budget, go with Grilla. If he wants heavy duty, go with LSG or MAK.Comment
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I absolutely love my Yoder YS-640. I upgraded the hardware/software to make it a YS-640S. It's 14 years old and just works.
That said, if not a Yoder I would look long and hard at the LSG. However, everyone that I have referred to Yoder who has bought one has loved it. I recommend it it enthusiastically and without reservation.
Good luck to your friend on his search!
Keep us posted!Comment
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If his hopper was on fire, then he probably had a burnback up the auger. That's not good.
I think the LSG or Yoder are pretty top of the line, with MAK being up there, too. But I think MAK is on a production pause right now, I think? Something about obtaining the stainless they needed...
I have a Yoder YS-480 and it's very well built. I'd take a really strong look at the the Yoder and LSG models.Comment
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LSG or Yoder...no questionComment
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I dont wear skinny jeans, have a man bun, or shoot a crossbow, so I cant offer any advice.Comment
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I have never cooked on a pellet smoker not tasted food from one until I won the Searwood XL 600. I love everything about it except that it gives inadequate smoke for my tastes. Of course, that is the knock on pellet smokers. The start up is easy, it cooks evenly and the shut down is a breeze. It may be the most predictable cooker I have.Last edited by LA Pork Butt; May 12, 2026, 06:30 AM.Comment
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I am a MAK fan. In my experience, they give you more smoke flavor than most other pellet grills. They are made in Oregon, and the build quality is very sturdy. Their customer service has been very good to me.Comment
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I cannot comment on the higher end LSG, MAK or Yoder. I can weigh in on the others. Big fan of Grilla, but also very impressed with what I see and read on the Weber Searwood.Comment
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If the cost isn't a driving factor, LSG.Comment
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If I were to buy one today, I’d get a Lone Star or Yoder.Comment
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I will add, with a Yoder, there is essentially no physical way to get a burnback the way it occurred on your friend's previous one. The pellet auger is elevated about... I dunno, 6 or 8 inches above the burn pot, so you just can't get it to happen. I can't say about the LSG, as I've never looked inside one of theirs, but my Yoder, it just can't happen.
My buddy has a Recteq, and I think he would tell you not to look there. He's been overall fairly ok with his, but the auger just burned out, seemingly, and he's irritated at it. It's maybe 4 years old, max. Maybe 3. My Yoder is... I think 11, and still going strong with no significant issues except I think I replaced the thermocouple once a few years ago. I will say the wheels were not great, but they're still working, just kinda small and dinky.Comment
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Also, the Yoder's auger is very short. With the two piece diffuser cleaning the burn pot out is a cinch too. -
I would say that is one of 2 things about the Grill OG that could be improved on. It is fine at lower temps, but I had smoke coming out of the hopper during the first burn-in at high temps. If the burn pot was just a little further away from the auger, it wouldn't be a problem. I read where one person somehow moved the burn pot away from the auger to stop that from happening. -
Was talking to a friend today about getting a pellet smoker. He had a Rec Tec and had a burn back due to a blocked auger. He also mentioned his buddy experienced the same issue but not sure what caused the fire.
Personally I am considering Camp Chef Pro with sidekick, Yoder, LSG, Weber Searwood. Have been using a gas grill from Costco for about 25 years with GrillGrates and just change out the gas tubes every so often and a good cleaning. Surprisingly the Kirkland has lasted that long.
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