Yoder Comp cart needs?

[Kori]

Hey all,

I've been a follower of Amazingribs.com for a long time. It just recently dawned on me to actually join. I am looking at getting either the YS480 or 640 comp cart and had a few questions from you guys. Which one? Do I actually need the stainless steel shelves or will the wire shelves work fine? If I don't need to pay an extra 200 bucks, then I won't. What else is a must have? I am going to get the cover and the heat deflector with the access port. I am relatively new to smoking and can use all the wisdom that you can provide!

[CaptainMike]

Oh man, what a beautiful piece of equipment! One suggestion is a digital thermometer such as the Fireboard or Thermoworks Smoke. I have the Smoke and really like it, but will soon upgrade to the FB. Oh and BTW, howdy from The Great State of Jefferson (NorCal)!

[Kori]

Thanks CaptainMike ! I will look into the thermometers that you recommended.

[Jon Liebers]

considering the Yoder is a set it and forget it pellet smoker I just don't see the need for a fireboard. I would go with the new maverick which has four probes.

[Spinaker]

Welcome to the Pit! Thanks for joining up! Personally I would go with the 640. You can always use the extra space. You will thank your self later. The stainless shelves are nice because they will clean up nice and they will stand up to years of use. The Wire shelves are a pain to clean and they will wear out over time. (Although it maybe a long time.)

You are going to be very happy with that rig. Make sure to share it with us when it arrives!

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[RonB]

I have never heard anyone say that their cooker is too big, but lots of times people post here that they need something bigger.

[CaptainMike]

That's the advice I give. Get as big as you can afford, then borrow the money to one size larger!

[Kori]

RonB and CaptainMike Thank you, lol. I will go with YS640.

[customtrim]

Nice purchase, you just made a whole lot of people jealous

[Kori]

customtrim haven't purchased yet. I'm waiting on your guys' advice and expertise.

[bten]

Sounds like I will be jealous.

[JGo37]

No - I jealous already..

[SmokeyGator]

Do you need stainless steel? That depends. I greatly prefer stainless steel because in Florida EVERYTHING rusts. And I don’t live near the bay (I’m on the edge of the urban development line, my backyard is ALMOST the Everglades).

If you live in dryer lands, then no. You don’t "need" stainless steel. But if you are like me, having stainless steel means less trouble in the long run. Anything I have that is regular steel or cast iron has to be inspected and maintained. My Primo top vent is only a few months old and I have had to hit it with a wire brush and re-season it already.

But no big deal. Just make sure the painted cart parts are completely painted, and touch up any scratches immediately. Cooking grates can be seasoned and are replaceable. But they should last years.

But for $200.....that’s a toss up. If it’s only stainless steel grill grates, I would say no. Don’t bother unless you want to. But if that $200 gets stainless steel cart panels.....that’s a different case.

[Kori]

I think you are right. While the stainless steel full shelves would be cool to have, I don't think that I want to shell out another 200 for the them right now.

[Donw]

So far so good with the two piece deflector. That in itself will make your life much better. I just have the wire shelves and they work for me. I just wrap them with aluminum foil when I need to. Plan to get a bucket-top vacuum for cleaning out the firebox which again wil make that chore much easier. I ordered a 480 but exchanged it for a 640 on the dealership floor. You won’t regret the extra space when needed.

[Donw]

Kori: Your shopvac would work for cleaning out the firebox. The flexibility of a vac that fits on a bucket, like a Homer bucket from HD, gives you the option of vacuuming out un-used pellets back into a bucket for storage. Makes it easy to change pellets that way.

[Donw]

Kori: I store each pellet type in buckets to save from moisture. If I used Hickory for pork, I just vacuum them back into the bucket when I want to use Apple for poultry. Makes changing quick.

[Kori]

Donw That makes perfect sense. I'll pick up some more buckets too.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I don't want to hijack the thread, but this is similar enough to my own questions. I think I've talked the other half into a 640 but want to make sure the comp cart is what I actually need. I too was looking at the SS shelves, but I think for where I'm at they're a must due to rust. A concern I had is if the cart impedes external maintenance or if the paint holds up pretty good on the base of the cooker?

If I got the stock setup, the unit would live on the deck year round. If I get the comp cart I'll probably have to build a small pad at the base of my deck and the unit would live in the garage and get pulled around to the paver or concrete area for cooks. Unless the comp cart is capable of traveling a decent incline? In which case the unit would live on the deck in the summer and the garage in the winter.

Money wise it's just a shame that Yoder hasn't made the 2 piece deflector an upgrade or standard option instead of a full priced add on. At the price point it lives in, if they want the money from the people like me who are stretching to go above the Chinese competition every penny counts over the base price.

[Kori]

I'll let you know how it does on a small incline. I am going to have to go around my neighbors houses to get it to my back yard. I thought about getting the solid stainless steel shelves. I watched a bunch of people on youtube and a few of them used foil on the wired shelves. they are stainless too, I think. Like Mr. Bones said, what I have now will last and let me know if I should upgrade.

[fracmeister]

I dont have the comp cart but I love the 640 and recommend it. I have the SS external shelves (Texas---humidity--rust). ine lives on the patio. Would love the cart for the RARE times I'd move it.

[Ratton454]

Plan to get a bucket-top vacuum for cleaning out the firebox which again wil make that chore much easier..

I have never heard of a "bucket-top vacuum", where do you get one? Make? Model? THANKS!!

[bten]

It is at home depot. Amazon may have something similar

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bucket-Head-5-gal-1-75-Peak-HP-Wet-Dry-Vac-BH0100/202017218

[Ratton454]

Thanks!! I appreciate your help!!

[Jon Liebers]

hi Kori, I am also in NJ (Bridgewater) and have considered a Yoder as well. Where will you be ordering from? There aren't many if any dealers I know of in NJ and that thing weighs quite a lot so shipping is a consideration. I would also add the thermal blanket given our winters.

[Kori]

Sorry, I just saw your post. There is a dealer in the Garfield area, but they charge the same amount for shipping and you have to pick it up from the store. I ordered mine from atbbq.com.

[Jon Liebers]

congrats, any problems with delivery? curious to know, if I do the same.

[Donw]

I thought I would pop in on the question about where to buy a Yoder near NJ. The Yoder dealer in Dover Delaware doesn’t charge for freight nor does Delaware have a sales tax. I drove up from Maryland to pick up mine because it saved me a lot.
I believe he takes X amount of orders and then orders a truck load. Just though I would pass it on since he might just be a few tolls away from where you live. http://www.thegrillstore.us/about.html
I basically did everything by email. He is a college professor or the like and does this in his spare time.

Just looked through my emails and his number is 302-270-1041

[Kori]

Thank you! I would have had to rent a truck to drive down, however.

[Sweaty Paul]

I have the comp cart on YS-640 and love it. I’m with others above and have often wished for more space and rarely said I want less space so I’d opt fo 640 again without remorse.

I think the the stainless steel shelves worth extra money just for cleanup. The comp cart really makes moving the smoker much easier and I love it.

It’s a great grill and works as advertised even with the searing. Definitely need the two-piece diffuser. Will also need thermometers as recommended. Good luck! Welcome to the pit.

[Mr. Bones]

Kori, I'd haveta reckon yer wire shelves will get ya through, at th very least, long enough to recover from yer initial investment, an save up a couple Benjies fer th SS upgrade...

Leastwise, that's probly how I'd play it...

Lookin forward to seein what ya git, an th wonderful foods ya do with it!

Best of luck, brother!

Smoke On!