Greetings. I do not own a pellet smoker yet, been using a cabinet style/gravity fed type that is a little too big for just the two of us now. I'm looking at the Yoder models and just wanted to hear from any current owners what they think about their cookers.
I went to the dealer years ago to purchase a 480. Then I looked at the 640 sitting next to it. I bought the 640. I have never regretted the extra space.
I have a YS640 (pre S model) and really enjoy it. The only problems I have have with it is I once had a minor grease fire flareup which was my own fault because I was doing 70# of butts and wanted to hurry things along. I raised the temp and then hit the prime button 3 times, which dumped way to many pellets in the fire box and the flame caught the grease on fire.
The other time the igniter failed to work and I had to start the pellets with a torch. I have owned the Yoder since 2018 and have had zero other problems and am pleased with the cooks.
LSG did not have their pellet out yet when I got my Yoder. I have heard nothing but great reviews on them.
If you going to spend that kind of money, look at the Lone Star Grillz (LSG) pellet grills. In the same ballpark.
They have a 20x36 and a 20x42.
If you are looking for a smaller size, the the 20x36 would be the way to go.
Yoder Ys640s was on top of my list when I was searching (wanted USA made) then discovered the LSG.
I have the LSG 20x42 on order.
Look at some YouTube videos for the LSG. They might convince you.
Don't know what Yoder's lead time is, but LSG is 14 weeks. I'm down to 5.
Don't think you would be sorry with either.
LSG on order and you are only a few miles away from me….definitely would like to see that in person when you get it! I’ll even bring you some sun made decaf iced tea to celebrate!
I've got a YS480 (pre-S). It's a great, VERY heavily built cooker.
I have learned to work with temp variances. It stays pretty even throughout the cook, but I have about 60-80ºF difference from upper left rear to lower right front. I just move things around a few times, which is a good idea anyways. It's a solid beast. I've done... I think as many as 6 pork butts at once in this? Something like that.
No complaints about the build quality at all. Just the variance in temp by zone.
I do have to remove the deflector plate and clean out the pellet firebox every 2-3 shorter cooks, or after a very long one, as when I shut it down, the ashes don't blow out and need to be vacuumed out, or when I start it the next time, the pellets won't contact the igniter and end up just running and overflowing into the bottom. I'm not diligent about this and I can tell within 2-3 minutes of starting it up - if I smell the pellets beginning to ignite, I'm good, if they don't, I have to pull out the grates, pull out the deflector and empty the pellet firebox, then start it back up. It's not a major hassle, and if I cleaned it out after every cook (as is recommended), I'd have no trouble.
I forgot to mention that to clean the LSG burn pot it is under the body and loosen two clamps, slide it out and dump the ashes.
Don't have to clean the inside very often (unless you're anal about it, like me).
Also, the igniter is not in the burn pot. Pellets are lit by hot air going over the igniter.
It is supposed to have a very long life span.
you actually do want to clean the ash from the inside of any pellet cooker regularly, it can cause an explosion (not sure how much ash has to be present for that honestly). If I didn't already have to go inside my grill to dump the firepot I'd probably clean every 30-40lbs of pellets or so, especially with some of the more popular pellet brands being higher ash producing than what I generally use.
I have a YS 640S. It is fine when I am cooking for just the two of us and the extra space is used when cooking for the occasional group gathering. I have no real complaints about it. I would recommend you check out the LSG. You’re going to be reading all kinds of love poems to LSG here, you might as well know whether or not you want one.
Thanks for the replies. For those using the LSG or the Yoder pellet models are you happy with smoke taste? I've been using a Stumps XL baby but its just the two of us now. And I've had covid 4 times and have a problem tasting the smoke flavor. So I was just looking for a simpler cook with pellets.
Thanks in advance
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