Yoder YS640S - Outdoor Patio - Upgrade from Traeger

[Chief1232]

Hi All!

My wife and I are in the process of having a new 16'x40' covered outdoor patio in our back yard. This consisted of removing the old raised deck that we had, and we are having a stamped concrete patio poured below the new structure off the back of the house. We are currently waiting on permits, but hopefully construction will start in a few weeks. I will post pictures once we start seeing some progress...

Part of this process has pushed me to upgrade cookers and get something that will look better on our brand new patio than my old rusty smokers... (Wife's words, not mine).

The smokers that I have/had are:
1 - Traeger 34 - Given to my Father in Law for his weekend place
1 - Traeger 22 - Work Horse, showing its age.
1 - Older Weber 3 burner gas Grill
1 - 36" Blackstone griddle

After my research I think I have decided on the Yoder YS640S on the standard cart, and I will likely upgrade to a new Weber gas grill for the busy nights as well.

My questions are: What are the must have accessories for the Yoder? How has the reliability been on these? Overall has anyone who purchased these been happy with the purchase?

I have loved my Traegers but for the price of a new one, I would rather buy something that was built in the USA.

There is a dealer a couple hours drive away that has the Yoder's in stock and I am thinking about going down there and pulling the trigger as an early birthday present to myself before our patio is done. They want an additional $1000 for the competition cart, so I don't think I can justify that, especially since it won't be moving very often.

Thank you all!

[Donw]

I have had my older style 640 for a little over 6 years now. No issues and I understand things I had to upgrade, like the bottom plate to one with an access door, is now standard. I also have both a full and half upper shelf, so I’m not sure which was the add on.

[captainlee]

I've had my Yoder since 2017 and really like it's performance. I have replaced a few thermocouplers and fans, they are very easy to service. I use mine constantly throughout the year and in the coldest temps of the winter. I don't use a blanket in the winter, seems to work fine without it. The only accessory that I have purchased is the Yoder pizza oven insert which I really enjoy. Very uniform temperatures once you get your damper adjusted. I did convert my controller to the new upgraded one which includes Fireboard. The new units are standard with this. You will enjoy using it!!!!

[Chief1232]

Thats great to hear on the Pizza Oven. My wife really wants me to get one so we can do pizzas on there! I was going to wait to order one until I get the actual smoker!

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I'd get it on the comp cart, not because it's necessary, but that cooker just looks so cool with their cart.

[Chief1232]

They do look great. But the local vendor wants $2399 for the standard or $3399 on the cart. Doesn't seem worth the extra cost at the moment.

[captainlee]

I does look cool, but get the pizza instead.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Chief1232 ouch prices have gone up quite a bit.

[DogFaced PonySoldier]

Stainless steel front and side shelves for the Yoder. Nothing else, although I agree the competition cart looks pimp as hell. But overall, it's a fabulous cooker, built heavy and really nice. Heavier wheels, I'd say, mine have mostly fallen apart, this is a big part of the comp cart, but they're also pretty easily replaceable, I just haven't gotten around to it. I have the YS480 (non-S version). For pellet cookers, I think it's in the top several on the market.

[BBQPhil]

I've had the 480 (no FIreboard) for about 8 years and it's been terrific. Have done a few hundred cooks, many overnight with no issues. The one problem I did have was on one occasion it would not start, possibly due to bad pellets. But I was able to start the fire with a lighter and then all worked.

The one "accessory" you will need is a can of their black paint. The surface of the smoker does deteriorate showing some paint flaking and some rusting on the surface. It's pretty easy to sand it in spots and apply some spray paint. The other accessory I have is a cover from Yoder. It's an older model than what they sell now, but it's still in excellent condition. Of course I have San DIego weather.

I also purchased a Fireboard system and am envious of not having the newer model with it built in. But it's fantastic and a big benefit to the Yoder. As much because of its software as it's hardware. I would buy a Yoder again. Very pleased with the choice.

[Chief1232]

That's good to know. I wonder if their finish has improved at all? I will look into buying a can of the matching paint when I pick up the smoker.

It's going to live under a covered patio, but I still want to keep it nice, so I will most likely keep a cover on it.

[BBQPhil]

Chief1232 Mine is sheltered from the rain, but the issue stems mostly from the heat and grease. In particular the front under the door gets pretty cruddy, which is why they sell the stainless steel shield. Grease somehow exits the bottom edge of the door even though the seal os pretty good. It’s all cosmetics and nothing related to functionality.

[Chief1232]

Great to hear everyone who has one seems to love them. I was thinking the Pizza oven and the Cover for sure.

Is the front drip tray really necessary? Does the grease drip down the inside of the door and run down the front? Or is this more a non-issue if you keep it clean?

We are doing a brand new stamped concrete patio and my wife will kill me if I get a big grease stain on the new concrete! LOL

I already have a wireless fireboard, so I do feel as if it will be nice to have that built in already.

Thank you for the input!

[Donw]

I have never had grease drip down the door and run down the front. However that doesn’t stop drips or spills we cause moving food in and out of any cooker, or when cleaning them. I buy mats for all my cookers that protects the ground around them from these mistakes. I have had Waterhog mats from H+A sitting outside for years under my cookers, including my Yoder, and haven’t suffered any stains on the floor. And the mats look as good as new.

[Sid P]

Sounds like you’re already sold on it, but I’ll share anyway. I helped a co-worker pick a smoker two years ago, and he settled on the YS640S, and loves it. He’s used it at least a hundred times and hasn’t had any problems. Also, he didn’t feel the need to add any accessories, and hasn’t regretted it.

[DogFaced PonySoldier]

Only think I will add is you gotta clean out the firepot. At least every OTHER cook if they're shorter cooks, or after every long cook. The ashes in the pot will prevent pellets from igniting next time.

[Chief1232]

Good to know. Is it pretty easy to access the firepot to clean it out? I guess I will see when I see it in person in a few weeks.

[captainlee]

Yes, there is a lid that you lift that is directly above the fire pot. Takes a few seconds to empty it. Do that after every cook. You can vacuum out the balance of the lower area every so often. I do that after about 5 cooks or directly after a long smoke. I think it helps to vacuum out the lower area when inserting the pizza oven. Lots of air movement and you'll kick up ash.

[bbqLuv]

"I have loved my Traegers but for the price of a new one,... ." well said.

[Chief1232]

The first one I had I got for $300 from a friend, the 2nd was $200. I saw one at the local hardware store for almost $4000. I was not impressed with the build quality at all.

[Chief1232]

Well I couldn’t wait any longer. Patio project isn’t done yet, but picked up this beauty. Drove about 3 hours each way to grab it but the construction is top notch.

Got it seasoned up last night. Still need to break it in!

[Donw]

Congratulations. I can almost remember when mine looked so showroom nice.😊 You made a great choice.

[STEbbq]

Made by Ford?

[captainlee]

Great! You are really going to enjoy cooking on it. Get some temp probes to check your internal temps and adjust your damper. It takes a bit of time once you change your damper settings to settle down.

[Sid P]

Congrats, you’re going to love it!

[RonB]

Congrats. It looks sweet.

[Draznnl]

Yeah, I kind of recall mine looking all nice and new like that. You’re going to love it. Congratulations.