I Did It - I Bought a Yoder

[HawkerXP]

What a monster! Did you get the orange cart? When that rolls off the truck all your new neighbors will be watchin!

[Raven Rock]

Yes - I got the orange cart. It was just too nice to pass up.

[HawkerXP]

Sweeeet!

[au4stree]

Great choice. If you like the youtube how to's and want ideas on recipes, check out "allthingsbbq" channel, Chef Tom does a great job and he cooks the vast majority of his recipes on a Yoder.

[Raven Rock]

Good to know AU
I'll be sure to check that out

[jfmorris]

Congrats on selection of a great cooker, and welcome to the Pit from Rocket City USA. You will enjoy getting out of California and that high cost of living. Welcome to the South East!

[Raven Rock]

I am so looking forward to calling the south east home!
We leave Tuesday the 29th.
I've loved California for a long time but it hasn't loved me back so we're loadin' up the truck.
And we'll be cookin' on a Yoder!

[ofelles]

Congrats on the purchase they are great cookers. I have had mine for over 2 years and still love it. Being US made helped in my decision also.
Post pics of the cooker and your cooks.

[Raven Rock]

Thanks ofellas!
Is good to hear you're still happy after a couple years.
I need to learn how to post pictures but I'll be sure to!

[PipsBBQ]

Welcome to North Carolina. If you come to the Raleigh area. Stop at Grillbillies. They have everything and treat people right.

[Raven Rock]

Thanks for the welcome and the tip, Pips. I'll be sure to look up Grillbillies.

[klflowers]

Congrats on the new cooker. I think you are going to love NC - I spend a lot of time around Charlotte and Raleigh for my job, and I really like it up there.

[Raven Rock]

Hey Flowers - we're excited about the move and wishing we were already there...

[fracmeister]

I love mine. You might want to oil it up a bit outside. I got some paint issues but I dont much care how the outside looks. Mine is a workshorse and everything is replaceable in it.

[Raven Rock]

Hey Frac -
When you say to oil it up, would rubbing a light coating of some lard or kitchen oil do the trick or.,..

[TripleB]

Why the move to NC? Retirement/job relocation? Where in NC? My wife and I are a few years away from retirement and been eyeballing NC.

[Raven Rock]

We knew we didn't want to move to the typical places - Arizona (way too warm) or Texas/Florida (too humid and they have bugs I couldn't deal with).
We didn't know anyone there - in fact we had never even been to North Carolina. Of course, Google is always watching and an ad popped up for a new community north of Charlotte near Lake Norman and we liked what we saw so we booked a flight in June 2019 to visit. We lived it. Mild weather (there's humidity but not the in your face kind)

[Raven Rock]

We visited a few more times to see what the various weather and humidity may be and we were very comfortable. I was born in southern California and I realize that anyplace in the country will have some compromise when it comes to weather.
On our last visit we decided to buy a house.
I'll work remotely another 2 years then retire.
The folks are so nice and gas is $1.85.
And the protein of choice in North Carolina is pork - mine and my wife's favorite!

[TripleB]

@Ravenrock - thanks for the feedback. We’ll have to keep our eye NC.

[JGo37]

Investing up front to fit in with your fellows - smart move! You're going to love your smoking journey...

Welcome to the PIT from the Lou!

[Raven Rock]

Hi Lou
I didn't want to buy another smoker in a few years because I made a bad choice today.
And it is impressive.......

[Stuey1515]

Welcome from Oz, you will like it here.
Trust me mate, these guys here know their stuff!!

[Raven Rock]

Hey Study - thanks for the welcome

[TJMagneto]

Congratulations on leaving California. Enjoy your new cooker, it's going to be more of a tank with the comp cart.

[Raven Rock]

It does appear to be well built.....

[Dan Deter]

Welcome to NC (when you get here)

[Raven Rock]

Hey Dan - we pull into town Oct 6
Thanks for the welcome!

[Raven Rock]

Are any of those that have replied going to the Memphis Meat Up next summer?

[Tuckmonster]

Congrats! The Yoder is on my short list, very curious to hear your take on it. I couldn't find a lot of hands-on reviews on the new ACS controller so it will be very interesting to hear what you think about that. Enjoy it!

[Raven Rock]

I'll be sure to write about my thoughts and impressions.
I need to learn how to post pictures....

Here's a question - how would I go about performing a toast test ( temp, warm-up time before placing the bread on the grates, lid closed or...., duration...). I need details,...