Which Yoder to buy?

[Ducaticraig]

I'm ready for a new pellet grill and hope to hear back from Yoder owners on which to select. I'm looking at either the YS640 with comp cart or the YS1320. I know the YS1320 is new on the market but I'm hoping there are some that can tell me with first hand experience the difference between the two. Thanks

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[barkonbutts]

I guess let us get some more info from you. What do you want to do with this smoker. Are you a back yard smoker or do you do Comps, or do you do catering? Knowing those questions will help a bunch!

[Ducaticraig]

I'm a back yard smoker, no catering or comps at this point in time. I've always liked the looks of the Yoder and the build quality. I like both low and slow and the option for direct heat grilling. As for grilling space both Yoders would be fine. Does one Yoder have better temp stability than the other? Can one grill over the fire on the YS1320 like you can on the YS640? If so which one has more direct heat cooking surface? Does either of the two Yoders use less pellets than the other? Is the heat management system on the YS1320 a proven system or are there bugs, if any, going to be worked out? Thanks in advance for all responses.


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[BBQ Engineer]

Find the one that fits your needs now, and then buy AT MINIMUM the next size larger...funny how we grow into things like that.

[barkonbutts]

It sounds like you want the YS640. You are a backyard smoker I can not think of a time that you will need the larger one. You also CAN NOT grill on the 1320 from what I understand. As for Pellet usage the 1320 will take more to heat up than the 640 but from what I understand the usage after that is just about the same.

I have a Family of 6 and cook for 10 on a regular basis on weekends with the grandparents coming to the house. I am yet to run out of room on the 640. I do have the second shelf which I highly recommend! I have cooked the whole meal on it and did not run out of room and typically have another nights meal cooking at the same time, cause that is the way we do things... The comp cart is nice but I have NO issue wheeling mine around on the standard wheels. I have a paver patio so it is not a smooth surface and it gives me NO issues with moving. Just can not see justifying the cost for the bigger wheels and the stainless tabletop.. I have outside patio table I use as well but just for big heavy trays of meat.

As for the bugs with either system it sounds like they have everything worked out on both machines. I am running the latest software and I have had zero issues. Some of the issues people are having is they keep looking at their food while it is cooking.... if your looking your not cooking... this causes the pit temp to drop then it cause the auger to feed more pellets and sometimes it runs up the temp if it is cold outside and you get a quick drop. It will be more aggressive with the heat up and WILL over shoot the desired temp... whose fault is it... the dang person who opened the pit... keep it closed and keep cooking... sorry getting on a soap box here..

Sorry I can not compare the two cowleyms is the only person on this forum that has bought them both and can speak to you about both, but he is in the Marines and I am not sure if he is active right now on here or not.. he had to sell one or both of them a few weeks ago due to a transfer. Maybe you can PM him and get his take on it. He bought the bigger one because he got into the catering gig..

Anyway if you have more questions feel free to ask we will help ya out!!

[MossyMO]

Wife and I have a YS640 but we have no experience with the YS1320. We have had our YS640 for a year now and are very happy with it. Size wise I can't imagine needing a larger grill for home use unless your also interested in competition or catering; and I think a person could pull off competing with a YS640.

[gwapogorilla]

I would say...go with the YS640. For backyard use, the 1320 is overkill...IMO. If you have a patio or porch you plan on putting it on...and don't plan on moving it around much, skip the comp cart and spend the $700 on something else.
Example...I had them make custom grill grates out of stainless steel, and I love them! Grill cover, maverick ET-732, maze-ing cold smoker... are also some nice extras to look at.

[Smoke'n Dave]

Okay, not looking to highjack this thread, but I have a question on performance of the pellet as opposed to an offset. Do you get the same smoke penetration with a pellet as with an offset? I like the temp consistency of a pellet, but not sure about the smoke level? Sorry for buttttting in

[barkonbutts]

Okay, not looking to highjack this thread, but I have a question on performance of the pellet as opposed to an offset. Do you get the same smoke penetration with a pellet as with an offset? I like the temp consistency of a pellet, but not sure about the smoke level? Sorry for buttttting in

This is the big debate with pellet smokers... some say you do others will say you do not get as much smoke flavor... I am on the side that says you do get good smoke flavor.. I think some of the people who say they do not get as much smoke flavor is because they no longer get a creosote taste on the meat because the pellets burn so efficiently... most know on here you want Thin Blue smoke when you are smoking not the white stuff that you can get with an offset smoker sometimes if you do not have an efficient fire going. If you want more smoke flavor then most of us pellet smokers use the Amazen Tube or AMPS to supplement smoke levels to get them were we want them. If I am doing a big hunk of meat then I use the additional smoke.

When I do my butts and briskets, I get just as good as a smoke ring if not better with the pellet than I did with other contraptions I had prior to the Yoder. Hope that helps with what you are asking.

[Hippy]

I put a charcoal basket in the bottom of my pellet burner cabinet. I can definitely tell the difference in the smoke ring and flavor of the smoke. When i go with or without the charcoal basket.

I would have to say a little less smoke and smoke ring with a pellet burner. But less of a chance of getting the bad smoke flavor. Especially compared to an offset!

Many people enjoy the little less smoke. And there are ways to increase the smoke profile on a pellet burner. Using time, temp, and additional smoke generating.

Same as an offset. Some use all wood and some use all charcoal. Some use a combination of both.

I am waiting for Yoder to put a pellet burner on an offset. So you could do either, or both!!

Put it opposite the firebox at the bottom of the Stockton.

[Otis857]

This is the big debate with pellet smokers... some say you do others will say you do not get as much smoke flavor... I am on the side that says you do get good smoke flavor.. I think some of the people who say they do not get as much smoke flavor is because they no longer get a creosote taste on the meat because the pellets burn so efficiently... most know on here you want Thin Blue smoke when you are smoking not the white stuff that you can get with an offset smoker sometimes if you do not have an efficient fire going. If you want more smoke flavor then most of us pellet smokers use the Amazen Tube or AMPS to supplement smoke levels to get them were we want them. If I am doing a big hunk of meat then I use the additional smoke.

When I do my butts and briskets, I get just as good as a smoke ring if not better with the pellet than I did with other contraptions I had prior to the Yoder. Hope that helps with what you are asking.

Agreed! I've had mine for about 6 months now, going from a Masterbuilt gasser. The smoke isnt AS strong, but still has a very satisfying and more consistently achieved flavor, even on short smokes. I smoked a load of chicken thighs and breasts last nite for only about 1.5 hrs and the smoke flavor was great and not overpowering using only mesquite pellets and no AMPS.

To the OP, its hard to imagine needing more room than the YS640 for backyard use, but DO get the 2nd shelf option.

[gwapogorilla]

Okay, not looking to highjack this thread, but I have a question on performance of the pellet as opposed to an offset. Do you get the same smoke penetration with a pellet as with an offset? I like the temp consistency of a pellet, but not sure about the smoke level? Sorry for buttttting in

Not butting in at all. I used a cheap off-set charcoal unit for 3 years before buying my YS640. I used a combo of charcoal AND oak wood for heat, so as to cut cost rather than running on charcoal alone.
The smoke flavor from that cheap off-set was intense/very strong, and my pallet grew accustomed to that deep heavy smoke flavor.
When I switched to the pellet grill, it had a very mild smoke flavor. I even called Yoder because I thought I was cooking improperly. But soon, my pallet became adjusted and I was tasting meat again...not just smoke! Not to mention being able to taste the different spices and rubs I would apply to my foods.
As to the penetration...I get a very deep beautiful smoke ring on my foods. But the smoke FLAVOR isn't as pronounced. I get a beautiful balance of meat, smoke and seasoning from my pit.
Hope this answers your question.

[Smoke'n Dave]

Thanks for the info guys, I really think a Yoder may be the way for me to go. Sorry for the interruption Ducaticraig

[Ducaticraig]

I'm sure there are quite a few who are interested in getting a Yoder. If the direct heat grilling space is similar between the 640 & 1320 I will go with the overkill 1320 unit. For me, bigger is better in this case. I'm sure I will change my mind two or three times before I make my final decision but I do know I will get a Yoder. Thanks everyone for your input.

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[Otis857]

If you go with the 1320, post some reviews here. Im sure a lot of people are curious how it performs. Good luck with your decision.