YS 640 temp swings help

[Herb's herbs]

I guess that he has not heard about the "Law of diminishing returns."

Just another thought about that Yoder. About 2 months ago, Yoder sent me an engineering change for 480 which they also have for the 640. This is the addition of a fan diffuser for the first fan in tandem. Within the last week, I finally got around to installing this change. This change makes a very distinct difference.

First: It rises to temperature faster - 350 degrees in about 10 minutes.

Second: It stays at temperature and swing only about 7 degrees in either direction from the set point.

Third: It uses less pellets.

Fourth: it creates more smoke.

This change was free. And it was sent to my because they thought that it would make an improvement.

Yoder owners of the 640 and the 480 might want to check to see if this is on their machine or if you need to apply this change by calling Yoder customer service. It is my understanding the new machines have this installed from the factory.

Ed

All 480 and 640 cookers with a manufacture date of July 2013 on the door plate, should have the fan diffuser installed already. Before you call, if you want to check, with the cooker turned off, look into the fan cutouts on the left side of the pellet hopper...look through the first fan and if you see a plate blocking the bottom half of the fan, you have the fan diffuser installed, if you can see the internal fan through the top and bottom of the first fan, don't have the fan diffuser.

You can send an email to customerservice@yodersmokers.com if you need the fan diffuser, or need some help with something else with your cooker.

For reverence: the current firmware for the 640 is u26, r34 for the 480 and b20 for the 1500.

[Conumdrum]

Thanks Herb. My 640 purchased Aug 2013 has the diff plate.

His does I'm sure. And veryolddog, thanks for your update. Others say the same on what it does.

On the other inputs, yes it doesn't need done, but we do have to play with our toys if inclined. My lid leaks no more, so it's cleaner. Drilling a hole and adding a gasket sounds like fun!
My Yoder like yours does a great job, can't wait for the next mod discovered! I'm gonna mod my ol' MES analog 30 and add a fan on the side and a vent on top. Because I can.

[Hookecho]

Having had mine since 2011, it leaks. Shrugs....I dont mess with it or mind what the readout is saying. I cook to color then wrap at about 150-160ish and then cook to probe feel and look at meat temp then. I dont stress over it. I have never had any issues. I set my cook temp (usually hot and fast) and forget it. Never failed me yet

[dsgarner06]

While it is true that the YS480/640 is a great machine right out of the box, the mods that I have made have made a difference in a variety of areas and I feel make my machine more efficient and consistent.

I have made 3 modifications that I have been very happy with the results.
1) Thermometer probe port mod
- I did not like running the meat thermometer cables under the lid (for fear of pinching the cable and potentially causing a cable failure) nor through the chimney (it was more of a PITA than anything else).
- So I purchased a couple of high temp silicone grommets and drilled a couple of holes on the far right side near the chimney and now run the thermometer cables through the grommets.
- It is a much cleaner way of running cables without impacting any of the positive airflow
2) Nomex gasket on the lid and chimney
- Originally my YS640 had leaks around the lid and at the bottom of the chimney. This not only discolored my thermal blanket and caused drippings out of the chimney base, but in my opinion effected the positive airflow of the YS640 and reduced the smoke in the chamber (granted slightly).
- Installing the nomex gasket has improved the positive airflow and reduced the mess of the smoke leakage on my thermal blanket and eliminated any drippings from the gap in the chimney to the base chamber.
3) Outside Fan Diffuser
- My YS640 did not come with the additional fan diffuser on the outside fan because the design change occurred after I purchased mine.
- After installing the diffuser my YS640 comes up to temp faster and burns a lot less pellets, as well as balanced the heat better across the entire cooking surface.

I believe the combination of the three mods that I have made have not only improved the efficiency of the YS640, but made the overall performance on it much better. I believe that I have hit the sweet spot and now am much happier with the overall results. My pellet consumption has been reduced by nearly 40% overall, which reduces my operating costs and in my opinion makes my YS640 a much better machine over the stock version. I have spent very little on the upgrades/mods ($1.50 for grommets, $25 for nomex with plenty of leftovers to replace existing when I feel it is too dirty, and the fan diffuser was free from Yoder), and am very happy with the results for not a lot of additional cash.

You can certainly run the YS640 without any of the mods and still get great results, but with the cost savings and improved efficiency, in my opinion it is worth the effort to tweak. YMMV but my pocketbook is much happier and I am happier as a result. Saving money on pellets alone allows me to buy more meat to smoke.

[Hookecho]

dsgarner06, no doubt all that helps. I guess my point was some folks get way, way too tied up in temp readings on the controler and will worry themselves to death living and dying by its reading. Maybe its just that I have a lot of smoke under my belt with a 640....dunno. But I see this a lot with trying to overthink the controller, when they should just let it do its thing, as it can react faster than you can with temps etc..

I may try the gasket thing, my thermal got "browned" this winter so I may look into that, not sure about the stack, between the cover and loading and unloading from the trailer, it tends to be removed a lot.

[dsgarner06]

dsgarner06, no doubt all that helps. I guess my point was some folks get way, way too tied up in temp readings on the controler and will worry themselves to death living and dying by its reading. Maybe its just that I have a lot of smoke under my belt with a 640....dunno. But I see this a lot with trying to overthink the controller, when they should just let it do its thing, as it can react faster than you can with temps etc..

I may try the gasket thing, my thermal got "browned" this winter so I may look into that, not sure about the stack, between the cover and loading and unloading from the trailer, it tends to be removed a lot.

Yeah I hear ya. Let the machine do what it does best is great advice. But if I can help its efficiency, then I am more than willing to tweak and have seen noticeable improvements. The gasket works well and not just with the YS640, as others have used it on stick burners with good results as well. As far as the chimney, I put the gasket just to the point where it would seal and be flush on the inside chamber, not completely covered in the gasket. When I need to put my cover on, I simple loosen the screw and pull the chimney out 1/4" or so.. then turn it down and re-tighten the screw. Never even messes up the gasket.

[Pellet Burner]

All 480 and 640 cookers with a manufacture date of July 2013 on the door plate, should have the fan diffuser installed already. Before you call, if you want to check, with the cooker turned off, look into the fan cutouts on the left side of the pellet hopper...look through the first fan and if you see a plate blocking the bottom half of the fan, you have the fan diffuser installed, if you can see the internal fan through the top and bottom of the first fan, don't have the fan diffuser.

You can send an email to customerservice@yodersmokers.com if you need the fan diffuser, or need some help with something else with your cooker.

For reverence: the current firmware for the 640 is u26, r34 for the 480 and b20 for the 1500.

Thanks for this info Herb, I'm going to try the diffuser.

[Gunkholes]

Earlier in this string, Rob pointed out the effect of wind blowing directly into the fan vent...I've noticed the same thing. My pit's vent points south. Since most of our stronger winds in the PNW come out of the SW, I role my deck cart to that side to block the wind (easier than reorienting the 640)...it makes a big difference, even with the diffuser installed.

[Richtee]

Earlier in this string, Rob pointed out the effect of wind blowing directly into the fan vent...I've noticed the same thing. My pit's vent points south. Since most of our stronger winds in the PNW come out of the SW, I role my deck cart to that side to block the wind (easier than reorienting the 640)...it makes a big difference, even with the diffuser installed.

Wow. You mean it's not REALLY "set and forget"?

All smokers... well with a fire especially... need to take the environment into account. Well, unless ya got a wattburner in yer garage

[jtrainor56]

I finally put the Nomex gasket around the door today and not sure how I like how the door sits. I have two 8 lb butts I am starting in a few hours so I'll see how it goes. I figure if I am not happy with it, I'll pull it off.

Taking Rob's advise I turned the back of my Yoder into the wind. It is currently 46* here in PA but the wind is blowing between 22 - 30 mph. I'll be using the welders blanket since it's supposed to be dropping down into the upper 20's tonight.

[gwapogorilla]

Wow. You mean it's not REALLY "set and forget"?

Nope, fraid not! It's hard to explain unless you've seen the Yoders up close. But a STRONG wind going straight into the fan will screw up the temps. As it's like turbo-charging the in take of an engine, without modifying the outtake (exhaust ports).
My winds come from the exhaust side, and it has little effect unless they are very strong. But, a gasket sealer still helps, especially in very cold temps.
I used high temp gasket sealer. My grill is 2 years old, and i noticed it needs redone now.