Excellent review and 2-year update. Thank you.

Thanks for making the video. Mine is about a year older and works great. The display is a pain but it still cooks great. The heat diffuser with the trap door made all of the difference in vacuuming easily. Paint peeling seems to occur normally from grease drips but was not a problem to touch up. I am getting ready to add the KZL slide trade shortly though I have their grease gutter and was worth the investment.

This is helpful thank you!!!

I already had a Shark Rocket ($100 on Amazon) when I got my smoker. I vacuum it out once a week, clean the grates and surfaces with citrus cleaner (amazing stuff) and I’m good to go for the next week. The Rocket is great for car interiors, stairs, etc. One of the best household purchases I’ve made. I never get any dust on myself when I clean the smoker. This sounds too obvious to mention but regular cleaning is pretty easy. Waiting until the gunk builds up is a pain.

I've had mine for almost 2 years and those are the only two issues I have with it as well. I made tri-tips this weekend and was bent over like an idiot in the sun trying to see the temps when I tried to turn it up after wrapping. Cleanout is a total pain. Just plan on throwing the shirt you're wearing out when you're done.

Doesn't sound like you have the heat diffuser with the door in it. If not, I highly recommend it! Not only can you do a quick clean of the firebox area between cooks, but you can also add on grill grates so you can get some high temp sears. Win/Win in my book! You still have to take it apart and clean it fully from time to time, but the door makes it so you can clean the box every other cook no problem.

They’ve upgraded the controller, heat deflector, ceramic fire element and thermo coupler which are all great upgrades. I’ve had my YS640 since 2014 and I use mine at least 1-2 times a week, was I bummed to have to spend money to upgrade it? You bet, but technically changes Yoder has learned things and has modernized their equipment. All good companies do, but not all companies provide those upgrades to their previous customers, they’ll make you buy the latest version if you want the upgrades. Yoder’s customer service isn’t awesome. I love my YS640 and totally agree the food it produces is outstanding!

Fork the money for the controller upgrade. I did and would do it again.

Thank you for this video! I've been looking to get a Yoder for a long time! I'm going to get one this week!

@ExecutiveRealtyGroup

4 жыл бұрын

Did you pick one up?

@AZWallbreaker

4 жыл бұрын

@@ExecutiveRealtyGroup I did!!!! I LOVE it!!!! Already, I've cooked brisket, ribs, salmon, and chicken. This smoke is worth every penny!!!!

@ExecutiveRealtyGroup

4 жыл бұрын

@@AZWallbreaker Awesome. Congratulations

Thanks!

I agree with you about the controller. I have a 1500 and the controller upgrade is almost 500 dollars, a bit ridiculous in my opinion.

SD baby represent! I’m in Carlsbad now.

Thank you for taking the time for both your Yoder vids. I’m still researching and am undecided between newer YS640 and the Pitts & Spitz Maverick 1250. Decision time soon 👍

@tommyknockers_8608

4 жыл бұрын

when I was shopping to replace my SmokeFire I found several forums where Yoder owners moved to Pitts & Spitts due to issues they experienced but I have not found any Pitts & Spitts owners that moved to Yoder. That being said there were plenty of Yoder owners that loved their smokers and would never change so I'm sure you'd be happy with either.

@djbone604

4 жыл бұрын

TommyKnockers _ thanks for sharing that. Sorry to see so much Weber issues. Curious a) did you have the same problems as others ie grease fire and b) what

@djbone604

4 жыл бұрын

did you choose to go with after...lol.

@wrice4

4 жыл бұрын

@@tommyknockers_8608 Yoder fixed most of those issues within the past 2 years. I've had my ys640 for 1.5 years and haven't had a single problem. Pitts & Spitts are very nice too.

@djlansing2724

4 жыл бұрын

Pitts & Spitts better!! Pitts & Spitts are made with 7 & 10 gauge metal. Yoders are made with 10 & 12. Thicker metal is better *imho* And P&S are all solid welds, whereas yoder is bolted together

With Father’s Day approaching Rec teq has a good deal right now. But I’m so torn between going that route with the 1250 or buying the Yoder 640. Ugh. Decisions decisions. Any thoughts guys ? Also heard lone star grillz are awesome as well. Looking for a top end well built pellet smoker to go along with my drum smoker

Tom thanks for the review but all are a pain as far as ash is concerned for cleaning!

Great video.Getting ready to sell my Reqteq RT 700 Bull to buy a Yoder 480 comp.My question to you is what made you get the 640 over the 480?Im torn between the two.The 480 is about the same size cooking as my big reqteq

@ExecutiveRealtyGroup

2 жыл бұрын

Honestly, for the amount of money.... I just wanted the bigger one. Only a handful of times I've filled it up... When we hosted parties. Mostly its just the family... and the 480 would do just fine.

Hey just wondering how far you keep out the damper lever to keep consistent Temps. Thanks

@ExecutiveRealtyGroup

3 жыл бұрын

I have it right at about half way out... it holds pretty good... its hottest over the fire box and near the smoke stack at the end of the heat defuser.

How much does the temperature fluctuate? My neighbor's rec tec only goes plus or minus 5 degrees. My traeger (older model) fluctuates a ton

@joeypyron3218

2 жыл бұрын

My 640 holds steady within 5 degrees even when it’s 30 degrees outside.

Thanks for making the video. Did you but it locally? I'm a little concerned with shipping cost (to Chino Hills) because it's so heavy. Did you but it locally and/or did you pay for freight? Can you recommend a dealer.

@ExecutiveRealtyGroup

4 жыл бұрын

Hey... I went direct to Yoder.. couldn't find a local dealer. Yoder was great. They shipped it to my front door.

@rawtry65

4 жыл бұрын

Bought mine in Simi Valley at BBQ Headquaters

@patrickshade6224

4 жыл бұрын

rawtry65 thanks dude. Did you pay similar to what Yoder list price on their website, or was there a premium for freight. I can’t imagine it’s cheap to shop that 300 plus LB monster from Kansas.

@rawtry65

4 жыл бұрын

@@patrickshade6224 I actually don't remember but these guys are great to work with.

@blkfeet29

4 жыл бұрын

@@patrickshade6224 Not sure if this will help you. But I just ordered a 640s from All Things BBQ. I live outside Indianapolis and shipment cost me 180.

I don't know if I should buy the Yoder YS1500S on the orange competition cart or the RecTec RT2500. The Yoder YS1500S definitely looks badass and love the orange cart. I am sure both are great, just don't know which one to go with.

@donmckenzie5027

2 жыл бұрын

Im selling my Reqteq 700 to upgrade to the Yoder.I love my reqteq dont get me wrong but this Yoder is top of line

Thanks Bro for your review,... question: how is the customer service with the Yoder company? What is involved with the cleaning of the device? Thanks!

@ExecutiveRealtyGroup

4 жыл бұрын

They were good and super easy to work with. 50% down got the order in line for production. Cleaning, I take out all the grates, the heat defuser and the ash box, then shop vac it all out. no mater how hard I try, I'm always get soot and grease all over....

@chriscat9

4 жыл бұрын

Linkster...Customer service is phenomenal in person or by phone. I'm in Wichita KS where they are sold at All Things BBQ (the retail store), who owns the manufacturing plant in Yoder Ks. The owners are there all the time, very nice, down to earth people plus all of their employees. You can buy a diffuser plate with a trap door above the ash box where only 2 grates are removed to vacuum out for a price of $175 extra, I don't agree with that as I think it should be a option. Now you have 2 diffuser plates, 1 never used. I know. On occasion you will have to remove all shelves & diffuser to vacuum out the whole box. Don't know how he gets soot & grease all over, I never do.

Does the top have a gasket to seal in the smoke around the edge?

@ExecutiveRealtyGroup

4 жыл бұрын

yup. Comes with a felt style gasket. No leaks at all.

do you feel like the 640 is big enough ? I want one just can't decide on this or the 1500s the price is a lot more though.

@ExecutiveRealtyGroup

3 ай бұрын

99% of the time its just cooking for the family, so the space is fine... I will say that it can fill up fast tho. So if you're cooking for a lot of people it might be small.

I’m getting one for my 40th next year, $6500 in Australia tho😏

@shawsie5780

4 жыл бұрын

M R gotta hav the best

@mild2wildaust

3 жыл бұрын

Hi mate Jay, from Melbourne where are you getting it from? Thanks

I’ve been contemplating getting a Yoder. However I’ve only ever used a stick burner and this would be my first pellet. Anybody have both that can make a good comparison? Thanks

@ExecutiveRealtyGroup

4 жыл бұрын

I came from a stick burner and at first I constantly checked temps air flow etc. Ive since learned there is literally nothing you need to do with this pellet smoker except ensure not to run out of pellets. This unit holds and maintains temps excellent. Set it and forget it. I love it. Ill throw a pork butt on late at night and go to bed. ready around lunch time.

@paulmanzyuk

3 жыл бұрын

I have both. And I use both . I use pellet grill for brisket and pork shoulder as I simply don't have 16 hours to watch the fire. And for shorter time cooks I use my offset smoker. Offset smoker produces more smokier flavor . Cheaper to run and more hands on fun. And pellet grill is convenience. I like to compare it to keurig coffee maker. The biggest difference in smoke flavor I see in between the pits are in short time cooks like ribs and chicken. You get more flavor of of offset smoker period!

Bro there is a bbq vacuum made just for ash. It’s amazing

@214brandonjs

4 жыл бұрын

What’s the vacuum

i have a new one... get the controller upgrade, you will like it.... i didn't buy the comp cart and i'm happy with that... i am on concreate and i keep my cookers inside. i roll mine about 50 ft to and from my shop on the standard cart... it's fine.... now if you can just tell me how to make it cook like my hasty bake i would be happy.... it literally has no smoke flavor. i use 2, 12 in smoke tubes.... still not the same....

@paulmanzyuk

3 жыл бұрын

I feel your pain. I use one 12" smoke tube too, it's not even close to offset smoker.

@Viseroid

3 жыл бұрын

Try using different pellets. I had to go through a few brands before I settled on lumberjack pellets which gave me the flavor I wanted.

@donmckenzie5027

2 жыл бұрын

Its all in the pellets.Try and get Smokering bbq pellets they are hands down the best pellet out there.Great smoke flavor over any other pellet and very low ash!

where did you order it from

@ExecutiveRealtyGroup

4 жыл бұрын

direct from Yoder... if you go to their site you can see it all there.

Made in the USA!

Did yours come with the thermometers or did you add them ?

@ExecutiveRealtyGroup

4 жыл бұрын

I added them.. its an option when I ordered and pretty cheap. the smoke stack side is hotter than the burn side.

@richj4305

4 жыл бұрын

@@ExecutiveRealtyGroup thanks. I bought mine yesterday and doing the Burn then I'm going to season it. Mine didn't have the thermometer at the dealer. I'll add one though I found a great video on how to do it.

do a 3.5 year review before I buy one lol

@ExecutiveRealtyGroup

2 жыл бұрын

Still running strong.. just used it the other day! Love this thing. You will not regret buying one.

FYI foil puts out fumes at 400+ degrees

Who can cook a pork butt for 13 or so hours? I have 21 lbs on now be done in 6 hours

Lol I make these lmfao