Yoder Smokers YS640s Pellet Grill Reviews

4.9 Rating 182 Reviews

About All Things Barbecue:

It all started simply enough: just a few friends and family gathering in the backyard, enjoying good company and good food. Somewhere along the line, this simple family tradition turned into a passion, culminating with the 2009 opening of All Things Barbecue.

Located in America’s heartland and shipping across the country. All Things Barbecue has a simple goal: to spread the passion for outdoor cooking to as many people as possible.

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“Several years ago I wanted to upgrade from a small electric smoker I bought at Ace Hardware. I wasn’t happy with the smoke produced, temperature regulation and it would shut off from time to time. I know. You get what you pay for. Watched several videos comparing stick and pellet smokers with the “people in know” extolling the superiority of the stick smoker for size and flavor. My friend had an electric pellet smoker and gushed about how easy it was to use and that he didn’t notice a difference in flavor. I brushed his review off and was taken by programming injected into my brain and ordered a stick burner from Texas. After months and months it arrived. After a few smokes and seeing the cost of sticks and charcoal, plus waking at the wee hours to smoke and tend the beast, I was regretting my decision. Using a FireBoard lessens the pain of being tied to the smoker but it is hard for me to be tied to house for 8-18 hours. During my trips to get get charcoal and sticks I would look over the pellet smokers and talking to the staff. I heard the words of my friend coming out of their mouths as they listed off the benefit a quality pellet smoker. Then watching Chef Tom and all of his creations on the Yoder pushed me over the edge. I tried cooking burgers and some of Chef Tom’s recipes on the side griddle/grill above the smoke box but it was a pain and seems like an afterthought on a stick burner. Used smokers were still going pretty quick and ours didn’t get much use in the two years of ownership and was like new. Took a bit of hit to the wallet but the sale covered the purchase of the Yoder plus some extras and pellets. There was an issue with parts when I received the smoke but Yoder overnighted the needed parts. Awesome customer service! In the 4 months of ownership this unit has been used 10x the stick one and the gas grill cover has remained in place. Hit the power switch, then put the flavor of pellets you want in the hopper, place your meat on the racks and watch the FireBoard app. The only other thing you need to do is open it up to wrap, spray or check the tenderness of what you are smoking. Maybe add pellets again after over 6 hours. You want to grill over a wood fire? No problem. Make breakfast burritos on a griddle? Bring it on. Do I notice a difference in flavor? No. I am not a competition judge but my family and I have loved what comes off. They have told me this is the best bbq and grilled meat I have ever made or that they have had. Just get one!”

6 Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

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1 Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

“Everything works great, looks great, tastes great!! Loving the high temp option for searing steaks and the Grill Grates make it that much better. Thanks Yoder!!!”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

“Bought this model from the Kansas State Fair just shy of 11 years ago. The reason I am here now is it has finally needed some service. a new thermocouple. $35 part and I am back up and running. I smoke, but mostly grill with it. pull the plate and install the grill grates and I can cook for the whole neighborhood. Yoder Smokers leave Treager in the dust! gets hot and stays hot. Looks better and AMERICAN MADE. Thanks!”

8 Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

“I’ve owned the 640S for six weeks now. In those six weeks I’ve used it 15 times. The Fireboard App keeps track of all my cooks for me. I’ve smoked pork shoulders, ribs, brisket, and cream cheese. I’ve grilled steaks, hamburgers, and salmon. I’ve baked cake and brownies. To say this is the most versatile appliance you’ll ever own is an understatement. I dare you to price out a new “smart” fridge and see if it will do more than keep stuff cold and dispense water/ice. Is the Yoder expensive? Is it worth every penny? Yes to both. I was on the fence with this purchase for nearly a year. I shouldn’t have waited so long because this thing is everything I imagined it would be. The Fireboard app is easy to use and great for when you’re smoking something but don’t want to constantly check your cook. Just pull out your phone and check it from anywhere. Everyone who sees this is in awe over how robust it is. This thing is built like a tank. I smoked a pork shoulder is sub-freezing temps and didn’t notice much more pellet consumption than when I smoked one when it was 60° outside. I think the grill grates, grease shield, and the cover are must haves. My next “add ons” will be the cast iron griddle and the half second shelf. Stop second guessing yourself and just buy this thing. You will not regret it.”

11 Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

“Yoder YS640S Pellet Smoker Review Arrival and Setup: I waited to review the YS640S Smoker until I had used it for a while. That said, the initial impression was like most others, it is very solidly built. The smoke box is heavy and the welds are very uniform with no spots of slag.. All of the parts are heavy duty. Even the smoke stack is very solid. The finish on mine had no flaws. The YS640S arrived boxed on a pallet. After cutting the bands and removing the smaller boxes containing the accessories you are ready to unpack. Follow the directions step-by-step and it will go very smoothly. The first step is to tip the main box up on end and slide it off the edge of the pallet. The directions say it requires two people. It requires TWO people! Heavy is the key word here. I got the basic model with the regular base. The base pieces fit together very well. All holes and welded nuts fit perfectly. The YS640S and base were assembled on the driveway and rolled over the grass to the back yard to the deck. By slightly lifting the end with the smaller pivoting casters it was very easy to move across the lawn. Getting it up on the deck (three steps) was more of a challenge but two of us did it. Again, heavy! Fireboard: The Fireboard controller achieves and maintains the set temperature very well. It is stable within +/-1½°. That is based on the installed lid thermometer (optional but worth it) and ThermoPro remote reading temperature probes that I already owned. When the lid is opened then closed the smoker returns to temperature very quickly. This is due to the heat retention of the heavy gauge steel smoke box and the ability of the Fireboard to anticipate the need and control the supply of pellets. The Fireboard keeps a nice thin blue smoke coming from the stack when at smoking temperatures (”

8 Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

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Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

“Why I chose the YS640S: 1. Made in the U.S.A. (this was very important to me and helped to narrow down my choices significantly. Be careful, many grills are assembled in the U.S.A. with major components manufactured in China, including a well known Oklahoma brand). 2. Exceptional quality. The steel, the construction, everything even the grill cover is what you'd expect and more from a grill at this price point. You'll need to change your will to include who gets the Yoder after you're gone, it is that good. 3. Versatility. From smoking to open flame grilling, the YS640S does it all. Accessories from either Yoder or third parties are available for almost anything you'd want to do. For me, the YS640S could be a one-grill solution whether it's grilling a few chicken breasts, making breakfast for the grandkids, hot roasting a Thanksgiving turkey or smoking a brisket. 4. Simplicity. The controller and app make this smoker very easy to use and get professional results, even for someone who has never used a smoker. The Bonus: 1. All Things BBQ excellent customer service. They answer the phone when you call, respond/reach out quickly and personally by phone/email.They're a small biz in Wichita KS who keep their customers first. 2. Chef Tom probably has a recipe (including Youtube video) using the YS640S for almost anything you'd want to cook. Of course, there's tons of other BBQ/smoker recipes, videos and advice out there but I really appreciate Chef Tom's style. Here's a little about me because in the end, this review is most meaningful to those who share a similar perspective: I love smoked beef, chicken and pork but have been reluctant to do it myself as it always seemed complex and very time consuming. I'm 50 years old and have grilled for most of my adult life. I consider myself a casual griller doing the simpler things like brats, burgers, chicken breasts, steaks, etc. I've used propane, natural gas and charcoal grills. This is my first smoker and first pellet grill. I rarely write reviews, good or bad. I've had my YS640S since late July 2021and here's the results so far: - Open flame and indirect grilling of burgers, brats and chicken breasts were great. - Smoked beef ribs for the first time ever, excellent results. - Hot roasted a spatchcocked Turkey for Thanksgiving (10 adults and 7 children) using Chef Tom's recipe. By all accounts, our family's best Thanksgiving turkey ever. I normally would not have risked failing at the main dish for a once-a-year full family get together, but the Yoder and Chef Tom both gave me the confidence to try (and succeed!). The Yoder is definitely an investment. No regrets. Every time I pull the cover off to prep the smoker, I'm impressed. Buy it.”

18 Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago