Smoking Meat Questions and Discussion

dmclone

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Ive been looking this direction, anyone ot there have this or other Yoder smoker? some of the reviews move me away especially for 3K
Before I decided not to go the pellet route, It was down to 3 or 4 and the Yoder was near the top of the list. Here are the ones I was down to.

Lone star Grillz 20'' x 42'' Pellet Smoker​

*I've never saw a bad review. Down side is price(after optioning it up), shipping, and wait time. Built like a tank and great controller.

YS640S​

COMPETITION PELLET GRILL​

*They've been around for a long time. Also a great controller. Big plus is that you can buy one through Scheels. I went and looked at them and I'm surprised I didn't buy one right then, very cool. Made in Kansas.

RecTeq-RT-1250

*Great for the money. Not built as good as the other two and the controller is from China but it's not even 1/2 the price. For the amount of smoking I do (8-10 a year), this would have probably been perfect for me. This is like comparing a BMW 3 series to a 7 series.

Pitts and Smitts 1250

*This is kind of a wildcard. A lot of people swear by these but I figured for the money, I'd be better server by the YS640. I think the smoking crowd would probably disagree with me.

Traeger
I think I listened to the online crowd too much when it comes to Traeger. They are constantly being crapped on online, so I didn't even consider them. There are a ton of people that own them and are happy. No, they are not at the same level as the $3k smokers, but they seem to have a wide range of options that are solid.
 
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JM4CY

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Before I decided not to go the pellet route, It was down to 3 or 4 and the Yoder was near the top of the list. Here are the ones I was down to.

Lone star Grillz 20'' x 42'' Pellet Smoker​

*I've never saw a bad review. Down side is price(after optioning it up), shipping, and wait time. Built like a tank and great controller.

YS640S​

COMPETITION PELLET GRILL​

*They've been around for a long time. Also a great controller. Big plus is that you can buy one through Scheels. I went and looked at them and I'm surprised I didn't buy one right then, very cool. Made in Kansas.

RecTeq-RT-1250

*Great for the money. Not built as good as the other two and the controller is from China but it's not even 1/2 the price. For the amount of smoking I do (8-10 a year), this would have probably been perfect for me. This is like comparing a BMW 3 series to a 7 series.

Pitts and Smitts 1250

*This is kind of a wildcard. A lot of people swear by these but I figured for the money, I'd be better server by the YS640. I think the smoking crowd would probably disagree with me.

Traeger
I think I listened to the online crowd too much when it comes to Traeger. They are constantly being crapped on online, so I didn't even consider them. There are a ton of people that own them and are happy. No, they are not at the same level as the $3k smokers, but they seem to have a wide range of options that are solid.
I’m happy with my Traeger but I bought a used one for $300 and have probably put a $100 in parts into it because it wasn’t working correctly. It’s not perfect and someone who was pickier with holding temps within a smaller range wouldn’t like it but it works just fine for me. It is weird though because I know several guys that were big time Traeger guys that have done a 180 on them in the last 5 years or so.
 

kirk89gt

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Feb 15, 2014
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Ive been looking this direction, anyone ot there have this or other Yoder smoker? some of the reviews move me away especially for 3K
My dad has a Yoder and it is hard to argue the build quality. They are built to last and will hold the heat well.

I have the Rec Teq 1250 and it has been a great pellet smoker for me (first pellet smoker after stick burning for many years).

Like you I was looking hard at a Yoder but when Rec Teq came out with the 1250 I was sold on the cooking space, the service / warranty, and the technology - really the overall whole package.
 

JP4CY

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Ive been looking this direction, anyone ot there have this or other Yoder smoker? some of the reviews move me away especially for 3K
Have it without competition cart.
-added solid shelves
-added sliding drawer
-swapped out factory grates for aftermarket KZL grates
-have grill grates for high temp option
(Getting fireboard spark for Christmas)

It's a beast. Can't complain at all.
 
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AgronAlum

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Jul 12, 2014
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Does it work then? I have a gift receipt

I like mine a lot. Zero issues holding temp and I don’t have to mess with the vent a bunch to get to temp. It’s like running it on a 70 degree day when it’s 0 outside.
 
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zarnold56

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Aug 9, 2009
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Did a small rib roast for the wife and I last night . Did a 18 hour dry brine in the fridge. Smoked between 200 to 225 for 3.5 hours to 120 internal. Let it it rest for 30 mins then seared it on the gas Weber for 10 mins. Turned out great.
 

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Agclone91

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Alright fella smokers, thermal blankets for my Traeger for winter smoking. Talk to me. Are they worth it? Got one as an Christmas gift.
I think they helped more on the older ones that didn't have PID controllers. The newer controllers are always sensing temperature and feeding pellets as needed to try to maintain temperature. That being said, it probably would still reduce pellet consumption during the cold months as it would retain more heat.
 
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zarnold56

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Alright fella smokers, thermal blankets for my Traeger for winter smoking. Talk to me. Are they worth it? Got one as a Christmas gift.
I only use mine when it below 35 degrees or super windy and chilly. Helps with temp control and pellet usage in those conditions. I like to use my pellet smoker in the winter so I think it’s worth it.
 
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IceCyIce

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Aug 17, 2009
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Grimes
Did the seasoning yesterday and the paint curing. Very easy to hold the temp. Not sure what I'll do for my first smoke. Not brisket.... View attachment 121146

View attachment 121147
View attachment 121148

Only negative I've seen so far, cleaning it out will require a shop vac.
so you went with the coal burner. I have a Big Green Egg but the cooking surface is only bout 18" . I love it and really don't NEED another smoker but I WANT another one, for some reason. Between the Egg and a solid pellet grill, I'll be set.
 

dmclone

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Oct 20, 2006
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so you went with the coal burner. I have a Big Green Egg but the cooking surface is only bout 18" . I love it and really don't NEED another smoker but I WANT another one, for some reason. Between the Egg and a solid pellet grill, I'll be set.
Yesterday, I used a charcoal/stick combo.
 

JP4CY

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I love it and really don't NEED another smoker but I WANT another one, for some reason.
The thing about being a man: we can never have just one grill/smoker.
I'm starting to think vacuums/shop vacs are the same too.
 
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clone4life82

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Gonna do a 3-4 lb brisket flat on Christmas. How long do you think I need to cook it at? I’ve only ever done full briskets in the past and typically do them overnight
 

AgronAlum

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I only use mine when it below 35 degrees or super windy and chilly. Helps with temp control and pellet usage in those conditions. I like to use my pellet smoker in the winter so I think it’s worth it.

Yeah I think it also helps stabilize temps if you need to open the lid. When the temp plummets, it doesn’t take forever to build back up again.
 

AgronAlum

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Jul 12, 2014
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The thing about being a man: we can never have just one grill/smoker.
I'm starting to think vacuums/shop vacs are the same too.

Yeah I’m up to the Pit Boss, the Blackstone, Weber Kettle and Weber Gas. I’m not sure why I’ve held on the the kettle. It hasn’t been used in years.