Yoda the Yoder is Home!

Clay-b-que · 11-17-2018, 11:43 AM

Picked it up on Thursday and finally got to unload it last night. First thing I did was start modifying it. I didn’t want to spend $300 on the upgraded drip pan with removable lid for the direct grilling, so I cut the included drip pan and welded in a “holder” for the two pieces. I am also going to weld on a couple more pieces on the bottom of the drip pan so it doesn’t warp. Just sprayed it down and did the burn in. Going to put some biscuits on soon to see what the heat is like. It is built really well but part of me is wishing I had gotten the Mak because of the WiFi option. I am still going to research and try to figure out how to add this. Also a larger hopper would be nice. Other than that it is nice. Here’s some pics.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Mikhail · 11-17-2018, 11:48 AM

Sweet!

I'm getting an itch for a pellet smoker. Money is not the issue but My Favorite Redhead will not be excited about a fourth cooker. I have to implement my plan to subvert her will.

seakuv · 11-17-2018, 11:54 AM

Looks great! I'm doing the burn in on a new MAK as I type. Enjoy that Yoder - they're great grills.

Clay-b-que · 11-17-2018, 11:55 AM

Do it! It is really easy to hit a switch and be at 600 degrees pretty fast! This is my fourth cooker as well and negotiations are abound about where it is going to live...

rwalters · 11-17-2018, 11:58 AM

Awesome and CONGRATS! Look forward to seeing you put that cooker to good use :)

Joshw · 11-17-2018, 11:59 AM

I would reinforce the diffuser plate, immediately. they are known to warp pretty quickly. Once warped, it is going to be much harder to work with. I don't think hopper size is a problem. I have done several low and slow cooks for 16 hours on one hopper.

Hope you like yours, as much as I like mine.

rwalters · 11-17-2018, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seakuv

Looks great! I'm doing the burn in on a new MAK as I type. Enjoy that Yoder - they're great grills.

No pics? :(

rwalters · 11-17-2018, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwalters

No pics? :(

Never mind, found the thread :)

Clay-b-que · 11-17-2018, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshw

I would reinforce the diffuser plate, immediately. they are known to warp pretty quickly. Once warped, it is going to be much harder to work with. I don't think hopper size is a problem. I have done several low and slow cooks for 16 hours on one hopper.

Hope you like yours, as much as I like mine.

Yep. It is warping already because I cut it. I actually have a full 4x8 sheet of that gauge steel so it will be pretty easy to cut a new one if I can’t bend it back.

Just put on some beef fat to season it up. Fatty is going one after smoking the beef fat.

Clay-b-que · 11-17-2018, 12:30 PM

Also, I don’t like the grates for the bottom so I am going to weld up another grate just like the one that is on the upper shelf.

Clay-b-que · 11-17-2018, 12:51 PM

...and has anyone used the yoder thermal blanket for their 640? Does it work? What differences does it make?

Joshw · 11-17-2018, 12:56 PM

If you do a new grate on bottom, I would go with a 2 piece design. I like being able to remove half the grates, so I can open the sear door, while leaving the rest.

Joshw · 11-17-2018, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clay-b-que

...and has anyone used the yoder thermal blanket for their 640? Does it work? What differences does it make?

I have it. It has been on, since I bought the cooker, so I really can't say how much of a difference it makes. I know I can cook in cold and wind with no problems. They say it helps with pellet usage, I use about 1.25 to 2 lbs an hour, depending on cook temps. Maybe someone else can weigh in on what theirs uses. I doubt it is much better than a welding blanket, draped over it, but I like that it stays on, and is hassle free.

BKING! · 11-17-2018, 01:29 PM

Congrats! Yoders can do it all!

Clay-b-que · 11-17-2018, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshw

If you do a new grate on bottom, I would go with a 2 piece design. I like being able to remove half the grates, so I can open the sear door, while leaving the rest.

That is my plan so I can take the left side grate out and put in the grill grates that I did buy!

11-17-2018, 11:43 AM	#1
Clay-b-que is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-18-14 Location: Denver, CO	Yoda the Yoder is Home! Picked it up on Thursday and finally got to unload it last night. First thing I did was start modifying it. I didn’t want to spend $300 on the upgraded drip pan with removable lid for the direct grilling, so I cut the included drip pan and welded in a “holder” for the two pieces. I am also going to weld on a couple more pieces on the bottom of the drip pan so it doesn’t warp. Just sprayed it down and did the burn in. Going to put some biscuits on soon to see what the heat is like. It is built really well but part of me is wishing I had gotten the Mak because of the WiFi option. I am still going to research and try to figure out how to add this. Also a larger hopper would be nice. Other than that it is nice. Here’s some pics. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk __________________ "Franklinstein" (Franklin Clone), "Ugly Clay Smoker" (UDS)

11-17-2018, 11:48 AM	#2
Mikhail Babbling Farker Join Date: 06-27-15 Location: Cincinnati OH Name/Nickname : Mik	Sweet! I'm getting an itch for a pellet smoker. Money is not the issue but My Favorite Redhead will not be excited about a fourth cooker. I have to implement my plan to subvert her will. __________________ PK Classic Grill, Weber One Touch 22" Copper, Broil King Signet 320

11-17-2018, 11:54 AM	#3
seakuv Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-26-18 Location: Palmer, Alaska Name/Nickname : Dave	Looks great! I'm doing the burn in on a new MAK as I type. Enjoy that Yoder - they're great grills. __________________ MAK 2 Star General Weber 26" Kettle

11-17-2018, 11:55 AM	#4
Clay-b-que is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-18-14 Location: Denver, CO	Do it! It is really easy to hit a switch and be at 600 degrees pretty fast! This is my fourth cooker as well and negotiations are abound about where it is going to live... __________________ "Franklinstein" (Franklin Clone), "Ugly Clay Smoker" (UDS)

11-17-2018, 11:58 AM	#5
rwalters Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-08-12 Location: Columbia, TN Name/Nickname : Robb	Awesome and CONGRATS! Look forward to seeing you put that cooker to good use :) __________________ MAK 3 Star — Camp Chef FTG 900 — 26.75 Weber kettle — Weber Q3200 Follower of Jesus, Husband of 1, Father of 9, Lover of people "Ya don't win friends with salad!" Come follow my adventures on Instagram: @rwaltersbbq

11-17-2018, 11:59 AM	#6
Joshw Babbling Farker Join Date: 09-25-17 Location: Oklahoma	I would reinforce the diffuser plate, immediately. they are known to warp pretty quickly. Once warped, it is going to be much harder to work with. I don't think hopper size is a problem. I have done several low and slow cooks for 16 hours on one hopper. Hope you like yours, as much as I like mine.

11-17-2018, 12:30 PM	#10
Clay-b-que is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-18-14 Location: Denver, CO	Also, I don’t like the grates for the bottom so I am going to weld up another grate just like the one that is on the upper shelf. __________________ "Franklinstein" (Franklin Clone), "Ugly Clay Smoker" (UDS)

11-17-2018, 12:51 PM	#11
Clay-b-que is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-18-14 Location: Denver, CO	...and has anyone used the yoder thermal blanket for their 640? Does it work? What differences does it make? __________________ "Franklinstein" (Franklin Clone), "Ugly Clay Smoker" (UDS)

11-17-2018, 12:56 PM	#12
Joshw Babbling Farker Join Date: 09-25-17 Location: Oklahoma	If you do a new grate on bottom, I would go with a 2 piece design. I like being able to remove half the grates, so I can open the sear door, while leaving the rest.

11-17-2018, 01:29 PM	#14
BKING! is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-26-18 Location: Talbott, TN Name/Nickname : Brent	Congrats! Yoders can do it all! __________________ Current:Mak ⭐️ general, Weber kettle 26, camp chef 900 griddle