jkief
is one Smokin' Farker
Picked up the Yoder YS640S today from Indigo pools, put it together, and got it in the back patio. Burn off is happening as we speak. I’m 30 minutes into the burn off and thought I’d share some insight into it as it compares to the MAK. For reference, I’m using the crappy pellets from Sams (last little bit). I used the same pellets in the MAK as well for the last month or so. First thing, assembly instructions were easy to read and follow, but dumb when it comes to mounting the grill on the cart. They have you put all the bolts in hand tight, just to remove the 8 top ones to put the grill on. They should have made you put the 8 bottom ones in hand tight, then mount the cart to the grill, and put the last 8 bolts in. Tighten everything down. Not the end of the world, just an extra step that could be avoided. Operation is as easy as MAK. Temperature is all over the place. Burning in at 350 per Yoder. I’ve seen it read as high as 369 and low as 336. Within my tolerances, but not even close to the tight MAK tolerance. Maybe it’s the cheap pellets or maybe it’s designed that way, don’t know. MAK eats those cheap pellets up perfectly, though. We’ll see as time marches along. The grill grates I already have fit perfectly in the Yoder. Win for me! I wasn’t a fan that the body was spot welded and sealed. Would have preferred a solid weld, but if it lasts for the 10 year warranty period, I’ll take it. I prefer the MAK 4 swivel casters compared to the 2 swivel and 2 stationary. Emptying the fire pot in both are easy, but Yoder wins here with their trap door. MAK, you have to remove grates, covers, flame zone diffuser, and heat diffuser to get to the fire pot. Yoder, you just slide two grates over to the side, open the trap door and the fire pot is right there. I haven’t timed the start up to temp time on either yet or the cool down time, but will in the future. I like how the Yoder grates are running front to back. I honestly don’t like how MAK has their flame zone holes, cover, and grates running side to side. If using the top shelf, it makes getting to the back cover and grate difficult. I like the grease drawer in the MAK better than the solid hole opening in the Yoder. I also like the ash trap door in the MAK. Cleaning the ash from the Yoder will require a shop vacuum. This isn’t meant to be an in depth review or which pit I like better, but just my initial thoughts on how one compares to the other. As I use the Yoder more and cook on it, my thoughts might change.
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