Welp,

I'm gonna hold off boys. Just doesn't make sense when I have my YS640. I plan on bringing the Yoder home from the cabin since it doesn't get much use up there like when I first bought it. Sometimes I can't go up for over 2 months.

I plan and buying the Yoder ACS wifi hardware and upgrading it for $400+. I'll use it way more when I bring it home.

A mans gotta do what a mans gotta do...

Although I would’ve loved to see you join the MAK family, can’t argue with your thinking... makes perfect sense.

Seconded. Bribe a neighbor to help you transfer the body onto the base. With two people it should take literally less than a minute. That part really should not ever be attempted solo. It's a very heavy body and tolerances are very tight.

1 Star ordered.

Welcome to our Mak family!

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MAK Group Buy
 

And another Brethren joins the MAK family! Welcome brutha :-)

What accessories did you go with?

I actually did this yesterday, and wouldn't say I'm a super-strong guy or anything. The way I did it was to rotate the grill body back on top of the box/pallet (with cushioning). I then attached the cart horizontally and levered it up, which was actually fairly easy (make sure you lock the casters first). Toughest part was reaching around some weird angles to tighten the nuts.

Also, make sure you take everything you can out of the grill before doing this - saves a bunch of weight.

I wish I could take credit for thinking of this myself, but its actually how the Smokefire was assembled.

You da man! How does your back feel today? Mine hurts just thinking about it… lol.

I’m selfishly disappointed. Your logic is sound, but your cooks are inspiring. For the love of the Brethren I think you should reconsider - you have a couple more days.


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You know what, you are absolutely correct! I would actually have to question Sako’s love and loyalty to the Brethren should this decision stick :(

Now that's some serious peer pressure! I'll still be your friend regardless Sako.

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https://youtu.be/DfIcZtjAch8

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No pressure whatsoever... just a gentle nudge... lol. Yes, we can still be friends no matter what he decides. I would hate to lose my chance of ever getting a Sako dinner invite :)

That's actually what I was going to post. I used the pallet + the cardboard on top to rest the Mak on its back and then did a horizontal install.

Funny thing, the only other item left in the delivery truck was a Smokefire. The driver wouldn't tell me if it was a return or new delivery.

Congrats Randy, love my 1 Star been cooking on it going on 2yrs now.

My Two Star arrived this afternoon. It’s assembled but I didn’t have time to cook on it tonight.

I have several cooks planned with favorites that I have down pat on my Weber kettle and WSM. Looking forward to dialing in these recipes on my MAK. I’ll start a new thread to cover those initial cooks.

I’m very impressed with the build quality. No torquing of pieces was needed to get screws into holes. Every single one was lined up. My wife even commented on the overall quality.

Chalk up another one... just hung up with Caleb (great guy btw) and I’ve got a Two Star shipping out tomorrow, with Wi-Fi, cover, cabinet door and the full upper grate. Many thanks to all the Brethren for your comments, counsel and questions. You’re a heck of a brand ambassador, rwalters!

Excited to add another thoroughbred to the corral!

For those of you with a 2019 version, do you typically move the thermocouple. So far I have gone the easy route and kept it in the corner, but I also haven't cooked on the upper shelf yet. Wondering how much effect it actually has.

The only time I’ve moved it is to occasionally clean it with steel wool. Lol.

Oh Happy Day!!!!! Can’t wait to see and hear more :)

Good to know. I've wondered but I assumed Mak had it dialed in where it hangs so I didn't ask.

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Fantastic setup and welcome to the MAK family!!!

Did a cook with the pellets Mak sent. It was only 4 hours but the amount of ash was minimal. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...a509dd3b8a.jpg

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It makes a difference. The upper grate is typically about 25ish° different than the main grate. It’s psychics... lol. I am not super picky so I tend to adjust the Pellet Boss accordingly and leave the thermocouple on its perch. That said, I have tested it several times by moving to the upper grate and even to the middle of the main grate. It brings temps very much in line with what you have the Pellet Boss set to. The reason MAK designed the roaming probe was to meet the needs of the super picky. Seriously! It works as advertised :)

Me, I love how easy it is to remove and clean.

That’s nothing! But you did dump the firepot before snapping that pic, yeah? It’s way to clean.

One of the things that I have come to LOVE about the MAK is how it functions as a grill. You will not see flames hitting your food, but if you have the Funnel Flame Zone you will have incredibly intense semi-direct radiant heat. I have had lots of cookers, some being pretty nice. I am not saying that other cookers cannot turn out a phenomenal product... but I do find the moisture retention in meats to be better coming from the MAK than any other grill I have ever had. Grilled up some Carne Asada tonight for burrito bowls. The meat was dripping wet as it came off the MAK. The MAK is my weeknight stress reducer and it never gets old :)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...a5360058f6.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...0d02de3930.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...93e14ff8fc.jpg

Dumped and scraped the fire pot. Didn't even sweep the ash. Maybe next cook.

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Wanted to let you guys know my experience on the WIFI setup and install.

I have about average technical ability with computers and networks.

1. Installation- took about 15 minutes
2. Grill software Setup- 15-20 minutes (only because I entered a few wrong characters on SSID).
3. Registration @ Mak mobile- 2 minutes

I am up and running on wifi in about 30-40 minutes and it’s cruising right along. I have the smoker about 200’ away from the router running through a 12” concrete filled wall.

My network has an Orbi pro with orbi pro satellite extender about 60’ away through normal 6” stud walls.

The location has got to be on the tricky side of things.

The Mak setup and installation instructions seem more complicated than it actually is.

So far I can absolutely recommend the WIFI/Mobile. Seems solid to me. Very excited to have it and glad I didn’t let some of the early experiences with it sway me from getting it.

Congrats to the new owners! We love ours

is there a tally to how many have been purchased since this thread started?

Glad it went smoothly! MAK really does have their WiFi module dialed in nicely.

Not sure where it stands as of right now... but I’ll be sure to ask Caleb soon. Look forward to hearing the current #. This group buy has been a lot of fun to watch and participate in :)

I like mine too! It gets a lot of use. Thanks Robb!

I'm gonna guess at least 20 units were sold to Brethren.

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Just the basic unit with the full size upper rack. Will use mostly for smoking abd use the searing burner on my gasser for the final sear.

Nice! Sounds like a fine tag-team :)

My approach as well! Just waiting for the BBQ island to be finished. In the meantime, everything's still in their packing crates. :sad:

The crew demanded I buy some real bologna yesterday...

https://i.postimg.cc/3wSbHrGd/38843-...57-F48-D59.jpg

I’ve got a couple of biscuit tests that I’m goin to do to see if moving it around really makes a difference. Stay tuned...

Demanding people are typically frowned upon! Not the case here as these types of demands are music to the Brethren’s ears. Tuned in :)

MAK Group Buy
 

Two days left til the Brethren group buy deal comes to a close. Anyone else ready to join the MAK family?

Now that looks delicious!
 

:clap2: Wow... that looks amazing and maybe inaugural cook worthy! Care to share the recipe and process?

Aside from sear marks is there a reason to remove the flame zone covers? Do they need to be removed to reach a certain temp?

Thank you kind sir! As far as the recipe, I am spoiled to have a meat wholesaler right next to my work that sells to the public as well. This is grass fed flap steak that is pre-marinaded. It’s sooooo good. As far as cooking method, it’s hot n fast. Only takes about 2-3 mins per side.

They do not need to be removed to hit certain temps. The reason for their removal is to allow the intense heat to blast through the 88 conic vent holes. By removing the covers, you’ll experience a much more intense and even heat when grilling. Leaving the covers on during grilling works just fine, but the heat will be more intense around the perimeter of the Flame Zone pan. Really depends on what you are wanting to accomplish. I leave the covers on for all smoking/roasting/baking... and covers off for all grilling.

Here’s a fun and informative Flame Zone blog article:

https://makgrills.com/products/true-...the-flamezone/

Count me in
 

Pulled the trigger just now... 2 Star, Wifi, Door, Xtra Rack, 3/4 Rack, Cover. Told my wife reminding her she said "go ahead" last week. Apparently her memory is not so good. Looks like I may have "traded" a new MAK for a bathroom renovation...:shock:
Thanks Crispy, rwalters, pjtexas, Kevin J and all who have contributed to my continuing delinquency. :thumb:

Dang, I'll have to see what kind of discount Caleb can give me on a bathroom innovation. Does anyone know if he installs hardwood floors?

UPDATE!!! Just spoke with MAK Grills and we are currently sitting at 19 grills sold through this Brethren group buy deal. Lots of calls/interest coming in and it seems that we are going to move past 20 any minute now. I was just able to broker a new incentive (lol) to the already awesome group buy deal MAK has provided to all who have joined the family this past week.

So here it is...

Knowing that the group buy deal comes to an end tomorrow (3/12) at 5pm (PST)... if we can hit 25 grills sold, everyone who bought through this deal will be given a $75 store credit. If we can hit 30 grills sold, everyone who bought through this deal will be given a $100 store credit.

There currently seems to be plenty of interest to make these goals very realistic. Soooooo, now is the time if you are on the fence. Just a handful more and the deal gets even sweeter :)

Congrats and WELCOME to the MAK family brother!

:laugh::laugh:

Not sure about his hardwood skills, but my bathroom indignation is to be overcome by my MAK jubilation