Don Jeansonne
Well-known member
I have a Lang offset which I really like the flavor of the way she smokes but it takes time and effort. There are times when I just can't spend that much effort cooking. I do a couple of competitions per year so pit mobility is important. I am considering adding a pit that would be less effort but still has great tastes. I will also keep my Weber kettle for backup and short cooks.
Thus I am considering a Yoder 640 pellet or a Ole Hickory ACE BP (OH). Both are expensive with OH being higher. Cost is important but not the deciding factor.
The Yoder is a quality pit but all pellets don't have a strong smoke flavor although there is things to do to maximize the smoke. Many users claim adequate smoke and I don't like strong smoke anyway. I like the flexibility of the 640 with the wide temp range of low smoke to high searing/grilling. I like being able to smoke for time at 250 then raising to 500 to hot sear with one pit and little effort. A pit that can low smoke and high heat grill seems a good thing. The Yoder competition model does have the mobility that is like.Also I still have the Lang for times when I want that great all wood flavor.
The OH seems to cook more closely to the flavor of the Lang or charcoal/wood. It has max temp of 250 - 275F. Doesn't have the high temp range. OH is very high quality in build and food production. Very good reputation. It could be a replacement of the Lang instead of a supplement. The pit is not really made to move around. It has small casters difficult to load onto trailers.
I keep vacillating between the 2, Each has pros and cons that I see and probably only I can decide what is important to me. I can't seem to get over the reputation that Ole Hickory has in the bbq commercial world and high praise of the owners.
Yoder 640 -
flexible wide temp range
long burn times little attention
good mobility
lower cost
mild / low smoke flavor
Ole Hickory -
high quality construction
great wood flavor
control with little attention
heavy / poor mobility
higher cost
Please give me your opinions good and bad. Don't spare any criticisms either. This has to be my last pit purchase!
Thus I am considering a Yoder 640 pellet or a Ole Hickory ACE BP (OH). Both are expensive with OH being higher. Cost is important but not the deciding factor.
The Yoder is a quality pit but all pellets don't have a strong smoke flavor although there is things to do to maximize the smoke. Many users claim adequate smoke and I don't like strong smoke anyway. I like the flexibility of the 640 with the wide temp range of low smoke to high searing/grilling. I like being able to smoke for time at 250 then raising to 500 to hot sear with one pit and little effort. A pit that can low smoke and high heat grill seems a good thing. The Yoder competition model does have the mobility that is like.Also I still have the Lang for times when I want that great all wood flavor.
The OH seems to cook more closely to the flavor of the Lang or charcoal/wood. It has max temp of 250 - 275F. Doesn't have the high temp range. OH is very high quality in build and food production. Very good reputation. It could be a replacement of the Lang instead of a supplement. The pit is not really made to move around. It has small casters difficult to load onto trailers.
I keep vacillating between the 2, Each has pros and cons that I see and probably only I can decide what is important to me. I can't seem to get over the reputation that Ole Hickory has in the bbq commercial world and high praise of the owners.
Yoder 640 -
flexible wide temp range
long burn times little attention
good mobility
lower cost
mild / low smoke flavor
Ole Hickory -
high quality construction
great wood flavor
control with little attention
heavy / poor mobility
higher cost
Please give me your opinions good and bad. Don't spare any criticisms either. This has to be my last pit purchase!
