I'm wanting to smoke briskets and whatever else I think of and I ran across Yoder grills. They are pricey but made in USA (Kansas). I don't want to throw money at a made in China grill if I can avoid it.

Has anyone used, or even seen a Yoder?

I’ve never cooked on one or had one eaten some stuff cooked on one that was good. I have heard from many that they don’t last long, like 5 years and they are shot or in need of a significant overhaul.

Think BigPig has one. Seems to be great but too pricey for me. I’ve made some really good smoked food on my pitboss. I’m not even sure where it’s made probably China. If I was going to pay a lot for a smoker it would be a custom stick burner. And that’s saying something because I love my pellet smoker/grill.

I knew a couple yankees that loved theirs, swore by them.....but their bbq was not my kind of bbq.

Piggy smalls has one and absolutely loves it. Food looks legit too

Best I’ve seen for build quality

https://www.kandogear.com/collections/kando-gear-pellet-grills

I’ve got one and absolutely love it. It puts out great food and is virtually fool proof. I ran it for 36 hours straight while preparing for a party. Other than filling the hopper and removing the meat, I never touched it and went on about my day. The app works from your phone anywhere that you have service. They are great built machines, very heavy and if you plan on moving much I’d spend the extra for a competition cart.

I’m much too busy to tend to a stick burner, had them and love them, and I do believe they put out a smokier product, but the hassle free cooking is what I needed. There’s many times that I start a brisket or pork shoulder and then leave for work, set it on 225 and take it off after I’ve come home.

Some items from the Yoder

I had a YS640 that I loved. Had it 2-3 years and never had an issue and it was used a lot The only reason I got rid of it was we built an outdoor kitchen by the pool with all built in grills and it was replaced with a Memphis elite.

Thanks for the input. It is not something that I would move around, so portability is not an issue.

How long did you smoke the queso?

I've got one and my experience is similar to BPs. Only thing I add is a smoke tube so it gets a little more flavor.

Yes I have one. Just got it and only cooked wings so far. As far as build quality. You can’t put it in the back of a pick up. Well I guess you could but better have a couple guys, and not a tall truck. It’s HEAVY

Yoder makes a great product, I have a sticker burner. Good friend of our bought a 640 after I got my sticker burner and loves it, uses it for some commercial smoking too.
I've haven't heard of anyone's Yoder only lasting 5 years, his is going strong at 5 years+ but he wishes he had a bigger one now.

BP is a big tube smoker too...but I think we might not be talking about the same thing

Great smoker. If you want something that is a little more foolproof, I would look at Pitts and Spitts. There are several that have sold their yoder for a P&S.....made in Houston to boot. When you call their number, the owner, who is also the guy doing most of the welding, answers the phone.
I have one and love it.

I'll look at P&S, too. Thanks!

You get your daily dose of gorilla jizz yet?

From my research Yoder and P&S are neck and neck. Really it’s all about materials and build quality and both are top of the line. P&S does offers stainless version

I looked into them hard before buying the Yoder. It’s not a high quality stainless and lots of people have reported rusting. I’m terrible about cleaning my grills and smoker, so the thickness of the Yoder and build quality made it an easy choice. Despite being terrible at cleaning, and leaving it in the rain, it doesn’t have a speck of rust.

I think I'm actually going to get the Weber Smokefire EPX6 Stealth, and the leather apron too. And a Pizza steel.

Keep me posted on the Webber. I'm a big Webber Kettle fan and interested in their pellet grill's performance.

I'm not a pellet smoker type of person, but if I were to buy one it'd be a Yoder.