Yoder Smokers BBQs and Smokers are incredible machines.
They are large, made “though”, reliable, and designed to last for years.
For all these reasons (and more), these devices are quite expensive. Is the price really worth it? What's so special about them? To help you make a decision, I'm going to tell you in detail about these beautiful toys here.
Why invest in a Yoder?
First, the Yoders are very good machines. They are at the top of their categories. It's not complicated, they are like a mix of Lamborghini and tank. The Lambo because of their precision and the tank for their durability and strength. Already there, it starts strong.
Be careful though! Although there is a wide variety in the size of Yoder BBQs, the size does not change anything; the smallest model will have the same cooking quality as the largest. All their models have their history and a unique side too, because each device is assembled by hand, in the United States.
One of the features that distinguishes Yoder "offset" smokers from those of another brand is the thickness of its steel. Indeed, they are made, downright, with the thickest and strongest steel on the market (you only have to lift the lid of one of these devices to realize that you will finish your cooking more muscular 🥵💪). In terms of design too, the air flow of these BBQs is really "on the mark".
Otherwise, technology-wise, Yoder Smokers is there too. Yes, the company has developed its own PID regulator (to adjust temperatures) so that its pellet models are as efficient as possible, and that's no small feat. If you look inside one of its BBQs, you'll see that the way the device feeds and burns pellets is unique (even if some companies try to imitate their creation), and you'll also notice that the more you use your grill, the smarter it becomes in terms of its fuel consumption. Yoder has created its own algorithm system.
Otherwise, the look of the Yoder is another aspect to mention. There is no BBQ that looks like them, especially since you can have a "custom" one. Indeed, you can choose the color you want for your cart and even have a logo or specific wheel "mags" or other things put on it, which is pretty sick.
The hottest features
Sure, I mentioned this just before, but I still want to emphasize a few things regarding the Yoders.
- Their quality and their unrivaled finish
Yoders are handcrafted (which is already rare on the market) in a micro-manufacturing facility in the United States by specialist craftsmen who have been doing this for years. Their attention to detail and their demand rate mean that the lead time to receive new BBQs is generally 3 to 6 months, because they process orders on demand. If you are looking for personalized service, there is nothing better than that.
- Their stability
The steel in the Yoders is very thick, so once the sheet metal gets hot enough, the heat is maintained for a long time. Basically, even if you open the lid, the heat in the BBQ will stay the same when you close it, the steel is so thick. These are real reliable BBQs that, when they are ready (temperature wise), they are ready.
Can you just smoke with a Yoder?
No. The company may be called Yoder Smokers, but you can still smoke, cook, and grill food with all of their models. To make your BBQ hotter and sear steaks, you can simply remove the hatch at the bottom of your unit, for example. It's really sick.
By the way, when you put it in "grill" mode, you can get your appliance up to 700 °F, even when it's -30 °C in the winter. That's to say, these are really good, powerful machines.
Oh! And if you want even better performance when it's cold, cover your BBQ with an insulating blanket. 😉
Is it complicated to master?
Honestly, even though they are big beasts, the Yoders are super easy to use. It's the same as an oven. Everything is already programmed into it; there's a WiFi connection, the algorithm learns as you use it...
It must also be said that people who have a Yoder form a small community. So, clearly if you go on the Internet, for example, you will be able to chat with lots of enthusiasts to learn new things and expand your knowledge. (And obviously, that goes without saying, but if you have any questions, our team at BBQ Québec is here to help you. 😉)
Who needs a Yoder in their life?
Yoder BBQs are perfect for many types of people. I'm thinking of people who are passionate about unique/different products, collectors, people who want the best products on the market, participants in BBQ competitions (the models on carts are easy to move, in particular), lovers of wood BBQs, among others.
The only thing I would say, however, is that it might not be a trip for those who don't like to maintain their barbecue because these BBQs are made of natural steel, so yes, from time to time, there may be bits of paint that will come off or small spots of rust that will appear... But! These devices still come with a paint can to do small "touch-ups" if necessary, so that's already a good thing.
Finally, a little advice: if you really want to BBQ "like in the old days", you'd better get a wood-burning appliance since it's the closest thing to the "offset" smokers that run on logs, and if you want to succeed in all your cooking, go with a pellet model. In any case, you'll become one of the best "pitmasters" in the world with a Yoder, I'm sure of it.
So, if you are thinking of getting a Yoder, you just need to think about the size you need and the cart you want, because, for sure, you will not regret your purchase. 🔥
Happy BBQ!