Yoder Smokers Community Forum

I have the displacement damper 5"-6" as recommended but im getting abnormal hot spots on the bottom corner. I basically cant use the entire front/right portion of the grill. Any feedback is appreciated as it is becoming increasingly frustrating. (My pic wont upload due to file size, but would love to share.)

If you are talking about the chimney side, past the end of the heat diffuser, this is normal. This is the air/heat accumulation spot that the chimney bleeds off. I try not to put anything on the grate past the end of the diffuser. If I need to, then I make sure to rotate to even out the cooking time.

You could have a big air leak there at the corner of the cover. Any smoke rolling out there?

Thank you for the responses. It is on the right of the grill but not outside the diffuser plate; its literally from the chimney side wall to the middle of the handle...everything there burns but 70 degree raw meat elsewhere. Ill check on a smoke leak when I fire it up next, and also try to find how I can make the picture file smaller to attach.

Do you foil your deflector? If you foil it and the foil is not tight up against the bottom of the plate, it can cause some airflow issues and make it hot on the right side. I'd try running it without foil (f you don't already) and see if that makes a difference.

Also, is your deflector warped up on the hopper end? Is it touching or almost touching the angle iron that the grates set on?

Hey Herb...yes i do have warping on the diffuser plate, and was curious since we just bought it in October if that was normal. I reviewed the manual and haven't cooked higher than 400° with the plate in place, but it still warped. I also foil the diffuser for easy cleanup, but I may take that off now if it will cause issues.

Check this out: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=338

Thank you sir; I will stop by Lowes tomorrow morning for a steel rod. Please know I appreciate your expertise as I continue learning the new smoker. Enjoy your weekend!

You may be right Herb on the warping of the diffuser causing the hot spots. I purchased the 1/4" rod and the diffuser is so warped the rod still rolls on one end...the rod doesnt even help the diffuser lie flat to "correct itself" when heated. Im going to purchase a thicker rod to see if maybe that will do what the 1/4" rod was supposed to do.