Yoder Smokers Community Forum

My YS640 is awesome but it sure does suck pellets down with the Kansas winters. I can burn 10lbs in 1.5 hours easily. I have read the blanket helps a lot! How much is "a lot"? $250 is steep but if it will save a lot of pellets one could justify the cost over a few winters.

Let me know your thoughts......

What brand of pellets are you using?

BBQ delight. I have used pecan and mesquite. It's just my first 40 pounds but I have burnt all 40 in 5 cooks. Most at 350 degrees. Two where direct grill situations so it consumed a lot. Probably high 30s to mid 40s F temp. That's 8-10lbs a cook. This also included the initial burn in.

Sound excessive?

The auger is attached to a 2 RPM motor. At full speed, it will feed approximately 4 */- pounds an hour of BBQR's Delight hickory pellets.

At the max rate of 4 pounds an hour, 20 pounds should last approximately 5 hours.

For the 4 pounds an hour max rate, you would need to be cooking at a very hot temperature, in very cold weather.

Good info, thanks Herb!

Do you feel a thermal blanket will make a noticeable difference in pellet consumption?

Absolutely. To prove this, use a non-flammable welding blanket over the chamber and lid as a test. Make sure to not cover any of the vents in the hopper.