Ok, wrote Byron 6 days ago and nor reply. So I post it here.
RE: 14615 10/21/13
My Yoder is driving me Crazy!
Thanksgiving smoke was a success! Two turkeys & three racks of ribs. 7 Hours. Cool enough... but the getting there is another story.
The leaking lid. See the picture. It always leaked a little, it just seems to be getting worse. I have cleaned the edges so it is not creosote build up. Any suggestions? I have gone to laying a wet towel over it during a cook. What bugs me is seeing smoke come out here and not the chimney.
Byron has not been with the company for over 2 years. All inquiries should be send to customerservice@yodersmokers.com
Smoke from the lid is inconsequential because of the positive air pressure inside the cooker.
The only way an external temperature probe will approximate the display is if it is positioned at exactly the center from front to back, and at 11" from the hopper wall, with nothing within 6" of the probe.
Here are some articles that may help you:
viewtopic.php?f=49&t=787
download/Best%20Practice%20and%20how%20to/Temperature%20Issues%20Check%20List.pdf
download/Best%20Practice%20and%20how%20to/Yoder%20Pellet%20Temperature%20Test.pdf
and for the lid, you may use the following to adjust the hinges if needed: download/Install%20and%20Repair/Adjusting%20The%20Hinges%20on%20a%20Yoder%20Smoker%20Pellet%20Grill.pdf
I had a leak too. PM me for a fix. It's just a simple gasket you need for the smoke leak. I researched i before I bought it and bought a simple fix before the smoker arrived on the truck... You can fix it.
Had my smoker for 3 years been great.
Ever invested in a Maverick 732 probe setup? Maybe you have. Maybe you need too. That outside thermometer pic, what is that for?????
Maybe wait on the bread baking.... Temps for that really need t be controlled. Let make sure when you set the temp at 350 you get close to 350 on a electronic probe like I mentioned.
BTW, door gauges on EVERY SMOKER world wide don't show grate temps. EVEN CHAMP Smokers winning BBQ championships. You adjust and learn the Pit. Like the YS640 you have.