New Yoder owner-maybe?
Posted: May 3rd, 2019, 11:45 am
Hello from a newbie. Longtime Weber gas grill owner recently intrigued by pellet grills. Started looking locally at Traegers and Green Mountain Grills displayed at local stores. Almost purchased a new Green Mountain Prime as my first pellet grill. Started reading forums and discovered other brands. For a bit more money, maybe buy a rec tec? For a bit more yet, buy a yoder? Mak?
In two weeks I've gone from almost bringing home an $800 Green Mountain to play around with to trying to convince my wife we need to spend $3,000 on a comp cart 640 with two piece diffuser and grill grates. I found a small yoder dealer 45 miles away and went to see a 640 on a comp cart. After viewing, how could I ever be happy buying a lesser GMG? I wanted to buy the 640 on the spot but it wouldn't fit in my Suburban.
Came home and started reading up on Yoder. Now of course they just announced the "s" version with wi fi and built in probes. Might I regret buying a 640 today vs ordering an "s"? Reading reviews on options and paint issues, my head is spinning..........
So might someone provide their opinion:
-If you were considering your first Yoder, would you order the "s" or buy a stock 640?
-While the comp cart is "cool", if the unit is going to spend most of its life sitting on my deck and only being moved off the deck once or twice a year to clean the deck, is the comp cart cost worth it or necessary?
-Stainless shelves worth the upgrade for a first timer?
-I'm concerned about grilling as I use my Weber 3-4 times a week to cook chicken, burgers, steak, pork chops for the family of four. These are quick dinner sessions, not all day events. Am I setting myself up for frustration if I intend to use this as a grill more often than a smoker? I picture myself coming home from work and needing to change clothes and put on gloves before starting the grill for dinner as I have to take the grates/shelves out and remove the diffuser before grilling a hamburger. Can I leave the diffuser out all the time and just put it back in when I want to smoke? I know the answer is buy the two piece but stubbornly don't wish to spend $3,,000 on a grill and have to spend another $180 to more easily grill a brat dog.
-Is the paint issue that big of deal?
-If I'm jumping in for the first time, is it easier to start with a lower end "beginner" brand ? Is it more difficult to operate, maintain, clean the yoder each time than a lower end GMG or Traeger?
Just trying to convince myself the right move is to order a new 640s and be happy 5-6 weeks from now.
Thanks all.
In two weeks I've gone from almost bringing home an $800 Green Mountain to play around with to trying to convince my wife we need to spend $3,000 on a comp cart 640 with two piece diffuser and grill grates. I found a small yoder dealer 45 miles away and went to see a 640 on a comp cart. After viewing, how could I ever be happy buying a lesser GMG? I wanted to buy the 640 on the spot but it wouldn't fit in my Suburban.
Came home and started reading up on Yoder. Now of course they just announced the "s" version with wi fi and built in probes. Might I regret buying a 640 today vs ordering an "s"? Reading reviews on options and paint issues, my head is spinning..........
So might someone provide their opinion:
-If you were considering your first Yoder, would you order the "s" or buy a stock 640?
-While the comp cart is "cool", if the unit is going to spend most of its life sitting on my deck and only being moved off the deck once or twice a year to clean the deck, is the comp cart cost worth it or necessary?
-Stainless shelves worth the upgrade for a first timer?
-I'm concerned about grilling as I use my Weber 3-4 times a week to cook chicken, burgers, steak, pork chops for the family of four. These are quick dinner sessions, not all day events. Am I setting myself up for frustration if I intend to use this as a grill more often than a smoker? I picture myself coming home from work and needing to change clothes and put on gloves before starting the grill for dinner as I have to take the grates/shelves out and remove the diffuser before grilling a hamburger. Can I leave the diffuser out all the time and just put it back in when I want to smoke? I know the answer is buy the two piece but stubbornly don't wish to spend $3,,000 on a grill and have to spend another $180 to more easily grill a brat dog.
-Is the paint issue that big of deal?
-If I'm jumping in for the first time, is it easier to start with a lower end "beginner" brand ? Is it more difficult to operate, maintain, clean the yoder each time than a lower end GMG or Traeger?
Just trying to convince myself the right move is to order a new 640s and be happy 5-6 weeks from now.
Thanks all.