We Put the YS640S Grill to the Test

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Yoder Smokers has built a near cult-like following in the BBQ world by making pellet smokers that are about as heavy-duty as they come. The YS640S is the brand’s flagship model, and plenty of pitmasters consider it the gold standard for backyard smoking. We got our hands on one of the grills to see if it lives up to the hype. From day one, we could tell this thing was built like a tank—but would it perform, too? We got to cooking (and eating) to find out.

Quick Overview

Yoder Smokers YS640S Pellet Grill

Pros

High quality construction built to last
Excellent smoke flavor
Maintains temperature well
Made in the USA

Cons

Very expensive
Extremely heavy

Specs

Dimensions: 61.3″ x 55″ x 36.1″
Weight: 418 pounds
Hopper capacity: 20 pounds
Cooking area: 1,070 square inches
Temperature: 150-600 degrees Fahrenheit

Testing and Results

We spent several weeks cooking on the Yoder YS640S to get a feel for what it does well, and whether it justifies its premium cost. During testing, we smoked a brisket, roasted a whole chicken, and fired up a batch of smash burgers to see how it handled low-and-slow barbecue, regular grilling, and everything in between. Right away, the Yoder felt different from most pellet grills we’ve used. It’s incredibly solid, and once it comes up to temperature, it just settles in and gets to work. We never had an issue with it losing heat while cooking.

Most importantly, the food backed up the hype. Our brisket developed great bark and plenty of smoke flavor, the chicken cooked evenly and stayed juicy, and the smash burgers got the kind of crust you’d normally expect from a griddle. What impressed us most wasn’t any single cook—it was how consistently the Yoder performed from one meal to the next. It didn’t require much babysitting, which is exactly what you want when you’re spending this much on a pellet smoker.

One thing to know before ordering: The Yoder is seriously heavy. Assembly isn’t particularly difficult (or at least it wasn’t for my husband!), but you’ll definitely want a second set of hands and a plan for where you’re going to put it before you start building.

Final Verdict

The Yoder YS640S has earned a loyal following for a reason. It’s expensive, it’s incredibly heavy, and it’s probably more smoker than the average backyard cook needs—but if you spend a lot of weekends smoking brisket, ribs, pork shoulders, or anything else that benefits from low-and-slow cooking, it may be worth the investment. Throughout our testing, it delivered consistent results and plenty of smoke flavor, and we like that it’s versatile enough to handle everything from an all-day brisket to quick burgers. It’s a serious piece of equipment with a serious price tag, but for dedicated BBQ enthusiasts, we say go for it. As one reviewer wrote, “this is the last cooker you’ll ever buy.”

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