Posts may contain affiliate links that help enable me to continue to provide you with free recipes. Please see my Privacy Policy for further details.
Today I’m showing you how easy it is to set up your Yoder Smokers 640s with Competition Cart and perform the initial burn-in! Minutes to set up and soon enough you’ll be your own backyard pitmaster!
The Newest Yoder Smokers Brand Ambassador
Y’all I couldn’t be more excited!!! I’m the newest BA for Yoder Smokers. It is such an honor to be a part of the team. I’ve smoked on charcoal before before but this is my first pellet smoker.
I’ve seen these in action a bunch of times and honestly, this had been on my bucket list for quite some time. From an Engineering standpoint, this thing is truly unmatched. From the welds to the structural integrity, both myself and Mr. Fantabulous (another Engineer who works in metal fabrication for race cars), were impressed.
The Chef and PitMaster in me – I did my first cook on it the other day and honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever make meatloaf any other way!
The EASIEST Smoker Install Ever!
From how this was shipped and attached the 2×4″ pallets to how little we truly had to put together, we both were so impressed. The only help I needed in this whole thing was having my neighbor help my hubby take it from the pallet to the ground. That took maybe 15 seconds. Having the main components including the 8″ pneumatic wheels already attached – GAME CHANGER!
Now because it was 114F outside and the metal was sharp, my hubby wore gloves.
- First, grab the heat diffuser and place that into place. You’ll see where the tab goes into the slot on it.
- Next, put in the access door followed by the grill grates, top rack, and the chimney.
The Heat Diffuser
As you see below, the heat diffuser plate actually angles downwards. This is by design. As food smokes and drippings happen, they fall onto the plate and then slowly roll down off of the plate into the grease drain. That’s where you’ll put your grease bucket to catch it all.
Competition Level In Your Own Backyard
The last 2 steps were installing the 2 stainless steel shelves and closing the lid.
Seriously this took all of maybe 10 minutes to put together. Yoder Smokers really do all of the hard work for you. Their goal is to get you up and running as quickly as possible!
With 1,070 square inches of cooking space PLUS almost 12 inches of headroom, you can cook a feast on this bad boy! We’re talking multiple briskets or pork butts. Beer can chicken to full turkeys plus sides! I’m already thinking of making my entire Thanksgiving dinner on this!
What I love about this smoker is that the temperature range is from 150-600+F which means you can do low and slow to firing out pizzas! Oh wait.. didn’t I tell you that part?
THEY HAVE A PIZZA OVEN for the YS640 TOO!!! You can sear a killer steak on this or do the long haul or a 12-hour smoke!
Let’s Do The Initial Burn-In
Now that the YS640s is all put together there are only 3 things left to do:
- Plug in the smoker
- Fill the hopper with your favorite wood pellets
- Press start and let it ‘burn in’ for an hour.
For the burn-in, it really doesn’t matter what ‘flavor’ pellet you use. Your purpose in doing this part is to help burn off any residue/oils used in the fabrication or foreign materials that may be in there.
Fill up the hopper about 1/2 way. This will be more than enough but I err on the side of too much than not enough.
- Press the Power button. As you can see it will display YS.
- Next, press the Start button (make sure the lid is closed) and let it go for 1 hour.
By default, the temperature is 350F. You do not have to change this.
After 1 hour, press the Power button again to shut it off. The fans will continue to run to cool the system down. This should take 20 minutes.
After this, we’ll move into seasoning the smoker. That’s coming up in the next post!
Your New Smoker and BBQ BFF!
To my ladies and folks that love smoked meats, cheeses, veggies, and foods but are a bit fearful of doing it themselves, I got you! I’m here to help you conquer that fear and become your own backyard pitmaster! I’m your new BFF when it comes to this.
I’ll walk you through getting started, explain things in plain English (like Bark, Injection, The Stall, Fat Cap, Blue Smoke, and so forth), and, get you on your way to being the boss of your smoker and grill!
I like the smoke show more content Thanks you very much
Absolutely! I’m actually working on a video and a new post that I hope to have up later today or tomorrow on how to season the YS 640. After that I’ll share recipes on it and then start a series on the 24×36″ flattop.
Best Kitchen Wishes!
As soon as I saw this it went on my wish list! My hubby and I are huge lovers of smoked meats but haven’t bought a smoker yet. I just texted him and said, “If The Kitchen Whisperer recommends this smoker then this is what we buy!”.
Everything you’ve recommended we’ve loved. I can’t wait to see what all you create!
That means SO MUCH to me Darla; thank you! It takes a lot for me to put my name behind it. I am absolutely head over heels for loving this smoker! I know you will too!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
I am drooling over that smoker! I love how easy it looks to put together.
I can’t wait to see what you make!
It was such a breeze to put together. We’re talking in less than 10 minutes. The Burn in was maybe an hour. The next video will be seasoning it and then it’s off to being a Smoke Master!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
This video was amazing and truly so helpful! I’m a single mom with 2 daughters who love grilling. They, and I, love that you are fearless when it comes to breaking the gender boundaries when it comes to food. Whether you’re making pizzas or grilling steaks, you truly are a role model for us all!
I think this will be our big family gift this Christmas. I can’t wait to see what you make with it!
OMGosh thank you so much, Carrie Ann! Being in the pizza industry for 30+ years it’s definitely gone from male-driven to a better mix. My hope is that bbq and smoking is the same. Food is loved by all and if you have the drive, love, and passion anyone can make amazing food!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Can I move in? I’ll clean, mow the grass, be your pool boy just so I have the chance to test out that smoker. I’ve been bugging my wife for one and she keeps saying she wants one we both can use.
I just showed her that you have one and that since you’re already a baddass chef, pizzaiolo and lady of the grill that you can help teach her how to be badass on it to!
HAHAHA that’s awesome Roger; thank you! This is smoker can be used by all. It’s so easy to use and honestly, I’m having the best time ever smoking on it! Plus hello – you can make pizza on it!!!
I definitely say y’all should get one if it’s within your means!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Darlin’ you are such a warrior in the kitchen and in the pit area! I come from a long line of pit masters who won many competitions. Those smokers are the best you’ll ever use!
I’ve had this smoker for a few years and it is incredible! I highly recommend getting a grease gutter for the front. Trust me on this, it makes clean up so easy! I can’t wait to see what you make and teach this old dog some new tricks!
HAHA you’re the best Buddy; thank you! Yeah I thought about getting that gutter too. I think I will. If you have any tips or tidbits to share, I’d appreciate it!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Whoa, that is badass! My buddy has that same smoker and I’m so jealous of it! I love the fact that you’re breaking the stigma of smoking/grilling being a guy’s thing. TKW you are incredible and I’ve learned so much from you!
I’m definitely thinking of pulling the trigger with this and buying one!
Yeah Cody it’s pretty amazing! I’ve always preached, to invest in QUALITY! This is exceptionally made – American Made! And it’s so easy to put together and use! Seriously, anyone can use it (granted kids should be supervised) but it’s so worth it!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
That smoker is incredible! I’ve been eyeing it up for a while now and was a bit intimidated by how ‘big’ it was. It looks so simple to put together! Only a few pieces! I can’t wait to see what you create!
I’m thinking we need this in our lives!
Yes, yes you NEED this in your lives! It’s so easy to use. I can’t wait to have a group of my ladies over to use it!
Best Kitchen Wishes!