Yoder YS640s vs Louisiana Grills Founders Legacy 800
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Quick take: The Louisiana Grills Founders Legacy 800 costs $609 less; the Yoder YS640s offers more cooking space (1,070 vs 846 sq in); the Louisiana Grills Founders Legacy 800 reaches a higher max temp (1000 vs 600°F).
| Spec | Yoder YS640s | Louisiana Grills Founders Legacy 800 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$2,699 | ~$2,090 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Pellet Grill | Pellet Grill |
| Cooking Area | 1070 sq in | 846 sq in |
| Max Temp | 600°F | 1000°F |
| Fuel Type | Wood Pellets | Wood Pellets |
| Build Material | 10-Gauge Steel | 304 Stainless Steel |
| Hopper Capacity | 20 lb | 29 lb |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | Yes | Yes |
| App control | Yes | Yes |
| Meat probe | Yes | Yes |
| PID controller | Yes | Yes |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 57 x 25 x 47.5 in | — |
| Weight | 315 lbs | — |
| Warranty | 10 years (body) | 5 years |
Pros & cons
Yoder YS640s
- ✓Nothing under $3,000 approaches its build - 10-gauge steel everywhere means thermal mass that laughs at wind, winter, and decade-plus daily use
- ✓The 'Yoder' name caps out search results in owner discussions, owner discussions, owner discussions, and owner discussions - the consensus endgame pellet grill
- ✓The ACS controller is built on FireBoard hardware with WiFi and two probe ports, and holds within about 5°F across a 14-hour brisket in independent testing
- ✓Swap the heat diffuser for the direct-grilling setup and it sears steaks over live flame at 600°F+ like a charcoal grill
- ✓1,070 sq in across two shelves with nearly 12 inches of headroom swallows briskets, turkeys, and rib racks simultaneously
- ✓Smoke flavor is heavier than mainstream pellet grills thanks to the thick body and firebox design
- ✓It's hand-built in Kansas with a 10-year body warranty and a company that answers the phone and ships parts for decades-old pits
- ✓Resale holds remarkably well - used YS640s still command most of their original price
- ✗At ~$2,799 (over $3,100 on the competition cart) it costs as much as three mainstream pellet grills
- ✗315 lbs means delivery, assembly, and any relocation is a two-person-minimum event, and it's never going to a tailgate
- ✗The painted steel finish (not stainless) needs occasional touch-up to prevent surface rust, especially in humid climates
- ✗Pellet consumption is higher than insulated thin-wall grills since all that steel takes energy to heat
- ✗No frills - no pellet sensor, no ash-cleanout system (you vacuum the firepot), and side shelves cost extra on some configs
- ✗The direct-grilling conversion means physically swapping internal plates, not flipping a lever like Pit Boss's slide plate
- ✗It's sold mostly direct or through specialty dealers, so you likely can't see one before committing to freight shipping
- ✗Electrical components carry a much shorter warranty than the 10-year body coverage
Louisiana Grills Founders Legacy 800
- ✓304 stainless construction rather than powder-coated steel, the same grade Yoder charges well over $2,500 for
- ✓1,000°F open-flame sear via SearTech is the highest ceiling of any pellet grill in this catalog by a wide margin
- ✓29 lb hopper is the largest here and genuinely covers an overnight brisket without a refill
- ✓Pressurized Cooking System with adjustable rear exhaust gives real control over smoke density, not just temperature
- ✓Griddle insert, grill light and collapsible stainless shelves are included, not upcharges
- ✓Digital touchscreen with both WiFi and Bluetooth
- ✗$2,090 puts it against the Yoder YS640s, which has a far deeper reputation and dealer network
- ✗5-year warranty is short for the price; Recteq covers its stainless models longer
- ✗The maker's direct store is entirely sold out, so buying means finding a specialty dealer
- ✗Heavy and cart-mounted — the stainless barrel makes it a permanent installation
- ✗Louisiana Grills' app has a thinner feature set than Traeger's or Weber Connect's