Yoder YS640s vs Yoder Smokers Loaded Wichita Offset Smoker

Yoder Smokers

Yoder YS640s

~$2,699

Yoder Smokers

~$2,899

Quick take: The Yoder YS640s costs $200 less; the Yoder Smokers Loaded Wichita Offset Smoker offers more cooking space (1,628 vs 1,070 sq in).

Spec	Yoder YS640s	Yoder Smokers Loaded Wichita Offset Smoker
Price	~$2,699	~$2,899
Rating	—	—
Type	Pellet Grill	Offset Smoker
Cooking Area	1070 sq in	1628 sq in
Max Temp	600°F	—
Fuel Type	Wood Pellets	Wood/Charcoal
Build Material	10-Gauge Steel	1/4-Inch Plate and Pipe Steel, Made in USA
Hopper Capacity	20 lb	—
Burners	—	—
WiFi / App	Yes	No
App control	Yes	No
Meat probe	Yes	No
PID controller	Yes	No
Side burner	No	No
Rotisserie	No	No
Searing	Yes	No
Dimensions	57 x 25 x 47.5 in	77.5 x 36.9 x 64.5 in
Weight	315 lbs	704 lbs
Warranty	10 years (body)	Lifetime

✓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

✓Lifetime warranty on a quarter-inch welded body, backed by an established Kansas manufacturer
✓1,628 sq in across four main grates, a two-piece slide-out upper shelf and two firebox grates
✓Heat management plate is included, not an upgrade — it evens out the firebox-end hot spot that plagues bare offsets
✓Integrated probe port means you can run a leave-in thermometer without jamming the cable in the door
✓Sold through a real dealer network (ATBBQ, Chadwicks & Hacks, Classic Patio) so you can see one and get it delivered without a factory queue
✓Heavy front casters plus rear wagon wheels make 704 lbs steerable by one person on a flat surface

✗$2,899 is before shipping, and freight on 704 lbs is substantial
✗Retailer prices drift above list — some dealers show $2,960-3,078 for the same configuration
✗No insulated firebox at this price, unlike some competitors near $3,000
✗Yoder discontinued the smaller Cheyenne, so there is no cheaper way into the brand's offsets
✗704 lbs is effectively permanent once positioned