OP
OP
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2020
- Messages
- 1,953
- Media
- 1,167
- Reaction score
- 3,172
- Location
- Vancouver Island
- Grill
- Ironwood 650
I haven't really had an opportunity to use it. My delivery was delayed due to weather. Ordered on December 2nd, it shipped on the 16th and was held up until after Christmas. Build date is December 7th, 2021.
It arrived at 5 in the evening and I had the base built and assembled in an hour. Wheeled the unit to the gazebo and that's where it sat until last weekend.
I did an initial burn in. Used a graduated approach to raising the temps. Currently doing a 2nd burn in at 350 and 450.
Then I will cook a pork roast on it.
Keep in mind, I was nit disappointed with my Traeger, my IW650 just wasn't big enough. So my comparisons are just my opinion based on having both grills.
I do realize that the comparison below is relative to each grill. The cost difference between the two doesn't make this fair to begin with. But it doesn't eliminate the Traeger in all of the views below
Boxing, both grills get the thumbs up on packaging. I would probably give Traeger the advantage on this. Mainly because they supplied the tools required in the box. They also used some forethought on making the box usable for a kids fort. Kudos to them for that.
Assembly, slight advantage Yoder. Mainly because there are less parts to assemble to set it up. Aside from that both grills had parts identified and laid out well.
Internet connection. I didn't have any trouble with either grill. Both were simple to hook up to my 2.4ghz network. Yoder was just a matter of 'adding' it to my existing account/app. For me, this one is a tie.
Hopper, I will give Traeger a clear win on their design (this is based on having the finger guard removed on my hopper). The hopper on the Yoder seems shallow and I think at 20 LBS it would be quite full. I believe both grills will have the same tunneling issue. I haven't had any issues with my Traeger because I check on it all the time. I will do the same with the Yoder.
Racks/grate. Definitely Yoder on this. Components are heavy and well made. There won't be any flexing from the weight of stuff placed on it
Start up. No question, the Yoder is better. Their ceramic igniter has the pellets ignited so quickly. A lot faster than the Traeger.
Pellet consumption, Traeger will get the win here. But in fairness it has been colder out than any temps I have used my Traeger at. Not a fair comparison, but worth noting for now.
Maintaining temperatures, they both do well at that. I think the Traeger may fluctuate a bit more, but I don't see that as a real issue.
Smoke. This one I can't speak to fully until I have more time on the Yoder. I haven't had issues getting smoke out of my Traeger. So far I am seeing the same on the Yoder. If I had to make a comparison, the Yoder has a more consistent smoke. My Traeger would go through cycles of smoke/no visible smoke. Flavor and actual output I will update more as I get to use it.
Shutdown. They both function the same and no clear advantage there other than the Traeger app is a bit more polished than the Fireboard app. I do like that you can add cook programs into the Yoder. You can have it change temps based on time or temperature probe readings. I have no issues with the FB app, so I would give the advantage to FB/Yoder. But that is relative, as they both do what they were intended to do.
Build. The Yoder is a solid tank. The Traeger is well constructed as well. I guess this would be subject to what you prefer. I prefer the Yoder here, not unhappy with the Traeger. JMHO
Clean up. Yoder wins this one. If you want to cook again without vacuuming, the firepot is easily accessible with the removable door on the deflector plate. Just dump out the firepot into the cook chamber and start a new cook. Removing the grates and drip tray in the Yoder makes you realize the difference in the build qualities. It's drip tray is heavy and doesn't flex at all. Vacuuming is easy to do as well. But the Traeger was easy to vacuum as well.
I will post more on the grilling options on the Yoder once I get to use it. Having the door above the firepot removable will be beneficial in getting a good sear at temperature. I feel that will be a win for the Yoder
Keep in mind these are my opinions from actually having both grills. Not looking to debate someone else's 'thoughts' based on what they think based on what they have read or seen on YouTube.
Last picture is the smoke at 450°F set temperature, after running for an hour
It arrived at 5 in the evening and I had the base built and assembled in an hour. Wheeled the unit to the gazebo and that's where it sat until last weekend.
I did an initial burn in. Used a graduated approach to raising the temps. Currently doing a 2nd burn in at 350 and 450.
Then I will cook a pork roast on it.
Keep in mind, I was nit disappointed with my Traeger, my IW650 just wasn't big enough. So my comparisons are just my opinion based on having both grills.
I do realize that the comparison below is relative to each grill. The cost difference between the two doesn't make this fair to begin with. But it doesn't eliminate the Traeger in all of the views below
Boxing, both grills get the thumbs up on packaging. I would probably give Traeger the advantage on this. Mainly because they supplied the tools required in the box. They also used some forethought on making the box usable for a kids fort. Kudos to them for that.
Assembly, slight advantage Yoder. Mainly because there are less parts to assemble to set it up. Aside from that both grills had parts identified and laid out well.
Internet connection. I didn't have any trouble with either grill. Both were simple to hook up to my 2.4ghz network. Yoder was just a matter of 'adding' it to my existing account/app. For me, this one is a tie.
Hopper, I will give Traeger a clear win on their design (this is based on having the finger guard removed on my hopper). The hopper on the Yoder seems shallow and I think at 20 LBS it would be quite full. I believe both grills will have the same tunneling issue. I haven't had any issues with my Traeger because I check on it all the time. I will do the same with the Yoder.
Racks/grate. Definitely Yoder on this. Components are heavy and well made. There won't be any flexing from the weight of stuff placed on it
Start up. No question, the Yoder is better. Their ceramic igniter has the pellets ignited so quickly. A lot faster than the Traeger.
Pellet consumption, Traeger will get the win here. But in fairness it has been colder out than any temps I have used my Traeger at. Not a fair comparison, but worth noting for now.
Maintaining temperatures, they both do well at that. I think the Traeger may fluctuate a bit more, but I don't see that as a real issue.
Smoke. This one I can't speak to fully until I have more time on the Yoder. I haven't had issues getting smoke out of my Traeger. So far I am seeing the same on the Yoder. If I had to make a comparison, the Yoder has a more consistent smoke. My Traeger would go through cycles of smoke/no visible smoke. Flavor and actual output I will update more as I get to use it.
Shutdown. They both function the same and no clear advantage there other than the Traeger app is a bit more polished than the Fireboard app. I do like that you can add cook programs into the Yoder. You can have it change temps based on time or temperature probe readings. I have no issues with the FB app, so I would give the advantage to FB/Yoder. But that is relative, as they both do what they were intended to do.
Build. The Yoder is a solid tank. The Traeger is well constructed as well. I guess this would be subject to what you prefer. I prefer the Yoder here, not unhappy with the Traeger. JMHO
Clean up. Yoder wins this one. If you want to cook again without vacuuming, the firepot is easily accessible with the removable door on the deflector plate. Just dump out the firepot into the cook chamber and start a new cook. Removing the grates and drip tray in the Yoder makes you realize the difference in the build qualities. It's drip tray is heavy and doesn't flex at all. Vacuuming is easy to do as well. But the Traeger was easy to vacuum as well.
I will post more on the grilling options on the Yoder once I get to use it. Having the door above the firepot removable will be beneficial in getting a good sear at temperature. I feel that will be a win for the Yoder
Keep in mind these are my opinions from actually having both grills. Not looking to debate someone else's 'thoughts' based on what they think based on what they have read or seen on YouTube.
Last picture is the smoke at 450°F set temperature, after running for an hour
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