Yoder Smokers Community Forum

I've been trying to perfect making beef jerky and just can't seem to get it right. I have flavor just right but the dehydrating seems to be problem. I'm running 480 at 170 degrees and that's where problem begins. When i first got smoker 2 years ago it would run as long as i wanted at 170, now it may run for a hour and go out or may run 7 or 8 hours and then go out have to watch like a hawk. Yesterday while trying again happen to look out and had smoke pouring out everywhere, went to check and had huge fire going, flames out smoke stack, put fire out and found firebox overflowing with pellets, using BBQ Delight's pellets, it seems like it called for pellets and then just went crazy. I have tried everything, cleaned, cleaned smoke stack, different pellets, changed thermo couple, have latest update, just don't know anything else to try. I'm almost scared to put briskets on now for overnight smoke after the fire in case this happens again, luckily the fire didn't catch hopper but could have if left long enough. Any help or comments will be greatly appreciated. Is there anyway to run check on controller to see if it could be problem?

Thanks,
Stan

Are the silicone seals damaged? Does the burn grate fit properly and tightly in the firebox.. These are both maintenance items that need to be checked prior to each cooking session. This maintenance is outlined in the manual.

Yes everything is in perfect condition, just doesn't want to run at a low temp like 160. Maybe there's some brand or kind of pellets that are more suited to low temp which i would love to know about. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

BBQR's Delight pellets are what we use exclusively st the factory. Care must be taken when storing pellets, as they will take on moisture right through the bag. Never store pellets directly on the floor, or against an outside wall. Pellets left for longer periods in the hopper when not using the cooker can become moisture contaminated.

Less expensive brands of pellets may not perform properly. Pellets need to be around 5% moisture content for cookers to perform properly.

Thanks. I use BBQR's delight Hickory for everything. Just out if curiosity what is the lowest temp. will a YS480 run without problems. I run 225 and up without any problems. Maybe i'm just wanting 480 to do something it's not really meant to do like 160-170 degree temps. If so I'll just have to go to plan B.

Thanks,
Stan

If the cooker is clean, maintained properly, with good pellets, the cooker should cook at 150 with no isdues.

Thanks for the reply. My 480 is clean and well maintained with a heat shield with door. I cook on it 2-3 times a week. The thermo-couple was changed a few months back to see if that could be problem with low temp smoking but doesn't seem to have any effect. I never no what's going to happen, one day it went for 7 hours without a problem then went out, next day after going out 3 times in 4 hours gave up and switched to oven, was the same bag of pellets. The silicon sealer seem good everywhere, smoke stack cleaned, when smoker is running there not any smoke coming from anywhere but stack, the door fits tight so nothing escapes. Everything seems to be like new condition as I'm kind of picky. Is there anything you might suggest to try, I am wanting to get jerky making down, everything else is coming out amazingly great.

Thanks,
Stan

Since you state it was the same bag of pellets, try removing all the pellets from the hopper, and try different, known good pellets.

Is it possible that your igniter isn't aligned properly or that it's going bad?

You have stated that the fire starts, burns and then goes out. Is this still the case?

The igniter only runs for a few minutes after you press the START button, and will not run again until the cooker is turned off, cooked down and restarted again.

I do jerky on my 640 a lot. At 150 deg. If your yoder is in the sun,it can get close to 150 with no help. I start mine at 250-300 let stabilize Then down to 150. I use bbq delite. Try doing in shade or early or late. Trying to help..Dennis Good luck. 949-510-3281