I did a temp test on my 2 year old YS1500 to see how things were looking. I’ve always had issues with probe temps matching my controller. I’ve always been able to compensate for them. I have owned several different brands of smokers including pellet cookers. I currently have a ys1500, ys640 and a Myron Mixon MMS-60. I consider myself very proficient on smokers. I love my yoders and I love the quality in which they are built. However, I truly hate the controllers. They are way too complicated and aren’t accurate if you load the smokers full of meat. I know you guys hate the PID controllers but they work flawlessly. If grate temp is what you’re after then make the thermocoupler attached to the grate. I did a temp test tonight on my YS1500. I followed the directions to a T. I used a FireBoard to measure inside grate temp. Here are the results. Can Herb @yoder_Herb tell me if this normal? I have trouble thinking that it is.
Test temp 275. 35 degree outside temp
1. 282 maintenance- 253 probe
2. 286 maintenance- 251 probe
3. 294 maintenance- 249 probe
4. 286 maintenance- 241 probe
5. 278 maintenance- 238 probe
6. 273 maintenance- 237 probe
7. 272 maintenance- 234 probe
8. 281 maintenance- 241 probe
9. 285 maintenance- 245 probe
10. 287 maintenance- 247 probe
Average: 282- Probe- 244
Trust me... I have my own gripes with Yoder smokers. I used to have a Wichita and sold it because of airflow. However, I own a YS640 and can attest to similar results as to what you post. I am not at all concerned with the discrepancy in temps from what the Yoder says compared to the FireBoard. Yes. I have TWO FB's! I've just learned to adjust my set temp to what I know the actual grate temp is.
Also, EVERY cooker has its hot and cool spots. I use those to my advantage and I'm glad that the YS640 has them, too. Seriously, I'm not trying to make light of your discovery. Yoder Herb probably won't acknowledge my existence because of my frustration with the Wichita. But, I will say that the pellet grill is VERY consistent. I just had to learn grate temp vs what is on the display. Don't get hung up on it. In fact, I challenge you to put your kitchen oven to a similar test. You'll find that the Yoder can handle temp swings (if left alone) much better than an oven!
My 640 has lower temps than set temp using multiple temp probes 1" above the grate. I have adjusted my set temps to compensate.
Been like that for over 4 years. I set it and cook, with never a worry about issues like many other pellet poopers have.
Conumdrum wrote:My 640 has lower temps than set temp using multiple temp probes 1" above the grate. I have adjusted my set temps to compensate.
Been like that for over 4 years. I set it and cook, with never a worry about issues like many other pellet poopers have.
The controller is programmed to the lower physical grate level. Measuring temperature 1", or any distance above the grate, is called suspended air temperature, and will be lower than the physical grate temperature. The cookers cook from the bottom up, so the further away from the lower physical grate surface, the temperatures will be lower.
Here are 2 articles that explain:
viewtopic.php?f=49&t=1368
download/Stuff/ys640%20temp%20profile%20U29.pdf
Update: Cleaned my smoker thoroughly and did the test again. Send the results to Yoder and everything is operating perfectly.
Being new to pellet cookers I too was/am struggling with this grate temp business as historically ive always cooked using a grate thermometer (thermoworks smoke) and am finding I need to set the controller approx 30+ degrees to get to the temps im used to on the probe (i.e approx 1/2" off grate so I also did a temp test a few days ago and here was my results
Set temp: 225f ext. probe was middle of lower grate
1. 210 maintenance- 178 probe
2. 210 maintenance- 184 probe
3. 217 maintenance- 200 probe
4, 226 maintenance- 212 probe
5. 238 maintenance- 222 probe
6. 236 maintenance- 213 probe
7. 235 maintenance- 209 probe
8. 227 maintenance- 203 probe
9. 224 maintenance- 207 probe
10. 224 maintenance- 204 probe
Average:225 - Probe 204
So bang on temp wise even though my cooks have been taking hours longer to what im used to, its just that what I thought was a cooking temp of say 250 is in actual fact closer to 300 at grate level
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