Need help determining which smoker

[gh2010ism]

I'm between the Mak 1 star and the Yoder ys640 with comp cart. Any input would be appreciated. I have been reading on both the Mak and Yoder forums still hard to tell. Yoder seems to have alot of issues atleast the issues are still recorded on their forum.. I don't see alot of issues with the Mak per the Mak forum but they may just delete the bad ones not sure. I like that the Yoder is bigger and I like the comp cart with the big wheels. The Mak is smaller and as super small wheels and they are priced about the same. Overall from the youtube vids I have watched it seems the Mak seems to smoke more consistently but again this is just from youtube so again hard to tell. any input is appreciated thanks.

 

[retfr8flyr]

I don't have either but between them I would go for the Mak. I know the Yoder has lots of followers but it doesn't really impress me. It's true the Yoder is built like a tank but they only use paint for the outside, you will constantly fight rust problems, for one thing and I just think the Mak has a much better design and definitely a better controller. I couldn't afford either one of them and then I ran into a fantastic deal on the Traeger Timberline 1300 and got it, I really love it so far. Have you checked out the 1300? Traeger has fixed all the early teething problems and it's rock solid now.

 

[gh2010ism]

I have not I try to buy USA made products when I can. I have heard the yoders have alot of issues and I wonder if people work on them more than they get to smoke on them. I like the looks and the comp cart also more space than the mak but I don't want to be working on the thing I wanna be smoking on it lol.

 

[retfr8flyr]

Have you checked out Balz'n Grill works http://www.blazngrillworks.com/ If I had the money for the Yoder with the comp cart, I would get a Pitts&Spitts. I know of lots of guys that gave up their Yoders for P&S. https://pittsandspitts.com/pellet-grills/ Best looking grill on the market, in my opinion and a large following.

 

[chef jimmyj]

That is a Chevy Pickup vs a Vette! What are you going to do with it? You making 6 Butts for big parties a few times a year. Or dinner for the wife and a couple of kids? Big wheels? You planning to move it over varied terrain from patio to the garage each use? Or will it sit covered on the patio all season in one spot? After all my research, including both of your choices, I looking hard at the Kuma Platinum SE. My favorite features, quuck unloading of the pellet hopper and the burn pot is separated from the auger. No chance of the fire back burnig through the auger tube to the hopper. Just some things to consider...JJ

 

[gh2010ism]

That is a Chevy Pickup vs a Vette! What are you going to do with it? You making 6 Butts for big parties a few times a year. Or dinner for the wife and a couple of kids? Big wheels? You planning to move it over varied terrain from patio to the garage each use? Or will it sit covered on the patio all season in one spot? After all my research, including both of your choices, I looking hard at the Kuma Platinum SE. My favorite features, quuck unloading of the pellet hopper and the burn pot is separated from the auger. No chance of the fire back burnig through the auger tube to the hopper. Just some things to consider...JJ

Yes I would move it from the garage each use and may bring it on a few camping trips. The comp cart ys640 just really looked like what I wanted until I started digging deeper. Now it sounds like yoder want you to pay them to be a grill mechanic for them lol. Out of the yoder forum and facebook its non stop rebuilding yoders. I had never heard of the Kuma and it looks like a fine grill I guess my I'm going to look at Kuma,Mak,and Pitts&Spitts for the time being.

 

[retfr8flyr]

I looked hard at the Kuma because of all the great features. I finally decided it was just too small internally, the grill area is only 15 inches deep and I just felt it was not large enough for me, especially at that price. You could also look at Smokin Brothers Premier lineup. They have a good reputation and come with the Savannah Stoker controller, one of the best in the business.

 

[litzerski]

I looked hard at the Kuma and YS640 before settling on a Blaz'n Grill Works Grid Iron. With the pro shelves, it has all of the space that I'll need and with the competition cart upgrade, it goes in and out of my garage easily. Easy fire pot clean out and pellet dump features are great. I worried about auger tube burn-back at first, but have found that it is a non issue.

I'm very happy with my purchase. May upgrade the controller to wifi this spring.

 

[schlotz]

Yes I would move it from the garage each use and may bring it on a few camping trips. The comp cart ys640 just really looked like what I wanted until I started digging deeper. Now it sounds like yoder want you to pay them to be a grill mechanic for them lol. Out of the yoder forum and facebook its non stop rebuilding yoders. I had never heard of the Kuma and it looks like a fine grill I guess my I'm going to look at Kuma,Mak,and Pitts&Spitts for the time being.

In/out of garage isn't a problem for the MAK. Camping transport via pick-up, it takes two strong guys to heft it up into the bed. The rest is a pure joy to work with. One of the best decisions I've made was going straight to the MAK.

 

[family man smoker]

I don't have either but between them I would go for the Mak. I know the Yoder has lots of followers but it doesn't really impress me. It's true the Yoder is built like a tank but they only use paint for the outside, you will constantly fight rust problems, for one thing and I just think the Mak has a much better design and definitely a better controller. I couldn't afford either one of them and then I ran into a fantastic deal on the Traeger Timberline 1300 and got it, I really love it so far. Have you checked out the 1300? Traeger has fixed all the early teething problems and it's rock solid now.

I had an issue with my new Timberline 1300, Traeger requested a rep named Brandon contact me and he did. We did trouble shooting over the phone and Brandon sent me parts to replace. I sent in pictures and video showing the issues and Brandon and Traeger stood by the product since it was only about 3 months old and are sending me a replacement grill !!!

So happy I stuck with Traeger over the years, a lot of companies try to doge responsibility especially after they already have our money but Traeger is a solid stand up company

The smokes I did have on my 1300 were incredible, super smoke mode is incredible resulting in beautiful pink smoke rings throughout my briskets

Traeger is a stand up company, glad I stayed with them

 

[family man smoker]

thank you all for posting so much info on experiences and brands this website is definitely incredible

 

[retfr8flyr]

I have the Traeger 1300 Timberline for 3 months, after 2 smokes cord melted, i have pic of it, after two more smokes its broke today 6/2/19 auger stopped so I found this cool website and trying to find the best of the best myself

Have you talked to Traeger Customer Service? Be sure to use the special number for Timberline grills, the wait time will be a lot less and you will get a timberline specialist.

 

[family man smoker]

Have you talked to Traeger Customer Service? Be sure to use the special number for Timberline grills, the wait time will be a lot less and you will get a timberline specialist.

Yes,
I had an issue with my new Timberline 1300, Traeger requested a rep named Brandon contact me and he did. We did trouble shooting over the phone and Brandon sent me parts to replace. I sent in pictures and video showing the issues and Brandon and Traeger stood by the product since it was only about 3 months old and are sending me a replacement grill !!!

So happy I stuck with Traeger over the years, a lot of companies try to doge responsibility especially after they already have our money but Traeger is a solid stand up company

The smokes I did have on my 1300 were incredible, super smoke mode is incredible resulting in beautiful pink smoke rings throughout my briskets

Traeger is a stand up company, glad I stayed with them

 

[family man smoker]

I don't have either but between them I would go for the Mak. I know the Yoder has lots of followers but it doesn't really impress me. It's true the Yoder is built like a tank but they only use paint for the outside, you will constantly fight rust problems, for one thing and I just think the Mak has a much better design and definitely a better controller. I couldn't afford either one of them and then I ran into a fantastic deal on the Traeger Timberline 1300 and got it, I really love it so far. Have you checked out the 1300? Traeger has fixed all the early teething problems and it's rock solid now.

I had an issue with my new Timberline 1300, Traeger requested a rep named Brandon contact me and he did. We did trouble shooting over the phone and Brandon sent me parts to replace. I sent in pictures and video showing the issues and Brandon and Traeger stood by the product since it was only about 3 months old and are sending me a replacement grill !!!

So happy I stuck with Traeger over the years, a lot of companies try to doge responsibility especially after they already have our money but Traeger is a solid stand up company

The smokes I did have on my 1300 were incredible, super smoke mode is incredible resulting in beautiful pink smoke rings throughout my briskets

Traeger is a stand up company, glad I stayed with them