Q: What makes the YS640s different from other pellet grills?
A: The YS640s is built from 10-gauge which means it holds heat exceptionally well in cold weather and doesn't shed temperature when you open the lid. Most pellet grills use thin-gauge steel that simply can't compete.
Q: How much cooking space does the YS640s have?
A: The main grates measure 20" x 32", and the optional second shelf adds another 15½" x 28" giving you plenty of room for a full brisket, multiple racks of ribs, or a whole spread for competition day. Headroom with the second shelf removed is 11¾".
Q: What temperature range does the YS640s cover?
A: It runs from 150°F all the way to 600°F, controlled digitally in 5-degree increments. That range covers everything from low-and-slow smoking to high-heat roasting, and with the heat diffuser removed and GrillGrates in place, grate temps can push past 700°F for a real sear.
Q: Can I actually sear a steak on a pellet grill?
A: On the YS640s, yes. Remove the heat diffuser, swap in the direct grill kit, and you're cooking directly over the firepot. You'll get the crust, grill marks, and cook times you'd expect from gas or charcoal without giving up the smoke capability that makes this grill worth owning.
Q: What is the Variable Displacement Damper (VDD) and why does it matter?
A: The VDD is a sliding damper unique to the YS640s (not found on the smaller YS480). It lets you shift grate-level temperatures across the cooking surface push it in and the left side runs hotter; pull it out and heat distributes more evenly across the right. For competition cooks or anyone running multiple proteins at different temps simultaneously, it's a genuinely useful tool.
Q: What's the warranty, and where is it built?
A: Yoder backs the YS640s with an industry-leading 10-year warranty on the cooking body, 3 years on the control system, and 3 years on the ceramic igniter. Every Yoder is designed, tested, and built in Hutchinson, Kansas right here in the heartland.
