Backyard Smoker OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS Version 1.
Welcome to Yoder Smokers Thank you for purchasing a Yoder Smoker. You are joining a family of satisfied customers. We are very proud of our product and that it is handcrafted in the heartland. Please review the following information carefully. It will give you great tips and information that will help you use your Yoder. Please complete the form below for future reference. Additionally, complete the online Warranty Registration (www.yodersmokers.
Contents Dangers, Warnings and Cautions......................................................................................3 Available Product Add-Ons...............................................................................................4 Smoker Diagram................................................................................................................6 Smoker Assembly..............................................................................................................
Dangers, Warnings and Cautions Failure to follow the “Dangers, Warnings and Cautions” contained in this manual may result in serious bodily injury, death or in a fire. • Read this manual completely before using your Yoder for the first time. • Do not use indoors! This smoker is for outdoor use only. • Do not leave pets, infants, or children unattended near a smoker in use. • Keep the grill a minimum of 12 inches away from combustible surfaces.
Available Product Add-Ons 2nd Level Slide-Out Shelf Adding the second shelf increases the cooking area in your smoker. Log Lighter The log lighter allows you to use propane to get the fire started. Charcoal Grate Adding a charcoal grate to your smoker allows you to convert the main cooking chamber into a direct grill. Heat Management Plate The heat management plate installs against the common wall of the firebox and the cooking chamber.
Smoker (cont) Part Number (cont) Loaded Wichita Log Lighter Charcoal Grate W41695 41440 The Kingman Log Lighter Charcoal Grate W41695 42587 Durango 20” Log Lighter Charcoal Grate 2nd Level Slide-Out Shelf W41695 41440 W41788 Durango 24” Log Lighter Charcoal Grate W41695 42587 The Stockton Log Lighter W41695 5
Smoker Diagram SECOND SHELF COOKING GRATE HEAT MANAGEMENT PLATE (optional) COOKING GRATE WOOD GRATE LOG LIGHTER (optional) NOTE: Loaded Wichita shown. Your smoker may vary slightly depending on model.
Smoker Assembly Smoker Arrival Your Yoder Smoker will arrive on a pallet wrapped and held on with banding. Cut the bands and remove the plastic wrap and foam from the smoker. Remove the smoker from the pallet. It is recommended that two people remove the Yoder from the pallet due to its size and weight. Open the cooking chamber and remove the two cooking grates and ash rake. If your cooker is ordered with options, you will find them packaged inside.
Pre-Grill Checklist/Routine Maintenance Perform the following services when the grill is cool 1. Open the cooking chamber door and remove the cooking grates. FIG 1 2. Remove the heat management plate if applicable.
3. Inspect the bottom of the cooking chamber for any grease build up and clean as needed. See page 16 for more details. 4. Install the heat management plate. See FIG 2. 5. Install cooking grates and optional second shelf See FIG 1. 6. Clean grease bucket as needed. See FIG 3.
How to Build a Fire for Your Smoker Start with the firebox door, main damper and chimney damper in the open position. This will increase airflow and speed the fire building process. FULLY OPEN FULLY OPEN FIG 4 It is preferable to start with a charcoal base. Once you have a hot bed of charcoal, close the door and place two pieces of wood onto the coal base.
As the wood reduces to coal, close both dampers to the halfway position to allow the pit temperature to begin to rise. HALF OPEN FIG 6 HALF OPEN Once the pit stabilizes at the desired temperature, add one piece of flavor wood. You are now ready to cook.
How to Use Your Smoker for Direct Grilling Using the Firebox for Direct Grilling Start with the firebox door, main damper and chimney damper in the open position. This will increase airflow and speed up the time it takes for the coals to be ready to cook on. FULLY OPEN FULLY OPEN FIG 8 Place your charcoal onto the wood grate and ignite the coals. Once this is done you can close the side door. NOTE: We do not recommend using lighter fluid to ignite the charcoal.
Once you have a hot bed of coals, close the damper to the halfway position. You are now ready to cook. HALF OPEN FIG 10 Using the Cooking Chamber for Direct Grilling This is an optional accessory for your smoker. If you have any questions about it, call us at 1-877-409-6337. Start by removing the cooking grates and the heat management plate (if applicable).
Place the charcoal grate into the cooking chamber. Place your charcoal onto the charcoal grate and ignite the coals. We do not recommend using lighter fluid to ignite the charcoal. Note: The charcoal grate sits against the walls of the cooking chamber. CHARCOAL GRATE FIG 13 Be sure the main damper, chimney damper and main cooking chamber door are open. This will increase airflow and help get the coals up to cooking temperature.
After the coals are started, place cooking grates back into the cooking chamber. Once you have a hot bed of charcoal you are ready to cook.
Grill Maintenance Preparing the Grill for the Season Begin with a thorough inspection of the entire grill correcting any issues you find. Follow the steps found in the Pre-Grill checklist (Page 8). Painted Surfaces Yoder smokers are painted with high heat silicone based paint. When cleaning the smoker, surfaces should be washed down with warm soapy water using a neutral detergent and rinsed with clean water.
Grease Management Area and Bucket Always be sure the cooking chamber area is clean and free of debris and empty the grease bucket regularly. Additional Maintenance: In addition to regular cleaning, perform the following procedures every 30 days: 1. Use a stiff brush to remove any build-up on the inside walls of your grill. Inspect and clean the inside of the door and the inside walls of the cooking chamber. 2.
WOOD FLAVOR GUIDELINES WOOD FLAVOR BEST WITH Apple Sweet, fruity smoke. Strongest of the fruit woods Beef, Pork, Ham, Poultry, Game Black Walnut Strong smoke, slightly bitter like walnuts.
Meat Temperature Guide Doneness Internal Temperature Internal Description Beef, Lamb, Veal Steaks, Roasts and Chops (USDA Safe Minimum Cooking Temperature 145 Degrees F) Rare Medium Rare Medium Medium Well Well Done 120 to 130 Degrees F 130 to 140 Degrees F 140 to 150 Degrees F 150 to 160 Degrees F 160 Degrees and Above Center is bright red, pink towards the exterior portion, warm Center is pink, starting to brown towards the edges, warm Center is light pink, edges are brown, hot Tan throughout with a
Warranty Information Yoder Smokers warrants this barbecue unit against defects in material and workmanship under normal residential use and maintenance. Yoder Smokers warrants the cooking body for the lifetime from date of purchase against defects in material and workmanship under normal residential use and maintenance. Yoder Smokers will provide a replacement part for any part found by Yoder Smokers to be defective and shall not be responsible for any re-assembly.
Warranty Registration Form Register online at www.yodersmokers.com/warranty-registration-form or complete and return the Warranty Registration form within 30 days of purchase. *required field First Name* Last Name* Mailing Address* City* State/Province* Postal Code* Country* Phone Number Email Model* Serial Number* Send Warranty Registration and dated sales receipt to: Yoder Smokers Yoder Warranty Registration 1816 E Wasp Rd Hutchinson, KS 67501 Contact our customer service with any questions at 877.409.
