Yoder YS640: A Guide to Mastering the Damper for Perfect BBQ
The optimal damper settings on a Yoder YS640S can vary depending on the type of cook you're attempting. Here are some general guidelines for damper settings for different types of cooks:
***RULE #1 — Always give your pellet grill 20-30 minutes to stabilize at temperature when you turn it on. Set it and don’t touch it***
High-Heat Grilling: For searing and grilling at high temperatures, you'll want to open the damper fully to allow maximum airflow and achieve high heat. This is typically used for cooking steaks, burgers, and other cuts of meat that require quick searing.
Low-and-Slow Smoking: For low-and-slow smoking, where you're cooking at lower temperatures for an extended period of time, you'll want to partially close the damper to restrict the airflow and maintain a lower temperature inside the grill. This is typically used for smoking classic cuts of meat like brisket, pork shoulder, and ribs.
Baking and Roasting: For baking or roasting, where you're cooking at moderate temperatures, you can adjust the damper settings based on the desired temperature. As a general guideline, you can start with the damper partially open and adjust it as needed to maintain the desired temperature.
Pizza Cooking: If you're using your Yoder YS640S for pizza cooking, you'll typically want to have the damper partially open to maintain a moderate temperature for baking the pizza crust to perfection. This allows for a balance of heat and airflow to achieve a crispy crust without burning the toppings.
Searing and Finishing: For searing and finishing off meats or vegetables, you can open the damper fully to achieve a higher temperature and get a nice sear or char on the surface of the food.
It's important to note that the optimal damper settings may vary depending on factors such as weather conditions, desired cooking results, and personal preferences. It's recommended to monitor the temperature inside the grill using the built-in thermometer or a separate meat thermometer and adjust the damper settings as needed to achieve the desired results for your specific cook. Experimenting with different damper settings and monitoring the results will help you determine the best settings for your Yoder YS640S for different types of cooks.
