Yoder and Lone Star Grillz are two of the most popular brands when it comes to high-end pellet grills. Both companies are known for making grills with excellent temperature control, heavy gauge steel construction, and overall amazing performance.
But which one is better for you? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare Yoder vs. Lone Star Grillz on the key factors that matter most: build quality, features, temperature performance, ease of use, warranty and more.
By the end, you’ll know exactly which pellet grill is the better fit for your needs and budget.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Yoder | Lone Star Grillz |
| Construction | 10 gauge steel | 1/4″ (14 gauge) steel |
| Grates | 5/16″ stainless steel | 3/16″ stainless steel |
| Temperature Range | 150°F – 600°F+ | 155°F – 700°F+ |
| Temperature Control | Advanced PID + meat probe | PID or analog |
| Hopper Capacity | 20-24lbs | 15-20lbs |
| Ignition | Electric | Electric or manual |
| Shelves | Multiple shelves standard | Customizable |
| Ash Management | Shop vac removal | Slide-out ash pan |
| Warranty | 10 years | 5 years |
| Price | $1,600 – $3,000 | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Cooking Space | 640 – 1,000 sq. in. | 300 – 700 sq. in. |
| Portability | OK but heavy | Excellent for smaller models |
| WiFi/App Control | Select models | No |
Yoder Smokers Overview
Yoder Smokers is a company based in Hutchinson, Kansas that specializes in making competition-level pellet grills and smokers. The company was founded in 2007 by three competition barbecue aficionados who wanted to bring pro-level equipment to backyard BBQ enthusiasts.
Some key things to know about Yoder:
- Heavy Duty Construction – Yoder uses thick, 10 gauge steel for durability and heat retention. This makes their grills significantly heavier than other brands.
- Precise Temperature Control – Yoder grills feature advanced PID controllers and meat probe ports for incredible temperature precision. They can hold temps within +/- 5 degrees F.
- Made in the USA – All Yoder grills are designed and built at their Kansas factory. American made quality.
- Competition Performance – Yoder’s roots in competition BBQ means their grills achieve pro-level results. Great for both smoking and searing.
Some of Yoder’s most popular models include the YS640, the YS480, and the smaller YS640s pellet grill.
Lone Star Grillz Overview
Lone Star Grillz is a Texas-based company that specializes in high-end, custom-built pellet smokers and grills. Each LSG grill is hand-made to order using quarter-inch thick steel.
Here are some key Lone Star Grillz features:
- 1/4″ Steel Construction – Their grills use thicker 14 gauge steel than just about any other brand, for incredible heat retention.
- Total Customization – Lone Star gives you tons of options for sizes, lid types, shelf layouts, colors and more. Fully customize your dream grill.
- Proven Legacy Pit Design – Lone Star Grillz acquired Legacy Pits in 2020. Their grill design is based on these proven, competition-winning Legacy smokers.
- Made in Texas – Each Lone Star Grillz grill is hand-crafted at their factory and shop in Houston, TX.
Some of Lone Star’s most popular models are the 30″ Alpha Grill, the 24″ Brahma grill, and the 20″ Maverick portable grill.
In-Depth Comparison of Yoder And Lone Star Grillz
Now let’s take a detailed look at how Yoder and Lone Star Grillz stack up against each other on all the characteristics that matter most.
Build Quality
Both Yoder and Lone Star Grillz are incredibly well built, with all-steel construction and excellent craftsmanship. However, there are some differences:
- Steel Thickness – Lone Star uses 1/4″ steel, which is thicker and heavier duty than the 10 gauge steel used by Yoder.
- Welds & Construction – Both brands have excellent welds andoverall build quality. Slight edge to Lone Star for their hand-built approach.
- Hardware – Yoder offers thicker grill grates (5/16″ vs. 3/16″ for Lone Star). Lone Star uses thicker firebox and heat deflector plates.
- Customization – Lone Star gives you tons of options to customize your grill, while Yoder has set configurations.
Overall, Lone Star Grillz takes the edge for build quality thanks to the handcrafted method and thicker 1/4″ steel. But both are extremely well-built for durability.
Temperature Performance & Control
Maintaining steady temps and precise control is critical for good BBQ results. Both brands deliver excellent performance:
- Temperature Range – Yoder and Lone Star can both hit high temps up to 600-700°F. Yoder specs a 5°F lower minimum temp (150°F vs. 155°F)
- Precision – Both hold temperatures within about +/- 5-10°F once stabilized. Yoder’s PID may give it a slight edge.
- Heat Retention – Lone Star’s thicker steel holds heat a little better. Useful for fast recovery.
- Smoke Output – Comparable smoke flavor from both brands. Yoder offers a smoke setting for extra smoke.
It’s very close, but Yoder gets a slight edge in temperature control from the advanced PID and meat probe ports. But you can’t go wrong with either for precise, low and slow smoking.
Ease of Use
Pellet grills need to have solid controllers and smart designs to make cooking easy and low maintenance:
- Controllers – Yoder uses more advanced PID controllers while Lone Star uses PID or simpler controllers depending on model. Both work well.
- Ignition – Both feature electric ignition for automatic, convenient start up. Some Lone Star models still use manual ignition.
- Hopper Size – Yoder offers larger 20-24lb hopper capacity vs. 15-20lbs for Lone Star. Less frequent pellet refills.
- Ash Management – Lone Star’s slide-out ash pan is more convenient than Yoder’s shop vac ash removal.
- Shelves – Yoder has more versatile front shelf space, but Lone Star grills are highly customizable.
This category is close, but we give the advantage to Yoder for the bigger hoppers, advanced PID controllers standard, and versatile shelf space. Lone Star’s ash system is superior though.
Warranty & Support
The warranty coverage and customer service you get says a lot about a grill brand. Here’s how they compare:
- Warranty – Yoder offers a longer 10 year warranty on most grill components compared to 5 years from Lone Star.
- Customer Service – Both brands have excellent reputations for responsive and helpful USA-based support teams.
- Community – As a more established brand, Yoder has more owners and an active community for tips. But Lone Star’s following is growing.
- Manuals & Guides – Lone Star provides slightly more detailed manuals and operating instructions for their grills.
The 10 year warranty from Yoder is hard to beat. They win this category, but you can expect great support from both companies.
Cost & Value Comparison
When it comes to price and overall value, here’s how Yoder and Lone Star compare:
- Base Price – Lone Star Grillz are more expensive, with prices starting around $3,000. Yoder’s start around $1,600.
- Price Per Square Inch – Due to smaller sizes, Lone Star works out to a higher price per cooking space. Around $25/sq in vs. $15-20/sq in for Yoder.
- Cost of Ownership – Both will provide years of reliable service. Lone Star’s thicker steel means it may last even longer with good maintenance.
- Resale Value – Yoder likely has a slight edge in resale thanks to strong brand name recognition. But both hold value very well.
- Warranty – The 10 year Yoder warranty again provides better long term value.
Overall, Yoder takes the edge in price and overall value. You get similar performance and quality for thousands less. Lone Star is the premium choice if budget accommodates.
Which Is Better For You?
After comparing the two brands in detail, here are some key considerations to help you choose:
- For supreme heavy duty construction – Go with Lone Star Grillz. Their 1/4″ steel is commercial grade.
- If you compete or cook for crowds – Yoder’s larger capacities give it an edge.
- For the best temperature precision – Yoder PID controllers lead the industry.
- If you want full custom grill configurations – Lone Star is the choice. Yoder has set models.
- For the best warranty – Yoder’s 10 years of coverage is hard to pass up.
- On a budget under $2,000 – Yoder is the clear value choice.
Both are amazing grills that will serve you for years. Choose Lone Star Grillz if you want the ultimate in heavy duty design and Made in Texas craftsmanship. Otherwise, Yoder gives you top performance and quality for thousands less.
Yoder and Lone Star Grillz: Top Models Compared
To give you a better sense of the offerings from each brand, here’s an overview of two of their most popular grill models:
Yoder YS640s
- Cooking Area – 640 sq inches
- Grates – 5/16″ stainless steel
- Pellet Hopper – 20lbs
- Temperature Range – 150°F to 600°F+
- Controller – Advanced PID + WiFi app
- MSRP – $1,999
This upgraded version of Yoder’s classic YS640 model offers serious cooking space along with WiFi-enabled PID precision temperature control.
It’s built to Yoder’s exacting standards from thick American steel and under $2,000.
Lone Star Grillz 20×42 Maverick
- Cooking Area – 420 sq inches
- Grates – 3/16″ stainless steel
- Pellet Hopper – 15lbs
- Temperature Range – 155°F to 700°F+
- Controller – PID or Manual Analog
- MSRP – $3,295+
This compact 20×42″ grill still provides professional quality and performance thanks to Lone Star’s patented heat diffuser and 1/4″ thick construction. Fully customize options from $3,295 in stainless steel.
As you can see, for a few hundred more than the base Lone Star model you can step up to a larger Yoder grill with more cooking space, a larger hopper, and WiFi enabled PID precision – all for around $1,000+ less than Lone Star’s smaller offering. But the Lone Star is built like a tank from thicker steel if that’s your priority.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yoder Smokers is a family owned company founded in 2007 by three competition barbeque enthusiasts in Hutchinson, Kansas. The company remains family owned and operated today.
All Yoder pellet grills are designed, engineered, and hand assembled at the Yoder factory in Hutchinson, Kansas. They take pride in their American made heritage.
Lone Star Grillz are designed and built in Houston, Texas. Each grill is hand-crafted to order by their team of fabricators and welders using Texas-made steel.
Lone Star Grillz are famous for their 1/4″ thick steel construction. This 14 gauge steel is significantly thicker and heavier duty than the 10 gauge steel used by most competitors including Yoder.
Their proprietary blend steel offers excellent heat retention and weather resistance that allows them to back each grill with a 5 year warranty.
One of Yoder’s biggest advantages is the comprehensive 10 year warranty they offer. This covers most grill components including the stainless steel grill grates, heat diffuser plates, controllers, and all structural steel.
Lone Star’s 5 year warranty is also strong for an all-steel pellet grill, but can’t match Yoder’s industry leading 10 years of coverage.
The Bottom Line
While both Yoder and Lone Star Grillz make exceptional, pro-quality pellet grills, Yoder provides better overall value and performance for the money.
That being said, if you want the ultimate in heavy duty construction or fully custom designs, then Lone Star Grillz are hard to beat. Their 1/4″ thick steel is commercial-grade and their made-to-order process allows you to tailor every detail.
For most backyard grillers though, Yoder’s grills offer the best balance of high-end features, build quality, and affordability. Their PID controllers and large hoppers make smoking low and slow exceptionally easy. Plus models like the YS640 provide huge cooking capacity with versatile features at under $2,000.
Whichever brand you choose, you really can’t go wrong. Both Yoder and Lone Star Grillz deliver an exceptional grilling and smoking experience that will make you the envy of your neighborhood. Your food will come out perfect every time thanks to precision control and incredible heat retention.
So light those pellets and get ready to become the backyard BBQ master you were meant to be!
