How To Fix A Jammed Auger On A Yoder Smokers Pellet Grill

[@RumandCook]

❓ What Video Do You Want To See Next ❓ - *Comment Below!*

[@BosBackyardBBQ]

Have you done a no trim brisket video? That would be cool.

[@chris_favreau]

I want to see you pour a rum and coke and drink the whole thing... NO EDITS/CUTS... THEN cook something. That could be a fun video. 🙂🍻

[@RumandCook]

Not yet. Funny someone asked me to do that yesterday. I don’t like the fat much so confident I won’t like it. Might try 🍻

[@RumandCook]

Haha I can put away some rum and coke 🤣🍻

[@chris_favreau]

@@RumandCook so let's it TWO rum and cokes, at least 2 fingers of rum each 😁

[@jbmccormick]

This video was a god send. It was a mystery to me as to how it got fouled but wow there were alot of cement like pellets when I took it apart. VERY easy to follow along with the instructions. Getting access to the auger motor was a challenge with the two bolts. Putting it back together was a challenge as it's difficult to see and you needed to line up the holes perfectly to get it to go back together. THANK YOU so much!!!

[@RumandCook]

Awesome, glad it was useful! 🍻

[@DopeyDoc601]

Thanks so much for the video! Even though Yoder customer service says "it's easy, trust us", this is so helpful to see the process as well. Have to replace a fan and now not worried after seeing this!

[@RumandCook]

No prob! 🍻

[@lukeclark5009]

Thanks for the video with your instruction, I had mine out cleaned and fixed in 20 minutes.

[@RumandCook]

Happy to help! 🍻

[@StrikeEagle15E]

Thank you for being so very Real on your channel. The good the bad and the delicious. You’ve got me saving up for my own #yodersmoker. Your #homerepair should be an inspiration to us all in regards to being able to resolve our own smoker issues.

[@RumandCook]

Welcome. Thanks for watching! 🍻

[@swheatley2790]

i've had my 640 jam up a few times. usually in the fall when the warm air in the hopper gets cool and condensates in the evening. i bought a metal automotive pick set (1 is straight, 1 is 45 degree angle, and 1 is a hook). these combined with a shop vac usually cleans it out pretty good. only down side is having to remove the pellets already in the hopper a handful at a time. never had to take mine apart this far, but good to see how to do it.

[@RumandCook]

I normally don’t leave it too full, but the bottom 1/4 was wet. What a mess. Never again :) 🍻

[@brianpreston5206]

I have a pellet pro 1190. But after watching these yoder smokers. I'm definitely buying one. Way more versatile. #yodersmoker #Homerepair

[@RumandCook]

Won’t disappoint! 🍻

[@brianpreston5206]

@RumandCook thank you sir. Awesome videos.

[@markcrowe8799]

Thanks for Yoder YS640 repair tutorial. I hope I never have to take my YS640 apart, but now I have some tips if I ever have to. #yodersmokers #homerepair

[@RumandCook]

No prob. 🍻

[@racerx2oo3]

Great video. I’ve got a Yoder 640 coming this week and I’ve been binging your #yodersmoker videos. I hope I don’t end up needing to perform these steps #homerepair but glad they are here if I do.

[@RumandCook]

Congrats. As long as you stay away from damp pellets you will be good. 🍻

[@robshowtos478]

Very nicely done! Two suggestions: 1. I started using disposable gloves when cleaning or working on my Yoder. It keeps me, the tools, and the smoker clean due to no oil from my hands being transferred. 2. I have one of the Costco Totes set outside next to my Yoder. I keep my pellet bag and grates in there to protect from the weather. Look forward to more of your vids!

[@RumandCook]

Thanks, yeah I have those gloves as well. Use a ton of them. Check out Clean Space link in my description. Best deal on the internet. 40% will come off during check out. I buy a case of 1000 for $89 🍻

[@bjissel9946]

For a future video i would like to see your take on a spatchcock Turkey 🦃 on the pellet grill . Thanks for you vids man !

[@RumandCook]

I’ll see what I can do. 🍻

[@WFrench-w5c]

Good Job! Pellet woes are a pain! I haven't experienced the wet pellet deal yet, but I did just vacuum out the auger on my Traeger and could not believe the amount of pellet dust everywhere, even though I try to shake the pellets out well before I put them in my grill. Rum and Coke and Chicken sounds like a great afternoon.

[@RumandCook]

Thanks! Yes that is a great afternoon 🍻

[@ryanwhiteford9607]

Great video. I have been curious what it looks like inside there incase I needed to replace a part. Always appreciated. #yodersmokers #homerepair

[@RumandCook]

Thanks! 🍻

[@dfresh4130]

I scored my #yodersmokers YS640 used last year from a guy who said he was having nothing but problems with it. It was a non-S model that had the ACS kit added sometime after purchase. Figured I could find any issues and do some #homerepair on it myself. When I got it home I found they had installed the inner fan backwards! He still managed to get it running like that sometimes so the interior of the pellet box had some grease buildup, but cleaned it up and replaced the igniter while I was at it since wires were singed and she's running like a champ now!

[@RumandCook]

Haha yeah fan needs to point in the right direction to work properly. Good deal. 🍻

[@hanktrantham2641]

#yodersmokers #homerepair my 430 has locked up once and a lesson was learned! Now I’m very careful about what I pour in the hopper. Great video for those who have now experienced this yet.

[@RumandCook]

Thanks! 🍻

[@ValleyQ]

Nice to see you were able to recover quickly from this minor set back. This just reminds me why I am not a pellet smoker fan. This wouldn't happen on an offset... Lol. #yodersmokers #homerepair

[@RumandCook]

🤣🍻

[@johnnydunlapjr8198]

Thanks for the home repair video. I will be saving this for when I need it. Love your videos. There are every insightful and easy to fallow. Keep them videos coming #yodersmoker #homerepair

[@RumandCook]

Thank you sir. 🍻

[@burnedprog]

Same thing happened to me. Had the cover off during a crazy rain storm and water got into auger and made a solid wood block in the auger. I didn't fix it like you though. I simply emptied the hoper, and took a screw driver to the solid wood block in the auger, scraping it all out, and vacuuming the chunks. Only took me about 5 minutes, and seems a lot easier than opening up the whole side. Just another approach for anyone reading.

[@RumandCook]

Unfortunately, I did all that before filming. It was completely jammed. I had to pull and push the auger to get it to come loose. I’m just an overachiever and really jammed it up. Lol. 🍻

[@rsmith1894]

Nice to see videos like these. Eventually we will need to make some minor repairs and seeing it makes a huge difference. #yodersmokers #homerepair

[@RumandCook]

Yeah a manual is only so helpful. Hopefully no more repairs for a bit :) 🍻

[@charlemagne8764]

How do you best empty the hopper? Mine has a grate on top, ie you cannot scoop out the pellets. Can you take that grate out easily?

[@RumandCook]

You can try a dry shop vac. Otherwise I’d rip out the grate. It really doesn’t serve a good purpose. 🍻

[@charlemagne8764]

Yeah, it’s probably just EU health&safety regulations for us European idiots that try to stick their fingers into the auger! Thanks to your video I know now how to take it out (take off the side)

[@jftremblay]

Happy to see video about issue that happen to all of us :) #homerepair #yodersmoker

[@RumandCook]

Always happy to take one for the team. 🍻

[@mikemelichar9362]

Had to replace a fan on mine and re apply caulk to the firebox… not terribly difficult… nice job! #yodersmokers #homerepair

[@RumandCook]

Def have to stay on top of the maintenance. 🍻

[@JaCrispy2391]

Awesome video! Always enjoy the cooking videos, but I love seeing #homerepair videos as well. Always like to tinker myself and learn more about my equipment. Looking to replace my fans this year too as a fellow cold weather #yodersmokers owner.

[@RumandCook]

Thanks! Super easy once you see inside. 🍻

[@DavidDarke-ji3tc]

Never had that happen to my #yodersmokers yet but I had it happen to my old Traeger and it bent the auger. Luckily these units are an easy #homerepair. I knew what a Traeger looked like inside and now I know what my Yoder looks like lol. Thanks for the video. Cheers.

[@RumandCook]

No prob. Thanks for watching. 🍻

[@johnminke4542]

#yodersmokers #homerepair Nice Job for someone who says they don't do much in repairs. Awesome.

[@RumandCook]

That’s about as advanced as I get 🤣🍻

[@majestic.feminine]

This.. is an amazing video. Thanks for your honest approach to all-of-the-above! So few people have the guts to say "I screwed something up," in a narcissistic world.. so Hyper Kudos!! It is my worry that I will do the same. I guess my concern is: can we leave the pellets in the grill or should we be doing a dump after every cook? Nowhere is this issue taken up. Thanks for your courage. BTW, how log did the whole repair take? 😎🥂 #yodersmokers #homerepair

[@RumandCook]

Thanks for watching. Appreciate that. You can leave them in the hopper. Mine were in an open bag I left outside. My mistake. Took about 30 minutes or so. Not too bad. 🍻

[@tgates811]

Do you know if the auger speed is variable (can increase it), for grilling mode?

[@RumandCook]

It’s computer controlled. The higher the temp, the faster it goes. Can sear at 600F no problem. 🍻

[@tgates811]

@@RumandCook So no issues with the flame "pausing" in between auger on/off cycles? It's always constant?

[@RumandCook]

@tgates811 no pellets don’t burn that fast. 🍻

[@Edward135i]

This happened to a Trager I had years ago, the auger was practically cemented in because the pellets got soaked with water. I took my 1/2 drill and put it on the back of the auger and spun it backwards using the hammer drill function it has.

[@RumandCook]

Yeah that pellet mush is no joke. 🍻

[@SinisterMD]

I think it goes without saying...UNPLUG the smoker before (and while) you do this. :) Also, taking pictures when you start is very smart. My birthday is this weekend and thinking about finally upgrading my Recteq to a Yoder. I'm more than convinced, just need to pull the trigger. Also ATBBQ is in my hometown, so heck yeah. #yodersmokers #homerepair

[@RumandCook]

Yep for sure. Congrats on bday. Yoder won’t disappoint. 🍻

[@geoffreyforster4644]

I went to Home Depot and bought husky 5 gallon waterproof containers. They work great and hold all of a 20 lb bag of pellets

[@RumandCook]

Yeah I usually have mine in the garage. Mistake learned. 🍻

[@samdiperna7683]

Great video. Glad you didn’t burn up your motor. #yodersmokers #homerepair

[@RumandCook]

Thanks. 🍻

[@arthurrandallholloway]

Great #yodersmokers #homerepair tutorial Jake!!!

[@RumandCook]

Thank you sir 🍻

[@lx2nv]

Man I had to take my Z Grill apart a few years ago, darn wet pellets LOL! Took about 20 minutes, love the simplicty if the system. #yodersmokers #homerepair

[@RumandCook]

You’ll only do it once :) 🍻

[@lx2nv]

@@RumandCook darn right lol

[@bjissel9946]

Glad you were able to get your #yodersmokers back up and running. That happened to a budy of mine lol he almost gave up 😂#homerepair but he finally got it working 💪

[@RumandCook]

Hah can be a pain, but you can’t give up. 🍻

[@bjissel9946]

@RumandCook Thats right ✅️ Hopefully I never run into this problem but if I do now I know what to do 👌👌

[@cyndy-glenn]

Will be extra careful to keep the pellets dry and not forget them outside from now on, nice repair #yodersmokers #homerepair

[@RumandCook]

Thanks! 🍻

[@M4ttNet]

These sorts of problems are definitely a LOT easier in the design of some pellet grills like this Yoder and for me especially the LSG pellet smoker vs the more traditional super long auger style like traegers and my old GMG. Loved my GMG but those pellets if they get compressed and/or moist can jam up and having the super long auger just adds to the issue. I just got a LSG and I love the design it has, similar to this, with a super short auger (they use an open center core screw auger too which I think will lessen the jam up potential even more) that leads to a shoot and feeds the burn pot. Such a smart design IMHO compared to the more traditional long auger to the center style. Additionally i love how the LSG burn pot is removable on the outside and with the hot air ignition really lessens problems for me. The less you have to tear down and remove every component to clean things out just means the more likely you are to use it.

[@RumandCook]

Easier is always better! Rare for a short auger to jam, but I’m an overachiever 🤣🍻

[@M4ttNet]

@@RumandCook Haha, credit where credit is due :) Of course now that I said all that I'll probably do the same pretty soon. Not that moisture is too much of a problem right now in Phoenix, AZ hitting 118 degrees lately.

[@Frankie_D]

#Yodersmokers#homerepair that look like a pretty intense repair. It was smart taking those photos

[@RumandCook]

Wasn’t too bad once I got into it. 🍻

[@artemiovillarreal5225]

Thanks for the video. I will keep an eye on my auger when I perform maintenance on mine. #yodersmokers #homerepair

[@RumandCook]

No prob 🍻

[@wyrmmm]

Why is your auger rusted? How wet were your pellets. I’ve had my Yoder for just over 3 years and I haven’t seen any rust on mine.

[@RumandCook]

All it takes is once and it will rust. It’s steel and that rusts super easy. Any amount of moisture will do that. It also sat for 2 weeks before I could take it apart. 🍻

[@wyrmmm]

@@RumandCookOh ok, ye I keep my peelers in my garage, but my hopper stays full and outdoors. I’m assuming the pellets were wet before you put them on in? I just want to know how to avoid this.

[@RumandCook]

Yeah I left an open bag outside overnight. I didn’t realize they were wet. 🍻

[@havoksdream]

@RumandCook Jake, in your opinion, should a rusted auger be treated/replaced? I have a yoder YS640 with this same issue (swollen pellets in the auger, now fixed thanks to you). It functions fine, but I have concerns that it may become a larger issue in the future. Thanks, from San Diego.

[@RumandCook]

@havoksdream I expect over time the constant rubbing from pellets keeps it dry and prevents rust from spreading as long as you keep pellets dry. I didn’t notice any rust on my auger when I ran it dry of pellets by mistake last weekend. 🍻

[@johngemignani7068]

Great video very educational I’m always doing #homerepair . I like your #yodersmokers 🇺🇸🥃🥓

[@RumandCook]

Thanks! 🍻

[@CoolJay77]

A Jake of all trades!

[@RumandCook]

Haha well I edited out the cursing 🍻

[@stevefowble]

Awesome work my friend. #yodersmokers #homerepair.

[@RumandCook]

Thank you sir 🍻

[@richmoll5134]

Thanks for the #homerepair info for the #yodersmokers.

[@RumandCook]

No prob. 🍻

[@careyemory7757]

Good job on your #yodersmokers not to many people do #homerepair anymore note to self make sure you don’t put wet pellets in the hopper

[@RumandCook]

Good note! Haha 🍻

[@TheMattstaub]

Great video on the #homerepair on the #yodersmokers

[@RumandCook]

Thanks 🍻

[@GCsVidz]

Thanks for the video. Very informative. #yodersmokers #homerepair

[@RumandCook]

Welcome 🍻

[@2ndhandsmokingbbq579]

You gotta run wet pellets alot ive never seen an auger screw so rusty before. Either that or it sits empty for long periods and its very humid where you are.

[@RumandCook]

It sat for a week or two before I had a chance to clean it out. It never sits empty I do about 100 cooks a year. 🍻

[@fredschaffer7330]

I hope this never happens to me, but if it does I'm calling you! LOL #yodersmokers #home repair

[@RumandCook]

🤣🤣🍻

[@bigvisk1125]

That was some #homerepair on that #yodersmokers

[@RumandCook]

Thanks 🍻

[@regularguysmokingfood]

Thanks for sharing #yodersmokers #homerepair

[@RumandCook]

No prob 🍻

[@mdk1853]

#yodersmokers #homerepair. Nice patience!

[@RumandCook]

Thanks! 🍻

[@iamsain1969]

#yodersmokers #homerepair Thanks for the tips

[@RumandCook]

No prob. 🍻

[@cheflarree]

Good job. Hope I don’t break mine. I’m not this mechanical. #yodersmokers #homerepair

[@RumandCook]

Haha me neither. It’s not too bad though. 🍻

[@wesleydrew9242]

Great video. #yodersmokers #homerepair

[@RumandCook]

Thanks 🍻

[@txfieros]

Dang. Never happened to me in 4 years. Kinda concerned about that auger. I guess it was the mooshy pellets. I’ve never ever seen rust on any of the augers on 4 pellet grills I’ve had/have. They are usually nice and shiny. Looks like rust, maybe something else? #yodersmokers #homerepair

[@johnbell5768]

Yeah that was interesting...with the holes in some after three years. I will have to run mine dry and take a look at them

[@RumandCook]

Moisture + steel = rust. It sat for 2 weeks jammed with moist pellets before I could take it a part. No big deal. It works as good as new now. 🍻

[@RumandCook]

If it didn’t have moist pellets I’m sure it’s still nice and shiny. 🍻

[@txfieros]

I figured. It’ll probably sand itself after a few bags.

[@JDsBBQnBourbon]

I spent an afternoon in the middle of winter helping a friend clean out their auger that was stuck with wet, frozen pellets 😦Not Fun #yodersmokers #homerepair

[@RumandCook]

Well that doesn’t sound fun at all. 🍻

[@richardlewis8782]

#yodersmokers #homerepair This is the first time I have seen anything that shows a vulnerability in a YS640S. They are only a manmade machine and I knew there had to be an Achillies heal.

[@RumandCook]

Haha well wet pellets will take down any pellet grill pretty quickly 🤣🍻

[@edb4001]

#yodersmokers #homerepair

[@almunaco901]

#yodersmoker #Homerepair

[@vwpughmd]

Great Job Jake!! I have not had that happen yet. Things always happen no matter how careful/anal you are!!! #yodersmokers #homerepair

[@RumandCook]

Yep for sure! 🍻

[@RumandCook]

You won! Please email [e-mail] so I can confirm it's you.

[@jerrbear6162]

Ridiculous waste of time. Scoop out pellets, vacuum, use flat blade screwdriver and L-shaped pick to chisel apart hardened pellet dust. Keep vacuuming as you loosen debris. 30 minute job, no electrical involved, no removing screws or wire harnesses.

[@RumandCook]

I love know it all comments like that. 🙄 might work in some cases, but not this one 🍻

[@peterodriguez2364]

@RumandCook I agree with you on this.. it seemed you also had a connection issue which the augger.. I had a similar issue with my louisiana grill which seems somewhat similar to your model. Anywhoo I disassembled and found the augger was barely hanging on with one screw.. don't think picking at it with a screwdriver in th pellet hopper would have fixed that.. thank you so much for your time and effort to showcase a real diagnose n fix for this which I'm sure alot of ppl can appreciate.

[@RumandCook]

Yeah mine was so packed in, even when I had most of it chiseled out, it was tough to pull it out and get it loose. I had no idea wet pellets could get some hard and compacted. 🍻