Best Yoder Smokers pellet grills

Top pick: Yoder Smokers YS640s. It's the model most people should start with — a freestanding pellet grill that can also be built into an outdoor kitchen, so it works on a patio or as a permanent setup. Big enough for real barbecue without taking over the yard.

• YS480s — the one for smaller cooks: the highest rated of the three and finished in stainless with two-piece grates that are easy to handle. Best if you're usually cooking for a few.
• YS1500s — the competition/party rig: a 24"×42" primary grate plus a second rack above, so it swallows whole briskets, ribs and sides at once. Best if you cook in volume.

All three are pellet-fed, so you get set-and-forget temperature control with real wood smoke.