The Texas BBQ Forum

HI Everyone:

I’ve been lurking for a while trying to gather information on purchasing my first stick burner and was hoping someone had some hands-on experience with the two models I’ve narrowed my search down to: The Yoder Loaded Wichita and the Horizon 20” RD Special Marshall.
Little about me: I’ve been making BBQ for about 8 years now using both a Cabela’s Masterbuilt Barrel Smoker and my Weber Summit Grill with a Smoker Box. While both have created great meals, The Barrel Smoker is about worn out (temperamental heating element) and the Weber has issues holding a low and slow temperature. For these reasons, I’m looking to upgrade to a true offset BBQ rig. I’ve had the opportunity to see both in person, so looking for some advice from someone that has had hands on experience cooking with both.

From what I have gathered from other threads, the Yoder Loaded Wichita is a quality rig aesthetically with great welds, but can suffers from some air flow issues via slamkeys posts on the topic . I live in Denver and due to the high altitude and thin dry air, burn through a TON of charcoal any time I fire up my Weber kettle. I’m worried that the altitude plus having to leave the side door open through the entire cook is going to make me go through a pile of charcoal and wood any time I’m cooking.
In regards to the Horizon, it sounds like it has better airflow, but comes without the 2nd cooking grate and the welding isn’t as ascetically pleasing. Problem is there is much less info online about the unit itself.

Does anyone have any advice they can bestow on a future stick burner newbie?

Hello,

I am new to the forum, and I too am interested in the loaded Wichita. My research has led to the questions you've presented, and I'm curious on your decision.

I'm also interested in whether @Slamkeys would recommend a loaded Wichita, based on the updated build.

Go for the Horizon

freddie987 wrote:Go for the Horizon

Because.......?

Debro012 wrote:Hello,

I am new to the forum, and I too am interested in the loaded Wichita. My research has led to the questions you've presented, and I'm curious on your decision.

I'm also interested in whether @Slamkeys would recommend a loaded Wichita, based on the updated build.

Glad you dusted off this thread because I forgot to update with my final decision: I ended up getting the Horizon over the Yoder and will share my honest thoughts on the unit I received, and how it operates at altitude. One piece of information that I think you should know before making a decision is how painfully long it took to get the unit. I ordered the unit in early April, and didn't receive the unit until mid August. Thought the lead-time would only be 6-8 weeks, but it turned out more than double that.

Once I received the unit, I've been very happy. Pros of the unit are that it's extremely well built and holds constant temperatures well. Only con I have is the doors aren't the tightest fitting, and I need to spend some time filling the gaps with food grade silicon and gaskets.

One potential con is per the instructions in the owners manual, and I have confirmed this through, the unit likes to run blue smoke at 250F. If you want to run at 225F, it may be difficult. I've run minion method with lump and briquettes as well as 100% wood and the results have been the same: 250F is the sweet spot measured by a digital thermometer on the grate. Some of this could be altitude related (in Colorado over 5,000 feet with zero humidity).

This is my first offset, so I've ruined meat, made great meat, and had results in between. Overall I'm happy with the unit and am looking forward to refining my skills in the future. Hope this helps.

Fig_n_Pig wrote:

Debro012 wrote:Hello,

I am new to the forum, and I too am interested in the loaded Wichita. My research has led to the questions you've presented, and I'm curious on your decision.

I'm also interested in whether @Slamkeys would recommend a loaded Wichita, based on the updated build.

Glad you dusted off this thread because I forgot to update with my final decision: I ended up getting the Horizon over the Yoder and will share my honest thoughts on the unit I received, and how it operates at altitude. One piece of information that I think you should know before making a decision is how painfully long it took to get the unit. I ordered the unit in early April, and didn't receive the unit until mid August. Thought the lead-time would only be 6-8 weeks, but it turned out more than double that.

Once I received the unit, I've been very happy. Pros of the unit are that it's extremely well built and holds constant temperatures well. Only con I have is the doors aren't the tightest fitting, and I need to spend some time filling the gaps with food grade silicon and gaskets.

One potential con is per the instructions in the owners manual, and I have confirmed this through, the unit likes to run blue smoke at 250F. If you want to run at 225F, it may be difficult. I've run minion method with lump and briquettes as well as 100% wood and the results have been the same: 250F is the sweet spot measured by a digital thermometer on the grate. Some of this could be altitude related (in Colorado over 5,000 feet with zero humidity).

This is my first offset, so I've ruined meat, made great meat, and had results in between. Overall I'm happy with the unit and am looking forward to refining my skills in the future. Hope this helps.

Thank you for the detailed reply. Was your final choice based on not accepting the risk of failure with the Yoder? I must admit there's a 75% chance I go with the Yoder.

Debro012 wrote:
I'm also interested in whether @Slamkeys would recommend a loaded Wichita, based on the updated build.

I don't pretend to speak for him, however given the amount of bad press and majority consensus my question would be "why take a chance" when there are so many other choices.

I'm curious as to the attraction... it can't simply be the wheels.

txsmkmstr wrote:

Debro012 wrote:
I'm also interested in whether @Slamkeys would recommend a loaded Wichita, based on the updated build.

I don't pretend to speak for him, however given the amount of bad press and majority consensus my question would be "why take a chance" when there are so many other choices.

I'm curious as to the attraction... it can't simply be the wheels.

If it helps, the two items that helped tipped my decision towards Horizon vs other quality builds were A) shipping from Perry OK to Colorado was a considerable savings versus other manufacturers in other locations, and B) the movable convection plate for heat management. It does do a great job of holding the temperatures constant across the entire cook chamber and gives me an option to move it towards the smokestack if I need a hotter zone by the firebox.

txsmkmstr wrote:

Debro012 wrote:
I'm also interested in whether @Slamkeys would recommend a loaded Wichita, based on the updated build.

I don't pretend to speak for him, however given the amount of bad press and majority consensus my question would be "why take a chance" when there are so many other choices.

I'm curious as to the attraction... it can't simply be the wheels.

I'm coming from a Char-griller 2121, with an added side firebox. I've mastered it, and I could keep going on it. However, I respect that there are better choices. Since the art and skill of smoking meat is a true hobby of mine, I don't mind spending $$$$ for an upgrade.

I've always respected the fact that my Char-griller gives me so many options for cooking: smoking, direct grilling on the main cooking barrel or in the side firebox, rotisserie, etc.

Therefore, I wanted a better quality unit that gave me the same thing. I looked, and at first, my only option was the Meadow Creek SQ36. I was sold on this smoker until I was in Academy one day, and I came across the Old Country Wrangler and Pecos. From there, it was a back and forth. However, neither one gave me exactly what I have in my current unit. (The SQ36 side firebox does not support direct grilling, and the Wrangler does not have a standard charcoal grate/support for direct grilling in the main barrel.)

I was about to settle for the Wrangler, but that led me to the Yoder Wichita. The Wichita will give me everything I want, except for the rotisserie support.

My local grilling store has a relationship with Yoder, and I can save on shipping if I include my order with their bulk orders. This is a plus. I also went to Bass Pro to check out the Horizon, but they only had a 16" on display. Even if they had a 20" for me to check out, there is something about the Yoder that pulls me closer. I have never seen one in person, so I can only imagine the quality. I also keep up with All Things BBQ on YouTube, and they are huge on Yoder products (I know their location plays a HUGE roll in the relationship).

Overall, I feel the Wichita will meet my expectations and needs.

Debro012 wrote:
Overall, I feel the Wichita will meet my expectations and needs.

.... 'nuff said. Go for it!!!

Debro012 wrote:

txsmkmstr wrote:

Debro012 wrote:
I'm also interested in whether @Slamkeys would recommend a loaded Wichita, based on the updated build.

I don't pretend to speak for him, however given the amount of bad press and majority consensus my question would be "why take a chance" when there are so many other choices.

I'm curious as to the attraction... it can't simply be the whees

I also keep up with All Things BBQ on YouTube, and they are huge on Yoder products (I know their location plays a HUGE roll in the relationship).

Overall, I feel the Wichita will meet my expectations and needs.

That’s because ATBBQ is owned by Yoder. Hence the relationship.

Debro012 wrote:

txsmkmstr wrote:

Debro012 wrote:
I'm also interested in whether @Slamkeys would recommend a loaded Wichita, based on the updated build.

I don't pretend to speak for him, however given the amount of bad press and majority consensus my question would be "why take a chance" when there are so many other choices.

I'm curious as to the attraction... it can't simply be the wheels.

I'm coming from a Char-griller 2121, with an added side firebox. I've mastered it, and I could keep going on it. However, I respect that there are better choices. Since the art and skill of smoking meat is a true hobby of mine, I don't mind spending $$$$ for an upgrade.

I've always respected the fact that my Char-griller gives me so many options for cooking: smoking, direct grilling on the main cooking barrel or in the side firebox, rotisserie, etc.

Therefore, I wanted a better quality unit that gave me the same thing. I looked, and at first, my only option was the Meadow Creek SQ36. I was sold on this smoker until I was in Academy one day, and I came across the Old Country Wrangler and Pecos. From there, it was a back and forth. However, neither one gave me exactly what I have in my current unit. (The SQ36 side firebox does not support direct grilling, and the Wrangler does not have a standard charcoal grate/support for direct grilling in the main barrel.)

I was about to settle for the Wrangler, but that led me to the Yoder Wichita. The Wichita will give me everything I want, except for the rotisserie support.

My local grilling store has a relationship with Yoder, and I can save on shipping if I include my order with their bulk orders. This is a plus. I also went to Bass Pro to check out the Horizon, but they only had a 16" on display. Even if they had a 20" for me to check out, there is something about the Yoder that pulls me closer. I have never seen one in person, so I can only imagine the quality. I also keep up with All Things BBQ on YouTube, and they are huge on Yoder products (I know their location plays a HUGE roll in the relationship).

Overall, I feel the Wichita will meet my expectations and needs.

Like you, my experience is with entry level equipment. Also, like you, I decided on the Yoder Wichita.

From recent pics, I believe that Yoder has addressed the firebox draw issues. If successful, fine. If not, Slamkey's tutorial has provided me with the info that I need to fix the issue.

I'm looking forward to taking delivery of my unit in September.

Did you end up with a Wichita ? Your post indicates that you were leaning in that direction.

I did move forward with the Loaded Wichita. I've had it since late June, and I'm happy with the purchase.

The only "issue" I've experienced is with the paint peeling off on the firebox. I'm not sure if it's due to the temps I've had it at (due to smoking chicken) or what. What's funny is I've used the included can of paint to go back over the areas. From there, I'm good. However, other spots start to crack/flake. I may just repaint the entire firebox.

[quote][/quote]

I also have a Wichita Loaded, purchased May of this year. Paint flaking off the firebox especially on the top right side,(where I keep the fire going), is normal. Obviously, your high temps are there.

While ya can keep scraping', sanding and painting...I saw a post somewhere, and have simply rubbed the flakes off, and rubbedd the whole thing down lightly with grapeseed oil after each cook or as needed to keep a light oil coat to prevent rust. Grapeseed oil has a higher than other oil smoking temp. My cooker has stayed rust free, shiny and maintained a nice black patina, kinda like seasoning a cast iron pan I guess. Best wishes...