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If you're shopping at the entry point of serious American-made offset smokers, these are your two real choices. Both are 1/4-inch steel, both are hand-built in the US, both will outlive their owners. The differences are in design philosophy and feature set.
Quick Verdict
Buy the Lone Star Grillz 20x36 ($1,895) if you want the purist Texas offset experience with the best welds and reverse-flow option. Buy the Yoder Cheyenne ($1,799) if you want a more refined offset with finishing details and Yoder's reputation.
The Contenders
Lone Star Grillz 20x36 Offset
$1,895
Texas-style brisket purists who want hand-welded 1/4-inch steel and reverse-flow option
Check PriceYoder Cheyenne
$1,799
Cooks who want a refined entry-level Yoder offset with the brand's reputation
Check PriceCategory Breakdown
Build Quality
Winner: Lone StarLone Star wins narrowly. The welds are visibly cleaner and the firebox door fit is tighter. Yoder is excellent but Lone Star is the welder's smoker.
Cooking Performance
Winner: TieTie. Both produce championship-grade brisket. The reverse-flow option on the Lone Star evens out heat distribution; the Yoder's traditional design produces more pronounced smoke profile. Different and equally great.
Features & Refinement
Winner: YoderYoder wins. Better paint, nicer thermometer, more polished hardware, sturdier cart. The Lone Star is more agricultural in its finish.
Custom Options
Winner: Lone StarLone Star wins decisively. Endless custom options — reverse flow, warmer box, second tier, custom paint. Yoder offers fewer options but each is well-executed.
Value
Winner: YoderYoder wins narrowly. $96 cheaper with arguably more polished out-of-box experience. The Lone Star's premium is for customization which not every cook needs.
Final Verdict
Buy the Lone Star Grillz 20x36 if you want a custom-built Texas offset and you appreciate the welder's craft. Buy the Yoder Cheyenne if you want a refined, ready-to-cook offset with Yoder's polish.
Buying Advice
Lead times matter. Lone Star is months out at any given time — order well ahead. Yoder is more readily available through dealers. If you need to cook this season, Yoder may be your only option.
