Well whatever it was,....it's gone. I used a new chunk of wood, cleaned it out, new foil, and did a dry run. Everything was fine so I did some more steaks, New York strips this time,...dang they were good. My wife has been gone for a couple weeks so this was her first taste from the new smoker. Smoked New Yorks with all the fixins and side dishes, and cleaned the kitchen afterwards. Im thinkin the sm025 gave a good start to a great night in grubbie-land.....