Thousand, I appreciate your clarification. Speaking in general terms, your advice is sound. As a reply to this specific adventure of mine, it sounded as if I was tilting at windmills.
My previous electric smoker was a competitor's knockoff which I did not want to praise here, but let's just say it was a lot closer in size to the 055. This Amerique is huge by comparison, and so is the woodbox. Based on the number of reports it is not unreasonable to assume that some of the heating elements are not in their ideal position, and that this might not have been considered prior to mass production.
I have seen all types of smoke come out of these machines, including rare puffing smoke rings which I could not explain. But I have always seen at least some white whiffs within the first twenty minutes. Maybe the 'new' owners need some coaching on their expectations; then again, maybe they wouldn't recognize broke when they see it.