I just got my SM025 a week ago and when I opened it the shelf rack holders were off the sides which allowed everything to slam up and down inside. The wood box was bent, which made a ding in the bottom of the smoker. The temp prob in the back wall was bent as well.
Here is what I did. Bent the prob back (very slowly), bent the wood box back into shape and said to oh well with the ding in the floor of the unit.
I did not want to deal with CS only to have them tell me to contact UPS. Too much work.
I really like the outside packing, but the inside needs help. Throwing a zip tie on and hoping the weight of the wood and other items, will hold everything in place is not enough. Some else needs to be in there to hold everything.
As far a UPS at fault. The box was in near perfect condition.
Other than that, this is the greatest item, I have ever purchased. When I told my wife that I didn't need to be running outside to check on the smoker and add wood, she loved it.
I hope this helps someone. just because there is a little damage, it will not affect anything. My smoker works perfect. Sure if the thing is really damage, by all means get a new one. The only permanent damage it in the floor and who cares. It will never be seen. I was lucky that I could bend the prob back. If I couldn't this might be different thread. These thing are built like tanks.
Anyway, just thought I would vent a little and throw it out to Cookshack, Cookshack owners and owners to be.
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