It's the deflector plate that's the problem. That is where the "smoke" is originating. It's getting past that, flowing down the outside of the burn pot and pooling in the bottom of the stove. Once in a while a wisp of the smoke comes up from underneath the burn pot and ignites. I dialed back on the auger speed and that helped reduce the amount of smoke, but it's still there. The deflector plate is a replacement. Could it not be sitting right and letting the smoke get past?