LarryD: Thanks so much, I would love the help - I want to love my SI-1
Other possible factors:
I do not pre-heat the smoker; I smoke fish on 200; Top two racks; done in 2hrs - based only on experience; never open the door during the smoke; Used 3 blocks of alder with one block of hickory; 1 block was turned to ash - the other three were charcoal after the smoke
On your less academic note: You must also be a shrink - I was using an old masterbuilt for a year or more till it died. My friend had a pit-boss I borrowed a few times and really liked it. I looked as Electric, Gas, chip, pellet, and on and on and on for a year. After lots of reading and self-debate, I chose the SI-1 with no first hand experience and never having met anyone that had one. and so far, I have trashed a bunch of fish! Sad being all the effort that goes into getting them in the first place. I smoke Salmon, trout (Brown and lake) mostly. I would love to smoke other foods, but need to figure some stuff out first.
Other note: In the Pit boss, I filled the tray with chips, they would burn out in an hour or so, and the fish always came out awesome. So far, all I have managed whit the SI is to disappoint myself. Hopeful the gap is it is user error and not the SI.
To all: The best part of the SI experience so far is this forum - thanks to all who chipped in!