I think you hit it on the head with the statement "careful cleaning". That's not always something people (me included) take the time and effort to do. Getting the meat grease off the grill/smoker seems to be the problem I was advised about a few years ago as that is what is supposed to off-flavor the chiles. If Jim C. is doing it that way, that's good enough for me! SandyO CH #1146 moving toward the hot side of moderate