I have had problems with the auger dumping to many pellet and it usually is because the drop rate is to low, try to speed up the rate so it will burn at the rate that they are droping some times this helps. As for smoke i have never had smoke in the house, check the seals and also check and clean out the augar shaft,sometimes they acumulate in the shaft and drop all at once. owned a lopi insert for 10 years use it very regular(every day all day through out winter in the midwest) Write back