I only make half batches with mine and they go fairly quickly (less that 2 weeks). There's emulsifiers in the Good Seasonings mix, so it stays blended.
As noted, the pebbled ones have more grout, so during the one time venting process, they will vent more and are more likely to have tiles bulge up a bit. Other than that, it's down to aesthetics, just like color.
Smoked pork chops were my favorite meal as a kid - I still like them a lot now, too! Don't eat them that often, though, too many other yummy things out there competing for plate time!
Hopefully you can find a good camera shop that can fix it. Might have to travel up to Atlanta or somewhere to find a shop, but to save a $500 camera, it's be worth a drive.
I break the cocochar stix up (hit one against the other perpendicular) into roughly halves (they fit better in the basket). Go 3/4 full. Put a pile of regular lump (medium sized pieces) on the top and light them to help get the coco started.