If your connectors failed... AGAIN.... I replaced the connectors on my element with regular connectors that I removed the plastic insulation.. Then I crimped them to the replaced wire... slid them on the element lugs where I had gooped them up with dielectric grease.... then crimped them "TIGHT" with side cutters, being careful to crimp only and not cut them.... wrapped with fiberglass electrical tape, for insurance.... it has been operating for 5 years like that... (knock on wood) without problems... a good solid mechanical connection is always recommended..
I think the grease protects the metal from corrosion... dissimilar metals, in a humid environment, will corrode... especially due to the smoker body being moist and having salt and other stuff inside...
Don't give up... it's a great smoker body... SS and insulated... hard to beat... except for the crappy electronics...
FWIW.... when I had my maintenance business, I did most of my work around the salt water.. I always applied dielectric grease to any electrical wiring... whether it be 12, 24, 32V DC stuff or 120-240 stuff.... I had an industrial electrician teach me that... he worked in a refinery on Puget Sound.. I used it on my boat also... wiring to bilge pumps and all wiring in general... You'd be amazed at how stuff corrodes... no corrosion on stuff I greased... it always looked like new.....