When you say "the feeling was not the same" was it less of an experience, or just different?

Maybe you were burning the spice the second time round and residual burnt spice is effecting the taste?

If the spice looks/smells the same it probably didn't degrade while being stored.

The only other thing I can think of is the steel wool being used in the machine. Were you sure to torch off all the toxic junk coated on top before using it for spice? That would give quite a nasty taste for sure!