I use my trusty chip mixture of 2/3 alder, 1/3 applewood for pretty much everything I smoke in the big chief. For cheese it usually only takes 1 pan of chips for 2-2.5 hours of smoking time. Trout is 2 pans for 5-6 hours, salmon is 3 pans for 7-8 hours. I did 20lbs of ham once over 4 pans, and 12 hours. Never been disappointed. I've never tried flavor mellowing it for three weeks before though, usually only around 4-5 days. Stuff is usually gone within two weeks!