When it says use 2-3 pans it means over the duration. Basically, start up first pan, once it buuns out, add second ppan, hence, if you decide to use a third pan, once tha second pan burns ouut add th third. DON'T OVER SMOKE!!! You can add to much. I rarely add more then 2 pans, maybe 1 1/2 for trout, then ful 2-3 for salmon steelhead. Then, once tha last pan burns ouu, you let it run on it'sown heat until fish is at texture you wannt. If it's chum, you have a good 8-11 hoours of smoking to go. LOL