It depends on how much smoke flavor you want in your sausage. I recently made up some snack sticks, I applied smoke for 4 hrs during the cook and I thought that was a little to much. I think it really depends on your personal preference. If you don't over smoke it its still edible, if you over smoke it you won't eat it. Keep records of your smoke times and you will figure out what you and your family like. Different types of wood make a difference as well. Hope this all makes sense.