I hope you can follow my explanation...
I think the main difference between pellets and "real wood" is moisture content. I know that even dried wood contains moisture. I know that moisture on meat attracts guaiacol, which is responsible for smoke flavor.
I know that smoke contains moisture, released from the wood during combustion. Guaiacol will concentrate on the moisture and it will eventually, stick to the moisture on the surface of the food. The more moisture coming off of the burning wood, the more concentrated guaiacol droplets will find it's way to the food.
I think the process of manufacturing dries pellets out, far beyond that of naturally drying wood. Because of that, when pellets burn, they produce a much dryer smoke than natural wood, therefore have less of the concentrated guaiacol water droplets to deposit on our meat. I picture free floating, individual guaiacol molecules floating around as opposed to many guaiacol molecules concentrated on a single moisture droplet. Picture single guaiacol molecules depositing on meat as opposed to concentrated guaiacol droplets depositing on meat or pellet smoke as opposed to natural wood smoke.
What do you think? Am I nuts? Do I have something here? Pellet providers keep saying that wood is wood, but I know that when pellets are made, a lot of heat is produced and moisture leaves the pellets. That's what got me thinking about this.
I think the main difference between pellets and "real wood" is moisture content. I know that even dried wood contains moisture. I know that moisture on meat attracts guaiacol, which is responsible for smoke flavor.
I know that smoke contains moisture, released from the wood during combustion. Guaiacol will concentrate on the moisture and it will eventually, stick to the moisture on the surface of the food. The more moisture coming off of the burning wood, the more concentrated guaiacol droplets will find it's way to the food.
I think the process of manufacturing dries pellets out, far beyond that of naturally drying wood. Because of that, when pellets burn, they produce a much dryer smoke than natural wood, therefore have less of the concentrated guaiacol water droplets to deposit on our meat. I picture free floating, individual guaiacol molecules floating around as opposed to many guaiacol molecules concentrated on a single moisture droplet. Picture single guaiacol molecules depositing on meat as opposed to concentrated guaiacol droplets depositing on meat or pellet smoke as opposed to natural wood smoke.
What do you think? Am I nuts? Do I have something here? Pellet providers keep saying that wood is wood, but I know that when pellets are made, a lot of heat is produced and moisture leaves the pellets. That's what got me thinking about this.