Why does burning paper not smell like burning wood?

[Tony Tee]

I asked the internet this question. Multiple times and all I got was , for $5 a expert will answer it .
I guess nothing is for free anymore. Not even Google with all its techno wisdom can answer my ? So sad everyone is money hungry.

 

[Sam69sat]

This is what the duckduckgo search engine AI Assist says:

Burning paper typically has a different smell than burning wood because it is made from processed wood fibers and often contains chemicals and additives that can alter its scent. Additionally, the combustion process and the materials in paper produce different byproducts compared to natural wood, leading to distinct odors.

 

[T2R9]

Everything has a distinctive smell when burning. Pine smells different from Oak, it’s all about the chemical makeup of the item.

 

[Tony Tee]

Everything has a distinctive smell when burning. Pine smells different from Oak, it’s all about the chemical makeup of the item.

Thank you. But my smart phone and the internet wouldn't give me the answer. I just went back to Verizon and now I can't get answers like I could before. Testing my phone and getting dismal results. Thanks again !

 

[Mopar Hunter]

Well, Tony, you’re not asking the right place, I asked Siri this question and this is what I got.

Cellulose and hemicelluloses are large molecules made of carbohydrates and sugars. Cellulose when burned is flavorless. All the flavor comes from lignin.


amazingribs.com

 

[RR Fan Dan]

They are not the same chemical compounds. Paper contains components of wood and other compounds. Wood contains 100% pure wood. That’s like asking why doesn’t sand break.

 

[kiwigtx]

Everything has a distinctive smell when burning. Pine smells different from Oak, it’s all about the chemical makeup of the item.

and a lot of the natural oils in wood are removed during the process of it becoming paper.

Lots of paper is made from pulp, and pulp is generally the offcuts of the wood - trees or logs if you like. Pulp being processed is pumped full of chemicals again which changes the smells when the paper is burned.

 

[toolmanmike]

Paper pulp is bleached I believe.

 

[Don Frelier]

Hemp definitely has a different smell

 

[toolmanmike]

Hemp definitely has a different smell