The vast majority of pellets use oak as a base wood which makes them milder and causes many to believe that pellet grills have a weaker smoke flavor. Read the label on the bag to see the percentages. If no value given but it says XXXX flavor, there is an oak base. And yes pure hickory can have an acrid flavor if used for a low temp long duration cook. I have both manado and pellet grills and find both types valuable for different types of cooks. The pellet pooper will do the easiest low temp cooks (sub 200ºF) without worries of a flame out that can sometimes plague the kamado if there is a wind direction change or varying speed.