Has anyone made homemade liquid smoke using the "brewing" method of making a tea from partially smoked wood chips and then reducing that liquid? It sounds much easier than the condensation method that I've read about. I'd just buy it but I live in Congo and am almost out of the bottle we brought with us.
I've never made liquid smoke, but general knowledge makes me think that the condensation method will produce a much "cleaner" liquid containing more smoke flavors and aromatics by leaving behind a lot of the harsher flavor and aroma compounds. The brewing method( I'm a long time home brewer) is going to retain those harsher compounds and then concentrate them when you reduce the liquid. If you did decide to try both methods, I for one would be interested in the results of your test.