This work investigates experimentally the pyrolysis and oxidation of ethylene glycol (EG) and propylene glycol (PG), two candidate molecules as model surrogates of biomass-based pyrolysis oils, the structure of which is included in sugars. This paper reports the first experiments with these high boiling point (~470 K for EG, 461 K for PG) di-oxygenated molecules performed in a fused silica jet-stirred reactor. Pyrolysis and oxidation experiments are carried out for 1% fuel/He mixture over a temperature range T=600-1200 K. EG oxidation experiments are performed at three equivalence ratios (φ = 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0), while those for PG were only performed under stoichiometric condition. The residence time is 2 seconds and the pressure is quasi atmospheric (107 kPa). Experimental data clearly show differences in the reactivity of both fuels. Results for EG are compared to simulations using a literature detailed kinetic model and indicate significant deviations and the need to further refine the diol chemistry in detailed kinetic models. Rate-of-production and sensitivity analyses point out important pathways that should be further investigated for a better understanding of glycol combustion chemistry, like concerted decomposition reactions of the fuel and the consideration of ethenol instead of its analog aldehyde, acetaldehyde.