Braais

What size?
The size of the braai you choose should ideally be based on the number of people you typically cater for, plus two. If you have a gas braai and you’re hosting more guests than usual, it’s easy to continue cooking until you’ve prepared enough food for everyone without making additional arrangements. However, if you’re using a wood or charcoal braai, we recommend using an ember maker to produce a continuous supply of hot coals for uninterrupted cooking. Our ember makers are designed to easily move hot coals onto the ember tray, allowing you to keep cooking until all your guests are catered for.

Where to install it
The location of your braai will depend on your home’s layout. Ideally, you should be able to braai in all weather conditions, not just when it’s sunny and warm. If you have a covered patio large enough to accommodate both a seating area and a braai, that’s the logical spot. Remember, braaiing is not just about cooking; it’s also about socialising with your guests. If you install your braai under cover, you’ll need a chimney or rear wall to extract smoke. The flue gather on our built-in braais is not welded to the braai body but is attached with nuts and bolts. This makes installation into an existing brick chimney easier, allowing the braai box to slide into an opening. You have the option to install the gather and flue system, or use the brick chimney if it’s suitable. Our gathers are available with either a rectangular or circular outlet, giving you the flexibility to choose the flue shape that best suits your setup.

Gas or wood-fired?
When cooking on a gas braai, you simply light the unit, allow it to warm up for about 10 minutes, and start cooking. In contrast, getting wood or charcoal hot enough to cook over typically takes 40 to 60 minutes. Consider your lifestyle when deciding which option is best for you. If you have the time to light a fire each time you braai, a wood or charcoal braai might be the right choice. However, if you lead a busy lifestyle and want a quicker, more convenient option, a gas braai is ideal for frequent use. If you want the benefits of both wood and gas cooking, consider a combo braai, but keep in mind that combo braais are typically larger to accommodate both other cooking options alone.

Rain protection
If you don’t have a covered area for your braai, it’s essential to choose a model designed to withstand the elements. Most mobile braais are made from stainless steel or are coated with a rust-resistant finish. If you’re building a brick structure with a built-in braai, you can either upgrade the steel material or, for a mild-steel braai, paint the exposed sections with high-quality enamel paint. This can be done over the heat-resistant layer that all of our braais are treated with.

Choice of Steel

The type of steel your braai is made from should depend on your location. Here’s a general guide:

Location	Recommended steel
At the sea (even under cover)	316 stainless steel
1km away from the sea (even under cover)	304 stainless steel or better
Braai exposed to the elements, away from the sea	3Cr12, 304 stainless steel or better
Braai on a covered patio in a dry climate	Mild steel or better

Our built-in braais come with the following steel options:

Mild steel firebox, frame, door, and inners, all painted in black heat-resistant paint.
Mild steel firebox and inners painted in black heat-resistant paint, with a 304 stainless steel frame and door.
3Cr12 firebox, frame, door and inners, available either unpainted or painted in black heat-resistant paint.
3Cr12 firebox and inners, available either unpainted or painted in black heat-resistant paint, with a 304 stainless steel frame and door.
Firebox, frame, door and inners made entirely of either 304 or 316 stainless steel.

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