Why should you allow the walls of a built-in brick braai to warm up?
When using a built-in brick braai, allow the walls to warm up thoroughly to ensure excellent radiant heat distribution.
When using a built-in brick braai, allow the walls to warm up thoroughly to ensure excellent radiant heat distribution.
Never use petrol or mineral turpentine to start your fire; the harsh chemical taste will linger on the grid bars permanently.
Use high-quality, paraffin-free eco-firelighters to avoid chemical odours drifting onto your cooking surface.
Lump charcoal heats up rapidly and is perfect for searing steaks; briquettes offer a slower, more uniform burn for chicken or roasts.
When hosting a bring-and-braai, prepare your side salads and central starch well before the first guest arrives.
Scrub your braai grid clean with a wire brush or a halved onion while it is still smoking hot to lift grease instantly.
Wrap delicate white fish fillets in heavy-duty foil packets with butter, herbs, and lemon slices to steam over light coals.
For whole prawns, braai them quickly over intense heat for 2–3 minutes per side until the shells turn vibrant pink.
Keep a close eye on seafood; fish has very little fat and goes from beautifully juicy to dry and chalky in under a minute.
Brush your fish skin with a light layer of mayonnaise before braaing; it acts as an insulation layer and stops sticking.