With summer just around the corner, it is time to get the coals out, or turn on the gas, and light a match to get ready for our favourite pasttime – braaiing. “In the past, braaiing was just another way to cook meat.
Nowadays it is a lifestyle, it provides relaxation, the smell of the meat cooking, the sociability of friends and family, and the flames of a real fire. It is where we can prepare an entire meal and come together. Patio areas, balconies and entertainment areas form part of the house, and this created the need for well-designed and modern braai products,” says Malcolm Sims of Infiniti Fires.
Whether winter or summer, we love to braai. Yet, with all the technological advances when it comes to what we braai on, a braai is no longer just a braai. There are built-in, freestanding, charcoal, ceramic, gas, dual, combo and grill options, to name a few. Although the types of braais vary dramatically, there are really only two categories, which have resulted in two very distinct camps of fans – gas or charcoal.
Although everyone has their reasons, and whether you see gas as a quick fix or charcoal as an authentic way to braai, choosing a braai option that is right for you is essential for your entertainment and braaiing needs.
Burn baby burn
Nothing can quite beat the smell of wood or charcoal burning while anticipating a great meal. For those sitting firmly on the more traditional side of things, braaiing is not braaiing without wood, charcoal, camaraderie and tradition. The whole process holds a particular statement to us as South Africans and as such, for many of us, charcoal and wood braais are the only way. They symbolise our relaxed culture and the art of making a fire – for which we are renowned the world over.
“Charcoal and/or wood are the most popular to use when you have time to relax and light fire. A charcoal braai does give more ambience than gas,” agrees Malcolm.
“Many South Africans also perceive gas as unsafe,” adds Niell Grobler of Weber SA, adding that “we still like the tradition of making a fire and seeing braaiing as an art and not a rushed, quick way to cook meat”.
At the flick of a match
Moving on to the other side of the camp fire, gas has revolutionised how we braai and has made it easy, clean and quick. “Some people claim that charcoal braaiing gives a better taste to the meat. Personally, I would disagree. A good gas braai ignites some of the fats and marinades coming off the meat, which flavours the meat. I think on a blind fold test, 99% of people would not be able to distinguish between the same meat cooked on gas or charcoal,” advises Malcolm.
Gas braais can range from simple units to some state of the art technological braaiing monsters. These seem to be able to do almost everything from braaiing to grilling, and some even come complete with an in-built skottle or rotisserie and even a potjie holder. The gas braai has added a new dimension to braaiing, creating a new surge in this much loved task.
The best of both
Very diverse and slightly different in price range, your choice will ultimately depend on how you use your braai, and when and what for. But luckily for those of you who are torn between the two, Andre de Beer of Megamaster has the answer. “The in-thing today is to have the best of both worlds in one unit, ‘gas and charcoal’ braais are becoming very popular”.
So don’t be disheartened if you cannot choose, as there is ultimately one for you. Slightly more bulky and requiring more precautions when it comes to location and extractors, with these models you can truly have the best of both. Willa Scheepers, from Home Fires, advises always going for quality as braais are a long term investment and your choice should not be based solely on getting the cheapest.
Apart from how you use your braai, your location is key to its success and how and when you use it. As with most things your choice could be final, but your location is a whole other story. Your next decision will be whether to choose a freestanding or built-in unit.
Again this is a personal choice and is dependent on how you like to braai. If you enjoy your entertainment area and like to braai come rain or shine a built-in unit offers you a perfect solution. “Built-in units create the feel of a permanent addition to your home which adds value to your property. Your home will be the braai place of choice for your friends,” says Liezel Scwuist of Chad-O-Chef. If you like the flexibility of a freestanding braai that can be moved almost anywhere and used beside the pool, on the patio, in the garden or even in an undercover gazebo, then a built-in unit will not work for you. Experts from Jetmaster agree, saying that “when it comes to the benefits of a freestanding braai, the sky is the limit. A freestanding braai brings the men together; the chef is never alone, always surrounded with friends, drinking and socialising”. Whatever you decide, when it comes to a braai unit, you will never regret purchasing one. Remember your braai is there to be enjoyed, and proper maintenance will ensure its longevity.
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