Food and braai

How to braai without embarrassing yourself

Wood or charcoal, when the coals are ready, what goes on first, and the unwritten rules around somebody else's fire.

A braai is a fire, meat and people standing around giving advice. The meat is almost the least of it.

Wood or charcoal

• Wood (rooikrans, sekelbos, kameeldoring) gives the best flavour and the best excuse to stand by the fire for an hour. Light it well before you want to cook.
• Charcoal heats up faster and burns hotter. Briquettes last longer and burn more evenly.
• Firelighters are fine. Petrol is not, ever.

When the coals are ready

The flames must be gone. You want glowing coals with a thin layer of white ash. The usual test: hold your hand about a hand's length above the grid. If you can keep it there for four or five seconds, it's medium heat, which suits most meat.

Spread the coals so one side is hotter than the other. That gives you somewhere to move things that are cooking too fast.

What goes on first

1. Boerewors and thicker chops first, on the steady heat.
2. Chicken needs longer and gentler heat than you think. Cut into the thickest piece at the bone: no pink.
3. Steak last and fast, on the hottest part.
4. Braaibroodjies (toasted sandwiches in a grid) go on when the coals are dying, so they toast instead of burning.

Turn the boerewors with tongs, never a fork. Holes let the fat run out and the wors dries up.

Somebody else's fire

• The person at the fire runs the fire. Offer to help, then do what you're told.
• Bring your own meat and drinks unless the host says otherwise. That's what "bring and braai" means.
• Don't poke the coals or move the meat uninvited.
• It is fine to stand near the fire and comment. It's part of the event.

Safety

• Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby, and keep children and dogs away from the grid.
• In windy, dry weather, check your municipality's fire rules before lighting outside. Many areas ban open fires on high-risk days.
• Let the coals die completely, or douse them, before you leave.

Last updated 8 October 2026