Braai Day, 24 September. It’s Heritage Day, and the whole country lights a fire. Planning a big one? Tell us on WhatsApp how many you’re braaiing for and we’ll help you pick the wood.
Good coals are half wood, half patience. This works with either of our braai woods.
Let the fire breathe.
Firelighters and dry kindling at the bottom, the wood in a loose teepee over them. Air goes in, flames go up. Never petrol or paraffin.
Light up earlier than you think.
Kameeldoring is dense and takes its time to catch, and good coals never come quickly. Light up before the guests arrive, not when they do.
Wait for the ash.
The coals are ready when the flames have died down and the coals glow under a coat of grey-white ash. Braai over flames and you burn the outside while the inside stays raw.
Do the hand test.
Hold your palm just above the grid and count. The sooner you have to pull it away, the hotter the coals.
Keep a feeder fire going.
For a long braai or a potjie, keep a small fire burning on the side and rake fresh coals across as you need them. Kameeldoring is made for this.
We deliver in Paarl, Wellington, Val de Vie and Pearl Valley, and in Klapmuts and Franschhoek for an additional fee. Tell us your town on WhatsApp, we confirm the details with you and bring the wood to your door.
Kameeldoring is the ultimate braai wood: it burns very hot and long and leaves world-class coals. For an economical braai, Black Wattle makes decent coals and performs much like Rooikrans. Our guide to braaiing with Kameeldoring goes deeper.
Can I braai with Blue Gum?
You can, but it’s not what it’s best at. Blue Gum gives lots of flame and leaves very few coals, which is great in a fireplace but not ideal under a grid. For the braai, pick Black Wattle or Kameeldoring, and keep the Blue Gum for the fireplace and the stove.
Is Black Wattle like Rooikrans?
It performs very similarly. Black Wattle makes decent braai coals and is our economical braai option. We don’t sell Rooikrans, but if you like Rooikrans, Black Wattle is the one to try. We compare the two in Rooikrans vs Black Wattle.
