You don’t need a big set of gadgets to braai well. A good pair of long braai tongs, a grid brush, heat-resistant gloves, a chimney starter or reliable firelighters, and a meat thermometer cover almost everything. Add a cover for your braai and a fire blanket within reach, and you’re set.
Braai tongs: the one tool you can’t do without
Tongs are how you turn meat, move coals and lift grids, so it pays to get good ones.
Types of braai tongs
- Scissor-style tongs: two arms crossing at a pivot. Strong grip and good for heavy cuts, but can be awkward one-handed.
- Spring or sprung tongs: two arms joined at the end, often with a locking ring. Easy to use and to store.
- Coal or fire tongs: heavy-duty tongs for moving wood and coals, not food. Keep a separate pair so you don’t carry ash onto the meat.
What to look for in braai tongs
- Length. Long enough to keep your hand out of the heat over a wood fire. Very long tongs give less control, so find a balance.
- Grip. Scalloped or toothed ends grip chops and wors without piercing them.
- Material. Stainless steel is rust-resistant and easy to clean.
- Handle. Wooden or heat-resistant handles stay cooler; a hanging loop makes storage easy.
- Locking mechanism. Keeps sprung tongs closed for storage.
- Strength. They shouldn’t bend when lifting a heavy steak or a full hinged grid.
Use tongs rather than a fork to turn meat. Piercing meat lets juices escape.
Essential braai tools
| Tool | Why you need it | What to look for | Price band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braai tongs | Turning meat, lifting food | Stainless steel, long, good grip | Entry to mid-range |
| Fire / coal tongs | Moving wood and coals | Heavy-duty, long | Entry-level |
| Heat-resistant gloves | Handling hot grids, chimneys, potjies | Rated for high heat, good dexterity | Entry to mid-range |
| Grid brush or scraper | Cleaning the grid | Sturdy head; bristle-free if possible | Entry-level |
| Chimney starter | Lighting charcoal without fluid | Sturdy steel, heat-shielded handle | Entry to mid-range |
| Meat thermometer | Cooking to the right doneness | Instant-read digital or probe | Entry to mid-range |
| Braai cover | Protecting your braai from weather | Fitted size, UV and water resistant | Entry to mid-range |
| Fire blanket / extinguisher | Safety | Kept within easy reach | Entry to mid-range |
Heat-resistant braai gloves
Gloves let you lift a hot grid, move a chimney starter, adjust kettle vents or grab a potjie lid. Options include:
- Leather welding-style gloves: tough and long-cuffed, good for wood fires and moving coals.
- Silicone gloves: waterproof and easy to clean; good for handling meat and hot food.
- Aramid fibre (heat-resistant fabric) gloves: flexible, with good dexterity.
Check the heat rating on the packaging, and remember that wet gloves conduct heat quickly.
Lighting tools
- Chimney starter: the easiest way to light charcoal or briquettes with just a firelighter. See our charcoal and briquettes guide.
- Firelighters: blocks or natural wood-wool firelighters. Natural ones avoid a paraffin smell.
- Long lighter or matches: keeps your hand away from the flame.
- Small hatchet or axe: for splitting kindling and larger braai wood. Our braai wood guide covers which woods split and burn best.
- Bellows or a fan: helpful for getting a wood fire going in still weather.
Cooking accessories
- Hinged braai grid (toeklap): the South African favourite for chops and wors. See our braai grid guide.
- Fish and vegetable grids: stop delicate food falling through.
- Meat thermometer: an instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out of steaks, chicken and roasts.
- Basting brush: silicone heads are heat-resistant and easy to wash.
- Braai spatula: handy for fish, burgers and griddle cooking.
- Skewers: stainless steel or bamboo (soak bamboo first) for sosaties.
- Cutting board and sharp knife: for slicing meat to check doneness and serve.
- Potjie pot and lid lifter: if you cook potjiekos. See our potjiekos guide.
Cleaning and care accessories
- Grid brush or scraper: clean the grid while it’s warm. Wire bristles can break off and stick to the grid, so inspect it after brushing or use a bristle-free scraper.
- Ash shovel and metal bucket: for removing cold ash safely.
- Braai cover: protects against rust and UV damage.
Safety gear
- Fire blanket: smothers small fat and clothing fires. Keep it near the braai or kitchen.
- Fire extinguisher: a suitable home extinguisher within reach of the braai area.
- Bucket of sand or water: for wood braais outdoors, never on fat or oil fires.
- First-aid kit with burn dressings.
Buying checklist
- Long stainless steel braai tongs with a good grip
- A separate pair of coal tongs for wood fires
- Heat-resistant gloves
- Grid brush or scraper
- Chimney starter and firelighters
- Instant-read meat thermometer
- Cover for your braai
- Fire blanket or extinguisher close by
Where to buy braai tools
Braai tools and accessories are sold at Builders, Makro, Game, Checkers Hyper, supermarkets, homeware stores, outdoor and camping shops, braai specialists and online at Takealot. Brand-specific accessories (such as kettle inserts or gas braai covers) are best bought from that brand’s stockists so they fit.
What you can skip
Multi-piece “braai sets” in a case often include tools you’ll rarely use. It’s usually better to buy a few well-made pieces individually. Gadgets like burger presses or rib racks are worth buying only if you cook those foods often.
Care and maintenance
- Wash tongs, spatulas and brushes after each braai and dry them fully.
- Oil wooden handles occasionally to stop them cracking.
- Replace worn grid brushes before bristles start to come loose.
- Store tools together, dry, so they’re ready next time.
FAQ
What are the best braai tongs?
Look for stainless steel tongs that are long enough to keep your hand out of the heat, with a firm grip at the tips and a comfortable, heat-resistant handle. Strong spring tongs with a locking ring suit most people.
What braai accessories do I really need?
Tongs, heat-resistant gloves, a grid brush, a chimney starter or firelighters, and a meat thermometer. Add a hinged grid if you braai on an open fire, and a cover for your braai.
Should I use a fork to turn braai meat?
It’s better to use tongs. A fork pierces the meat and lets juices run out, which can dry it out.
Are wire grid brushes safe?
They work well, but bristles can break off and stick to the grid. Inspect the grid after brushing, replace worn brushes, or use a bristle-free scraper.
What safety equipment should I keep near the braai?
A fire blanket or a suitable fire extinguisher, plus a first-aid kit with burn dressings. Never leave a fire unattended, and keep children and pets away from hot coals.
More braai guides
Best braai wood in South Africa: rooikrans, sekelbos & more
Which braai wood gives the best coals? Compare rooikrans, sekelbos, blackwattle, mopane, vine stumps and more, plus which woods to avoid.
Braai grid guide: hinged, flat, fish and stainless options
Toeklap or flat? Stainless steel or chrome? Compare braai grid types and materials, pick the right size and learn how to clean and look after your grid.
Braai ideas: 12 recipes beyond chops and boerewors
Fresh braai ideas with real recipes: braaibroodjies, snoek, prawns, sosaties, stuffed butternut, halloumi and desserts on the coals, in metric with clear steps.