Built-in braai and braai room guide: planning & chimneys

A built-in braai turns a patio into the heart of the house, and a well-planned braai room lets you braai in any weather. It’s also a permanent build, so the planning matters. Here’s what to sort out before you call a builder.

1. Decide how you’ll use it

• Wood, charcoal or gas? A wood or charcoal braai needs a proper chimney and a fire-resistant firebox. A built-in gas braai needs a gas supply installed by a registered gas installer.
• How many people? This sets the width of the firebox and the grid. Cooking for big groups regularly calls for a wider braai or a second cooking zone.
• What else? Many people add a pizza oven, a side burner, a sink, a prep counter or storage for wood.

2. Placement

• Put it where smoke won’t blow into the house or the neighbours’ windows. Think about the prevailing wind where you live.
• Keep it close enough to the kitchen to carry food easily, but with enough space for people to stand around the fire.
• Plan for lighting, power points and somewhere to put things down.

3. Chimneys and smoke extraction

Smoke is the most common problem with built-in braais. A good builder will get these right:

• The canopy (hood) should be large enough to capture smoke across the full width of the firebox.
• The chimney flue must be the right size and height for the firebox. A flue that’s too small or too short will smoke back into the room.
• Enclosed braai rooms need enough fresh air coming in for the chimney to draw properly.
• A wind cowl on top of the chimney helps stop downdrafts in windy areas.

If smoke is still a problem after building, an extractor fan in the flue is a common fix.

4. Materials and fire safety

• The firebox should be lined with fire bricks or another heat-resistant material.
• Keep combustible materials (timber, thatch, paint, curtains) a safe distance from the fire and the chimney.
• Keep a fire blanket or extinguisher within easy reach.

5. Approvals and compliance

Building a braai room or adding a chimney may require building plans approved by your municipality. Check before you build, especially for enclosed rooms, structural changes, chimneys or anything in an estate with architectural guidelines. A fixed gas installation must be done by a registered gas installer, who issues a Certificate of Conformity (CoC). You’ll need it for insurance and when you sell the house.

6. Briefing a builder

Get at least three quotes, and give every builder the same brief:

• Fuel type (wood, charcoal or gas)
• Firebox width and grid size
• Canopy and chimney design, including the chimney height
• Finishes (face brick, plaster, tiles, stainless)
• Extras (pizza oven, counter, sink, storage)
• Who handles plan approval and any gas installation

Ask to see photos of their previous braais, and ask previous clients whether those braais smoke.

Get up to three quotes from braai builders and gas installers.

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