A good braai lasts for years, so it pays to choose carefully. Start with three questions: where will it stand, how often will you use it, and how do you like to cook?
The main types of braai
Kettle braai
A round charcoal braai with a lid, like the classic Weber kettle. It’s the most versatile type: you can braai directly over the coals or cook indirectly with the lid on, for roasts, whole chickens and even bread. Best for: most homes, people who want one braai that does everything.
Drum or half-drum braai
A simple, open braai made from (or styled on) a steel drum. It’s cheap and takes wood or charcoal. Best for: traditional wood braais, tight budgets, big gatherings.
Gas braai
Burners with a grid, griddle or plate, usually with a lid. Instant heat and precise control. Best for: weeknight cooking, complexes and balconies (where allowed), people who braai often. See gas vs charcoal vs wood.
Built-in braai
A permanent braai built into a patio or braai room, usually with a chimney. It adds value to a home and makes braaiing in any weather easy. Best for: homeowners planning an entertainment area. See built-in braai guide.
Portable braai and skottel
Small folding braais and gas skottels for camping, the beach and picnics. Best for: travelling, small spaces, a second braai.
Kamado
A thick ceramic egg-shaped cooker that holds heat for hours. Excellent for slow cooking and smoking, and also hot enough for pizza. Best for: enthusiasts who want low-and-slow cooking and smoking.
What to check before you buy
- Size. Count how many people you usually cook for. A grid that’s too small means cooking in batches; one that’s too big wastes fuel.
- Build quality. Thicker steel, stainless or enamelled finishes and solid legs last longer, especially at the coast, where rust is a problem.
- Lid. A lid lets you roast, control flare-ups and cook in the wind.
- Ash handling. An ash catcher or removable ash pan makes cleaning far easier.
- Grid height or adjustability. Being able to raise or lower the grid gives you more control over heat.
- Space and rules. Check your body corporate or estate rules, especially for wood and charcoal on balconies.
- Parts and service. Popular brands make it easier to find replacement grids, burners and regulators.
Which braai is right for you?
| If you… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Want one braai that does it all | A charcoal kettle braai |
| Love the ritual of a wood fire | A drum or built-in braai |
| Braai midweek and want speed | A gas braai |
| Are renovating or building | A built-in braai or braai room |
| Camp or travel a lot | A portable braai or gas skottel |
| Want to smoke and slow-cook | A kamado |
Don’t forget the extras
A good braai tong, a grid brush, a chimney starter (for charcoal), a cover to protect it from the weather and, for gas, a spare cylinder. And keep a fire blanket or small extinguisher within reach of any braai.
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.