Braai talk with Home Fires

Braai must be one of the most popular traditions in our culture and we have come a long way as far as the design of braais and accessories are concerned. Traditionally a braai was and open fire for grilling meat, but today we can prepare an entire meal outside on the braai, be it on wood or gas or by making use of accessories that have been specially designed for this task. We chatted to Rudi Scheepers from Home Fires to establish what the latest trends are in the world of braai:

Q: What are the latest braai products and accessories available on the market?

A: A combination-built-in-braai (gas and wood).
Mobile gas braais as well as a very good fire lighter made from recycled products to light your braai fires without hassle.

Q: Tell us a bit more about these products and how they work?

The Combo Built-in-Braais come in two sizes; 1200 and 1500. The 1500 gives the buyer a bigger charcoal/wood braai area than the 1200. The gas grillers are the same size for both 1200 and 1500. The gas griller has two cast iron grids and cast iron burners. A solid plate for steaks, breakfast and more delicate foods is available as an optional item. The charcoal section has different height settings for the grid and a removable ash drawer for easier cleaning. The braai comes standard with a light fitting for perfect evening braais. Two doors close the total opening for a very neat look when not in use. The bottom door can also be used as a work surface.

The mobile gas grillers come in two different sizes and in two different material combinations. A three main burner or 4 main burner size is available. A combination of powder coated mild steel and stainless steel or a combination of stainless steel and aluminium-alloy are the choice of materials being used to construct the mobile grillers. All grillers are equipped with an infrared back burner and a side table burner. The infrared back burner is essential for a perfect rotisserie and the side table burner enables you to cook anything that you can cook on your kitchen stove outside on your patio.

The firelighters are made from carton, paper and wax and are compressed in a rectangular block of about 30cm long. One packet has 5 blocks packed inside. These firelighter blocks can be divided into smaller blocks and used in that way. They burn much longer and more intensely than normal firelighters and they are better for the environment. It lights easily with a match or cigarette lighter. You won’t need small kindling to start any fire anymore if you use these.

Q: Do you have any practical tips for our readers when it comes to choosing the correct braai to suit their needs?

• Choose the right size braai for your lifestyle and for your usual entertaining events.
• Cater in size to braai for the amount of people present at 90% of you usual braais. It is always better to use just a small part of your braai when it is just you and your immediate family, than to struggle with limited space when you entertain your friends.
• Consider the availability of spare parts and accessories when buying a braai.

Q: Do you have any braai tips available for our readers?

• Before you braai on your gas braai, put some tin foil onto the drip tray at the bottom of the braai, and then fill it with river sand or building sand. The sand will absorb the fat and drippings from the meat and consequently will prevent a grease fire starting in the drip tray.
• Always keep your gas griller clean and free of fatty deposits to prolong its life.
• Allow a reputable gas company service your gas griller at least once a year.
• Don’t braai on a cold gas griller, pre-heat the grill properly before you starting to put on the meat.
• There is no such thing a too much wood for a braai fire. Rather use too much than too little!

Quick and easy braai-recipes with HOME FIRES

WHOLE BEEF FILLET ON HOME FIRES BRAAI

Few people will ever try to braai a whole fillet, yet it can be done and tastes fantastic.
Ingredients:

• Fillet (whole)
• Salad oil (Greek or Italian)
• Salt and black pepper

 Method:

1. Cut even cuts on one side of fillet, but not through.
2. Add salt and black pepper and braai on side with cuts for about 3 minutes over high heat.
3. Turn and baste with salad oil.
4. Braai both sides again for about 5 minutes or as desired.

 
CHICKEN(S) ON SPIT

Ingredients:

• Whole chicken(s)
• 250g butter or margarine
• Small tub of Marmite or Bovril
• Juice of half lemon

Method:

1. Melt ingredients together and baste the inside of chicken(s)
2. Fasten chicken drumsticks with a string to secure. Position on spit-arm with two spikes on both sides. Start roasting process.
3. Start basting the outside of chicken after 30 minutes of roasting (braai).
4. Don’t add salt and pepper, because the Marmite (Bovril) contains lots of salt.
5. Remember: Chicken must always be thoroughly cooked, therefore it will take about three hours. Baste regularly and roast over high heat..

Link
http://www.homefires.co.za

http://www.mybraai.co.za/
 

Images and Recipes provided by HomeFires