A braai is where friends and family get together. It’s the laughter of kids jumping in the pool. It’s the smell of firewood on a Saturday afternoon and the sound of food sizzling on the grill. An epic braai is about tasty, South African snacks and plenty of refreshments. There are so many magical elements that make the perfect braai, but the technical elements are the ones you’ll have to consider most when thinking about a new braai area.

Braais are about functionality and space. When the time comes for you to design, build and decorate your own braaing space, you will have endless options to choose from. You will have to think about the style you want – will it be a rustic outdoor braai or an ultra-modern indoor one? Will you be keeping it cool with a fixed stand-alone braai or something portable? 

Not sure where to begin? Here are a few things you should keep in mind when creating the ultimate braai area.

Stand alone, built-in or portable?

First things first. What type of braai are you looking to use? What do you find most comfortable and most efficient for your style of braaing? Decide whether you want to keep it traditional with wood fires or if you are going with a fast-heating gas braai. Maybe you want both options.  See what suppliers can offer and choose what’s right for you.

FIND A BRAAI SUPPLIER RIGHT HERE!

Go green

Plant a selection of herbs and plants close to or in and around your braai area. This makes it easy to grab a few fresh herbs and use their flowers and leaves for seasoning.  Want to jazz up those lamb sosaties? Grab a few sprigs of rosemary. Need a little extra zing for your dressing? A ripe lemon from your lemon tree will do the trick.

Make it a functional space

Having a functional space where you cook food and entertain people is essential. Create a space where people can do more than just stand around a fire. Start with well-crafted, outdoor furniture. Later you can include a games area and if it suits your lifestyle, a TV or an audio-visual system to watch the game too!

Ventilation and lighting

A lekker braai is more than just what you throw on the coals. It’s about good ventilation and lighting. You will need a good chimney installed to ensure the majority of smoke stays out of your guest’s hair. An extraction fan to assist in ventilation, especially with an indoor, built-in type of setup is crucial. Lighting is really important because let’s be honest, no one wants burnt food! Invest in eco-friendly, overhead lighting where you can prepare and braai your food confidently!

Create the ultimate braai area by finding the most suitable experts right here in HOMEMAKERS.