For so many of us in South Africa, where a braai is one of the most culturally entrenched informal means of entertaining and cooking, the presence of a braai structure of some sort can be found in many homes. Whether you prefer to cook your meat outdoors or indoors over an open flame, there is a means of doing so.
Professional or amateur braaier – it doesn’t matter …
Whether you choose to cook on a built-in braai with all the mod-cons such as lighting, a preparation counter, a sink with running water, a built-in fridge and a lapa surround or covering, a simple fire-pit braai, or even a throwaway disposable braai (don’t do it – you only add to the landfill!) you will find something to suit your own taste. From the enthusiast-turned-professional braai master to the amateur “cook (or burn)-on-the-go”, there is a braai installation or portable braai to suit any need.
Indoor braais – yes or no?
Having said this, there does seem to be a growing trend towards having dedicated built-in braai installations which are always available when required. In the modern home, it is not uncommon now to find a built-in braai/fireplace within the living/dining areas of the house, able to be used in all types and temperatures of weather. What is really nice about these indoor braai-places is that they can be used for both warmth alone or the dual purpose of both heat and cooking. They can also be closed when not in use and able to present a neater and less intrusive feature of the home. One huge advantage of being able to hide them away by closing the doors is the fact that a braai which has not yet been cleaned from the previous day is hidden from view if unexpected guests arrive for a quick visit. After all, who wants to look at a greasy and ashy cooking area when entertaining? Definitely not the proud homeowner! And whereas the smell of bacon, eggs and coffee are some of the most appealing aromas early in the morning, the smell of stale braaied meat, charcoal or wood are definitely off-putting to many. A built-in braai within the confines of the living area may not appeal to everyone, as the smell does tend to permeate the entire area and, short of spraying with a strong air-freshener or opening all the windows – even in the depths of a cold winter – is difficult to eradicate.
A lapa braai area? Sounds good to me!
An outdoor built-in braai seems a much more sensible idea to me. If you live in a summer-rainfall area and still want to be able to braai even when the weather is less than appealing, it is easy enough to position the braai area under an awning which can be pulled out or retracted as necessary, giving you shelter from the rain as well as overbearing summer sun. In this respect, thatched lapas have always been a popular choice for many outdoor built-in braai areas, as they provide shelter from wind and rain, shade, a measure of warmth and intimacy and a dedicated entertainment area. If you have the luxury of having the space to position a braai lapa next to your swimming pool, you have an almost instant holiday entertainment space where you can watch young children in the pool whilst cooking the meal and enjoying time with the adults. Many of these lapas have their own dedicated areas, whether expansive or small, for preparation, cleaning of utensils and salad ingredients, and a serving area. For me, as a lover of the South African National Parks, such areas always remind me of happy days spent in the Kruger Park with their thatched rondawels.
Convert those picky-eaters with flame grilled food
Of course, you don’t have to have a specialized built-in braai. You can always opt for a portable version such as a Weber or gas braai, a simple open fire-grid barrel or even a disposable braai if you are not an avid fan of braaiing but just want the occasional treat, and let’s face it, meat or veggies grilled over the fire definitely do have a better taste than conventionally-cooked fare. Vegetables such as sweet peppers develop a flavour which is unbeatable when seared over the coals, and lose none of their goodness in the cooking, so it is perhaps one way of introducing picky-eaters such as children to the goodness of vegetables.
Call in the braai installation specialists
There are so many specialist braai and fireplace installation specialists offering their expertise that you would be hard-pressed to choose between them, but it comes down to design, price, practicality and service at the end of the day. It all depends on your needs and the aesthetics, as an inviting entertainment area with everything you need right there is an open invitation to combining cooking and relaxation in the most optimal way. To find these specialists in your area, check out Uptasker’s listings.
