Archive for the ‘Braais’ Category

Charcoal Braai vs. Gas Barbecue: The Fiery Debate

Tongs and wire brushes have been raised in battle. Aprons have been sullied in debate. Marinades have been splashed in frustration. Since man has been able to slap a slab of meat down on a grid the debate has raged on: charcoal braai vs. gas barbecue.

Charcoal Braai vs. Gas Barbecue: Weighing Up the Contenders

It’s a tough one when deciding which one is better, charcoal or gas. However, there are so many categories to compare them in that it would take months, years even, to come to a conclusion. Therefore, we’ve narrowed it to the most important areas when deciding the outcome of charcoal braai vs. gas barbecue.

1. Taste – Meat always tastes better when barbecued outside, but you can’t beat the smoky taste of a searing steak over red hot coals. A gas barbecue comes close, but you lose the smoky element and it does not give you the same flavour when it comes to smoking with wood chips. There’s a certain nostalgia about eating meat off o hot, charcoal barbecue that can’t be beat. Edge: charcoal

 

2. Convenience – When you’re looking for an appliance that is convenient, you have to go gas. Gas barbecues are easy to move and set up. No messy wood or, just push a button and you are ready to go. No more stoking the fire and getting a tan from the blaze and face full of smoke. And the best part is, even if you make a spontaneous decision to barbecue, rain or shine, the gas solution will be your choice. Edge: gas

 

3. Temperature – Charcoal fires will burn hotter, that’s a fact, but gas gives you more control. With coals you often have to wait for the temperature to be just right. Gas allows you to control the temperature with a dial, allowing you to cook different meats at different speeds. Gas also gives you more control when cooking things other than meat. Grilled vegetables and bread come off delicious from a gas Barbecue. Edge: gas

 

4. Cost – Gas may be convenient, but it’s more expensive. Firstly the gas barbecue system is more costly than it’s simpler, charcoal brother. Secondly, the actual gas is an expense. Purchasing a tank and getting it filled regularly will work out more per year than buying bundles of wood/charcoal to burn. Edge: charcoal

 

5. Cleaner – One of the downsides of a charcoal fire is that it’s messy and dirty. Charcoal stains and when you’re done you have to clean out the ash. A gas barbecue is cleaner on two fronts. Gas burns cleaner than the smoky charcoal and is more environmentally conscious. The second advantage is that it cleans easier. The cooking is more contained and grease wipes off the metal surface easily. And when all is done, it wheels away conveniently. Edge: gas

And The Winner Is: Gas Barbecue (3 to 2)

There you have it, when you enter into the next charcoal braai vs. gas barbecue debate you know which side has the edge. The argument has come close, but at the wire it’s better to go gas than settling for charcoal.

If you live in South Africaor are visiting the country for any length of time, chances are that you’re going to be enjoying a braai at some point or another. Many of the occasions, where a braai is the choice for food preparation, will see a top quality stainless steel braai wheeled out; much to the delight of both the cook and those who will be enjoying the meal.

If you’re in the market for a stainless steel braai, take note that there are a number of buying guidelines that should be followed to ensure that the stainless steel braai will give you years of faithful service. When you’re looking at different makes and models, always ensure that the unit you are considering to purchase is manufactured by a company that has a reputation for top quality of their braais. Where possible, stick to brands such as Cadac who have built a reputation for the supply of a wide variety of different types of braais and accessories.

When considering a purchase, look closely at the stainless steel braai and the various components that are used at the joints of the wheels and the braai body. These should be manufactured from stainless steel as well. Many varieties of braais have aluminium components which are not as strong as stainless steel and also not as weather resistant.

Make sure that the entire braai (with the exception of the wheels) is manufactured using stainless steel. This material can resist corrosion and with proper care will give many years of service. Stainless steel construction is especially important when purchasing a braai for use on the coast as salt air can corrode even the most well manufactured braai in a very short time.

To ensure that your braai remains in good condition it should be stored somewhere cool and dry when it is not in use. A stainless steel braai that is in use at a coastal home should not be left outdoors when not in use, but should rather be brought inside and taken out when needed. To ensure that corrosion damage is kept to a minimum, many people who live on the coast apply a coating of oil based lubricant (available as a spray-on application) to the surface of the stainless steel braai. If you choose to do this, avoid the cooking surface as the application of industrial grade oil can affect the taste of food prepared on the braai.

For many people in South Africathe great outdoors is the first choice for a day out with family and friends. Any outdoor excursion, or even an opportunity for entertaining in the back garden, is the ideal time to enjoy the benefits of a charcoal braai. But first, let us discuss a few things about the South African braai and why it is that South Africans have been enjoying the unique taste of food prepared on a charcoal braai for generations.

Charcoal

Firstly, the preparation for the braaing process is extremely easy and will only take the cook and his or her helpers a couple of minutes. This process has become even easier in the past few years due to the fact that there is now a wider variety of choice of different charcoal briquettes and natural charcoal on the South African market. Each of the charcoal varieties has different burning times and the natural varieties lend the food a unique taste which many people enjoy.

Firelighters

Enjoying the benefits of a charcoal braai inSouth Africais today even easier than it has been in the past due to the many different types of firelighters on the market. There are both solid and liquid firelighters available, which makes the preparation for the braai almost hassle free.

The Charcoal Braaier and His Braai

One of the most important considerations when preparing to purchase a charcoal braai is to ensure that it is manufactured to the highest standards. This will allow the purchaser to be assured that they will be able to enjoy the benefits of this unique cooking method for many years.

The stainless steel charcoal braai, for instance, is well known, well liked and comes in numerous shapes and sizes. Stainless steel is highly weather resistant and with proper care a stainless steel charcoal braai will last many years. When purchasing a stainless steel charcoal braai always make sure that it has been produced by a manufacturer with a reputation for quality products, such as Cadac.

In order to fully enjoy the benefits of a charcoal braai, check to ensure that the model that you will be purchasing suits your individual lifestyle. There are a variety of different sizes and configurations of the charcoal braai and each is suited to the entertaining style and needs of individual households. Make sure that the braai has sufficient space to cook for large groups of people if you entertain regularly. If you are going to be moving the braai from place to place, for instance from the grass to the patio, always make sure that the model that you are purchasing is equipped with wheels which will make moving the unit that much easier.

For many South Africans the taste and experience of outdoor cooking using a braai makes this method of preparing food extremely popular. There are just as many different types of braais, from gas to wood and charcoal variants as there are places to enjoy a braai experience. One of the attributes that most braais share is that they are constructed from stainless steel. A stainless steel braai is weather resistant and with correct care will continue to make an important contribution to any meal held out of doors for many years.

The variety of different stainless steel braais available inSouth Africais simply staggering and for the first time buyer the choices can be bewildering. There are some common sense precautions to take when selecting the braai which will ensure that the buyer purchases a quality product.

Firstly it is important to make sure that all the components of the braai are in fact manufactured using stainless steel. Many of the entry level or less expensive braais can feature aluminium in either the construction or in the fastenings used to hold the braai together. These aluminium components can deteriorate over time especially when exposed to sea air, so if the braai is going to be used at a holiday home on the coast the buyer should always ensure that all parts of the braai are constructed from stainless steel.

If the buyer will be purchasing a gas braai, care should be taken to ensure that all fittings are either manufactured from stainless steel or other high quality materials. The portable gas braai should feature stainless steel as one of the main construction materials, as the wear and tear of transporting, disassembling and reassembling the braai can put a lot of strain on the various components. The high tensile strength of stainless steel braai components will ensure that the braai is robust enough to survive the knocks and bumps of transportation and constant handling.

In South Africathere are two very definite schools of thought when it comes to the outdoor barbecue or braai as it is colloquially known. First you have the traditionalists who claim numerous benefits of charcoal braais, such as the flavour that the burning wood lends to the finished food and then you have the new breed of outdoor cooking enthusiast, those who prefer gas braais.

Those who prefer gas are enthusiastic about the cleanliness of cooking with gas, as well as the ability to make fine adjustments to the cooking temperature. The many braai enthusiasts who make use of gas barbecues rather than wood fired or charcoal braais also appreciate the fact that cooking can commence when the cook and guests prefer, rather than waiting for the fire to be ready.

There are a variety of different charcoal braais that are available inSouth Africa. The smaller models can be broken down for transport and erected when they are required for cooking. One of the benefits of the most popular models of charcoal braais in use today is that they are designed to offer the cook a hands free experience during the braai process. This is made possible by replacing the lid of the kettle braai once the charcoal is ready and the food that is being prepared has been placed on the grill surface. These kettle braais can be used to prepare a variety of different meals. Kettle braais can also use different types of wood shavings that will lend the meat, poultry or seafood that is being prepared a smoky, distinct flavour.

The taste that is imparted to the food by placing wood shavings in the charcoal kettle braais can also be achieved through a similar process that can be employed with gas braais that have a lid that can be closed during the cooking process. By using this process the users of gas braais can enjoy the benefits of charcoal braais without the mess or extensive preparation of the wood or charcoal fuelled fire.

If you had to approach any South African nature lover and ask him or her about the most essential piece of camping and picnicking equipment they possess it’s almost certain that they will answer that it’s the skottle and the unassuming blue gas cylinder that has allowed South African’s from every walk of life to enjoy the summer sun and evenings filled with the laughter of friends and family for over 60 years. A short history of the Cadac BBQ would encompass all the laughter and fun that have characterised the Cadac experience for generations ofSouth Africa’s.

The ubiquitous blue cylinder has become part and parcel of the South African fabric and it would be unthinkable to have an outdoor experience without the gentle hiss of a Cadac gas BBQ in the background. A history of the Cadac BBQ would tell of the many people who have memories of a childhood filled with long summer days and the smell of cooking ors or the sight of the sun peaking over the horizon as eggs and bacon sizzle on the skottle and the beach towels are packed for the days’ excursion and Mom calls to the kids for the daily application of sunscreen and hands out the peaked caps.

The history of the Cadac BBQ is not one of dry days on a chalkboard, or pages in the history books. It is a history built from the memories of the millions of South Africans who have made the small blue Cadac gas cylinder part of their lives and the sound of laughter combined with the smells and tastes of potato salad and ors rolls. The history of the Cadac BBQ will not be found in any library, but rather in the memories of the long days of summer and the mist filled early mornings when each day as filled with the promise of an African day.

Own The Outdoors With A Portable Gas Braai

As the days get longer and the nights shorten garages and storerooms across the country are being emptied of those vital pieces of equipment that will be required for the enjoyment of that most South African of outdoor pursuits, the braai. Many are getting ready for the first braai of the season and all the fun activities that goes with it – whether braaing on a camping trip or having a beach party. Irrespective of hat they decide one of the first pieces of gear that they will be dusting off will be the portable gas braai. The portable gas braai is a South African stalwart which has served those who have a love for the outdoors faithfully for many years. Anywhere in Africa South African number plates can be seen on camping vehicles accompanied by the ubiquitous portable gas braai.

The versatility of the portable gas braai is such that almost every South African household will have at least one gas cylinder and several attachments that can be used in a variety of settings to prepare tasty treats in minutes. By alternating the grill fittings the portable gas braai can be used to prepare a tasty traditional breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausages and beans (the skottle attachment), bring a steakhouse style steak to the plate (the ribbed grill attachment) or even make a traditional potjie (the potjiekos attachment) as a treat for the whole family or especially for those who are new to South Africa cuisine.

The beauty of the portable gas braai is in the small size of the cylinder that can be used for cooking purposes. The smallest of these cylinders should be sufficient for at least two days cooking. If the outdoor adventurer wants to use the gas cylinder as a power source for other attachments, such as a portable gas light then a larger cylinder should fulfil all the requirements of a weekend away. Even these larger sized cylinders should not take up too much space in the boot of the average sedan.

If you would like to know more about the best portable gas braai and attachments for your needs then contact us.

A stainless steel braai can look very clinical but there are a range of products that you can use to make the barbecue more aesthetically pleasing. You can choose a stainless steel braai that has been covered in an epoxy coating in a variety of colours. Other stainless steel braai manufactures use items such as bamboo mats to cover the surface of the barbecue and give it a more natural look. Always keep in mind that the reason most people opt for a stainless steel braai is that it is much more durable than braais made from inferior materials.

To find out more about how you can improve the look and feel of a stainless steel braai, you can contact us.

A gas braai is the ideal product for those of us who do not have the skills to start a fire. Many people think that they can make a great fire but end up using to much accelerant or smoking out the guests they have invited to their barbecue. A gas braai is simplicity itself as all that is required is to turn the gas on and light a flame. Newer makes and models of gas braais even have an automatic switch that initiates a spark to light the gas.

For more information on the benefits of using a gas braai to take care of all your barbecuing requirements, you can simply contact us.

The braai recipes that you use should provide you with a list of ingredients as well as accessories that you will require when grilling your food. When you are making a marinade for your different meat items ensure that a marinating time is included in the braai recipes. An optimal cooking time as well as an ideal cooking temperature should also be included. You can purchase a thermometer that can be used over an open fire or a meat thermometer to help you determine whether you meat on the grill is cooked to perfection.

To get access to braai recipes that will list all the items that you will need to grill your food successfully, please contact us.