This is a must-read for those too embarrassed to take charge of the braai at a social gathering or those that are curious about the intricacies of managing a braai. No matter your reason, controlling the heat of your fire is crucial for achieving the best cooking results. We offer you our essential guide on how to control the heat effectively:
Choose the Right Charcoal or Braai Wood:
Hardwood lump charcoal burns hotter and faster, while briquettes burn more consistently and evenly. Some wood is most suited for fireplaces (blue gum) whereas others, like rooikrans wood, is ideal for braais. Choose the one that best suits your cooking style.
Create Heat Zones:
Arrange the charcoal or coals in your braai to create different heat zones. Pile more in one area for high heat (direct heat) and less in another area for lower heat (indirect heat). Chicken needs more intense heat whereas fish, like a snoek, needs medium heat. Learning what heat food needs in order to be cooked correctly is definitely a key factor in understanding how to control the braai.
Adjust the height:
Always ensure the distance between the food and the heat source is correct. The closer the meat is to the heat, the quicker the cooking may occur while raising it decreases the heat. This is useful for controlling how quickly the food cooks, but ensure you turn the meat quicker the closer you have it to the heat to avoid charring. This is especially true when busy with a braaibroodjie. No one enjoys a burned sarmie.
Use a Thermometer:
Invest in a good quality grill thermometer to monitor the temperature of the cooking surface. This ensures that your food is being cooked at the desired temperature and helps prevent overcooking or undercooking.
Rotate and Flip:
Rotate and flip your food as needed to ensure even cooking. Using a grid helps with this, especially if you have lots of meat to braai. This, accompanied by using the correct height above the heat, will ensure you have perfectly grilled meat.
Practice and Patience:
Experiment with different techniques and methods to find what works best for your specific braai and the dishes you're cooking. Controlling heat takes practice, so don't be discouraged if it takes a few tries to get the hang of it.
Remember, controlling the heat of your braai is a skill that improves over time. Once mastered it will be difficult to step away when friends or family join. It will be even more difficult to step away from the braai when you are invited.