Gas Braai

There are those traditionalists who swear by the wood fire and the balled up newspaper as the only way to have an authentic braai instead of a gas braai. These are people who will scour the countryside looking for the correct vine wood that they claim provides a long lasting and aromatic coal which will turn even the humblest cut of meat into a gustatory experience second to none.

There are those who have moved further into the 21^st century and have made some concessions to modernity and will happily use briquettes and firelighters to prime their braai and claim that it makes absolutely no difference to the taste of the end result, the trick they claim is all in the preparation of the meat, the marinade is everything they claim.

The common denominator between these two groups is that they both have no problem waiting for coals to reach the correct heat while dribbling of ash coat both the food being prepared and the immediate surroundings, including in most cases the chefs themselves. For those who want their cooking experience to feature very little mess and take a minimum of effort to produce delicious braaied food there is only one choice and that is to dispose of all that has characterised the braai over the past decades and move to a gas braai as soon as possible.

A gas braai is one of the easiest to use and versatile ways of enjoying outdoor cooking. Simply turn on the gas and either light up with matches or a lighter when using one of the simpler models or use the electric ignition in the more advanced models. To make your cooking experience even easier is the fact the more elaborate models come with a variety of burners, including ring burners for placing cast iron pots on and a grill which makes the task of cooking the traditional braai staples, such as chops, steak, chicken or even fish an absolute pleasure. Each of the burners can be individually adjusted on a gas braai so that the cook can select the correct temperature to ensure that each component of the perfect outdoor meal arrives at the table piping hot of the fire and ready to be enjoyed by family and friends.

Many of the latest versions of the gas braai come with a hood which in effect allows the gas braai to be used in much the same way as a kettle braai. Simply season your chosen cut of meat or seafood with your favourite spice and place on the grill (often multi tiered to allow for the cooking of different ingredients); close the hood and your hassle free gas cooking experience just became that much easier. There are also a variety of different cookbooks on the market at many bookstores that will offer you invaluable advice on how best to make use of your gas braai.

Even if you choose to purchase a single burner gas braai you will have dramatically increased your cooking options. These gas appliances can be fitted with a variety of grills that make them into the perfect cooking appliance for every occasion. If you want to cook a sumptuous breakfast even at the side of the lake on your weekend away simply use the skottle grill for delicious bacon and eggs, for that authentic steakhouse experience purchase the cast iron solid flat grill, there are even attachments to ensure that you can cook up the perfect potjie for an authentic South African meal in the summer sun.

Whatever your choice of gas braai you can rest assured that it will become a firm household favourite, ready at the drop of a hat to make you the envy of all as you effortlessly conjure up delicious meals in next to no time, with very little mess and a minimum of bother, just make sure that you keep that spare gas cylinder full at all times to avoid disappointment.