Embers & elegance with the Boma Braai firepit

A firepit is such a captivating, atmosphere-creating focal point, especially when it can also be used as a braai.

Fire. There’s something so primal and mesmerising about it and it’s the heart of a perfect South African braai or shisanyama. But let’s step away from the usual braai and instead, introduce the versatility and style of a firepit to your outdoor cooking and entertainment area, with a Boma Braai.

Available in a 500 mm model and a larger 700 mm model, the Boma Braai is solidly built with a welded steel frame, lined with a concrete-type half sphere. It’s heavy, requiring the strength of two people to move. This isn’t a portable piece, so make sure you plan ahead and decide on the best location first!

From a design perspective, the Boma Braai is a statement piece. Its robust construction, sleek lines and earthy colours make it an attractive addition to any outdoor space, blending seamlessly with the natural landscape while providing a focal point that draws people together. Creating the perfect centrepiece for laughter shared over flames and stories told as the sun sets, has just become a lot easier.

At first glance, it might look like a standard fire pit, but the top grid transforms it into a versatile braai. Firing it up is easy with a few firelighters on the lower grid and your fuel of choice, be it charcoal, firewood or a mix of both. In fact, why not use a mix of hard and soft wood – the soft wood lights and burns quicker than the hardwood, but the hardwood leaves a bed beautiful of coals on which to cook.

Once the coals have formed, it’s as easy as flattening and spreading them out and starting to braai. The grid isn’t height adjustable, so manage the temperature by moving some coals to the side and occasionally dragging some back to the cooking area when needed.

Since this isn’t a traditional-looking braai, why not cook something a bit different … jaffles! Jaffles have been around for donkey’s years, but it can be fun to try out some different flavour combinations. How does basil pesto, cherry tomatoes and mozzarella sound? And for the adventurous palate, camembert and onion marmalade!

Start with two pieces of bread per jaffle. Butter one side of each slice. For the first jaffle, spread basil pesto on the unbuttered side of a slice of bread and top it with halved baby tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Top it off with the second slice of bread. Next, the sweet and savoury combination of camembert and onion marmalade. spread onion marmalade generously on each slice of bread and add slices of camembert, remembering to keep the butter on the outside!

Even if you’ve buttered the bread, it’s wise to spray the inside of the jaffle irons with a non-stick spray. Close your jaffles in the irons, making sure they’re secured tightly before trimming the corners of the bread that protrude. Now, fire up that jaffle! Place your jaffle iron over low coals and cook for a few minutes on either side until golden brown. Open it slightly to see if the bread is toasted; when done, flip, cut and serve.

Jaffles are all about that gooey, melting cheese – they really do take a braaibroodjie to the next level!

The Boma Braai range is stocked at Builders, as are all your braai supplies including jaffle irons.