The Function Of Charcoal Briquets In Braai Etiquette
Americans call it a barbecue, Australians call it a "Barbie" for short, but South Africans have appropriately called it a "braai".
Originally from the Afrikaans word braaivleis, the word braai, isn't just accepted colloquial English in South Africa, but a hallowed term at that.
Braaing emphasizes sunlit skies, weekends and having a beer with your friends.
As Gandalf would put it, in between sips of ale, "One does not simply braai in Mordor".
There's a great deal of etiquette and groundwork that goes into the braai.
To begin with it's obvious that the host shall organize the braai along with the charcoal briquets, firelighters and other essentials.
While hosting the event as a bring-and-braai is totally acceptable, asking your pals to bring firelighters or wood would simply be poor form.
Second of all, as custom demands, when the guests have arrived and all have a drink in their hands, with the wives and girlfriends working on the salads, it's the responsibility of the organizer to get the braai going.
Guests are free to assist as required, but without interfering excessively.
To remark in a negative way on the host's briquette pyramid - and let it be asserted charcoal briquets would certainly be the fuel of choice - would just be unforgivable.
Next there is the hierarchy.
The coordinator shall oversee the positioning and subsequent turning of the various meats, with the best mate overseeing the braai fork and periodic prodding of the boerewors as is needed.
The rest of the guys round the braai are generally there in a helping role.
Like a squad mate with a LMG laying down suppressive fire in a 1st Person Shooter online game, while you creep around the back to knife some despairing individual, they are there to assist where ever needed.
Should the worse case transpire, and the braai begins to burn down, it's the assist team that should have to drive down to the shop speedily to acquire some additional charcoal briquets.
Secondary tasks might consist of grabbing another beer for the host enroute to get themselves the same.
All in all, there's a lot in the tradition of the braai; sun, excellent beer and the perfect amigos is what it is all about!
Originally from the Afrikaans word braaivleis, the word braai, isn't just accepted colloquial English in South Africa, but a hallowed term at that.
Braaing emphasizes sunlit skies, weekends and having a beer with your friends.
As Gandalf would put it, in between sips of ale, "One does not simply braai in Mordor".
There's a great deal of etiquette and groundwork that goes into the braai.
To begin with it's obvious that the host shall organize the braai along with the charcoal briquets, firelighters and other essentials.
While hosting the event as a bring-and-braai is totally acceptable, asking your pals to bring firelighters or wood would simply be poor form.
Second of all, as custom demands, when the guests have arrived and all have a drink in their hands, with the wives and girlfriends working on the salads, it's the responsibility of the organizer to get the braai going.
Guests are free to assist as required, but without interfering excessively.
To remark in a negative way on the host's briquette pyramid - and let it be asserted charcoal briquets would certainly be the fuel of choice - would just be unforgivable.
Next there is the hierarchy.
The coordinator shall oversee the positioning and subsequent turning of the various meats, with the best mate overseeing the braai fork and periodic prodding of the boerewors as is needed.
The rest of the guys round the braai are generally there in a helping role.
Like a squad mate with a LMG laying down suppressive fire in a 1st Person Shooter online game, while you creep around the back to knife some despairing individual, they are there to assist where ever needed.
Should the worse case transpire, and the braai begins to burn down, it's the assist team that should have to drive down to the shop speedily to acquire some additional charcoal briquets.
Secondary tasks might consist of grabbing another beer for the host enroute to get themselves the same.
All in all, there's a lot in the tradition of the braai; sun, excellent beer and the perfect amigos is what it is all about!
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