Cooking over an open fire and coals has been an essential element of human evolution ever since Homo erectus earned the ability to harness and manage fire. Sitting beside the flames and grilling a meal is something that we, as overland travelers, do more than most modern humans, and it is an important part of our traveling experience. As my wife, Luisa, and I are South African, a braai (pronounced “bry,” like dry with a b) is more than just a way to cook food; it is a way of life—one we have had the pleasure to discover and enjoy on a near-global level.
South Americans are as addicted as we are to grilling meats over coals, but they call it asado, or churrasco in Brazil. Asado is a relatively simple affair. Coals are prepared, and meats such as lomo steak, short ribs, flank steak, and blood sausage are grilled long and slow, with coarse salt as the predominant seasoning. After an hour or two, the meat will be ready and served with grilled vegetables, a green salad, and chimichurri. Generally, the grill used can be lowered and raised as per the heat needed, and the fuel used is either hard dry wood (desert wood is best for a braai or asado), lump coal, or a combination of the two, depending on the location.
In Brazil, churrasco is similar to asado but different. The meats are usually skewered on long espetos and prepared on a grill with multiple levels, as Brazilians like to eat in stages. The lowest skewer will consist of chicken hearts, the skewer above chicken thighs and drumsticks, above that a skewer of sausages, and then the main event, picanha steak. As the steak slowly grills, the juices drip onto the meats below, which are removed when done and served on large wooden breadboards adorned with a pile of medium coarse salt and a pile of farofa (a side dish made with toasted manioc flour) into which the meat is dipped before being consumed.
The South African braai is a national obsession, and every macho man (and occasional woman) considers themselves a master with their tailored recipes, techniques, and secrets. A braai is the actual barbeque in which the fire is made, the act of grilling meats, and the name of the event. Meat staples are lamb chops, boerewors (a long sausage), rump, fillet, sirloin, porterhouse, T-bone, rib-eye, brisket, and short rib. A fire is prepared with kameeldoorn or rooikrans wood (or charcoal if need be), and just when a visitor thinks the fire is ready for cooking, more wood will be added. And then again. There is a saying in South Africa, “Ons gan nou nou braai” (we will braai now now, soon), but nou nou could be an hour or three, depending on the master. Afrikaners will usually insist on a serving of pap and sous (a polenta-type stiff porridge with a tomato gravy), while English South Africans will usually avoid the pap and sous, and Mrs. English South African (who does all the actual meal preparation) will prepare a potato bake, garlic bread, and a salad.
Braais on the road across continents can be challenging as we have to make do with small, portable grills, whatever wood or charcoal we can source, and whichever suitable meat is available. The only consistent variables are the braai essentials we carry wherever we go. But we are always experimenting with new gear. Below are items, new and old, that we have had the pleasure of testing out as we perfect our craft. Most of the products are premium, with premium prices, but quality is what we are after, and longevity is the true economy.
THE BRAAI
The Quick Pitch Barbe
The Quick-Barbe is a tough-as-nails, stainless-steel barbecue designed for easy and quick setup. It can be pitched in under a minute, stands 12 inches high, and includes a grill, carry bag, and wind deflector. The unit is designed to be used in areas where ground fires are not allowed and can be stored in a standard ammo box for convenience. We have used our Quick-Barbe twice a week for the last few years, and it is still in excellent condition.
$399 | quickpitchnorthamerica.com
A.W.O.L. Sliding Standard Grid
If you’re looking for a freestanding flatpack grill that takes up limited space and allows you to cook various meats at different temperatures without having to balance your grill on rocks—then this is it. Its unique U-stand distinguishes it from other grids, locking in place at any desired height and angle. The grid can rotate and swivel 360 degrees on the U-stand, making it easier on your wrists when grilling a large rack of ribs or searing a steak over open flames.
$190, single/$290, double | g4o.ca
MiniMax Big Green Egg
If you have a grilling or smoking obsession, the MiniMax should be on your birthday list. It features a 13-inch stainless steel cooking grid, providing ample cooking space for a family. Built from high-quality ceramic, it comes with a sturdy carrier and uses very little fuel. The MiniMax may be compact, but it is still heavy; at 76 pounds, it is best suited for those with larger rigs. We have been impressed by the tender, delicious, smoked, and grilled meats it produces.
$700 | biggreenegg.com
TemboTusk Ultimate Skottle Grill Kit
The skottle is a South African cooking tool, similar to a large wok, making it ideal for camp breakfasts, tacos, stir-frying, or searing a steak—let your imagination run wild. The Ultimate kit includes a pre-seasoned skottle grill with adjustable legs, a Kovea burner, gas adapter, and carry bag. It also features a stainless steel lid, steam tray, wind guard, bamboo leg table, BuzzyWaxx beeswax tin, wooden spatula, and cast-iron plastic scraper. We use it to cook garlic-buttered steak bites with roasted potatoes—always a big hit.
$595 | tembotusk.com
TOOLS
Snow Peak Takibi Essentials Set
I love this well-designed and aesthetically pleasing fire set. It consists of a toolset (fire tongs, a poker, and shovel) for managing the fire in a sleek but durable canvas carry case. The accompanying leather fireside gloves have removable inners for safety and added dexterity and work well for moving hot coals and logs. There is a folding torch for easy ignition. Duality of use is important, and this kit will serve for many years and can be used on the road and at home.
$233 | snowpeak.com
Benchmade Custom Three-piece Knife Set
This Benchmade knife set may be expensive, but it’s built to last a lifetime. The set includes a chef’s knife, utility knife, and paring knife, all crafted from high-grade steel with handles available in G10, carbon fiber, or Richlite. These knives hold a sharp edge, sharpen easily, are lightweight, and ambidextrous. LifeSharp services (cleaning, oiling, re-sharpening) are included and free for the life of the knife, but after nearly a year of use, we’ve found our set to still be sharper than a mother-in-law’s tongue.
$1,110 | benchmade.com
Toadfish Shrimp Cleaner
Throwing some shrimp or prawns on the grill is a treat when exploring the coast. Prep, however, is usually a long and messy process. The Toadfish is designed to peel, devein, and butterfly shrimp in one smooth motion. Remove the head, insert the deveiner under the shell along its back, push toward the tail while lifting, and voilà, it’s ready for the skillet. The ergonomic handle provides a comfortable grip, making it easy for beginners and experienced cooks to use. Beware, this cleaner is sharp.
$28 | toadfish.com
Omnia Sweden Stovetop Oven
If you love baking while overlanding, the Omnia is the ultimate addition to your kitchenware—any excuse to turf that bulky oven. It’s a portable stovetop oven that uses an external heat source to bake, heat, or cook food. The Omnia is versatile and can handle various cooking tasks similar to a conventional oven, making it ideal for use on cooktops during camping or boating. I always prepare cornbread, our favorite braai accompaniment, in it. The Omnia is lightweight, easy to clean, and versatile.
$80 | omniasweden.com/us/
Snow Peak Cast Iron Sandwich Skillet
Snow Peak’s cast-iron skillet is a multipurpose cooking tool designed for outdoor use. It features two sides, each of which can be used independently or locked together as a press for making toasted cheese and bacon sandwiches, one of our staples. One skillet has a raised edge for searing with grill marks, while the other offers a smooth surface. Prepare roasted vegetables on one side for your vegetarian friends while cooking a thick, juicy steak on the other. Made from ductile cast iron, these skillets are durable but heavy.
$357 | snowpeak.com
Dometic Go Compact Camp Table
We love most things designed by Dometic—their designs are stylish, modern, and minimalistic, particularly appealing to the trendy overlander. This compact camp table features an attractive bamboo tabletop and sturdy aluminum legs, offering a solid yet lightweight design. It adjusts to three different heights, making it versatile for use as a coffee, kids’, or dining table, and it comfortably seats four adults. The table folds down for easy transport and storage and, for an additional cost, comes with a matching heavy-duty carry bag.
$200 | dometic.com
Gerber Compleat Cook Set
The Gerber Compleat is a 16-piece camping cookware set designed for full-size cooking outdoors. It includes a stainless-steel sauté pan, stock pot, detachable handles, slim and basting dome lids, plates, bowls, and a mixing bowl. The set nests together for compact storage and is suitable for induction, electric, ceramic cooktops, and open-flame cooking. We love the lids: the slim lid is a strainer, and the basting lid has a steaming effect. The set is durable, and the pot and pan can be used directly over the campfire.
$200 | gerbergear.com
Stōd Gear Co WoodGaiter
The WoodGaiter is a versatile firewood carrier and utility mat that can transport over two bundles of firewood, securing them during transit and preventing debris spillage. As we drive an old Land Rover, the WoodGaiter is often pulled into service as a throw mat on dusty roads when the ding becomes a clunk and is later cleaned after being used as a shower floor. Made from heavy-duty, vinyl-coated, marine-grade polyester tarp material, it’s designed to protect both your vehicle and firewood, allowing for efficient handling and storage.
$146 | stodgear.com
Gränsfors Bruk Small Forest Axe
This small forest axe has been our constant and reliable companion since Christmas 2016. With a 19-inch handle and a 1.5-pound head, it offers a balance of power and precision, making it suitable for various outdoor tasks, such as limbing and felling small trees; it’s equally efficient for chopping firewood and kindling. Hand-forged in Sweden of durable steel, it holds a razor-sharp edge and has a beautiful leather sheath. This high-quality axe has inspired many (adults and supervised children) to enjoy chopping wood while overlanding.
$185 | gransforsbruk.com
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Gear 2025 Issue.
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