Wood or charcoal
Build a fire. Cook over coals. Allow time to make enough coals.
Check the grid area and ember maker.
See an example ↓BUY WELL. BRAAI FOR YEARS.
Built in braai Guide
Choose the size. Know the parts.
Plan the fire and the flue.
Use this built in braai guide to choose your size, components, fuel and flue before you build.
Get the size right.
Start with the food you cook. Then check the space you have.
700–800 mm
For regular family meals.Choose a compact unit. Compare grid depth and ember-maker space.
1000 mm
For family and friends.Try a family-sized braai. Check the usable grid area.
1200 mm
For frequent guests.Choose a larger wood braai for bigger meals.
1500 mm
For larger gatherings.Explore a wide wood + gas unit. Allow room for the braai and flue.
Sizes are nominal model sizes in millimetres (mm). They are not building-opening sizes. Guest numbers depend on the menu and cooking batches.
Compare the grid, not only the name. An ember maker or gas insert takes up space inside the braai. Two “1200” models can have different cooking areas.
LOOK BEFORE YOU BUILD
Four measurements. One good fit.
- Body: the box behind the front frame.
- Frame: the visible edge against the wall.
- Hood: the space above the box for smoke.
- Doors: the space needed when they open.
Your installer must also allow for insulation, heat expansion and safe distances from materials that can burn.
Use the exact model drawing and manual. Confirm the building opening before work starts.
Explore our lifestyle images and 360° views to see each braai from every angle.
Send us a photo of your space for a preview and a quote.
1052 mm body width · 1100 mm frame width
Which steel should I choose?
Mild steel: keep it dry. Repair damaged protective paint as the manual instructs.
Stainless steel: check the grade and which parts use it. Coastal conditions need more care and a suitable grade.
Hybrid: Jetmaster’s Hybrid has a mild steel body and stainless steel front parts. This name describes the materials.
Ask us to check the finish for your location. Stainless steel still needs cleaning and care.
Know what comes in the box.
Keep the parts you need. Check which extras are separate.
Original Braai Culture parts illustration. Swipe on a phone. Select a number for its label. Parts vary by model.
01
Ember maker
Holds burning wood while coals fall below.
02
Collar
Joins compatible pipe sections. Some pipes have built-in joints.
03
Ash pan
Holds coals and collects ash. An ash drawer is a separate part.
04
Flue pipe
Carries smoke from the hood to the outlet.
05
Spit arm & motor box
Supports rotisserie equipment. Check whether the motor and spit are included.
06
Potjie hook
Holds a compatible potjie over the fire.
07
Light fitting
Lights the cooking area. Check the lamp and power needs.
08
Spade
Moves ash or coals. Use suitable heat protection.
09
Heating tray
Keeps cooked food warm. Names and positions vary by range.
10
Grid
Holds food above the heat. Check its usable width and depth.
11
Warming rack
Keeps food farther from the main heat.
12
Bread oven
A separate chamber on some models. Check the package list.
13
Cowl
Sits above the flue. Helps keep rain out and manage wind.
Compare the complete installed cost. Add the braai, flue parts, cowl, insulation, delivery, building work and installation. Include gas and electrical work where needed.
Choose how you like to cook.
Wood, gas or both. Match the braai to your routine.
Gas
Light the burners. Adjust the heat. A useful choice for quick meals.
Check the gas type, airflow and approved location.
See an example ↓
Wood + gas
Use separate cooking areas for wood and gas. Choose either for each meal.
Compare each cooking area, not only total width.
See an example ↓Hybrid does not mean wood + gas. Jetmaster Hybrid describes the steel construction. Choose a Combo model for separate wood and gas areas.
A FIREBOX OR A COUNTER?
Gas has two common layouts.
Built-in firebox: a grill sits inside a braai box and hood. Follow that model’s flue instructions.
Drop-in hob: a grill fits into a counter opening. The counter and cabinet need the specified ventilation and clearances.
A gas hob does not use the same installation as a wood braai. A roof does not make an outdoor gas grill suitable indoors.
Explore the Chad-O-Chef Hob ↓Give smoke a clear way out.
A flue is the smoke passage above the braai. Plan it before you build.
Pipe runAir inThrough the frontSmoke upHood and flueSmoke outBelow the cowl
Heat makes the flow.
Hot smoke rises through the hood and flue. Fresh air enters the braai to replace it. This flow is called draught.
The outlet must finish where smoke can escape. A low outlet, tight bends or a blockage can reduce the flow.
- Match the pipe to the model’s outlet.
- Keep the route as straight as possible.
- Confirm the height against the roof and nearby structures.
- Plan fresh air, roof sealing, supports and cleaning access.
A cowl helps with rain and wind. It cannot correct a blocked or badly planned flue.
The final route and height depend on the braai, roof and site. Ask your installer to confirm them.
Flare / gather
Collects smoke above the firebox. Check whether the braai includes it.
Flue pipe
Extends the smoke passage. Match its shape, size and material.
Joining collar
Connects sections where required. Formed pipe ends may join without a separate collar.
Cowl + base
Finishes the top. Check whether the base and top are supplied together.
HOW MUCH PIPE?
Measure the full route.
- Choose the exact braai and matching pipe size.
- Ask your installer to mark the flue start and required outlet height.
- Measure the route between those points, including any offset.
- Check the usable length after each joint overlaps.
- Subtract suitable pipe already included. Add the remaining parts.
Do not measure from the floor. Do not stop at the roof surface. Do not add the cowl’s full height as pipe length.
A Homefires bundle may include 2.4 m of pipe. This is the supplied amount; your site may need more.
STRAIGHT-RUN EXAMPLE
3.0 m needed.
1.2 m sections.
Your installer confirms a 3.0 m pipe run. Two 1.2 m sections give only 2.4 m before joint overlaps.
Three sections give 3.6 m before overlaps. The installer must check the usable length and permitted trimming.
Also check collars, base, cowl, roof seal and supports. Add bends only after the route is approved.
Why can’t every braai use the same flue?
The outlet shape and area differ. The matching joints, cowl and base also differ.
Our Jetmaster 1000 Hybrid example uses a 250 mm round outlet. Our Homefires 1200 Combo offers 350 × 500 mm rectangular pipe.
The Homefires options include separate joining collars. The Jetmaster example’s pipe has a formed joining end.
Choose the exact model’s options. Do not reduce the passage or mix systems without manufacturer approval.
What if smoke comes out of the front?
Stop using the braai if smoke enters the room. Ventilate the area and have the system checked.
Possible causes include too little fresh air, wet wood, soot, a blocked flue, a stuck cowl or poor outlet placement.
Have the flue and cowl inspected and cleaned as the manual requires. Do not assume another pipe section will solve every problem.
Meet your next built-in.
Compare the type and size. Open the drawing, lifestyle image or 360° view for each model.
Our product pages bring photos, design drawings and 360° views together to help you choose. Explore eight examples here.
700 · Wood / charcoal
Homefires 700 Basic Economaster
A compact full-width grid. No separate ember maker.
View product & options ↗
800 · Wood / charcoal
Homefires 800 Deluxe
A separate ember maker, ash drawer and potjie holder.
View product & options ↗
1000 · Wood / charcoal
Jetmaster 1000 Entertainer Hybrid
Mild steel body. Stainless steel frame, fascia and door.
View product & options ↗
1200 · Wood / charcoal
Homefires 1200 Super Deluxe bundle
Includes 2.4 m of flue, a slip-on base and rotating cowl.
View product & options ↗
1200 · Wood + gas
Homefires 1200 Combo
Two-burner gas insert and a separate wood cooking area.
View product & options ↗
1500 · Wood + gas
Homefires 1500 Combo
Three-burner deep gas insert and a separate wood cooking area.
View product & options ↗
700 · Gas
Jetmaster 700 Entertainer gas
A built-in firebox with a three-burner shallow gas grill.
View product & options ↗
4 burners · Gas / counter
Chad-O-Chef 4 Burner Hob
Drops into a counter. Check the cut-out and cabinet ventilation.
View product & options ↗Our 360° models help you understand shape and space. Use the manufacturer’s manual and confirmed dimensions for installation. Lifestyle images are design illustrations.
Check each product page for the current price, finish, package contents and delivery options.
Browse all built-in braais ↗Choose the braai before the brickwork.
Send us the details. We can help you check the product and matching options.
Before you order
- Exact model, fuel type and steel finish.
- Available width, height and depth.
- Usable grid area and room for open doors.
- Hood, insulation and heat-clearance space.
- Flue route, pipe size and required outlet height.
- Included parts and the extras still needed.
- Delivery access and safe handling of a heavy unit.
- Installer, building work and total budget.
Send us these four things
- The product link you are considering.
- Photos of the opening, roof and outside wall.
- Measurements and your installer’s flue plan.
- Your town or postal code.
For gas, also confirm the gas supply and required ventilation with a qualified gas installer.
We supply and deliver products. Arrange installation with an independent installer.
Let’s plan your braai ↗A few things buyers ask.
Is a 1000 braai exactly 1000 mm wide?
Not always. The number is a nominal model size. Check the body, front frame and building-opening requirements separately.
Can I build around the 360° model?
Use the drawing and manufacturer’s manual for planning. Have your installer confirm the opening, clearances and actual unit before building.
Does a flue bundle include everything I need?
It includes only the listed parts. Extra pipe, joints, bends, supports or roof sealing may be needed for your site.
Can a gas braai go in an enclosed room?
Use only a location allowed by the exact model’s manual. An outdoor gas braai needs the specified open-air ventilation.
Can I use any built-in braai as a fireplace?
Do not assume so. Ask the manufacturer whether your exact model permits this use and what extra parts it requires.
Sources and guide notes
Product examples use our catalogue records and exact-product media. Check the current manual supplied with your braai.
- Homefires braai manual · flue planning, ventilation, installation and care. This older manual contains material references that must not be used as current specifications.
- Jetmaster Braai Collection 2026 · model sizes and construction.
- Homefires Economaster brochure · model and grid sizes.
AI tools assisted with drafting and the flue illustration. Product photos, existing design drawings, 360° models and generated lifestyle images were reused. Editorial review of this updated guide is pending.