Choosing a Built-in Braai: Ranges, Fit, Flue and Cowl
This guide helps you choose the right Best Braais wood-burning braai for your home: which range suits your installation, how the ranges compare, and which flue and cowl each one needs. For prices and full inclusions per range, see the built-in braais reference.
About Best Braais
Best Braais & Fireplaces, established in 2002, is the South African producer of the Best Braais range of built-in braais. Our own branded units are manufactured locally in South Africa, with a lead time of approximately 10 to 15 business days. We also supply gas braais, fireplaces, flues and cowls.
We offer free delivery on qualifying built-in braai and fireplace units to the main centres: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Bloemfontein. Many other towns, including George, Pretoria and Ballito, also qualify; this is confirmed at checkout. Flues and cowls ordered together with a unit also ship free.
Phone: (+27) 021 988 1920. Hours: Monday to Thursday 09:00 to 17:00, Friday 09:00 to 15:00.
Step 1: Choose by installation type
- Building a new brick braai area: a built-in braai from the Standard, DeLuxe, Professional or Spit range, built into brickwork by your own builder.
- You already have a brick braai: an insert braai. Standard insert braais (1000 and 1200 mm) fit into an existing cavity that is at least 30 mm wider, 15 mm higher and 20 mm deeper than the insert. Table top insert braais (700 to 1200 mm) suit existing structures and counters. Custom size insert braais are made to measure.
- Through an outside wall, used from indoors and outdoors: a Double-Sided braai (800, 1000 or 1200 mm). Keep the doors on one side closed while braaiing to stop draughts.
- No brickwork at all: a freestanding braai. The 1200 Patio braai (430, 304 or 316 stainless steel) comes with a 1.2 m flue and louvre cowl; the Professional Freestanding braai (900 or 1200 mm, mild steel) has double-skin sides and comes with 2.4 m of flue, a turbo cowl and a ceiling plate.
- Wood and gas in one unit: the 1200 Combination braai (430 or 304 stainless steel, 2 burner gas grill) or the 1500 Pro Combination braai (mild steel or 304 stainless steel, 3 burner gas grill).
- Spit-roasting a whole lamb or pig: a Spit braai (1200 or 1500 mm) with its own spit motor cabinet.
All units are supplied for installation by your own builder or installer; Best Braais does not offer an installation service. See the braai installation guidelines.
Step 2: Choose the material for your location
Choose the material from both the location and how the braai is installed. At the coast, outdoors (even under a roof or lapa), 316 stainless steel is the first choice and 304 the lower-cost alternative. Inland towns in a coastal province, such as George or Stellenbosch, should use 304 outdoors. Inland, outdoors or covered, 430 or 304 is normally sufficient. Mild steel suits fully indoor installations. Details: the 316, 304 and 430 references.
Step 3: Compare the ranges
| Range | Sizes (mm) | Material | Body | Flue and cowl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (mild steel) | 800, 1000, 1200, 1500 | Mild steel, black | 2.5 mm (1500: 2 mm) | Included on 800 to 1200; sold separately for 1500 |
| Standard (stainless steel) | 800, 1000, 1200, 1500 (316: 1000, 1200, 1500) | 430, 304, 316 | 2 mm | Sold separately |
| DeLuxe | 800, 1000, 1200, 1500 | Mild steel; 304 on request | 3 mm | Sold separately |
| Professional | 1200, 1500 | Mild steel; 304 on request | 3 mm | Sold separately |
| Spit | 1200, 1500 | Mild steel; 304 on request | 3 mm | Sold separately |
| Double-Sided | 800, 1000, 1200 | Mild steel | 3 mm | Sold separately |
| 1200 Combination (wood and gas) | 1200 | 430, 304 | 2 mm | Sold separately |
| 1500 Pro Combination (wood and gas) | 1500 | Mild steel (3 mm), 304 (2 mm) | see material | Sold separately |
| Patio (freestanding) | 1200 | 430, 304, 316 | 2 mm | Included: 1.2 m flue and louvre cowl |
| Professional Freestanding | 900, 1200 | Mild steel | 3 mm, double-skin sides | Included: 2.4 m flue, turbo cowl, ceiling plate |
| Standard insert | 1000, 1200 | 430, 304 (316: 1200 only) | 2 mm | Not included |
| Table top insert | 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1200 | Mild steel, 430, 304 | 2.5 mm (mild steel), 2 mm (stainless) | Not included |
316 stainless steel is offered only in the Standard built-in range, the Standard insert braai and the Patio braai. The DeLuxe, Professional, Spit and Double-Sided ranges are never made in 316. Standard units are fixed sizes and cannot be customised.
Built-in braais have a 50 mm facade on each side and on top, so the visible front is about 100 mm wider than the model size. Exact dimensions are on each product's specification drawing.
Step 4: The flue and cowl each range needs
Where the flue and cowl are sold separately, use these sizes (flue diameters are inside diameters; flues come in 1.2 m sections):
- Standard stainless steel: 800 and 1000 mm: 300 mm flue and 400 x 400 mm cowl. 1200 mm: 350 mm flue and 400 x 400 mm cowl. 1500 mm: 500 x 350 mm rectangular flue and 600 x 400 mm cowl (400 x 600 mm in 430).
- Standard mild steel 1500: 500 x 350 mm rectangular flue and 400 x 600 mm cowl.
- DeLuxe: 800 mm: 300 mm flue; 1000 and 1200 mm: 350 mm flue; all with a 400 x 400 mm cowl. 1500 mm: 450 mm flue and 500 x 500 mm cowl.
- Professional and Spit: 1200 mm: 350 mm flue and 400 x 400 mm cowl. 1500 mm: 450 mm flue and 500 x 500 mm cowl.
- Double-Sided: 800 mm: 300 mm flue; 1000 and 1200 mm: 350 mm flue; all with a 400 x 400 mm cowl.
- 1200 Combination: 350 mm flue and 400 x 400 mm cowl.
- 1500 Pro Combination: 450 mm flue and 500 x 500 mm cowl.
Match the flue and cowl to the braai's material. A 316 braai uses a 304 flue, because the flue is hidden in the brickwork, with a 316 cowl where that size exists. At the coast, any flue or cowl exposed above the brickwork on a mild steel or 430 braai must be 304 stainless steel or better. If the flue cannot run straight up, use two 45 degree bends, never one 90 degree bend. See the turbo cowl reference and the installation guidelines for flue height.
For the full range and to order, visit our built-in braais page.