Jun
Stories, Rituals, and the Soul Behind the Flame
By Clinton, Founder of OZ Braai
It Started With a Stolen Lighter
What is a braai? For some, it’s just another word for barbecue — but if you’ve lived it, you know it’s far more than that. It’s a tradition, a ritual, a fire that brings people together. My first memory of a braai started with a stolen lighter. Why? To braai boerewors. Not because we were hungry, but because we wanted to be part of something bigger. We weren’t playing with fire — we were chasing meaning. That flame, those first sizzles, lit more than just meat. They lit a lifelong love for what a braai really is.
Later, as a teenager, I remember a hunting trip with a group of men. We sat around a massive open fire, telling stories, braaing through the night, as the stars blazed above us. There was no rush. No phones. Just smoke, laughter, and presence. That’s the moment I understood: braai isn’t just about food. It’s about fire, people, and stories.
What Braai Really Means
For me, a braai is a gathering. A moment of celebration. Of slowing down. It’s not about eating — it’s about reconnecting. It’s that thing that pulls people together, week after week. Back in South Africa, we’d braai during the week and definitely every weekend. That was just life.
Since moving to Australia, that’s changed a bit. With fewer friends and family around, the braais are less frequent — but I’ve come to realise just how important those rituals were. How essential it is to keep them alive. For me. For my family. For my sanity.
From Backyard Fire to OZ Braai
OZ Braai wasn’t built from a business plan. It was built from a moment.
My father-in-law came to visit us in Australia. While I was at work, he set up a proper braai. Not a gas BBQ. Not some wannabe setup from a retail chain. A real fire. Real meat. Real flavour.
That moment hit me. It reminded me that a braai isn’t just different to a barbecue — it’s on a different planet.
That fire sparked something in me. I wanted gear that was made for this lifestyle. I wanted products that respected the ritual. That’s how OZ Braai was born — out of a need to do it properly, and help others do the same.
Extending the Braai: Why We Created Awesome Spice
As OZ Braai grew, we realised something was missing — flavour that matched the fire. Good braai rubs were hard to find. So instead of recommending supermarket blends that didn’t hit the mark, we started Awesome Spice.
Just like our gear, it’s built around the same principle: simple, bold, made for fire. Because a proper braai deserves proper flavour.
The Biggest Misconception About Braai
People say “if it’s not wood or charcoal, it’s not a braai.”
And yeah — we joke about that a lot. But the truth is: it’s not about the fuel. It’s about the fire in the middle and the people around it.
Even if someone’s using gas or an electric setup outdoors, if they’ve got mates standing around the heat, drinks in hand, stories flying — that’s a braai. It’s the spirit that matters.
The real tragedy? When one guy disappears, cooks a few snags, and brings them out like a side dish. No one watched. No one gathered. No one remembered. That’s a barbecue. It could’ve been the oven for all we know.
The Tools That Actually Matter
After testing hundreds of tongs, let me tell you: simple wins.
Fancy, spring-loaded, weighty tools might look good — but they tire your wrist and ruin your control. A basic, lightweight, strong set of tongs that feels like an extension of your hand? That’s priceless.
That’s the same approach we use when we invent new gear:
Would I use this at a braai or while camping?
If the answer’s no, it doesn’t make the cut.
My Ideal Braai Setup?
Easy.
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Location: Middle of the outback
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Setup: Big fire, Camp Braai tripods, chairs in a circle
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Food: T-bones, boerewors, skilpadjies
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Drinks: Beer and rum
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Atmosphere: Mates, music, and absolutely no rush
What I’d Tell My Son
If there’s one skill I could pass on to my son, it’s this:
Learn how to make a fire — properly — from scratch.
You’d be shocked how many young men today can’t even light a campfire. But fire is primal. It’s power. It’s survival. It’s tradition. It’s also the gateway to real connection. Master that, and you’ve already got the foundation of leadership.
What Makes a Braai Great?
When it all just works.
- The fire’s going strong by the time the last guest arrives
- Drinks are poured, meat’s prepped, music’s humming
- The meat is juicy, the sides are spot-on, the dessert disappears
- People laugh, talk, reminisce
- Everyone leaves feeling filled — not just full
That’s a real braai.
Why Braai Matters Now More Than Ever
We’re living in a world full of stress, disconnection, and noise.
Mental health struggles are everywhere. But there’s something ancient and healing about a fire. A circle. Good food. No phones. A place to breathe again.
We’re not just selling gear. We’re helping people remember how to be human again.
The Truth No One Expects Me to Say
Here’s the thing: you don’t need fancy gear to braai.
Yes, we sell premium tools. But if all you’ve got is a patch of dirt and a stick — you can still have a proper braai. What matters most is that you gather people. That you tell stories. That you’re present.
That’s the fire that changes everything.
Words by Clinton, Founder of OZ Braai
If this post reminds you what braai is really about, forward it to someone who needs it.
Better yet, invite them to your next fire.
