Portable charcoal braai

saor

saor

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Looking for something small for a balcony - most of the time just cooking for one. Importantly I need to prevent hot coals falling out the bottom and blowing away. The Weber is open at the bottom, the George and Mason looks closed with a vent on the side - hard to tell from the pics. Anyone own one of these?

Weber Smokey Joe:
www.weber.co.za

Smokey Joe Original, 37 cm, Black - Weber South Africa

Grab Your Buddies, Turn On The Match, And Throw Some Burgers On The Grate. Enjoy The Simplicity Of Just Hanging Out With Good Friends ...
www.weber.co.za www.weber.co.za
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Genius Kettle braai:

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com
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George & Mason Basic Table Top Kettle Braai
https://www.takealot.com/george-mason-basic-table-top-kettle-braai-34cm/PLID93651444
gm.png

Big5 (seems locally made)
www.big5cookware.co.za

Big5 Kettle Braai 14.5 inch (36cm) Small

Big5 Kettle Braai 14.5 inch (36 cm) — compact charcoal kettle braai / BBQ for outdoor cooking, camping, and small gatherings. Stocked by Big5 Cookware South Africa. Free SA delivery over R 800.
www.big5cookware.co.za www.big5cookware.co.za
big5.png
 
Last edited:
Wouldn't a normal Weber that doesn't also require a table to stand on simply be more efficient?

One of those hibachi things would be an option but I've only seen them at crazy prices.
 
Would you need to consider the smoke as well, like if it blows to the folk above you?
If so would gas be an option? Obviously comes at cost but does address your issues.
 
Sepeng said:
Would you need to consider the smoke as well, like if it blows to the folk above you?
If so would gas be an option? Obviously comes at cost but does address your issues.
Click to expand...
If my neighbour complains about smoke from my braai, I take my Philips Airfryer outside and put boerewors in it. They have no problem with my braai afterwords.
 
saor said:
Looking for something small for a balcony - most of the time just cooking for one. Importantly I need to prevent hot coals falling out the bottom and blowing away. The Weber is open at the bottom, the George and Mason looks closed with a vent on the side - hard to tell from the pics. Anyone own one of these?

Weber Smokey Joe:
www.weber.co.za

Smokey Joe Original, 37 cm, Black - Weber South Africa

Grab Your Buddies, Turn On The Match, And Throw Some Burgers On The Grate. Enjoy The Simplicity Of Just Hanging Out With Good Friends ...
www.weber.co.za www.weber.co.za
View attachment 1757710
Genius Kettle braai:

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com
View attachment 1757711


George & Mason Basic Table Top Kettle Braai
https://www.takealot.com/george-mason-basic-table-top-kettle-braai-34cm/PLID93651444
View attachment 1757712

Big5 (seems locally made)
www.big5cookware.co.za

Big5 Kettle Braai 14.5 inch (36cm) Small

Big5 Kettle Braai 14.5 inch (36 cm) — compact charcoal kettle braai / BBQ for outdoor cooking, camping, and small gatherings. Stocked by Big5 Cookware South Africa. Free SA delivery over R 800.
www.big5cookware.co.za www.big5cookware.co.za
View attachment 1757717
Click to expand...
What if you just put a stainless steel serving tray below the weber. That said, weber won't design something that will mess charcoal on the floor or table.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Wouldn't a normal Weber that doesn't also require a table to stand on simply be more efficient?

One of those hibachi things would be an option but I've only seen them at crazy prices.
Click to expand...
Like the size of these small units - can go on a table in the corner and seems big enough for a quick wors. Also look very easy to clean and the prices are cheap. Don't mind a normal weber but feels like a bit much.
Sepeng said:
Would you need to consider the smoke as well, like if it blows to the folk above you?
If so would gas be an option? Obviously comes at cost but does address your issues.
Click to expand...
I'm on the top floor so smoke not really an issue - I'm more concerned about coals blowing out. Prefer the flavor / experience of using coals. I'll never use it on a windy day but would like to shut it up after use - suppose I could put a metal bowl under the weber and stack it tight against the weber base.
 
What are those little round things that contain everything inside including the coal, people rave about them being the best braai type cooker and they are small?
They are about the size of a large dinner plate and about 20cm high
 
It’s these things, should be perfect for @saor , small and largely no mess:
cobbonline.co.za

COBB Portable Braai, The World's Most Versatile Portable Braais

Shop the top portable braai and portable braais: compact, easy, online. Grill and cook anywhere with portable charcoal braais and gas braais for outdoor cooking. Buy today with fast delivery and a wide variety range.
cobbonline.co.za cobbonline.co.za
 
saor said:
Looking for something small for a balcony - most of the time just cooking for one. Importantly I need to prevent hot coals falling out the bottom and blowing away. The Weber is open at the bottom, the George and Mason looks closed with a vent on the side - hard to tell from the pics. Anyone own one of these?

Weber Smokey Joe:
www.weber.co.za

Smokey Joe Original, 37 cm, Black - Weber South Africa

Grab Your Buddies, Turn On The Match, And Throw Some Burgers On The Grate. Enjoy The Simplicity Of Just Hanging Out With Good Friends ...
www.weber.co.za www.weber.co.za
View attachment 1757710
Genius Kettle braai:

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com
View attachment 1757711


George & Mason Basic Table Top Kettle Braai
https://www.takealot.com/george-mason-basic-table-top-kettle-braai-34cm/PLID93651444
View attachment 1757712

Big5 (seems locally made)
www.big5cookware.co.za

Big5 Kettle Braai 14.5 inch (36cm) Small

Big5 Kettle Braai 14.5 inch (36 cm) — compact charcoal kettle braai / BBQ for outdoor cooking, camping, and small gatherings. Stocked by Big5 Cookware South Africa. Free SA delivery over R 800.
www.big5cookware.co.za www.big5cookware.co.za
View attachment 1757717
Click to expand...
Just get a regular sized one and use this at the bottom with a brick in and Bob's your uncle.
1726487483317.png
 
The Weber Smokey Joe has side air intakes unless you get the cheapest model which has the actually superior bottom airflow. We don't often get those in SA we mostly get the side airflow models.

Another option is the Weber Go Anywhere as it also has side airflow and actually much more usable cooking space.

It folds up pretty compact as well
 
ninjaman509 said:
The Weber Smokey Joe has side air intakes unless you get the cheapest model which has the actually superior bottom airflow. We don't often get those in SA we mostly get the side airflow models.

Another option is the Weber Go Anywhere as it also has side airflow and actually much more usable cooking space.

It folds up pretty compact as well
Click to expand...
Got off the phone with Weber ZA a while back and they said the Smokey Joe doesn't have a intake at the bottom. Seems the standard Smokey Joe changed from a bottom vent to...well I'm not sure because I can't even see a side vent on any of the pictures and there's no longer an ash-catcher either. Only venting I can see is on the lid.
 
saor said:
Got off the phone with Weber ZA a while back and they said the Smokey Joe doesn't have a intake at the bottom. Seems the standard Smokey Joe changed from a bottom vent to...well I'm not sure because I can't even see a side vent on any of the pictures and there's no longer an ash-catcher either. Only venting I can see is on the lid.
Click to expand...
They are actually visible in the photo you posted but they are sneaky if you don't know what you are looking for they are different from other Weber vents, only two holes instead of four :)
images-1.jpeg
 
ninjaman509 said:
They are actually visible in the photo you posted but they are sneaky if you don't know what you are looking for they are different from other Weber vents, only two holes instead of four :)
View attachment 1757761
Click to expand...
You have one of those? Any issues with the side vent or better to search for a bottom vent? In this video for the local Big5 it looks like it's got a bottom vent, half the price of the weber as well. Do like the build quality of a weber tho.

 
saor said:
You have one of those? Any issues with the side vent or better to search for a bottom vent? In this video for the local Big5 it looks like it's got a bottom vent, half the price of the weber as well. Do like the build quality of a weber tho.

Click to expand...
I have a Smokey Joe and I used to have a Go Anywhere. The Go Anywhere is much more versatile but also R1000 more, the Joe drops temps when you put the lid on but if you just braaiing one grid of meat it's no issue and using good quality triquettes or charcoal

Mine is second hand and still going strong, just painted the legs because they were rusted from the previous owner (and living by the coast) the bowl is still in good nick

My Weber One Touch is now 6 years old only thing that needed replacing was the ash sweeper20220722_184252.jpg20221203_201409.jpg
 
Honestly I love my Smokey Joe but I don't know if I could justify buying a new one, keep an eye on marketplace for one. Got mine for R400 in 2022 then painted the legs replaced the hardware with stainless and cleaned the bowl

Ok from there I spent more on accessories for it than what a new one costs but I am a Weber fanatic 😅
 
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