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FAQ
Use and Maintenance

WARNING! :

  • This Braai | BBQ will become very hot, do not move it during operation
  • Do not use spirit or petrol for lighting or re-lighting
  • Keep children and pets away

FIRST FIRING – IMPORTANT! : On the first firing of the Braai, you need to cure the braai and any brickwork, slowly with a small fire (don’t build a big bonfire during the first firing – it may damage the brickwork). Some odour will rise off the braai due to the paint curing. this is normal, and will disappear after the first couple of fires.

DISPOSAL OF ASHES : When removing ashes from your braai, be careful and use a metal container with a tight fitting lid. Do not leave the ash pan on a combustible floor, as the ash can remain hot for days. If you wish to spread ash on your garden, only do so if untreated wood has been burnt.

PRECAUTIONS :

  • Use dry seasoned wood, a good quality charcoal or briquettes.
  • Do not store fuel close to the appliance.
  • Do not use liquid fuels to start the fire – liquid firelighter may be used.
  • Do not over fire (allow ember maker/ash pan to glow red) as this could damage your braai. Restrain the fire to the ember maker and never make a big bonfire in the ash pan. If your braai doesn’t have an ember maker, restrict the fire to the middle of the ash pan and don’t let it burn up the back of the braai.
  • Do not burn garbage in the appliance as garbage can cause a dangerous soot build-up and can leave unpleasant odours.
  • Do not burn chemically treated timber as poisonous gases can be given off and can be harmful to your health.
  • Prolong the life of the grill, ash pan and ember maker by not exposing them to fire any longer than you have to. Fire gradually destroys iron; ashes in the presence of water eat through metal.   Keep the ashes cleaned out.
  • Never put the fire out with water. The sudden change in temperature is likely to damage your braai and can result in serious burns.
  • Protect metal detachable parts from rusting by storing them in a dry place when not in use.
  • Do not put heavy pots or steak plates on an over-heated grill. The weight will sag the weakened metal.
  • If you expect your grill to last a long time, we advise that you wash the grill afterwards and don’t burn it clean over a fire.

MAINTENANCE : Inspect the flue system annually for soot build-up and/or any other blockages e.g. bird nests. Clean the flue pipe when internal soot deposits are greater than 6 mm in thickness. Paintwork can be touched up with BBQ or Stove paint that is heat resistant. Lubricate the shaft and bearing of the weather cowl with grease annually. External flue pipes and the cowl can be painted with any colour enamel paint. Attend to any sign of water leakage onto or inside the braai. Rust will damage your braai. Clean off specks of rust with steel wool/sandpaper and touch up with paint.

HomeFires Free Standing Braai Installation

WARNING : This is not a budget Braai ! Your HomeFires Braai is a genuine handmade Braai from the leading South African manufacturers. It is VERY HEAVY. It will require two people to manoeuvre it. It may be secured to a metal pallet with tension straps which can be sharp. We recommend using protective gloves and appropriate footwear when unpacking and installing your Braai.

Before deciding on a location for the Braai | BBQ, make sure that there are no obstructions that will restrict the flue or cowl rotation.

It is recommended that the Braai | BBQ should be located against a brick/solid wall structure on level ground for added stability and avoid the chance of people leaning against it’s hot surface while it is in use.

You should also try and ensure your braai area has positive protection from the elements where possible :-

  1. Prepare a hearth out of non-combustible material minimum +- 300mm wider and +-300mm deeper than the particular unit. This will be for your Braai | BBQ to stand on
  2. Unpack your Braai and check for physical and cosmetic damage straight away
    1. Any physical damage incurred during transport, should be reported immediately so it can be addressed through the delivery company’s insurance. Damage identified at a later date will be assumed  to have ocured during installation or use
    2. Your Braai is an extreemly robust and handmade by the leading South African Braai manufacturers, but it has travelled thousands of miles to get here. Minor scratch marks and blemishes are to be expected and should be addressed with the matt black heatproof touch-up paint supplied. For future ongoing maintenance, widely available BBQ or Stove paint should be used
  3. Remove all contents and accessories from inside the Braai (particularly the heavy ember maker), this will make it easier to manoeuvre. Note : be careful not to throw away important components such as the small square plate that will sit in the bottom of the fire tray covering access to the ash disposal draw
  4. Place the bottom stand in position on the hearth and then place the Braai | BBQ on the stand, aligning the predrilled holes in the bottom panel of the Braai | BBQ
  5. Secure the Braai | BBQ to the bottom stand by using the 4 No. x M8 bolts and nuts supplied
  6. For additional safety, Drill 2 No. x 8mm holes in the back panel of the Braai | BBQ, mark the holes on the wall and drill 2 No. holes in wall to insert raw plugs (not supplied)
  7. Position  Braai | BBQ against wall and tighten fixing screws to secure (not supplied)
  8. Fit the cowl base on one end of the flue pipe aligning the predrilled holes and secure using 3 No. x M5 bolts and nuts (supplied)
  9. Fit the rotating cowl on top of the flue pipe by compressing the spring and inserting the point into the round tubing
  10. Fit the flue pipe on top of the  Braai (supporting firmly) aligning the predrilled holes and secure flue using 3 No. x M5 bolts and nuts (supplied)
  11. Install all the components back into the Braai | BBQ

IMPORTANT : Before you cook on the Braai for the first time, you need to cure/season the braai. To do this, simply light a small fire at first, to allow the braai to heat up gently. You will notice some odour initially which is normal. In addition to allowing the paint to cure, this process is also important for built-in models to allow any surrounding brickwork to be cured also.

The Braai should be maintained with heat resistant matt black BBQ or Stove paint.

NOTE : Whilst the guarantee on this unit covers manufacturing standards, it cannot be extended to installation. Please ensure that you employ a reputable and competent body to do the installation. This will protect your interest.

EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY : Whilst every care has been taken in formulating these instructions, no responsibility whatsoever will attach to and/or claim lie against, the manufacturer and/or distributor of the appliance from the use of, or as a result of any failure to follow the whole or any part of the instructions and/or as a result of incorrect information herein and/or any omission here from.

Failure to follow the whole or any part of the instructions which leads to damage to your appliance, will make your guarantee null and void.

HOME FIRES (PTY) LTD : P O Box 873, Worcester, 6849 • 6 Field Street, Worcester, 6850 Tel (023) 342 3330 / 342 0213 • Fax (023) 342 5940 e-mail: manufacturing@homefires.co.za

HomeFires Build-In Braai Installation

WARNING : This is not a budget braai ! Your Home Fires Braai is VERY HEAVY. It will require two people to manoeuvre it. It may be secured to a metal pallet with tension straps which can be sharp. We recommend using protective gloves and appropriate footwear when unpacking and installing your Braai.

If you are looking for an indoor installation, you need to be aware that there are Building and Planning Regulations in the UK that govern construction and the installation of fireplaces, flue and chimneys. These also vary regionally (e.g. such as DEFRA on the use of smokeless fuel in specific regions). You must seek professional advice with a local builder or architect who is familiar with your local planning requirements.

If you are installing your Braai outside, you should try and ensure your braai area has positive protection from the elements where possible.

The following instructions are a manufacturers guide. Professional advise and compliance with local planning and building regulations should also be adhered to, particularly if you are considering an indoor installation :-

  1. Construct brick support walls (1) for the unit. (Choose personal desired height: 7 – 9 bricks high)
  2. Unpack your Braai and check for physical and cosmetic damage straight away
    • Any physical damage incurred during transport, should be reported immediately so it can be addressed through the delivery company’s insurance. Damage identified at a later date will be assumed to have occurred during installation or use
    • Your Braai is an extremely robust and handmade by the leading South African Braai manufacturers, but it has travelled thousands of miles to get here. Minor scratch marks and blemishes are to be expected and should be addressed with the matt black heatproof touch-up paint supplied. For future ongoing maintenance, widely available BBQ or Stove paint should be used
  3. Remove all contents and accessories from inside the Braai (particularly the heavy ember maker), this will make it easier to manoeuvre.
    • Note : be careful not to throw away important components such as the small square plate that may sit in the bottom of the fire tray if you have an ash draw
  4. Ensure that a gap of 20 mm (2) will be left between the body of the unit (sides and back) and the brickwork to allow for expansion
  5. To protect the paintwork on your braai flange and inside body we advise that the chimney outlet and the flange is covered with some form of protection during construction
  6. Position the unit and cover the sides, back and top with heat-resistant insulation (2) and brick in the unit
  7. To ensure that the top door stays open when the braai is used, make sure that none of the finished brickwork protrudes past the flange of the braai
  8. You should not store combustible material near your braai
  9. The inner dimensions of the chimney must not be less than the flue outlet opening size on the top of the unit (3)
  10. Flue liners will provide a smooth surface for a better draw and will protect brickwork against heat corrosion (4)
  11. Chimney height is critical for a proper draw. 2.5 meters is recommended, but you should consult a professional to ensure local planning and building regulations are adhered to
  12. Use standard flashing material and procedures to waterproof chimney stack (5). Lead flashing has been found most successful. Protect your braai against rain water!
  13. A cowl (rotating or fixed) (6) will keep rain out of the flue in order to prevent the unit from rusting
  14. Lights or electric motors must be installed by a qualified electrician

IMPORTANT : Before you cook on the Braai for the first time, you need to cure/season the braai. To do this, simply light a small fire at first, to allow the braai to heat up gently. You will notice some odour initially which is normal. In addition to allowing the paint to cure, this process is also important for built-in models to allow any surrounding brickwork to be cured also.

Exposed components (cowl and cowl base and in some cases steel flue pipes) must be painted with enamel or rust resistant paint after installation. Use colour to match roof tiles and repaint regularly. Interior components can be maintained with heat resistant matt black BBQ or Stove paint.

NOTE : Whilst the guarantee on this unit covers manufacturing standards, it cannot be extended to installation. Please ensure that you employ a reputable and competent body to do the installation. This will protect your interest.

EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY : Whilst every care has been taken in formulating these instructions, no responsibility whatsoever will attach to and/or claim lie against, the manufacturer and/or distributor of the appliance from the use of, or as a result of any failure to follow the whole or any part of the instructions and/or as a result of incorrect information herein and/or any omission here from.

Failure to follow the whole or any part of the instructions which leads to damage to your appliance, will make your guarantee null and void.

HOME FIRES (PTY) LTD : P O Box 873, Worcester, 6849 • 6 Field Street, Worcester, 6850 Tel (023) 342 3330 / 342 0213 • Fax (023) 342 5940 e-mail: manufacturing@homefires.co.za

Planning an Indoor Braai

 

If you are planning to build a Braai in your home, consider that you are effectively building a large open fire (similar to an inglenook). You will need to engage a qualified professional before purchasing your braai to ensure that planning, building and safety regulations are adhered to.

BBQ365 are not certified to provide professional advice in this regard, but some considerations are the surrounding building materials, floor covering, ventilation, airflow and adjacent buildings (e.g. are there thatched roofs to be considered).

Note also that Braais are not classified or certified as Heating Appliances. They are classified as Solid Fuel BBQs which do not have a CE certification category presently. In the UK they are covered under the UK BS EN 1860-1:2013 standard.

The Combi Braais and Spit Braais do have CE Certifications. these certification are for the Gas and Spit Motor elements respectively.

Useful Links to the Planning Portal can be found here :-
How to light a Braai

 

Note how the wood is stacked in the ember maker…

Step 1 – put some firelighters underneath the ember maker, or onto the spade as shown…

 

Step 2 – rest the spade under the embermaker to allow the flames to catch.

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