DIY braai tips, clever fire hacks, and Suzelle-approved tricks for every braai’er.
Summer in South Africa means one thing: it’s braai season. Fires are crackling, tongs are clicking, and every guy is claiming they make the “best braai in the neighbourhood.” So naturally, you’re here looking for braai hacks, DIY fire starters, and clever braai tricks that make life around the fire even better.
So, we’ve teamed up with the queen of DIY herself, Suzelle DIY, to bring you the most Donkey-fied braai hacks. To celebrate, we have a limited-edition Suzelle x Donkey Bundle featuring the Donkey Long Tong 80cm and a limited Suzelle DIY cap.
But let’s get to the good stuff. Fire up your coals, grab your Donkey Long Tong 80cm, and get ready for our D.I.BRAAI Hacks, because why DIY when you can D.I.BRAAI?
Hack 1: The Homemade Fire Starter
DIY Fire Starter for Braais
Need a quick way to start your fire? Grab an empty egg carton, pack it with charcoal and you’ve got a DIY fire starter that lights up beautifully.
Bonus Donkey Tip:
Add your Donkey Long Tong packaging or wrapping paper to the carton. It’s all-natural and burns like a dream.
Hack 2: Natural Grill Cleaner
Lemon Grill Cleaning Hack
Skip the chemical sprays. This is the best natural grid cleaner hack you’ll ever use.
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Cut a lemon in half.
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Sprinkle coarse salt on the open side.
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Use your Donkey Long Tong 80cm to hold the lemon and scrub it on your hot grill.
The lemon cuts through grease and your grid smells great afterwards. A classic Suzelle-approved trick.
Hack 3: Roller Towel Holder Hack
DIY Braai Paper Towel Holder
When your hands are full of sauce or covered in marinade, a paper towel is your best friend.
Cut the bottom of a plastic clothing hanger in hald, slide your roller towel on and hang it from a tree, hook, car boot or wherever your braai is happening.
Simple. Effective.
Hack 4: DIY Charcoal Chimney Starter
Homemade Charcoal Chimney
Skip buying a chimney starter and make your own.
Take a big tin can (a coffee can works perfectly), punch holes around the bottom, fill it with charcoal and light it from underneath.
Faster, hotter coals in minutes. This is a charcoal chimney hack that even your oupa would approve of.
Hack 5: Braai Broodjie Dispenser
How to Make Perfect Braai Broodjies
We all know braai broodjies are sacred, so here’s how to keep them neat, organised, and perfect.
Pop your prepped broodjies back into the bread bag, then put the whole thing into a Tupperware container (Open side of the bag to the top). Pull the bag edges over the sides and you’ve got a braai broodjie dispenser.
Hack 6: Evenly Braaied Chops
Perfect Lamb Chop Braai Technique
Want chops that braai evenly every single time?
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Stack them.
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Clamp them tightly with your Donkey Tong 69cm.
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Let them rest once off the fire.
Bonus Donkey Tip:
Use your Donkey Long Tong 80cm to squeeze some lemon juice over your chops. It adds a great extra bit of flavour.
There’s It. Your Summer Braai Sorted
Whether you try one hack or the whole D.I.BRAAI collection, these braai hacks, DIY fire tricks, and Suzelle-approved tips will level up every braai you host this summer.
Grab your Donkey Long Tong 80cm, grab your Suzelle x Donkey Bundle and let’s make this a summer of fires, food, and braais.
Watch the full Braai Hacks video above.
