COVER FEATURE
The Thermo Fires braai story
In South Africa, a braai is rarely just an appliance. It is a gathering point, a weekend ritual and, in many homes, the heart of the entertainment area. Choosing a braai is therefore not simply about finding somewhere to make a fire. It is about creating a space that works beautifully, lasts for years, and suits the way a family actually lives.
Thermo Fires approaches the category from exactly that perspective, with a broad, locally manufactured range that spans built-in, freestanding, gasand-wood combination, spit, doublesided, and custom-made braais.
Designed for South African homes
Thermo Fires is a privately owned, proudly South African family business with more than 20 years’ experience in designing and manufacturing braais and fireplaces. Its offering is notably broad, but the more interesting part of the story is its flexibility.
Rather than expecting every home to accommodate a standard box, the company also specialises in custom units for clients with unusual dimensions, existing masonry openings, or particular entertainmentarea concepts.
For homeowners planning a new braai room, the built-in ranges offer the clean, architectural look that has become a feature of contemporary South African homes. Depending on the model and material, features can include a reinforced coalmaker, stainless-steel grids, an ashpan and ashtray, a potjie hook, light fitting, and either traditional double doors or a single slide-in door. Larger models also offer independently adjustable grids, providing practical control when different foods need different cooking heights.
Various freestanding options and combos
Freestanding braais offer a different kind of versatility. Thermo Fires’ De Luxe and Professional freestanding ranges come in several standard sizes, with cabinet or pedestal configurations. A double-skinned body creates an air gap between the inner and outer skins, while standard components include a flue, cowl, coalmaker, grid, potjie hook, light fitting, and ashpan.
Where built-in masonry is impractical, or where homeowners want the braai itself to become a strong visual feature, a freestanding model provides a substantial, finished solution without losing the character of a traditional wood fire.
12 spring 2026 | www. tobuild. co. za