by Dan van Straaten July 25, 2026 0 Comments

The Ultimate UK Winter Braai Guide: How to BBQ in Cold & Damp Weather

So you’re looking at a wet November sky and thinking about packing away the barbecue? Don’t do it. We don’t stop grilling in South Africa just because it gets cold. Standing around a fire is actually better when there is a chill in the air. You just need to know how to handle the British weather.

FIRST UP IS THE WIND.

The cold temperature isn’t your main problem.

Wind sucks the heat right out of your coals. So find a sheltered spot. Move your braai against a brick wall or a solid fence. Point the solid back of the grill toward the breeze. And if you have a lid, keep it shut. You lose a ton of heat every time you peek.

The Ultimate Guide to braai (South African way!)

NOW LET’S TALK FUEL.

Cheap supermarket charcoal is totally useless in the winter.

It burns way too fast. It loses heat quickly. You need heavy stuff. Mopane wood is perfect for this. It’s really dense. It burns much hotter and longer than standard wood. Kameeldoring works great too. They give you solid coals that stay hot for hours.

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Mopane Braai Wood | Premium African Hardwood

MOISTURE IS ANOTHER BIG FIRE KILLER.

Keep your wood indoors or in a dry shed.

Just a tiny bit of frost makes logs really hard to light. Here is a good trick. While your fire is burning down, stack your next few logs near the grill. The heat will dry out the dampness before they hit the flames. And buy proper firelighters. Skip the newspaper.

YOU ALSO WANT TO CHANGE UP YOUR MENU.

Stick to foods that cook fast or things you can completely ignore.

Thin steaks and boerewors are great. They cook quickly so you spend less time freezing outside. Or go the complete opposite route. Grab a cast iron potjie and make a slow stew. Get it bubbling over the coals, put the lid on, and go wait inside where it is warm.

Don’t let the winter stop your weekend plans. Cooking outside in the cold is really satisfying. Go grab some decent wood and light a fire.