Raw Steel Coal Maker

The Metaal Heavy-Duty Mild Steel Coal Maker

The engine room of a perfect braai.

A great braai starts with a consistent, high-heat coal bed. The Metaal Coal Maker is an over-engineered powerhouse designed to sit at the heart of your fireplace, efficiently converting hardwood into a steady supply of glowing embers while protecting your brickwork from thermal stress.

While many baskets on the market use thinner materials that warp under intense heat, we build the Metaal version for a lifetime of service. By utilising heavy-duty 4mm mild steel plate and 12mm solid bars, we’ve created a coal engine that remains structurally perfect, season after season. Once seasoned by your first few fires, this rugged steel core becomes a permanent fixture of your outdoor cooking ritual.

Engineering Excellence:

• Industrial-Grade Mild Steel: Crafted from high-strength carbon steel, built to handle the most demanding heat cycles of traditional South African braaiing.

• Unrivalled Strength: Built with heavy-duty 4mm side plates and 12mm solid round bars—engineered to withstand the weight and intense heat of heavy kameeldoring or sekelbos logs without bending.

• Fireplace Protection: The solid 4mm backplate acts as a heat shield, redirecting energy forward into the logs and away from your fireplace walls to prevent cracking.

• Optimised Combustion: Precision-spaced 12mm bars ensure the perfect balance of airflow for a clean burn, while allowing ready-to-use coals to drop through effortlessly.

Technical Specs:

• Construction: 4mm Heavy-Duty Mild Steel (Sides & Back)

• Coal Bed: 12mm Solid Mild Steel Rods

• Finish: Raw Industrial Steel (Develops a natural protective patina)

• Origin: Proudly designed and manufactured in South Africa

Ditch the flimsy wire baskets. Upgrade to a coal maker that matches the calibre of your craftsmanship.

How to Season Your Mild Steel Coal Maker

Treat it like a cast-iron skillet.

Because mild steel is a reactive material, it requires a "seasoning" process to create a natural, carbonised layer that protects the metal from rust and corrosion.

The First Burn

1. Clean it: Use a damp cloth to wipe away any industrial oils or dust from the manufacturing process. Dry it immediately.

2. Coat it: Using a rag or paper towel, apply a thin, even layer of high-smoke-point cooking oil (like canola or sunflower oil) to all surfaces.

3. Fire it up: Build a medium-sized fire inside the coal maker. As the steel heats up, the oil will bond to the metal, turning it from a raw grey to a deep, dark black.

Ongoing Maintenance

• Keep it Dry: Avoid leaving the coal maker in standing water or out in the rain for extended periods.

• The Power of Fat: Every time you braai, the natural fats and smoke from your wood will reinforce the seasoning.

• Surface Rust: If you notice any orange spots, simply scrub them off with a wire brush, re-apply a bit of oil, and the next fire will "heal" the finish.