Braai Wood & Charcoal
Mopane Braai Wood
Delivery available across the Isle of Man. Secure checkout via Paddle.
Mopane is the wood you reach for when the cooking is going to take its time. Exceptionally dense and slow-burning, sun-dried until bone dry — typically around 6% moisture when kept sealed and off the ground. It produces some of the finest, longest-holding coals of any Southern African hardwood — a steady, even heat made for potjiekos, slow-roasted joints, smoking and all-day braai sessions. It takes a little longer to get going than lighter woods, but once it does it rewards you with hours of consistent warmth and very little ash. Supplied in an 11kg bag.
Sun-dried and extremely dense — typically around 6% moisture when kept sealed and off the ground. Burns slowly and hot.
In-depth review
Mopane is the slow-cook specialist — exceptionally dense, with coals that hold temperature for hours and very little ash.
It takes longer to get going than Sekelbos or Kameeldoring, so start it on an existing bed of coals rather than cold.
Sourced from dead branches that fall naturally, then sun-dried until bone dry.
Food pairings
- Large beef roasts
- Whole chicken & gammon
- Game meat (venison, kudu)
- Brisket & low-and-slow cuts
- Lamb-shank & oxtail potjie
- Pulled pork
Best cooking methods
- Low-and-slow cooking
- Potjies & cast-iron pots
- Slow roasting
- Overnight & all-day fires
- Smoking large cuts
- Exceptionally dense, slow-burning hardwood
- Produces the finest, longest-lasting coals
- Steady, even heat for low-and-slow cooking
- Perfect for potjies, smoking and slow roasts
- Extremely dry — typically around 6% moisture when kept sealed and off the ground
- Very little ash residue
- Supplied in an 11kg bag · fallen branches, sun-dried
Burn characteristics
Tap a bar for the detail behind the rating
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The densest readily-available firewood (~1,200+ kg/m³) with the highest calorific value of the three (~20.5 MJ/kg). It is so dense it sinks in water — which translates into the most intense, concentrated heat on the grid.
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Holds heat for hours once established — unbeatable for all-day braais, slow cooking and potjies.
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Forms exceptional, dense coals that hold cooking temperature for 4–6 hours or more, with very little ash left behind — outstanding for potjies and long sessions.
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Dense and slow to catch — best added once you already have coals. Once it is going, it holds heat for hours.
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Burns clean and even with a fairly neutral smoke. It is chosen for heat and endurance more than flavour, letting your spices and meat do the talking.
A rough guide to how each wood behaves on the grid — not a lab test.