Some braais run on a single pair of tongs, a Tupperware lid to revive the fire and hope. The one pair of tongs turns the boerewors, moves the coals, and pokes at the fire when things get quiet. And then everyone wonders why the meat's torn, their arm hair is seared and the fire's dead by the time the rugby starts.
A proper fire needs more than one tool. It needs a tong for food, a tong for fire, a way to reignite the flames when they're looking low, and something between you and the heat while you work.
That's why we not only compiled a list of essential braai accessories for you, but actually made them too.
Necessary Fire Tools - Long Braai Tongs
Food and fire are not the same, so why use the same tong for both?
1. Donkey Tong 69cm
Lamp by Lighthouse. Location: The Room Key Churchhaven
We made the Donkey Tong 69cm to handle your food. The head is specifically designed to grip a T-bone or a coil of wors without tearing it. At 69cm it keeps your hand clear of direct heat while still giving you full control. Made from 304 food-grade stainless steel, white oak handles, solid brass rivets and a spring that gives a proper donkey kick on every open and close. There's also a sliding lock and a bottle opener, because priorities. Definitely a braai accessory that you cannot go without.
2. Donkey Long Tong 80cm
Location: The Room Key Churchhaven
Our Donkey Long Tong 80cm handles the heat and the fire. Coals, wood, and heat management are its entire job. At 80cm, you can reach across a full built-in braai or a deep ground fire pit without leaning into the smoke. The head is a classic shell-shape with serrated edges built to grip wood and irregular coals. This is the most essential fire tool that everyone needs.
Donkey Combo
Location: The Room Key Churchhaven
Most people who buy one tong end up buying the other. Using one tool for both jobs is like eating soup with a fork. Technically it's possible, but it is deeply unsatisfying. If you want both from the start, the Donkey Combo gets you the full set.
Fire Tools That Get the Fire Going and Keep It Alive
A fire needs oxygen. How you give it depends on the moment.
3. The Blower
Location: The Room Key Churchhaven
The Blower is for when you need precision. A world-first adjustable jet nozzle (patent pending) with five airflow settings, a solid brass mouthpiece, and a white oak grip. Use it to start a fire from scratch or to bring one stubborn hot spot back to life without disturbing the rest of the coals. It works just as well with indoor fireplaces, wood-burning stoves and braai rooms, among other things. Trust us when we say this fire tool is one you shouldn't go without.
4. The Paddle
Location: The Room Key Churchhaven
The Paddle is used to move large volumes of air at a time. A spring-steel plate laminated in full-grain leather, stitched with Kevlar (which doesn't fray or burn the way cotton does), mounted on a white oak handle. When your coals are fading and you need heat back fast, a few solid flicks of the wrist with your Paddle get enough oxygen into the fire to wake it up properly. Grab the Blower to start a fire with control. Grab the Paddle to save one that's dying.
Protecting Yourself While You Work with the Essentials
Standing close to a fire for hours needs more than a t-shirt and good intentions.
5. The Fire Apron
The Fire Apron is made from full-grain bovine leather, which is naturally flame-retardant. It's shoulder-mounted with a cross-back design so the weight sits properly instead of dragging on your neck, and it comes with a dedicated tong holster, a pocket for your phone (POV content or a torch when it's dark), and an external pocket sized for exactly one cold drink. One size fits most, fully adjustable.
One Bag for Every Essential Fire Tool You Own
If you want the entire kit without buying five separate things, there's a faster way.
6. The Jack Sack
Location: The Room Key Churchhaven
The Jack Sack is our handmade, full-grain leather bag that holds the complete Donkey fire tool kit: the Donkey Long Tong 80cm, the Donkey Tong 69cm, the Blower and the Paddle, all in one adventure-ready bag with a canvas lining, brass buckles and a surprise tucked into the bottom pocket. It's named after a Jack, a male donkey, which is tough, humble and built to carry the load. This is the option for someone who takes their braai and fire seriously.
Last Thoughts
And there you have it. Every essential fire tool, braai accessories and braai set that you would ever need. And trust us, you do need them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the essential fire tools for a braai?A proper fire kit covers three jobs: handling food, managing fire, and protecting yourself. That means a braai tong (Donkey Tong 69cm), a long fire tong (Donkey Long Tong 80cm), a way to get air into the fire (The Blower and The Paddle), and something to protect you while you work (The Fire Apron). |
What is the difference between a fire tong and a braai tong?A fire tong is built to grip coals, wood and irregular surfaces. It's longer, heavier, and often serrated. A braai tong is shaped to grip meat cleanly without tearing it, and sits at a length that keeps your hand out of the heat while still giving you control. Using a fire tong on food (or a braai tong on coals) can cause some issues. |
Do I need a blower and a paddle, or just one?They solve different problems. The Blower gives precision airflow through an adjustable jet nozzle, which is ideal for starting a fire or reviving a stubborn hot spot. The Paddle delivers big gusts of air fast, which is what you need when a fire is fading and needs a serious boost. Anyone who braais often ends up getting both. |
What is the Donkey Long Tong Jack Sack?The Jack Sack is a handmade full-grain leather bag that holds the complete Donkey fire tool kit, including the Donkey Long Tong 80cm, Donkey Tong 69cm, Blower and Paddle. It's the best product if you want to get every essential fire tool at once, and it's built to last. |
Is a braai apron necessary?If you stand close to the fire, yes. The Fire Apron is made from full-grain leather, which is naturally flame-retardant, so it holds up to sparks and heat that would damage cotton or synthetic aprons. It also carries your tong on a dedicated holster, so it doubles as your fire toolbelt. |
Are Donkey Long Tong fire tools made in South Africa?Yes. Every tool is handmade in Cape Town at the Donkey Long Tong workshop in Paarden Eiland. The brand launched on South African Braai Day, 24 September 2021, and every tool since has been built by a team who actually use the product at their own fires. |
Location: The Room Key Churchhaven
