Pimp my braai pictures. Interesting barbecue pictures, clever, strange, funny, crazy

South African men are a rugged bunch in general - creative activities like painting, poetry writing and dance lessons are shied away from as a precaution against emasculation. So what happens to all that creative energy, that originative passion lurking in these gnarled men?

They get an angle grinder, a welding machine, some wire and scrap metal and customise their braais or even build braais from scratch. They also create new tools and manipulations - never seen before or heard of after. These objects (or artistic installation used in the South African art-happening, the braai) are their essence of expression.

These Pimp my Braai pictures are committed to them (and ditto artists from other countries). It is also dedicated to showing barbecues from around the world, the innovations, equipment and approaches.

Send in your Pimp my Braai pictures

So, if you are one of these men, or know one of these unsung heroes of this seldom recognised art, send me pictures of the creation with some words on the philosophy behind it and the materials with which it was made. And your name if you want to be credited.

Above is my little lapa - the final resting place of an old Massey Ferguson tractor, a truck rim and some fencing rods.

This one is South African - note the hook for the potjie (iron pot) on the right. Made from a Toyota 4x4 rim. Very effective.

Note the intricate system to set the two grids at different heights. Admirably clever workmanship.

In South Africa there is a saying 'n boer maak a plan (a farmer makes a plan). Looks like the same thing happens in the US of A.

More novel sausage holders for the barbecue, dishwasher friendly. Works well with Russians, frankfurters and French Toulouse sausages. The South African boerewors (farmer's sausage) tend to be too hefty for this little contraption.

The manufacturers of gas barbecues will do anything to promote their fossil fuel burning garden gas stoves - notice how they flagrantly flaunt the cold beers in this picture. However, the purist barbecue chef remains untouched.

Bulldozer barbecue pictures

Some old Catskinners make a Bulldozer BBQ complete with fridge, kitchen sink, storage cupboards, running water, and moveable - with a forklift.

MGB barbecue

Pig barbecue pictures

The artist Joel Haas created his 1.2 m long "pig shaped pig grill" from heavy gauge steel, an old bean can for the snout, washers for the nostrils, bearing covers for the eyes with bent fork tines for her eyelashes, a garden trowel for the mouth, three bent fork tines for the tail hair and spoon ends for the toes.

Converted trash barrel barbecue

Chrysler HEMI 5.7-liter, 340+horsepower V8 grill

High octane pimp my braai. Not one for the environmentally concerned. This large barbecue is finished in stainless steel and diamond plate. The alternator and battery of the V8 drive an electric motor to warm powerful heating elements. It can cook 240 hot dogs in less than three minutes if anyone ever wanted to do that. The chef can pump the gas pedal to hear the rumble of the big-bore V8. Built by a man named Tim Kowalec.

Hand-made simplicity

This barbecue was made for me in Marrakech from bits of scrap metal. It is a beautiful and practical little barbecue for kebabs and also to use for cooking with a pot or tajine. Notice the supports for the tajine - both decorative and utilitarian.
Barbecue pictures by CBBQ

Bamboo stick fish barbecue picture