Cadac BBQ & Camping Stoves | South African Braai Experts

Cadac started life in Johannesburg in 1948 as the Commercial And Domestic Appliance Company, initially manufacturing garden equipment before recognising the potential of Liquefied Petroleum Gas as a cooking fuel in 1957. That shift into LPG manufacturing marked the beginning of what Cadac does today. Over the following decades, their gas-powered heaters, lamps, cookers and barbecues became staples in homes, farms and caravans across South Africa. The company remained privately owned until September 2021, when Dometic Group acquired Cadac to strengthen their vehicle-based outdoor market offering. Now celebrating over 75 years in the outdoor cooking business, Cadac operates across Europe through more than 600 dealers and their own online channels.

South African braai culture sits at the heart of everything Cadac makes. Braai isn't just the Afrikaans word for barbecue. It represents a social tradition where people gather outdoors to cook, eat and spend time together, typically with men handling the grilling while everyone else prepares side dishes. Cadac exports this culture through their modular barbecue systems, which offer far more versatility than conventional charcoal grills. Their three main size ranges cover 28cm Safari Chef models for lightweight camping, 37cm Grillo Chef units for mid-sized groups, and 47cm Carri Chef systems for larger gatherings. Each system accepts interchangeable cooking surfaces including ceramic grills, flat plates, paella pans, pizza stones, wok-style skottel attachments and dome lids that double as cooking pots. This modular approach means you can grill, fry, stir-fry, boil and bake using the same base unit.

Cadac targets campers, caravanners and motorhomers who want proper cooking capability without relying on campsite facilities. Their portable gas barbecues weigh between 3kg and 6kg depending on the model, making them practical for car camping, picnicking and fishing trips where space is limited. The Safari Chef 30 has become the UK's number one camping and caravanning barbecue precisely because it packs down into a compact carry bag with mesh pockets for gas cartridge storage. Full-timers appreciate the cooking versatility, while weekend campers value the quick setup and easy cleaning. Cadac also produces the 1 Cook, 2 Cook and 3 Cook camping stoves fitted with Flame Failure Devices that automatically shut off gas supply if the flame goes out, making them safe for use inside tents, awnings and motorhome living spaces. The downside is that interchangeable cooking surfaces are sold separately, which adds to the initial cost. You'll also need the correct hose and regulator for your gas source, whether that's disposable EN417 cartridges, Campingaz cylinders or standard Patio Gas bottles. But the build quality justifies the investment, with enamelled surfaces and ceramic coatings designed to withstand years of outdoor use.