Heat
Very high.
Coals
Exceptional.
Smoke
Low.
Lighting
Slower to catch; best with a good bed of kindling or another faster-burning wood to get it going.
The wood
Knoppiesdoring (Knob Thorn) is one of the heaviest, densest braai woods. The trunk is covered in woody knobs or bosses (hence the name), and the heartwood is very dark, almost black. It’s extremely resistant to termites and impact, and that density translates into intense, long-lasting heat and coals that keep going. When you buy wood that contains Knoppiesdoring, you’re buying maximum burn time and minimal fuss.
The look
Bark & shape
Studded with raised, conical knobs (about 1–3 cm high). Between the knobs the bark is tough and fibrous, yellowish-grey to dark grey-brown. It doesn’t peel like Geelhaak. Knob tips often look dark or black.
The knobs give the log an undulating, non-smooth silhouette.
Heartwood & sapwood
Very dark chocolate brown to almost black, sometimes with darker streaks. Looks heavy and antique.
A thin, stark band of pale cream or off-white, with high contrast with the dark heartwood.
Quick ID: Conical knobs on the bark; near-black heartwood with a thin pale sapwood ring.
The burn
How it performs
Heat
Very high. One of the hottest woods; heat lasts a long time.
Coals
Exceptional. Forms intense, long-lasting coals with minimal ash.
Smoke
Low. Burns clean for such a dense wood.
Lighting
Slower to catch; best with a good bed of kindling or another faster-burning wood to get it going.
Best for
Long braais and all-day fires
Cooking that needs sustained heat (low and slow)
Anyone who wants coals that outlast the party
Gallery
Get Knoppiesdoring
Knoppiesdoring is a core component of our Braai Mix (12 kg and 30 kg), where it’s blended with Snuifpeul for flavour and heat.
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