Author Archives: LKs

The Rise of the Alfresco Kitchen: Taking Culinary Excellence Outdoors

The concept of a home kitchen is undergoing a tremendous revolution worldwide. The tight distinctions between indoor cooking spaces and outdoor gathering areas are fast blurring all around the world. At Best Duty, we have been following this architectural and gastronomic transformation with great interest since it perfectly matches with the traditions we’ve been championing for decades. Homeowners are no longer satisfied with a simple patio setup; instead, they are constructing fully equipped outdoor kitchens geared for serious cooking.

Redefining the Modern Dining Space

People are investing substantially in outdoor living spaces to develop whole culinary ecosystems in the open air. This worldwide design style combines rough durability with luxurious aesthetics. Entertaining has migrated out of the formal dining room and onto the garden, necessitating equipment that can withstand the outdoors without sacrificing culinary excellence. As experts in the production of long-lasting culinary gadgets, we recognise that this transition necessitates strong materials. Home chefs require cookware that performs flawlessly over open flames while still appearing stunning when displayed on a rustic patio table.

Where Tradition Meets Global Trends

Cooking outside is an integral part of South African culture. However, the international community is now taking a more polished approach to this rustic tradition. Consumers like flexible equipment that can withstand high temperatures while also being easy to clean. This perfect convergence of needs has resulted in a tremendous increase in international popularity for enamelled cast iron cookware. These pieces serve as an important bridge, providing the robust, heat-retaining performance required for outdoor applications while also having a sleek, polished finish.

Core of Your Outdoor Setup

If you are building an outdoor kitchen, the tools you use will determine your success. Flimsy, lightweight pans cannot survive the high, variable heat of coals or outdoor gas burners. We always advocate starting your collection with a strong, dependable foundation. For slow-cooked dishes, traditional 3 legged potjie pots are still the gold standard. Their unique shape ensures precise, consistent heat distribution across uneven coals, making them essential for anybody serious about outdoor cooking. They are the foundation of any authentic alfresco culinary space.

Investing for Culinary Longevity

Modern customers are becoming increasingly aware of their purchasing power, deliberately moving away from a culture of disposable goods. Today’s culinary aficionados want investments that provide actual long-term value. Investing in heavy-duty cookware is both an economic and gastronomic decision. When we make our items, we design them to withstand the ephemeral fads of the season. A well-maintained iron vessel will last for generations, eliminating the need for frequent repairs and providing excellent returns on your initial investment.

Outdoor Versatility

Outdoor cooking goes well beyond simple grilling and stews. We have noticed a tremendous global trend in outdoor artisanal baking. Fire-baked breads and sweets are gaining popularity among enthusiasts as they move away from traditional indoor ovens. Using specialist bake pots directly over hot embers, you can obtain a crust texture and deep flavour profile that modern machines simply cannot match. Furthermore, by growing your collection with different sizes of cast iron pots, you are arming your outdoor kitchen with tools that improve with age, resulting in a natural seasoning that enhances every dish.

Creating a functioning outdoor kitchen means investing in your lifestyle and changing the way you interact with food. We believe that every meal prepared outdoors should be an enjoyable experience.

Contact Best Duty Today.

Embracing the Slow Down: Why Traditional Cast Iron Cooking is Capturing the World

In a world that appears to spin faster with each passing day, we constantly seek methods to unplug. People spend their valuable hours attached to screens, navigating a hyper-digital world that rarely allows us to rest and breathe. However, if you look closely at current global lifestyle trends, you will discover a lovely, grounding counter-movement emerging. People across the world are rediscovering the joys of “slow living,” and for many of us, the trip begins with a crackling fire and a simmering pot.

Traditional culinary practices and sustainable living have seen a significant return worldwide. The international “buy-it-for-life” movement actively encourages people to avoid throwaway, flimsy cookware and instead invest in long-lasting, heirloom pieces. Unsurprisingly, cast iron cookware is at the vanguard of this global culinary revival. At Best Duty, we really value the rich, smoky scent of a weekend feast, and we’ve realised that this isn’t simply a passing fad, it’s an essential return to our roots.

In South Africa, we have always understood the intrinsic value of taking our time over a hot fire. Gathering around the coals is more than just preparing a meal; it is a valued cultural tradition. However, as the rest of the world recognises the great benefits of slow-cooked, highly flavoured cuisine, now is the moment to appreciate our own rich tradition. Whether you are making a hearty oxtail stew in traditional 3 legged potjie pots or baking a fresh, crusty farm-style loaf in a flexible bake pot, there is something very satisfying about cooking with heavy, dependable metal.

When it comes to family gatherings, weekend braais, or simply a quiet Sunday meal, we automatically go for our trusted cast iron pots. These pots’ exceptional heat retention makes them ideal for slow, even cooking. Today’s home chefs are also looking for cookware that can easily transition from the rough coals of an outdoor fire to the smooth surface of an indoor burner. That is where enamelled cast iron cookware really shines. They gracefully bridge the gap between tough open-fire cooking and modern kitchen aesthetics, seamlessly integrating into our hectic lifestyles while preserving time-tested techniques.

What Best Duty admires most about this global shift toward deliberate living is the emphasis on community. Whether you are facing the weather at a remote campsite, relaxing at home, or hosting a lively lunch on your lawn, potjie cooking naturally brings people together. You cannot rush a nice potjie. It compels you to slow down, tell stories with loved ones, and enjoy the creative process as much as the finished product. In an age when quick gratification is the norm, waiting hours for a dinner to simmer to absolute perfection feels like a magnificent act of defiance.

Ultimately, investing in high-quality cast iron pots is about much more than simply expanding your kitchen arsenal. It’s about making enduring experiences, conserving rich culinary traditions, and adopting a lifestyle that prioritises outstanding quality over convenience. Every scrape, seasoning session, and sizzle contributes to the pot’s unique tale, making it a treasured family heritage.

If you are ready to join the global slow-cooking revolution and improve your culinary experiences, it’s time to locate the ideal vessel for your next masterpiece.

Contact Best Duty Today.

The Return to Roots: Why “Buy It For Life” Cookware is Essential in 2026

When we look at the worldwide developments taking place around us today, one pattern emerges clearly across the culinary and lifestyle landscapes: the world is finally slowing down and returning to its roots. Despite economic swings and a rising dissatisfaction with fast-paced, throwaway consumer culture, there is a significant global movement toward sustainability, deliberate living, and the “buy it for life” concept. People no longer seek inexpensive, easily replaceable things that end up in landfills after a few seasons; instead, they value durability, authenticity, and genuine connection. At Best Duty, we’ve been speaking this language for decades.

Our very rich African history is based on community, sharing stories over an open fire, and allowing tastes to emerge spontaneously. As more families throughout the world embrace home cooking, ecological living, and outdoor entertaining, the demand for high-quality cast iron cookware will be greater than ever in 2026. Whether you like traditional oil-cured surfaces that season beautifully over time to provide a natural non-stick layer, or the sleek, colourful, and easy-to-clean finishes of our enamel potjies, Best Duty products are meant to be passed down. They are more than just pots; they are culinary assets that will be passed down from generation to generation of cooks.

When circumstances are uncertain or the world moves too quickly, we naturally gravitate toward activities that bring us together. Few things achieve this better than a traditional potjie pot cooking over bright coals while surrounded by friends and family. We have observed a significant increase in customers looking for huge pots to accommodate community meetings, large family reunions, and festive outdoor celebrations. If you’re cooking for a large group, our most popular giants are the 14 Three Legged Pots, 20 Three Legged Pots, and 25 Three Legged Pots. They are designed exclusively for large-scale South African cooking, with unparalleled, even heat retention. Lifting the heavy cover of a well-seasoned pot and presenting a big, slow-cooked supper to dozens of loved ones is a deeply satisfying experience.

Of course, you don’t have to feed an army to enjoy the magic of cast iron. Our lovely 1/4 Size potjies continue to be among our best-selling items for more intimate evening dinners, side dishes and even solitary cooktop serves. They bring the same true outside flavour into your kitchen or patio.

The beauty of our broad collection of cast iron pots is their full versatility, adapting to any method you want to cook. While our three-legged variants are unquestionably the stars of the campfire, a high-quality bake pot or a traditional flat pot allows you to smoothly move from an outdoor braai to your interior oven or stove. You can make beautiful artisanal breads, roast tender meats, and simmer rich, complicated stews without ever moving the pot. This versatility is precisely why cast iron remains a global culinary mainstay.

As global supply chains continue to push for lightweight, mass-produced pans, Best Duty is committed to the heavy, dependable strength of real iron. From the rustic campfire to the sophisticated kitchen, we are glad to offer tools that will anchor your culinary experience. We feel that investing in quality entails investing in the memories you will create around the fire.

If you’re ready to embrace the durability, heritage, and unrivalled flavour of traditional cooking, it’s time to expand your collection. Whether you need a heavy-duty showstopper for your next major event or a versatile everyday piece, we can help you discover the right fit.

Contact Best Duty Today.

Pull Apart Garlic Bread

Pull apart garlic bread baked until golden brown with melted cheese and garlic butter in a loaf pan

Pull Apart Garlic Bread

Ingredients

For the Pull Apart Garlic
& Cheese Loaf:

  • 1 ready-made bread dough
  • 3 – 4 tbsp butter, softened
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 cups grated cheese
  • Extra butter for greasing

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Superbread Pot
Lightly grease your Best Duty Superbread Pot with butter to prevent the bread from sticking and to give the loaf a beautifully golden finish.

Step 2: Roll Out the Dough
Take your ready-made bread dough and roll it out into a large,
even rectangle.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, combine softened butter, crushed garlic, and freshly chopped parsley until well mixed.

Step 4: Add the Flavour
Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the rolled-out dough, then sprinkle a generous layer of grated cheese over the top.

Step 5: Cut & Layer the Dough
Cut the dough into equal squares and stack the pieces loosely inside the Superbread Pot, allowing spaces for the dough to rise and create the pull-apart effect.

Step 6: Let It Rise
Cover the Superbread Pot and leave the dough to rise until it has become puffy and slightly increased in size.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Place the pot in a preheated oven at 180°C and bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.

Step 8: Pull Apart & Enjoy
Remove from the oven, allow it to cool slightly, and serve warm.
Pull apart each cheesy, garlic-infused piece and enjoy!

*Note: Best enjoyed fresh from the Best Duty Superbread Pot, straight to the table.

Winter Squash Soup

a bowl of Squash Soup with a spoon and a piece of bread

Squash Soup Recipe

Ingredients

For the Winter Squash Soup:

  • 1 Butternut (or any winter squash, peeled and cubed) 
  • 1 Onion Chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup cream (optional) 

Directions

Step 1: Prep your flavours
Clean and cut your squash into even cubes. Use your Best Duty Mortar & Pestle to crush the garlic and crack fresh nutmeg. (This brings out their full aroma.) 

Step 2: Heat it up
Place your Best Duty Bake Pot over medium heat (on the stove, oven, or over coals). Add olive oil or butter.

Step 3: Sauté
Add the chopped onion and crushed garlic. Stir with your Best Duty Wooden Spoon until soft and fragrant. 

Step 4: Add the squash
Tip in the cubed butternut. Stir to coat. 

Step 5: Pour in stock
Add the stock, cracked nutmeg, salt & pepper. Stir to mix all ingredients.

Step 6: Simmer 
Cover your Bake Pot and let it simmer gently for 30–40 minutes until the squash is tender. 

Step 7: Blend 
Use a stick blender directly in the pot (or transfer carefully to a blender). Blend until silky smooth. 

Step 8: Finish
Stir in cream (optional), adjust seasoning, and serve hot with crusty bread. 

*Note: Recipe feeds 3-6 people. Made in a Bake Pot #10 Enamel

Alternative Cookware and Accessories you can use:

-27%

Supreme Cookware

Supreme Round Casseroles #9

Original price was: R1,350.00.Current price is: R990.00.
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-12%
NEW

accessories

Potjie Board

Original price was: R900.00.Current price is: R795.00.
-25%
Original price was: R690.00.Current price is: R515.00.

Butter Chicken

Best Duty Butter Chicken Recipe

Best Duty Butter Chicken

Ingredients

For the Butter Chicken:

  • Chicken (cut into even cubes)
  • Spice mixture (divided into two portions)
  • Plain yoghurt (divided)
  • 1 squeeze of lemon juice (optional, helps bring out flavours)
  • Cooking oil
  • Onions (chopped)
  • Royco Butter Chicken spice
  • Tomatoes (chopped or blended)
  • Lukewarm water (as needed)
  • Cake flour (optional, for thickening)
  • Unsalted butter
  • Fresh cream
  • Salt (to taste)

For the Roti:

  • Flour
  • Salt
  • Water
  • Butter
  • Oil (for rolling and frying)

Directions

For the Butter Chicken:

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
1. Clean and cut your chicken into even cubes.
2. Take half of your spice mixture and season the chicken.
3. Add half of your plain yoghurt to the chicken. This helps the spices stick and makes the meat tender.
4. (Optional) Add a squeeze of lemon juice to boost the flavours.
5. Cover your Size 3 Pot and place the chicken in the fridge for 30–60 minutes to marinate.

Step 2: Start Cooking
1. Pour some cooking oil into your potjie and heat it up.
2. Add your chopped onions and the remaining half of your spices.
3. Stir and cook until the onions are soft, translucent, and fragrant.

Step 3: Build the Sauce
1. Add the chopped or blended tomatoes into the pot.
2. Sprinkle in your Royco Butter Chicken spice.
3. Stir well and let it cook until the mixture is well combined and full of flavour.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken
1. Take your marinated chicken out of the fridge and add it to the pot.
2. Brown the chicken pieces, stirring occasionally, until they are partially cooked.
3. If the sauce looks too dry, add a bit of lukewarm water.
4. If the sauce is too thin, add 1 tablespoon of flour to thicken it.

Step 5: Finish the Dish
1. Once the chicken is fully cooked, add your unsalted butter and stir until it melts
completely into the sauce.
2. Pour in your fresh cream and stir until smooth and creamy.
3. Season with salt to taste.

For the Roti:

Step 1: Make the Dough
1. In a large mixing bowl, add your flour and salt.
2. Slowly pour in water while mixing, a little at a time.
3. Continue mixing until everything comes together into a soft, dough-like paste. The dough should be smooth and slightly sticky but firm enough to handle.

Step 2: Shape the Roti Buns
1. Lightly flour your work surface.
2. Roll out the dough into a flat sheet about 1 cm thick.
3. Spread a thin, even layer of butter over the entire surface of the dough.
4. Cut the dough into thin strips.
5. Roll each strip into a small bun shape (like a little swirl).
6. Place the buns on a plate or tray, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes while your chicken marinates.

Step 3: Prepare and Cook the Roti
1. Lightly oil your work surface.
2. Take one bun at a time and roll it out into a thin, flat roti.
3. Heat a non-stick pan on medium heat.
4. Fry each roti on both sides until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Serve warm with your Butter Chicken Potjie

Alternative Cookware and Accessories you can use:

-27%

Supreme Cookware

Supreme Round Casseroles #9

Original price was: R1,350.00.Current price is: R990.00.
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-25%
Original price was: R690.00.Current price is: R515.00.
-24%

accessories

High Heat BBQ Glove

Original price was: R250.00.Current price is: R190.00.

The Health Benefits of Cooking with BestDuty Cast Iron

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The Health Benefits of Cooking with BestDuty Cast Iron

it’s a game-changer for your health and lifestyle. From its durability and versatility to the unique health benefits it offers, cooking with cast iron is a smart choice. Let’s explore why incorporating BestDuty Cast Iron into your kitchen can enhance your cooking experience and promote better health.

Natural Non-Stick Properties Without Chemicals

A well-seasoned BestDuty Cast Iron Bake Pot #10 develops a natural non-stick surface without relying on synthetic coatings like PTFE or PFOA.

You can cook with minimal oil or butter, promoting a healthier and low-fat cooking style with our Supreme Value Pack Casseroles

This chemical-free cooking method ensures peace of mind, allowing you to focus on creating delicious, wholesome meals with our Bestduty recipes

BestDuty Cast Iron Bake Pot
Bestduty Cast Iron Flat Pot

Boosts Your Iron Intake Naturally

One of the most surprising health benefits of our BestDuty cast iron range is its ability to enrich your food with iron.

Cooking acidic foods like tomatoes or simmering stews in cast iron leaches trace amounts of iron into your meals.

This natural supplementation can be particularly helpful for individuals with iron deficiencies or those following plant-based diets For instance, using the BestDuty Cast Iron Bake Pot to prepare a hearty Vegan Blueberry Pie 

Multi-Use Versatility for Healthier Cooking

Cast iron’s versatility isn’t just about functionality, it also opens doors for healthier cooking methods. You can rely on the natural flavours of your ingredients rather than adding excess salt or artificial seasonings

Seamlessly transition from stovetop to oven with the Best Duty Flat Pot #3, reducing the need for multiple dishes.

Perfect for one-pot meals like Umngqusho Stew, Garlic Herb Butter Roast Chicken and Potato Bake Cheese Buns that retain more nutrients.

Samp, Boerie and Bean Stew

Additional Benefits of BestDuty Cast Iron

High-Temperature Cooking

Unlike other cookware that degrades under high heat, BestDuty Cast Iron thrives, making it perfect for tasks like searing steaks or frying.

Enhances Flavor Over Time

The natural seasoning of BestDuty Cast Iron develops over time, adding depth to your dishes. Each use improves the flavor profile of your cookware, creating a personalized culinary experience.

Rustic Charm in Your Kitchen

Beyond its health benefits, BestDuty Cast Iron adds a timeless aesthetic to your kitchen. Use it to serve dishes directly from the stovetop or oven to the table for a rustic, elegant presentation.

Bestduty Cast Iron Flat Pot

Why Choose BestDuty Cast Iron?

With a range of cookware options like the Best Duty Pot 3-Leg #14 and Best Duty Bake Pot #12, you can elevate your cooking experience while reaping health benefits. From preserving nutrients in your ingredients to reducing your reliance on added fats, BestDuty Cast Iron transforms your kitchen into a haven for healthy and delicious meals.

Bestduty Cast Iron Supreme Round Casseroles

Need More Reasons to Buy BestDuty Cast Iron?

  • Chemical-Free Cooking: No harmful coatings, just natural seasoning.
  • Iron-Enrichment: A natural way to supplement your diet.
  • Durability: With proper care, it can last generations.
  • Versatility: Use it on stovetops, ovens, grills or even campfires.

Blueberry Bread with Sugar Glaze

Blueberry Bread with Sugar Glaze

Blueberry Bread with Sugar Glaze

Ingredients

For the Blueberry Bread:

  • 1 ½ cups All-purpose Flour
  • 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 2 tsp. Baking Powder
  • ½ tsp. Salt
  • ¾ cup Milk
  • ¼ cup Vegetable Oil
  • 1 Egg
  • ½ tsp. Vanilla Extract
  • 1 ½ cups Blueberries, rinsed and dried
  • 1 tbsp. Sugar

For the Blueberry Bread:

  • 2 cups Powdered Sugar
  • 1tsp. Vanilla Extract
  • 4 tbsp. Milk
DOWNLOAD RECIPE PDF

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 180° C.
  2. Grease your Best Duty Superbread Pot and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
  4. Slowly stir in the milk, oil, egg and vanilla extract into the flour mixture and combine until the batter is blended.
  5. Gradually combine the blueberries into the batter.
  6. Pour the batter into prepared Superbread Pot and sprinkle one tablespoon of sugar over the batter.
  7. Place the Superbread Pot into the preheated oven and bake for +- 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool for +-15 minutes in the Superbread Pot. Transfer the Superbread Pot to a cooling rack and let cool completely.
  9. While the bread is cooling, you can prepare the Sugar Glaze by combining all the ingredients in a medium size bowl.
  10. Remove the bread from the Superbread Pot, place on a tray and drizzle the glaze gently over. Enjoy!

Note: The glaze will start to harden in +-30 minutes.

Chakalaka with Pap and Wors

Chakalaka with Pap and Wors

Chakalaka with Pap and Wors

Use your Chef Supreme Value Packs to perfect this recipe.

Ingredients

For the Pap:

  • 1.5L Water
  • 500g Maize Meal
  • Salt to taste

For the Boerewors:

  • 1kg Boerewors
  • 50g Butter, diced

For the Chakalaka:

  • 2 tbsp. Olive Oil
  • 1 large Onion, chopped
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, chopped finely
  • 2cm Ginger, chopped finely
  • 2 tsp. Braai Spice, to taste
  • 2 ripe Tomatoes, diced
  • 2 tsp. Freshly Ground Pepper, to taste
  • Zest of 1 Lemon
DOWNLOAD RECIPE PDF

Directions

Use your Chef Supreme Value Packs to perfect this recipe.

For the Pap:

  • Add water to your #15 Supreme Round Casseroles (6.5l) and bring it to a boil.
  • Add salt and then gradually stir in the maize meal using your Wooden Spoon.
  • Reduce the heat to low and partially cover the Casserole. Leave the Pap to simmer gently for +-30 minutes, while stirring occasionally or until the maize has thickened.

For the Boerewors:

  • Heat your #8 Supreme Round Casseroles (2.3L) over medium-high heat.
  • Melt the butter and add the boerewors the Casserole. Cook and turn every +-5 min, or until golden brown and cooked through.

For the Chakalaka:

  • Add oil to your #7 Supreme Round Casseroles (1.4L) and heat over medium heat.
  • Add the onions and cook gently for +-8 minutes or until softened.
  • Add the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant for +-2 minutes.
  • Sprinkle braai spice, stir and then add the tomatoes, salt, pepper and lemon zest. Cook until the tomato has softened. Then remove the Casserole from the heat.

Serve the chakalaka, pap and wors whilst hot. Enjoy with your favourite beverage!

Potato Bake Cheese Buns

Potato Bake Cheese Buns

Potato Bake Cheese Buns

This recipe is one of my family favourites! The kids always look forward to the weekend braais, as they know we will have homemade cheese buns. And, it can be prepared on the braai or in the oven making it a weeknight favourite too.

– Adel Botes

Ingredients

  • 1kg Ready-Made Bread Dough
  • 1 packet Potato Bake
  • 250ml Fresh Cream
  • 250ml Milk
  • 1 Garlic Clove, finely chopped
  • 250ml Cheddar Cheese, grated
DOWNLOAD RECIPE PDF

Directions

  1. Set the bread dough aside until it has doubled in size.
  2. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
  3. Grease your #15 Supreme Casserole using a Non-Stick Grill Spray.
  4. In a small bowl, add all of the ingredients except the cheese and combine well.
  5. Sprinkle flour on a flat surface to prevent the dough from sticking.
  6. Shape the dough into palm-sized balls and pack them 2-3cm apart in the greased casserole.
  7. Pour the cream mixture evenly over the dough balls and sprinkle the grated cheese on top.
  8. Set the casserole aside for half an hour to rise until doubled in volume and bake for +-30 minutes or until the balls starts to pull away from the side. Serve and enjoy as a side to your favourite braai meal.