Braai at the devil’s temperature

File photo: Luckily there is little chance of the Timanfaya National Park erupting soon, with the last eruption taking place in 1824.

File photo: Luckily there is little chance of the Timanfaya National Park erupting soon, with the last eruption taking place in 1824.

Published Jun 9, 2015

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Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - Braai season may be on its way out, but one restaurant has out-done us all by cooking its food over a volcano.

Forget a portable braai in the park, the aptly-named El Diablo (the devil) restaurant in Lanzarote uses the 450ºC-500ºC of geothermal heat to cook the meat and fish on the menu.

Set against the volcanic backdrop of the Timanfaya National Park in the Canary Islands, the restaurant relies on the dormant volcano producing bursts of heat or hot vapour, which rise through a hole in the ground to brown the food placed over it on a cast iron grill.

Luckily there is little chance of the Timanfaya National Park erupting soon, with the last eruption taking place in 1824.

In order to withstand the heat of the volcano a non-conventional cooking system was designed by architects Eduardo Caceres and Jesus Soto.

They used nine layers of volcanic basalt rock to form the grill, and El Diablo’s manager, Julio Padron, said scientists and volcanologists were consulted to check the unusual food cooking method was safe.

Following gaining approval in 1970, many delectable dishes have been created, that have seen tourists flocking in their droves.

Along with a three course meal, guests can also have the full volcanic experience, by taking part in a volcanic tour to see the cooking methods used by the incredible restaurant.

The area is famous for its Fire Mountains, or Montañas del Fuego, which were created in the early 18th century when more than 100 volcanoes sprung up on the island.

Panoramic views of the stunning mountains can be experienced while guests sample the food cooked by the volcano.

Canarian food is served from midday to 3.30pm daily. .It is advised to book early as the restaurant is popular.

Daily Mail

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