Tailgating at an NFL game is often more fun than the game itself. However, it takes a lot more than just copious amounts of good food and beverages to make for a great tailgate party. Having grilled for dozens of tailgates big and small, here are some recommendations for necessities that are bound to make your tailgate party a success!
One of the challenges of tailgating is always how to keep your grill portable enough to get to the game and home without sacrificing pure grilling power. The nifty Roadtrip Grill LXE by Coleman does the trick. It runs off of portable propane cylinders, folds into a compact take-away form; yet still fires up 285 square inches of grilling space, with two independent controls, and 20,000 BTUs of power. Definitely enough to keep your crew well-fed!
When it comes to tailgating, weather is always the great unknown. Tickets are usually purchased months ahead of time, and no one wants to cancel the festivities because Mother Nature isn’t cooperating. Coleman’s 10x10 Instant Tent gets set up in no time and will make sure your tailgate party is hopping no matter what the weather. You may even make some new friends looking for shelter.
If you’re grilling for a larger crowd you’re going to need a grill that can do some heavy lifting. Again, portability is crucial—you want to get setup and grilling as soon as possible and pack up in equal fashion. Weber’s Performer Platinum will bring the delicious flavor of charcoal grill to your tailgate party. It has a convenient charcoal storage bin so refills are close at hand, and the high-capacity one-touch ash catcher makes cleanup a snap. With 363 square inches of cooking space, built in prep space and a one-touch starter this grill will be all you need to feed a hungry crowd.
While everyone at your tailgate is concerned about keeping the beverages cold, if you’re responsible for bringing the food, then you are also responsible for food safety. It’s essential when travelling to the game that you keep your meats adequately chilled and stored. Coleman’s has a line of wheeled coolers which make getting your food to the game safely and positioning them once you get there a synch. For those travelling greater distances, some of these coolers will keep ice as long as 5 days! With cup holders built right in to the top it’s easy to see why these are super convenient to haul along to your tailgate.
Sure you can all try and cram into your sedan along with your friends, grill, food and beverages…but it’s going to be a bit of a clown show. However, with the cost of gas these days, going in a single vehicle sure is a great option. There are a few things you’re going to want to keep your eye out for if you want to secure the perfect tailgate vehicle. Plenty of comfortable seating, configurable interior to customize to your needs, lots of power ports for smart phones and tailgate accessories, and loads of storage space. Larger SUVs are the natural fit, like the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse which can seat up to 8 people with nearly 25 cubic feet of space still available. Drop the 3rd row and you’ve got a tailgate party on 4 wheels!
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