Summer may be coming to an end, but arguably one of the best times of year to grill is finally upon us. That’s right, it’s football season! As the NFL kicks off its regular season and college football is well underway, we’re ready to take part in a truly American tradition — tailgating! But with any event, comes a lot of preparation. From the choice of meat, to your grill, and even the beer (drink responsibly!), there’s a lot that goes into a great pre-kickoff party!
But when it comes to tailgating, convenience is the name of the game. We’re talking ease, portability, and efficiency. We’re sharing some of our favorite products and top tips for you this season.
The Basics — Like we said, convenience is key. Be prepared with enough recyclable plates, cutlery, and napkins for all invitees. Make sure you have all of your necessary supplies stored safely, including tongs, steak knives, and starters like this HomeRight ElectroLight Fire Starter (Pro-tip : a toolbox is a great way to store all of these!). In addition, prepare as much food as you can beforehand! This goes for your skewers, side dishes, dips, and desserts. And don’t forget about the post-BBQ mess — get things cleaned up quick with our Grill Cleaner and Degreaser.
The Grill — Let’s get to the good stuff. Portability and ease is the most important part when choosing a grill for your tailgate. Depending on your grilling style and budget, we’ve got plenty of options for you. If you need all the power you can get, the GMG Davy Crockett Wi-fi enabled pellet grill will do the trick. Control temps from your smartphone and grill for the whole party with 219 square inches of space. Plus, it only weighs 57 pounds! If you’re looking for something a bit smaller that’s still guaranteed to produce big flavor, the Big Green Egg MiniMax might be the game-winner. It’s easy to carry, made of high-quality ceramics, and it’ll fit in just about any car you got, coming in at 50 cm tall. But let’s be real — some people like to go big or go home. If you like to bring your full-size grill to the tailgate, make sure you’ve got a stable cart and cover to keep the grill safe on your journey to the parking lot.
Game-winning Tips — Make sure you have plenty of trash bags, aluminum foil, and water on hand for the event (hydration is key — keep things fresh and cool in one of our Cordova Coolers). Create a condiment station with enough add-ons for everyone’s burgers and hot dogs, and most importantly: keep bugs away! Add sage or rosemary to your charcoals as a natural repellent.
Whether you’re ready to watch your team or you just came to eat, all are welcome to great a tailgate! Be safe, have fun, and enjoy.
Shop everything you need at a BBQ Island near you: https://www.bbqislandinc.com/
