Tailgating Tips, Tricks, Ideas, Etc

[Drew]

I know there used to be a thread with this info but I couldn’t find it anywhere.

I’m a first time season ticket holder (bought seats for Wake Forest yesterday) and would love to hear any tips or thoughts that people have for tailgating experiences. Which grills are the best to use? I’d like to be able to setup a TV outside for use to watch other games while tailgating- what’s the best way to do that?

 

[hardcorehusky]

I am on my 2nd Coleman Road Trip Grill- the first lasted 11 years. Takes 2 1/2 minutes to set up and start. Has a griddle and a grill if you want to buy the griddle. Get a folding 6 ft table to put your food on and another if you want people to ear around the table- at my tailgates we all sit in chairs wherever we want. Get big garbage bags, lots of plastic cups and plastic spoons and forks. Have fun

 

[huskymedic]

Well dated though… Tailgating Toys/Tips/Food

You can sign up for a free digital subscription of Tailgater Magazine. Fun read/lotsa products/recipes, etc…

 

[pepband99]

I am on my 2nd Coleman Road Trip Grill- the first lasted 11 years. Takes 2 1/2 minutes to set up and start. Has a griddle and a grill if you want to buy the griddle. Get a folding 6 ft table to put your food on and another if you want people to ear around the table- at my tailgates we all sit in chairs wherever we want. Get big garbage bags, lots of plastic cups and plastic spoons and forks. Have fun

2nd on the road trip - mine is pushing 15 years now. I replaced the baseplate a couple of years ago, and the push button start is dead on one burner, but it's a beast.
Extra bonus - you can get attachments for it (full or half-griddle, stove rings) that make it really flexible. Underrated power outage backup stove (outdoors, obv).

All that said, though - Weber just came out with a competitor to it, and it looks really nice (and costs more to match): Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill | Weber Traveler Series | Portable Grills | Weber Grills

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I bought a Weber Q series portable grill maybe 8 years ago and brought it to the rent for games and now it sits on my deck with an adapter to a full size propane tank.

I got the bigger of the two portable grills, which depending on the size of the group you may be going with may be worth sizing up.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Some of the flat top griddles can be good for tailgating. Solid cooking top evens out heat distribution and prevents any flare ups from flames. Plus the flat top is a bit easier to clean and maintain than anything with grates.

This 22" griddle is a good tailgate sized. It does require a separate purchase of a lid and cover.

22'' Tabletop Griddle (with Stainless Steel Front Plate) – Blackstone Products

There's also a 17" griddle with a side air fryer or a 17" griddle with a side burner.

Griddles – Blackstone Products

 

[pepband99]

Some of the flat top griddles can be good for tailgating. Solid cooking top evens out heat distribution and prevents any flare ups from flames. Plus the flat top is a bit easier to clean and maintain than anything with grates.

This 22" griddle is a good tailgate sized. It does require a separate purchase of a lid and cover.

22'' Tabletop Griddle (with Stainless Steel Front Plate) – Blackstone Products

There's also a 17" griddle with a side air fryer or a 17" griddle with a side burner.

Griddles – Blackstone Products

Power draw on those electric griddle/air fryers may be an issue. I want one badly though

 

[Drew]

Does anyone have experience with setting up a TV at a tailgate? I have an extra one with a fire stick I use already that I’d like to bring and watch my YouTube TV on but I’m not sure how to do that since it’d need wifi. Guessing DISH/DIRECTV is the easiest way to do that?

 

[Waquoit]

Don't buy too much stove. We had a monstrosity suitable for outdoor catering when we started, over time it wasn't worth the trouble and we left it at home. I agree with hardcore, a Coleman Road Trip is perfect. Get the flat-top accessory.

 

[Waquoit]

Does anyone have experience with setting up a TV at a tailgate? I have an extra one with a fire stick I use already that I’d like to bring and watch my YouTube TV on but I’m not sure how to do that since it’d need wifi. Guessing DISH/DIRECTV is the easiest way to do that?

Do people have mobile hot spots anymore? But isn't TV at a tailgate anti-social?

 

[pepband99]

Does anyone have experience with setting up a TV at a tailgate? I have an extra one with a fire stick I use already that I’d like to bring and watch my YouTube TV on but I’m not sure how to do that since it’d need wifi. Guessing DISH/DIRECTV is the easiest way to do that?

Yep - I'm the resident TV guy

Dish/DirecTV is the best, because you're not reliant on data availability, which even with spotty attendance, becomes a problem at the Rent.
A close 2nd is an aerial, if you can get by with only broadcast channels

Data (Fire sticks / roku / etc) is likely a non-starter, just because it will be saturated too quickly.

 

[pepband99]

Do people have mobile hot spots anymore? But isn't TV at a tailgate anti-social?

If there is a big game on, especially a UConn basketball game late in season, it is very very social - you will make many new friends.

 

[TMB4405]

I second the Blackstone griddle. Very versatile and once the cast iron heats up it’s pretty consistent. On the TV front I have had success with antenna to get The local channels but never tried anything else.

 

[Marbles90]

Does anyone have experience with setting up a TV at a tailgate? I have an extra one with a fire stick I use already that I’d like to bring and watch my YouTube TV on but I’m not sure how to do that since it’d need wifi. Guessing DISH/DIRECTV is the easiest way to do that?

I always set up a basic 35" Best Buy TV at my tailgate. It is cool to have it on in the background especially if there is another good game on or even to have on mute if you are playing music. I have never had an issue using my iphone for internet (AT&T unlimited data). I usually connect it directly using a lightning to HDMI rather than use it as a hot spot.

To power the TV, I use a Black and Decker battery power station. I actually use this thing all the time to put air in tires, jump starts and to power a couple of lights in my house when I loose power. There are dozens of these things out there with different levels of power. This is just the one I bought:

BLACK+DECKER 1200 Peak Amp Jump Starter Power Station with 120psi Compressor, AC, USB PPRH5B - The Home Depot

The BLACK and DECKER 1200 Peak Amp Portable Power Station is the perfect all-in-one solution. Power all your favorite devices on-the-go with 500-Watts of continuous power from two electrical household

www.homedepot.com

 

[Waquoit]

If there is a big game on, especially a UConn basketball game late in season, it is very very social - you will make many new friends.

I agree with the big-game exception.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I always set up a basic 35" Best Buy TV at my tailgate. It is cool to have it on in the background especially if there is another good game on or even to have on mute if you are playing music. I have never had an issue using my iphone for internet (AT&T unlimited data). I usually connect it directly using a lightning to HDMI rather than use it as a hot spot.

To power the TV, I use a Black and Decker battery power station. I actually use this thing all the time to put air in tires, jump starts and to power a couple of lights in my house when I loose power. There are dozens of these things out there with different levels of power. This is just the one I bought:

BLACK+DECKER 1200 Peak Amp Jump Starter Power Station with 120psi Compressor, AC, USB PPRH5B - The Home Depot

The BLACK and DECKER 1200 Peak Amp Portable Power Station is the perfect all-in-one solution. Power all your favorite devices on-the-go with 500-Watts of continuous power from two electrical household

www.homedepot.com

Yep. Put another game on in the background on mute. Let's people still talk and mingle and also catch up on scores and action around the country.

 

[Drew]

I always set up a basic 35" Best Buy TV at my tailgate. It is cool to have it on in the background especially if there is another good game on or even to have on mute if you are playing music. I have never had an issue using my iphone for internet (AT&T unlimited data). I usually connect it directly using a lightning to HDMI rather than use it as a hot spot.

To power the TV, I use a Black and Decker battery power station. I actually use this thing all the time to put air in tires, jump starts and to power a couple of lights in my house when I loose power. There are dozens of these things out there with different levels of power. This is just the one I bought:

BLACK+DECKER 1200 Peak Amp Jump Starter Power Station with 120psi Compressor, AC, USB PPRH5B - The Home Depot

The BLACK and DECKER 1200 Peak Amp Portable Power Station is the perfect all-in-one solution. Power all your favorite devices on-the-go with 500-Watts of continuous power from two electrical household

www.homedepot.com

This is great- two questions:

1. How do you maintain phone battery when using the hotspot via plug in? Wireless charger? I also have unlimited data and have the lightening cable along with an HDMI so I’m interested in going this route

2. Do you only use this at UConn tailgates? How crowded is your lot? The reason I ask is I’m estimating a pretty crowded lot where I bought for Wake (right outside the stadium) and wondering about the data availability with so many people in one location. It’s not Alabama by any means but its decently crowded from what I’ve been able to gather

 

[Drew]

Yep. Put another game on in the background on mute. Let's people still talk and mingle and also catch up on scores and action around the country.

What’s great is Wake allows for people to stay in the lot during and after the games so a TV is perfect for those that come without tickets and want to stay and play games/grill/watch games outdoors. Can easily catch a noon kick and come out in the afternoon to catch the 3:30 SEC game from the lot and fire up the grill for some post game festivities

 

[pepband99]

This is great- two questions:

1. How do you maintain phone battery when using the hotspot via plug in? Wireless charger? I also have unlimited data and have the lightening cable along with an HDMI so I’m interested in going this route

2. Do you only use this at UConn tailgates? How crowded is your lot? The reason I ask is I’m estimating a pretty crowded lot where I bought for Wake (right outside the stadium) and wondering about the data availability with so many people in one location. It’s not Alabama by any means but its decently crowded from what I’ve been able to gather

For 2 - Would be worth asking @ Wake, as they may very well have good campus guest wifi which will make this easier.

 

[huskymedic]

This is great- two questions:

1. How do you maintain phone battery when using the hotspot via plug in? Wireless charger?

Most of the PowerStations have USB ports. Actually one of the B&D pics above shows it. Even in Condo/Apartment living - the power stations come in handy. Would have been SOL @ the house in a few storms without one.

 

[Drew]

Most of the PowerStations have USB ports. Actually one of the B&D pics above shows it. Even in Condo/Apartment living - the power stations come in handy. Would have been SOL @ the house in a few storms without one.

Yeah but if plugging into the lightening cable via HDMI to the TV it takes up the one USB slot on the phone- unless being plugged into the TV which is plugged into the generator means the phone charges?

I’m in an apartment now so that’s good to hear about the power stations being useful

 

[huskymedic]

Yeah but if plugging into the lightening cable via HDMI to the TV it takes up the one USB slot on the phone- unless being plugged into the TV which is plugged into the generator means the phone charges?

I’m in an apartment now so that’s good to hear about the power stations being useful

True… was only thinking of power station capability.

Storm prep was how I sold my wife on my Portable Honda Generator many years back

 

[History Geek]

I've had a Webbie Q for 15 years and love it.

 

[Marbles90]

Yeah but if plugging into the lightening cable via HDMI to the TV it takes up the one USB slot on the phone- unless being plugged into the TV which is plugged into the generator means the phone charges?

Nope. The lightning to HDMI cable/adapter has the ability to run out of the phone AND charge at the same time with a normal phone charge cord. And yes, I keep it charged using the USB port on the power station as @huskymedic described.

Here is the one I have. It has two slots on the adapter. One is for the HDMI cable which goes to the HDMI in the TV. And the other goes from lightning to one of the USB ports on the power station to keep it charged. Hope that helps.

Lightning Digital AV Adapter - Lightning to HDMI

The Lightning Digital AV Adapter mirrors what you see on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod so you can enjoy it on your widescreen TV or another HDMI-compatible display.

www.apple.com

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Most importantly of all, pack your cooler and get your beer on ice the night prior to the game.