There’s nothing quite like the buzz of a tailgate before the big game. It’s the perfect mix of grilling, chilling, and hanging with friends while showing your team spirit. But behind every great tailgate is a well-organized plan and the right gear to pull it all off. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the tailgating game, the secret to success is all in the prep—and that means knowing what to bring, how to transport it, and getting the best gear for the job.
Here’s your ultimate guide to tailgating with a comprehensive checklist of essentials and the top brands to help you organize, transport, and elevate your tailgate experience to MVP status.
- Get a Game Plan (aka Your Tailgating Checklist) First things first: let’s make sure you’re bringing all the essentials. You don’t want to be caught missing a key item right before the grill heats up! Here’s your tailgating checklist:
Tailgating Checklist:
- Grill & Cooking Gear: Portable grill, charcoal/propane, utensils, foil, Blade Guard Knife Blade Protector for safely storing your knives.
- Food & Drinks: Burgers, hot dogs, chips, dips, drinks (and don’t forget the buns!).
- Comfort: Folding chairs, a pop-up canopy, folding table.
- Entertainment: Bluetooth speakers, cornhole set.
- Essentials: Cooler, napkins, trash bags, sunscreen, paper towels, Pouro Pouring Spouts, and Bucktap Mason Jar Pouring Spouts for easy pouring of drinks.
Now, let’s dive into how to transport all this gear and explore the top brands that can make your tailgate stress-free and fun.
- Meet Your MVP: The Utility Wagon
Picture this: you’re in the parking lot, and you’ve got a cooler, chairs, and grill tools all scattered around your vehicle. Enter the Utility Wagon—your best friend for transporting heavy gear across crowded lots. A collapsible wagon with all-terrain wheels can make life so much easier by hauling everything in one go.
Top Brands for Utility Wagons:
- MacSports Collapsible Wagon: Buy on Amazon
- BEAU JARDIN Folding Wagon: Buy on Amazon
- Timber Ridge Folding Wagon: Buy on Amazon
- Use Stackable Bins for Pro-Level Organization
Keep your grilling tools, snacks, and drinks neatly organized in stackable plastic bins. Label the bins so you can easily find what you need, and use clear containers to see everything inside. Pro tip: have one bin for your "kitchen tools" with items like spatulas, tongs, and the Blade Guard Knife Blade Protector—it’ll keep your knives safe and secure!
Top Brands for Stackable Bins:
- Sterilite Stackable Bins: Buy on Walmart
- IRIS USA Stackable Plastic Storage Bin: Buy on Amazon
- Rubbermaid ActionPacker Lockable Storage Bin: Buy on Amazon
- Ice-Cold Drinks on the Go: The Power of a Great Cooler
Keeping your food and drinks cold for the entire day is crucial. A great cooler with solid ice retention can make all the difference. And if you want to up your tailgate game, don’t forget Pouro Pouring Spouts or Bucktap Mason Jar Pouring Spouts for clean and easy drink pouring straight from the cooler!
Top Brands for Coolers:
- YETI Tundra Haul: Buy on YETI’s Website
- Coleman Xtreme Cooler: Buy on Amazon
- RTIC Hard Cooler: Buy on RTIC’s Website
- Folding Chairs and Pop-Up Canopies: Comfort is Key
Tailgating means hanging out for hours, so comfort is non-negotiable. Lightweight, foldable chairs with cup holders and a pop-up canopy to provide shade or rain protection are must-haves.
Top Brands for Chairs & Canopies:
- ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair: Buy on Amazon
- Kijaro Dual Lock Folding Chair: Buy on Amazon
- GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker: Buy on Amazon
- Portable Grills & the Almighty Grill Bag
Grilling is the heart of every tailgate, so you need a reliable portable grill. And don’t forget the grill tools! Keep everything organized with a grill bag, and add a Blade Guard Knife Blade Protector to keep your knives in tip-top shape.
Top Brands for Portable Grills:
- Weber Q1200 Portable Gas Grill: Buy on Amazon
- Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill: Buy on Amazon
- Blackstone Tabletop Grill: Buy on Amazon
- Backpack Cooler or Insulated Tote Bag
Sometimes you need quick access to cold drinks or snacks while grilling. A backpack cooler or insulated tote is perfect for on-the-go convenience, leaving your hands free to handle the grill.
Top Brands for Backpack Coolers:
- YETI Hopper BackFlip 24: Buy on YETI’s Website
- Carhartt Insulated Cooler Backpack: Buy on Amazon
- Igloo MaxCold Backpack Cooler: Buy on Amazon
- Multi-Pocket Tailgating Organizer
Keep your small essentials organized with a multi-pocket organizer. Store items like napkins, utensils, cups, or even the Bucktap Mason Jar Pouring Spouts for easy access during the tailgate.
Top Brands for Tailgating Organizers:
- PerfectLife Ideas Tailgate Organizer: Buy on Amazon
- MIU Organizer Caddy with Pockets: Buy on Amazon
- Keter Folding Table Organizer: Buy on Amazon
- Cornhole Game
Every great tailgate needs some fun! Bring a cornhole set or other tailgating games to keep the party going while the grill heats up.
Top Brands for Cornhole Sets:
- GoSports Cornhole Set: Buy on Amazon
- Tailgate Pro Regulation Cornhole Set: Buy on Amazon
- Triumph Sports Cornhole Set: Buy on Wayfair
- Trash Bags and Cleanup
Don’t forget the clean-up! Make sure you bring trash bags to dispose of food, paper products, and empty containers. Keep the area clean and leave it better than you found it.
Top Brands for Trash Bags:
- Hefty Ultra Strong Trash Bags: Buy on Walmart
- Glad ForceFlex Plus with Clorox Trash Bags: Buy on Amazon
- Simplehuman Code M Custom Fit Trash Bags: Buy on Amazon
Final Thoughts: Tailgating Made Easy
Tailgating should be fun, not stressful! With the right gear and some smart packing strategies, you’ll be able to set up, enjoy, and pack up your tailgate like a seasoned pro. Get ready to fire up the grill, crack open a cold drink, and cheer on your team in style!
Here are the essential kitchen supplies you need for a successful tailgating experience:
- Portable Grill
- Essential for cooking burgers, hot dogs, steaks, and other grilled foods right at the tailgate.
- Grill Utensils
- Tongs, Spatula, Grill Fork, and Basting Brush: To flip, season, and handle hot food on the grill safely.
- Aluminum Foil
- Perfect for wrapping and cooking food, keeping things warm, and easy cleanup after cooking.
- Cooler for Food Storage
- Keep perishables like meat, condiments, salads, and snacks cool until you're ready to cook or serve.
- Cutting Board
- Handy for prepping veggies, cutting meat, and serving snacks.
- Knives and Utility Tools
- Chef’s Knife & Paring Knife: Essential for chopping veggies and preparing food on-site.
- Blade Guard: to transport your knives
- Bottle Opener/Corkscrew: For beverages.
- Serving Tongs
- For hygienic serving of grilled food or handling snacks.
- Disposable Plates, Cups, and Utensils
- Make cleanup quick and easy with sturdy, disposable dinnerware.
- Reusable or Disposable Food Containers
- To transport food to the tailgate and store leftovers afterward.
- Condiment Bottles
- Squeeze bottles for ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, and other condiments.
- Paper Towels & Wet Wipes
- For quick cleanups and spills.
- Heat-Resistant Gloves or Mitts
- To safely handle hot items off the grill.
- Skewers
- Great for grilling kabobs, vegetables, or marshmallows for dessert.
- Trash Bags
- For easy cleanup, make sure you have bags on hand to collect waste and recyclables.
- Portable Beverage Dispensers
For serving large quantities of drinks like lemonade or cocktails without having to constantly open and close the cooler, add the Pouro and Bucktap dispensers
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