The All Things Barbecue Tailgating Guide

By Tom Jackson
Aug 22, 2015

Football season has arrived. Whether you are a rabid fan or just a casual observer, everyone can agree that football season is tailgating season. Here are a few tips to make this tailgating season your best yet, and keep you safe in the process.

The All Things Barbecue Tailgating Guide

1. Be Prepared

Nothing is worse than showing up to the big game and realizing you forgot something! Be prepared by putting together a checklist to make sure you take everything you need. Here are a few items to remember:

Grill

It seems obvious, but I've seen people forget them.

Fuel

Your grill won't work without the necessary fuel (charcoal, pellets, wood, propane etc.), bring extra just in case your cook goes longer than expected.

Tools

You don't want to try and flip burgers with your bare hands... Don't forget the spatula and tongs.

Food

List out all food and condiments and make sure they're packed, what good is a hotdog without a bun.

Plates, Cups, etc

Don't drip ketchup and mustard all over your new jersey, get reusable plates and cups!

Tables and Chairs

You need space to prep and serve from, as well as a place to rest and relax.

Pop-Up Shade

Shade is a must on a warm day, and it makes relaxing easier. EZ-Ups and other similar products come in many colors, so chances are you'll be able to find one to match your team color and show-off just a bit!

Team Signs and Flags

Don't forget to show your pride by flying team flags and colors!

Cooler and Ice

I always bring one for raw meat and food I'll be cooking and one for drinks and other food supplies. Don't skimp on ice, as running out will leave you with hot drinks, and no one wants that.

Fire Extinguisher

No matter how careful you are, accidents happen. Be prepared by having a fire extinguisher handy just in case.

Charcoal Ash Bucket

Some stadiums have ash bins, but just in case, having a galvanized metal container to place ashes in is just common sense. Even if they have an ash bin, having a bucket makes it easier to carry ash to be disposed of.

2. Safety First!

No one ever sets out to prepare food that would make someone sick, but it still happens. The first step in making sure all prepared foods are safe is transportation. Make sure you have a good cooler filled with ice to transport all raw meats and other items so that they arrive at the tailgate at the proper temperature. Don't remove items from the cooler until it's time to cook to ensure they stay cold. Once your grill is ready, remove the meat and cook it as you would at home.

When preparing meat, it's helpful to have a guideline of minimum temperatures to make sure everything is thoroughly cooked. Here is a blog post on proper food temperatures and using a instant read digital thermometer that will give you a good foundation for making sure everything is prepared properly.

If you are going to be preparing foods on site, make sure you have hot soapy water available to wash all utensils to limit any chance of contaminating other foods. Rinse cutting boards between uses, or better yet, use a disposable cutting board to do away with this hassle completely!

Finally, don't allow food to sit out. Try and cook your food as close to when you want to serve it as possible. If you must cook ahead of time, bring an extra cooler to store the food in. This will help keep the food's internal temperature from falling too much before serving.

3. Know the Rules

All stadiums will have rules regarding parking, tailgating times, and other regulations set up for the safety of you and everyone around you. Make sure you know the rules before you show up to keep from having any problems with parking attendants and security. If you are unsure of the rules, most teams will have a specific section on their website that breaks down anything you need to know.

For example, these are the quick facts about tailgating at the Kansas City Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium:

Gates open 3 1/2 hours before kickoff
Trailers are allowed, but you will be charged for an extra parking space and you must park in the grass
RVs and motorhomes must enter the parking lot through gate 6.
Parking lots will close 90 minutes after games or stadium events

4. Have the Right Grill

We carry an array of portable grills that are easy to set up and will have you tailgating in no time!

5. Cook Amazing Tailgating Recipes

There is nothing better than wowing your friends and other fans with great recipes. Here are some of our favorite recipes that will take your tailgating to the next level!