Tailgating equipment suggestions needed ...

Submitted by IUandUofM on

With a parking pass this year, my wife and I want to tailgate this season.  You see a lot of different contraptions out there ... electric coolers, portable gas grills, satellite tvs, etc.  What equipment have others had success with, and what should we avoid?  We can always go with the basic cooler and portable grill to keep it simple.

thermoelectriccooler

February 20th, 2012 at 5:15 AM ^



Thermo Electric Cooler

Thermoelectric cooling uses the Peltier effect to create a heat flux between the junction of two different types of materials. A Peltier cooler, heater, or thermoelectric heat pump is a solid-state active heat pump which transfers heat from one side of the device to the other side against the temperature gradient (from cold to hot), with consumption of electrical energy.

Wonk

July 31st, 2010 at 11:55 AM ^

The most important pieces to my tailgate

#1 Smokey Joe: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=smokey+joe&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=15768464647889168041&ei=qkVUTKDUBMP-8AaJ9PCoAQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDcQ8wIwAg#

#2 Steel or Aluminum Slatted folding table. Nothing flammable or meltable. The one I purchased folds down into a shoulder bag, which is awesome. I think I got it from Meijer.

#3 Those chairs that fold into bags.

#4 Proper utensils, and a long stick lighter.

#5 Purel. Because you'll be handling red meat and using a port-a-potty.

#6 A good cooler.

#7 A big clear plastic box to keep everything in during the week/offseason. Clear allows for easy pre-departure checklisting.

edit #8 Duh! A football.

spartangreen73

July 31st, 2010 at 8:33 PM ^

We have a clear plastic tailgate box as well. It is great having everything pre packed (minus food). It saves us a lot of time. I would add tent to the list. It is great to have when it is raining or really cold (you can put the walls on). We also have a portable heater.

doughboy

July 31st, 2010 at 12:32 PM ^

Once the calendar switches to October, you might want to bring a small fire pit.  We've been doing it at October and November games for about 10 years.  Even though the games may be hot, when the sun starts to set and it gets darker earlier and earlier each game, there's nothing like a nice fire to hang out by.  We usually bring about eight logs and one of the Duraflame logs to start the fire.

Maize

July 31st, 2010 at 12:45 PM ^

I am also looking for suggestions as this will be my first year actually tailgating. So I will toss another question up there. Where is a good spot to park and tailgate? I've seen plenty of parking spots mentioned in other threads, just wondering if there are any good ones specifically for tailgating.

mgokev

July 31st, 2010 at 1:19 PM ^

The golf course is going to be the typical "standard" tailgating location.  I'm sure there are other places that are quieter, or better for families to have a nice, easy tailgate prior to the game, but if you are looking for atmosphere and being with hundreds of other diehard Michigan fans tailgating as well, try to make it to the golf course.  I think the cost is $30 to park? Someone will have to verify that.  If not $30, it's close. 

Yinka Double Dare

July 31st, 2010 at 1:26 PM ^

If you can't afford one of those insane grills that attach to a trailer hitch or you don't plan on using a vehicle with a trailer hitch, I highly recommend the Coleman Road Trip Grill.  You want the one with two burners.  It has changeable plates that you can buy so you can use the thing as a grill, griddle or stove.  The plates cover half the thing, so you can do half grill, half stove if you want -- great for, say, grilling brats on half and cooking kraut on the stove part.  Or grilling on one side with a pot of chili on the other half.  The griddle plates are great for breakfast tailgating.

My family has used one of these for years.  It cools quickly after you turn it off too, and folds down to a decent portable size.

 

Here's the grill on Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-9941-768-Road-Trip-Grill/dp/B00006JBL5/re…

dlanny22

July 31st, 2010 at 1:57 PM ^

Last year I tailgated at the golf course for all but one of games(Delaware St.).  It was 30$ and it was a great time to by had by all.  I took my Jager Cooler that dispensed individual shots.  This year I am ordering a Michigan beer pong table, Michigan cornhole, and Michigan washers to have fun with.  I may also get a decent grill, because the brats and steaks I had last year were amazing too!!!  I can't wait for the 4th of September!!!!

lexus larry

August 2nd, 2010 at 9:38 AM ^

have the right idea(s) as do a couple other on here.

I have a canopy, too, with one wall at this point.  I've just bought one or two items every summer, over the past 10 years, and I now have a fairly thorough tailgate set up.  Start with what's right for you, what you want to do, what you've seen others do.  Probably cost a lot to get up to full speed, but over a while, you can get everything you need. 

I've also got the clear Steri-lite containers, and a mondo checklist (almost NASA/military grade detail...if it's not on there, you don't need it!).  It gets down to the most basic detail (napkins? check.  S&P? Check! Utensils?  check...you get the point)  If anyone wants a copy emailed to them, my user name here with a "dot" between the two words, at gmail dot com.

And for those 'gaters who have delicate weemens or kids, I park at the Bethlehem United Church of Christ off Packard, enter on 4th St, exit on 5th.  Porcelain facilities, running hot/cold water, fenced in playground for the munchkins.  $15, get there about 3 hours prior to kick-off, and you'll have no problems.  Getting there earlier means more time for eating and drinking and game playing!

Feat of Clay

August 2nd, 2010 at 5:01 PM ^

I'm waiting for someone to claim that "Feeloading MGoBlog friends" are also on the must-have list, so I can volunteer my services. 

I know where I need to go to crash lexus larry's & dlanney's gig, but the rest of you are being cagey about locale.