Get ready for football season with this ultimate guide to tailgate grilling and care.
From essential tailgating tips for gas and charcoal grills to expert advice on cleaning, maintenance, and prepping for the big game, this guide ensures your grill is always game-day ready. Whether you’re hosting in the parking lot or at home, serve up delicious food all season long.
As a fresh football season kicks off, the excitement isn’t limited to the stadium—especially for dedicated tailgaters. Whether you’re grilling at home or in a parking lot with fellow fans, making sure your grill is in top shape is crucial for a memorable tailgate.
Unlike most backyard BBQ parties, tailgate grilling is often subject to a tighter schedule. Whether you’re trying to catch a live game or hosting a pre-game feast in the stadium parking lot, timing is key—and so is having the right grill. Forget your usual 4-burner gas grill or large 32” kettle—instead, you need a portable grill that’s easy to cart around, such as a compact gas grill or an 18” or 22” charcoal kettle. Learn more about different tailgating grills.
From juicy burgers to perfectly grilled wings, your tailgate grill must perform flawlessly. No matter what type of grill you’re using, proper tailgate grill care ensures you’ll be ready to serve up delicious food all season long.
In this guide, we’ll share essential tailgating tips for gas and charcoal grills. We’ll cover everything you need to know about how to host a tailgate barbecue, from tailgate grill care and tailgate grill maintenance to efficient tailgate grilling techniques. Whether you’re new to tailgating or a seasoned pro, this guide will ensure your grill is game-day ready and your tailgate is a touchdown.
How to Prepare Your Gas BBQ for Tailgate Grilling
When it comes to tailgate grilling, gas grills are a fan favorite thanks to their convenience and speedy heat-up times.
If you’re wondering how to host a tailgate with ease, a propane tailgate grill may suit you better than a charcoal kettle. Propane tailgate grills are generally safer for outdoor cooking because you can easily control the heat while you cook and socialize. Plus, they’re easy to light, heat up quickly (typically in less than 15 minutes), hold a steady temperature, and they’re easy to move around.
Of course, a little ongoing maintenance is required to ensure your gas grill performs at its best throughout football season. Follow these tailgating tips to keep your gas grill in top condition so you can focus on hosting the perfect tailgate.
1. Keep your grill clean
A clean grill means better-tasting food and more consistent heat distribution—both key to hosting a successful tailgate.
If you’ve been using your gas tailgate grill all summer, it likely has some built-up grease and residue to scrub away. If you haven’t used your portable gas grill since last football season, it needs a thorough cleaning before firing it up again. Either way, a clean grill is the best way to kick off tailgate season.
To clean a gas grill for tailgate grilling, you’ll follow the same basic steps you’d take to clean a full-size gas grill:
- When the grill is cool, brush or scrape off any deposits that have built up on the underside of the lid. Brush the cooking grates using a grill cleaning brush to remove any leftover debris from your last cookout. A wood scraper can be used for any seriously stuck-on bits.
- Remove the cooking grates and clean the heat plates or heat tents.
- Remove the heat plates and clean the burner tube ports to remove any rust and debris. Be sure to brush across and not down the length of the burner to avoid pushing debris into the burner tube ports.
- Chip away or scrape away any built-up debris or deposits along the sides and bottom of the burner box, pushing all the debris into the grease tray. Scrape debris from the grease tray into the drip pan and empty the drip pan.
- Clean the exterior of the grill and the side tables using warm soapy water or stainless steel grill cleaning solution.
GRILL SPOT TIP: For easy tailgate grill care, clean your gas grill thoroughly after each use to keep it ready for the next game day.
Read our full step-by-step instructions for cleaning a gas grill.
2. Inspect your burners for even heating
Uneven heating can lead to overcooked or undercooked food. Before you hit the road or fire up your grill, take a moment to inspect your burners to check that they’re clean and free of debris to make sure you get consistent heat across the grill.
To check for even heating, turn on your grill and watch the flames for any uneven spots or low flames. If you see any spots with uneven heating, remove your grates and heat plates, then clean the clogged burner ports using a toothpick or venturi brush.
3. Check for gas leaks
Before firing up your grill, take a few minutes to check for gas leaks, ensure all connections are secure, and that your hoses are in good condition. Here’s how:
- Mix a small amount of soap with water and apply it to the propane tank and connection points. If bubbles form, you may have a leak. If you spot any bubbles, unhook and re-attach the connections.
- Check all the hoses for cracks or abrasions. These can worsen in the cold weather, and spotting and fixing them now can save you a lot of headaches when you’re set up in the parking lot ready to grill.
4. Season the grill grates
A well-seasoned grill grate not only prevents food from sticking but also enhances the flavor of your grilled dishes. Before you start your tailgate grilling season, treat your grates to some TL-seasoning to keep your food from sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
To season your grates, coat them with a thin layer of cooking oil and heat the grill for about 15 minutes to allow the oil to bake in.
Get step-by-step instructions for cleaning and seasoning your grill grates.
5. Essential gas grill accessories for tailgating
- Always bring extra propane tanks to avoid running out of fuel mid-tailgate.
- A quality grill brush will make post-game cleanup easier, ensuring you’re ready for the next tailgate.
- Invest in a meat thermometer for perfectly cooked burgers and steaks every time.
Shop for gas tailgate grilling tools:
How to Get Your Charcoal BBQ Ready for Tailgate Grilling
Charcoal tailgate grills are easily portable, are fairly easy to use, and may even cost less to purchase than their propane counterparts, but they typically take longer to heat up and offer less control over heat levels. If you’re a fan of that rich smoky flavor and know how to light charcoal and manage the heat, a charcoal grill might be up your alley.
GRILL SPOT TIP: Some stadiums don’t allow charcoal grills—be sure to check before you hit the road.
Like gas grills, charcoal tailgate grills require some TLC before they’re ready to cook up a storm. Here’s how to get your charcoal grill ready for game day.
1. Clean out ash and debris
A clean grill is key to hosting a successful tailgate. If you’re a charcoal griller, that means managing the leftover ash and debris as well as cleaning the grates. Ash build-up can block airflow, making it harder to control heat and keep your grill running efficiently.
To keep your charcoal grill in tip top shape for tailgating, make sure to empty the ash catcher and clean out any leftover debris after each use. Use a brush or bowl cleaning kit to sweep out the interior, focusing on areas where ash or leftover charcoal might accumulate.
2. Check the charcoal grate and air vents
Proper airflow is crucial to maintaining the right temperature during tailgate grilling sessions. Blocked air vents or a worn-out charcoal grate can affect heat distribution, so before you fire up the grill, double check that the charcoal grate is in good condition and not clogged with old ash or debris.
Take a moment to check the air vents as well (both top and bottom) to ensure they are open and clear to allow for proper airflow and temperature control.
3. Stock up on charcoal
The last thing you want at your tailgate is to run out of fuel. Always pack an extra bag of charcoal to make sure you have enough to last through your entire tailgate cookout.
Understanding how each type of charcoal burns will make it easier to figure out how much charcoal to bring along:
- Lump charcoal heats up quickly and burns hotter, making it ideal for those who need to cook faster.
- Charcoal briquettes offer a longer burn time, perfect for slower-cooked foods like ribs and chicken wings.
Learn more about different types of BBQ charcoal.
4. Light your charcoal grill efficiently
Efficiency is key when hosting a tailgate, but lighting a charcoal grill can sometimes take time. Using a chimney starter is the easiest and fastest way to get your charcoal going—and you can skip the lighter fluid.
5. Charcoal grill accessories for tailgating
- Heat-resistant gloves are a must for handling hot coals and adjusting the grill.
- A portable ash bin will make cleanup after the tailgate quick and easy.
- Don’t forget a chimney starter for faster lighting, and extra charcoal to keep the grill running throughout the game.
Shop for charcoal tailgate grilling tools:
How To Host A Tailgate: 7 More Tailgating Tips
- Prep everything in advance. Marinate your meats the night before and chop any veggies so that all you need to do at the tailgate is fire up the grill. This way, you can maximize your time socializing and avoid last-minute food prep.
- Load your cooler on a first-in, last-out basis. Load items you won’t need till later towards the bottom of your cooler, and place things you’ll need early on the top.
- Make sure you have all the tools you’ll need. Plan to pack at least a spatula, tongs, skewers (if you’re grilling kebabs), grill gloves, drip pans, and an apron.
- Use foil packets for easy cooking and cleanup. Foil packets are a tailgating favorite. You can prepare pre-wrapped foil meals like potatoes, vegetables, or even seafood. Simply place them on the grill, cook, and serve without needing extra pans or plates. This also makes for easier cleanup.
- Bring a portable table. Tailgating can be chaotic, and having a portable table to use as a prep station makes things easier. It gives you a dedicated space for grilling tools, seasonings, and other essentials, so you can keep everything organized and within reach.
- Use a meat thermometer. Make sure your meats are cooked to perfection by using a meat thermometer. This ensures that items like burgers, chicken, and steaks are grilled to the ideal internal temperature without overcooking or drying out.
- Have a backup plan for bad weather. Tailgating is often an outdoor event, so be prepared for unpredictable weather. Bring an easy-up canopy or tent to cover your cooking area, and have some blankets or towels handy for cold or rainy days.
Tailgating Tips: Keep Your Grill Game-Day Ready
No matter which type of grill you prefer, proper tailgate grill care is essential for a successful game day. From cleaning your grill and checking for leaks to stocking up on fuel and prepping ingredients, these tailgating tips will ensure that you’re always ready to serve up delicious food for your fellow fans. Whether you’re hosting a pre-game feast in the stadium parking lot or grilling at home for family and friends, keeping your grill in top condition is key to making your tailgate experience a winning one.
