Category Archives: Tailgaiting

Outdoor Entertaining, Tailgaiting

Misting Fans

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Decobreeze Capri Misting Fan

Will Misting Fans Improve the Quality of Outdoor Living and Working?

One of the most popular spots at the zoo or amusement park on hot summer days is not necessarily one of the main attractions. It’s the misting stations that draw in a consistent crowd eager to feel cool and refreshed before moving onto the next wild animal or wild ride. Creating your own personal misting station is much easier, much more pleasant, and much less expensive than spending hot summer days with the family at a pricey zoo or park. The way to accomplish this is with a misting fan.

Misting fans bring together the refreshing mist of water with the cool breeze generated by a fan. This combination cools more effectively than just mist or just a fan alone. In fact, a misting fan can reduce the surrounding air temperature by as much as 30 degrees, making it possible to feel comfortable on your back patio or deck even on the hottest days. Better quality misting fans are able to cool an area 200 square feet or more in size, which makes the misting fan ideal not only for home use, but also for commercial and industrial use. Outdoor cafes, construction sites, and sporting events are just a few of the places where misting fans would be welcomed and appreciated.

When shopping for a misting fan for your home or workplace, there are a couple of features you will want to insist upon having. Most misting fans are mounted on top of a water reservoir, many of which can hold anywhere from 5 to 10 gallons of water. Better misting fans, no matter what the capacity, should be able to run, when starting with a full reservoir, up to 4 or 5 hours long without needing a refill. Additionally, be sure to choose a misting fan that comes with attached, locking wheels or a convenient cart so that it is easy to move and store away.

Optional features are available that can enhance the quality of your misting fan experience. For example, some misting fans have variable speeds, allowing you more control. Another particularly handy feature in a misting fan is a telescoping post that allows the fan to be adjusted easily for height. Also, some fans oscillate to more efficiently distribute the cooling mist in the surrounding area.

No matter what features you choose, having your own misting fan at home or work can significantly improve your level of comfort, even on the hottest of days. Because they provide so much relief from the heat, misting fans at home can help you enjoy your patio or deck more fully, and at work, misting fans can increase your productivity and make working outdoors much more pleasant.

Backyard Fun, Grills and Accessories, Portable Fun, Tailgaiting

Tailgating Supplies

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Weekend Tailgater Grill

A Few Necessities Make the Difference

It’s football season again, and time for tailgating! Tailgating supplies vary enormously from vehicle to vehicle, and they can include anything from team logo flags and banners to portable bean bag games and decorative area rugs. Most items considered essential for tailgating could probably stay at home, but three of the most important pieces of equipment that should never be forgotten include the portable shade canopy, folding chairs or other basic seating options, and a portable grill.

Portable shade canopies not only protect you and your tailgating supplies from the sun’s harsh UV rays, they also help to create your own outdoor space. With so many people joining in on the tailgating fun, your own personal space can be easily encroached upon by tailgating neighbors. A shade canopy offers a welcoming place to party with fellow tailgaters, but it also establishes boundaries within which you can comfortably set up your tailgating supplies and enjoy the day. Portable shade canopies are easy to put up, fast to take down, and can be stored conveniently with your other tailgating supplies in the back of your vehicle or at home. If you drive an SUV or truck, the most ideal instant shade canopy for tailgating is one that attaches to the roof of your vehicle. Clips or Velcro tabs attach the shade canopy to one side of your vehicle’s roof rack, while the other side of the canopy is held up with support legs. But, when it comes down to it, any kind of portable shade canopy will do the job.

Seating options for tailgating come in all shapes and sizes, but what’s important is that it’s portable. A folding sports couch or folding butterfly chairs with cup holders and head rests offer comfort and convenience, but any kind of folding chairs will suffice. The key is finding seating options that are not only comfortable for you, but that will also fit easily into the back of your vehicle with the rest of your tailgating supplies. If you have room, you may consider packing an extra folding chair or two in your car or truck in case you want to have seating ready for fellow tailgaters.

Food and drinks are another necessary addition to your tailgating supplies, but unless you plan to serve only cold, picnic-style foods, you’ll need to bring along a portable grill to prepare your meal and snacks. A number of portable grills are available for tailgating, and choosing the right one depends only on your situation. Do you have a surface, like a table, on which a portable grill can be placed when it’s time to grill those steaks or hamburgers? If so, then any tabletop portable grill would work. If you don’t have access to an appropriate table-high surface for cooking, then a portable grill with full-sized folding legs is a good choice. The most ideal type of portable grill for tailgating, though, attaches to the back of your vehicle and stays there during transport and grilling. Known as the Margaritaville Tailgating Grill, this portable grill comes with a steel swing arm that attaches to any standard receiving hitch. The swing arm locks when the vehicle is in motion, but when it’s time to light the grill, the swing arm can be extended out, keeping the heat and mess away from your vehicle. Lock the swing arm in place before driving home, and the portable grill never has to touch the inside of your car or truck.

 

The goal of tailgating, whether or not you ever go into the stadium to see the game, is to celebrate your team and its potential victory. Being prepared for the game with the proper tailgating supplies means that you can focus entirely on the experience of the day rather than on what you left behind at home. Any number of items can be included in your list of tailgating supplies, but without a shade canopy, comfortable seating, and a portable grill, your tailgating experience is sure to be a drag.

Grills and Accessories, Tailgaiting

Portable Grills Are a Hot Item for Tailgating and Home

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Portable HotSpot Yakatori Charcoal Grill

What do you get when you mix fresh air and freshly grilled food? Arguably, you get the tastiest meal available. But what if it’s mealtime while you’re on the road, on vacation, or simply out and about? Lugging around the full-size gas grill or charcoal grill is certainly not a practical option. Even so, just because you are away from home doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your own deliciously grilled delicacies. With today’s portable grills, “eating out” takes on an entirely new meaning.

Portable grills, also known as tabletop grills, are becoming increasingly popular as grill quality and features improve. Whether you are camping in the woods, tailgating at a football game, boating on the lake, or just out for the day on a family picnic, a portable grill can be a welcome addition to your standard gear. Like their full-size cousins, portable grills are available in gas, charcoal, and even infrared varieties. They heat up quickly and provide you with delicious food no matter where you are.

Portable grills can offer a wide variety of features, depending on your needs. For example, while some portable grills come only with the standard grated surface, perfect for grilling hamburgers, bratwurst, or chicken, others feature a number of different grill surfaces, allowing you to choose the proper surface for the food. In addition to the standard grated surface, a portable grill may come with a grill plate, a skillet, and/or a lid that doubles as a wok. Some grills can serve as a camp stove, too, on which a kettle or coffee pot can be placed for boiling water or brewing coffee.

As the name suggests, portable grills are smaller than full-size grills and are easy to transport. Most of these grills have legs that either fold down or can be removed for travel. In addition, portable grills often come with a sturdy carrying bag, making it even easier to bring the grill along. Though smaller in size, a portable grill can still cook a decent amount of food on a single surface.

Perhaps surprisingly, one place where portable grills can be found more and more is not on the road, but on the back patio. Owning a full-size grill is not an option for many apartment and condo residents who may only have access to a small outdoor area. Even when more outdoor living space is available, some home owners prefer the versatility of a portable grill over the full-size option. Portable grills are often less expensive to purchase, are easier to clean, and can be stored out of view when not in use. Considering the many advantages of today’s portable grills, it is easy to see why they have become an increasingly popular addition to life on the road as well as at home.

Backyard Fun, Fireplaces Pits & Chimineas, Tailgaiting

Investing in a Fire Pit for Chilly Nights

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Fire Pit / Bowl – Large Oil Rubbed Bronzed

Festive Fall Activities for your Fire Pit

These days, it seems like everyone has a fire pit. If you have yet to join the crowd or even if you’re just looking for a new model for this fall, you can find a lot of different styles to choose from. Thanks to the growing demand, there is a wide selection of styles and designs that you can choose from to spice up your backyard and make enjoying fall all the more fun for your family and friends. With so much to choose from, of course, it can get overwhelming at times. Make sure that you’re prepared by taking the time to explore your options and learn about buying the perfect fire pit for your home.

Considerations for Buying a Fire Pit

When you’re investing in a fire pit, you have a lot of different options to choose from. It’s going to be up to you to make sure that you think about the factors that affect your decision so that you can get everything that you deserve from your purchase. Here are some definite things to keep in mind while you’re shopping:

  • Budget.  If you are like most people, you’ll be looking for a good deal within your price range. Making sure that you stick to your budget can be hard with so many great pits to choose from, but you really have to keep things in check. Make sure that you limit your selection by price first so that you don’t accidentally wind up falling in love with something that you can’t afford. You can get great fire pits in all price ranges, so don’t worry about that.
  • Style.  Everyone has different tastes. With the wide selection of fire pits that you have to choose from, it shouldn’t be difficult for you to find what you need. Think about your backyard and what you want to add to it. You can choose from rustic fire pits, contemporary styles, and more. It’s all about what you want and there’s something for almost everyone out there in today’s market.
  • Size.  If you have a big backyard and room for it, you might be shopping for a large fire pit or outdoor fireplace. If you live in the city, on the other hand, you might be in the market for a smaller model. Either way, there are plenty of different sizes to choose from and it’s going to be up to you to get what you want. Make sure that you think about all of the sizes that are available and measure them out to know what you’re getting. This is especially important when you’re shopping online and can’t see the fire pit in person before you buy.
  • Material.  Most fire pits are made of cast iron or aluminum and designed to withstand excessive heat. However, you can also find fire pits made from other materials or that are part of a table, for example. You’ll have to look at these and consider which the best investment is for your money, no matter what you have in mind.

Shopping Online for Fire Pits

Shopping online gives you a lot more options when you’re in the market for a new fire pit. You will be able to pick and choose from designs from dozens of different brands and companies, giving you a much better chance at finding what you want. Plus, you won’t be limited by things like local pricing and availability. Most home improvement stores and superstores only have a limited number of styles and sizes available, and you don’t want to put yourself in that kind of restricted place. Plus, what fun is it if you have the same fire pit as half of your neighbors? Impress everyone and get what you really want by shopping online for something completely different.

Another perk of shopping online is that you can usually get better prices in addition to giving you more options to choose from within your budget range. If you take just a few minutes to see what’s out there, you might be impressed at all the selection that you can find. Even if you can’t spend a fortune on a fire pit, you can still get some great styles and designs when you expand your options by shopping online.

Plus, shopping online is easy and you can do it whenever the mood strikes. You’ll never have to worry about getting to the store before closing or trying to find time to go out and choose the right fire pit. You can shop from the comfort of home and look at dozens of different styles and designs on the spot, no matter what you have in mind. There are so many perks to shopping online for a fire pit that you really should give it a try before you even think about heading out to your local store to see what they have. Chances are that you can even find their selection online to compare what you can get in the store to the options that you have when you shop online.

How to Make the Final Decision

Ultimately, the final decision about which fire pit to buy is entirely up to you. You have to consider all of the factors listed above and make sure that you’re investing in something that you want. This is an investment that you’ll probably have for a long time, provided that you buy a quality fire pit, so you’ll definitely want to make sure that you’re spending your money accordingly. Think about the quality and reputability of the company that you’re buying from, as well as the fire pit itself. Make sure that you like the style and that it fits your outdoor space. In the end, as long as you like what you’re getting, that’s all that matters. Just remember to shop around and explore all of your options so that you can enjoy the fall nights with family and friends with the perfect fire pit for your backyard.

 

Tailgaiting

Choosing a Portable Grill for Tailgating

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CADAC Safari Tailgate Grill

CADAC Safari Grill on a Tailgate

When you’re getting ready for a tailgate party for your favorite team, you’ve got to have all the supplies to have a great time.  The good news is that you can find everything that you need online and be ready for football season in no time at all.  One of the staples of tailgating is a grill, and everyone who goes should have one.  It’s rude to show up and eat everyone else’s food unless you’ve been invited by friends.  If you are in the market for a new portable grill, you’ve got a lot of options to choose from.

Gas vs. Charcoal

The great tailgaters of decades past brought their tiny charcoal grills (or their average sized ones) and set up camp in the parking lots, cooking away as the game played on.  Today, there are many grill masters who still prefer the comfort and taste of charcoal cooking.  There are also many who like the fast and efficient cooking of gas grills.  When you are shopping for a portable grill, you’ll have both to choose from.  It will be up to you to make sure that you get the grill that works for you.  If you like one or the other, shop for that.  There’s no big difference except in the matter of personal opinion.

Gas grills are great for fast cooking and easy cleanup, but charcoal tends to burn more evenly and gives people a grilled taste that is unmistakable.  You should look at the pros and cons of each type of grill, including the cost of portable gas tanks and charcoal, and make sure that you figure out what works best for your needs.

Enter a new contender in the grill ring: electric grills.  There are some electric grills that you can use today for tailgating, if you want something totally different.  They can cook almost anything and allow you to operate on power alone rather than gas or charcoal.  Of course, you’ll need to have somewhere to hook this grill up, so that’s a consideration to keep in mind when you’re shopping.  With so much to think about, it’s really going to be up to you to get what you need in terms of the type of grill that you buy.

Other Factors to Consider

When you’re buying a grill, there’s a lot to think about beyond the type of heating source that you use.  By taking the time to explore your options and learn about what’s out there, it should be easy for you to get everything that you need.  Here are some other factors that are involved in your grill purchase when you need a portable cooker for your tailgating treats:

  • Size.  How big does your grill need to be? Are you cooking for just yourself or for a few people? Do you need a grill big enough to cook for half the tailgating parking lot? Think about how much food you want to be able to cook at any given time.  That will help you choose the perfect size grill for your tailgate party needs every time.
  •  Brand and quality.  There’s something to be said for buying a reputable brand of grill.  Although a lot of people have their favorites, there’s really no one ‘best’ brand.  You will just need to do your homework and make sure that you check the facts before you buy anything.  Getting a good grill is better than getting a cheap grill.  The last thing you need is to break down on tailgate day and be out of a way to cook your food.
  •  Style of grill.  There are portable table top grills, which is great if you plan on having a table ready.  If you want something different, you can find portable grills that fold up for easy transport.  These are really quite popular.  You can even find grills that hook up to your hitch so that you can roll up, unload, and fire it up to start cooking your food.  The options are plentiful and you should have no trouble finding something that works great.
  •  Price.  Even though having a good grill matters most, everyone has a budget these days.  Fortunately, portable grills are affordable.  When you shop online, you can save even more and still get great grills for all of your needs.  Make sure that you limit yourself to your price range, though, so you don’t fall in love with that awesome $600 portable grill unless you can really afford it.
  •  Color.  This might not be important to some people, but how cool would it be to have a grill that matches your favorite team?   Or at least to avoid having a grill that supports a different team, anyway.  You can find grills in all different colors, and even deck them out to support your favorite team with paint and decals if you want.
O-Grill Portable Gas Grill

O-Grill Portable Gas Grill

Get Your Grill On for Less

When you shop online for tailgating grills and other supplies, you’ll be able to get everything that you need for a lot less than you might expect to spend.  People love shopping online because it’s convenient, but it’s also a lot cheaper.  You are going to find the mother lode of all tailgating supplies online because you aren’t limited by local availability or shops that have to keep their inventory under control.  You’ll be able to find everything you could ever dream of, including some of the best and coolest grills for tailgating.

Plus, you don’t have to spend a fortune when you shop online.  Companies sell things for less because they get better deals on the products themselves.  They also have sales all the time, including shipping specials in some cases, making it easy for you to get everything that you need without breaking the bank.  Before you think that you can’t afford a new tailgating grill, take the time to look around and see what’s out there and think again.  Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to the big game with a new grill in hand, so get out there and get shopping now.