With fall right around the corner, Saturdays and Sundays are about to become all about college and pro football again. Watching the game from your couch isn't always exciting enough, though. Fortunately, eating, drinking and chatting up other fans at a tailgate can make the game day experience a little more special.
If you enjoy sharing your favorite foods and drinks in the stadium parking lot before big games, you know how important it is to have the right gear. From a gas griddle for burgers to a cast-iron Dutch oven for chili and stew to a pizza oven for pizzeria-quality pies, you want the right tools in your tailgating arsenal to make the tastiest meals possible.
In this article: Blackstone 2-Burner Griddle, Lodge Cast Iron Skillet and Solo Stove Fire Pit 2.0
The BestReviews Testing Lab tested some of the hottest tailgating gear on the market to see how well it performed for game day cooking and socializing. Check out our favorite products that can make preparing delicious snacks and drinks for the big game a little easier.
Every month, the BestReview sTesting Lab tests products that are trending online or made by popular brands in real-world situations, so our testers can see how well they perform. Our team uses the items just as any regular consumer would, allowing the Lab to evaluate how effective the products are, how easy they are to use and any other features that distinguish them from similar products.
Whether you want to enjoy burgers, chicken wings or sausage and peppers, this propane-powered griddle is perfect for game day. With its folding legs and removable flat top, the Testing Lab loves how easy it is to transport to the stadium or park. It fully preheats in less than 15 minutes and has independent dials that allow for two different heating zones.
With this pre-seasoned cast-iron pan, you can whip up tailgating dishes like pizza, hot dip, nachos and more. We loved how versatile it was, preparing everything from chicken and salmon to vegetables to fried favorites. It also cooked evenly and helped food develop a delicious crispy or seared exterior.
Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast-Iron Dutch Oven
If your favorite tailgating meal is a hearty chili or stew, this Dutch oven can get the job done. We appreciate its large handles that make it easy to grip and how easy its nonstick interior is to clean. The Testing Lab also found that it cooks just as efficiently as the higher-priced Le Creuset Dutch oven at a fraction of the cost.
Amazon Basics Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron Dutch Oven
Another excellent option for game day stew, soup or chili, this affordable cast-iron Dutch oven impressed us with its outstanding heat retention and pre-seasoned, nonstick interior that made cleanup a breeze. We also love its 7-quart capacity, which is ideal for feeding plenty of hungry fans.
You won't get cold on chilly autumn game days with this easy-to-use fire pit. The Testing Lab loves how portable it is, thanks to its lightweight design and included carrying bag. We were also thrilled with how little smoke it produced and how little cleanup was necessary after use.
Make delicious pizzas at your next tailgating event with this outdoor pizza oven. It needed just about 15 minutes to heat to 700 degrees and only two or three minutes to cook each pizza during our testing. Weighing just over 30 pounds, it is portable enough to take to the big game too.
This gas-powered pizza oven is another Testing Lab favorite because it is easy to use and requires little maintenance. It weighs under 30 pounds, and the pizza stone separates from the body, making it easy to take on the go. We made pizzas in as little as 60 seconds, so it is one of the most efficient pizza ovens we tested.
Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer with 7-Quart MegaZone
If you want your tailgating food to be a little healthier, this air fryer is perfect for making chicken wings, hot dogs, french fries and more "fried" goodies. We love that it doesn't require any preheating to cook foods quickly and gets food crispy with no oil. It was large enough to fit an entire package of hot dogs during our testing.
If you want to drink more than beer at your tailgate, this cooler can chill all your favorite wine varieties for the big game. We like its lightweight design that makes it easy to pack into the car, but its six-bottle capacity means you can chill enough wine for plenty of fans. It also has a double-paned, mirrored glass door that protects your bottles from ultraviolet rays.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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