12 tools for your tailgating pleasure

Epicurious.com

Whether you're a tailgating neophyte or a true fanatic, our game-day gear guide has all the equipment you could possible need -- from a $20 drinks helmet (sure to help make new friends in the parking lot) to a $12,000 camper trailer that can take your party on the road in style. Sleek, portable gadgets make it easy to blend a pitcher of frozen drinks, heat up a batch of chili, cook some quesadillas, and even grill meats and vegetables over an open flame behind your car. Sturdy fold-out benches and water-resistant umbrellas will get you nice and comfortable if you're in it for the long haul, while quirky finds, like sports-inspired beer tubes and magnetic drinks cozies, will have everyone eager to join your team.

Portable Blender ($60)

It may not garner as much attention as the noisy, gas-guzzling Tailgator, but Coleman's rechargeable, battery-operated blender chops ice and blends ingredients quickly and efficiently. Outfitted with a powerful motor, it can make a 48-ounce pitcher of frozen drinks in about 30 seconds. One charge should power 20 rounds. A rubber nonskid base keeps the blender stable, and the pitcher locks into the base for easy transport.


Induction Cook Top ($190)

----- or'sinduction cook top provides an efficient and portable cooking solution for tailgaters who care as much about the food as the football. With no flames or gas emissions and a surface that stays cool all around the pot, this appliance is safe for a parking lot full of rowdy fans and kids. It ensures precise and instant heat, and will warm your batch of chili twice as fast as a gas or electric range. Use it with ----- or's line of compatible pots and pans, or any cookware with a magnetic bottom.

Ultimate Camper ($12,329)

Get to the game early, claim a great spot, and go back to sleep in this fully equipped, cedar-lined, deluxe teardrop camper trailer. Big Woody's camper galley boasts double sinks and a water pump, a refrigerator, a wine rack, side tables with patio lights, and a TV/DVD player perfect for those instant slow-motion playbacks. The unit is wired for electricity; a converter and battery charger are available for an additional cost.



Portable Propane Gas Grill ($190)

This O-Grill from Pro-Iroda weighs in at only 24 pounds and features a clever locking clamshell design, fully retractable legs, and a sturdy built-in handle. Available in a host of six bright colors, it offers 9450 BTU heat output and 225 square inches of porcelain-enameled, cast-iron-grid cooking surface. It will run for four hours on a 14.1-ounce cylinder.




Six Pack Tote ($20 to $23)

Made from the same fabric as wetsuits, this reusable neoprene bag from Built NY will keep your beverages chilled for up to four hours on game day. The versatile fabric makes it stretchy enough to hold and protect cans and bottles -- from 12 to 20 ounces -- and soft-grip handles make carrying weighty six-packs easier on the hands.



Tailgating Umbrella ($119)

Leave the other team at the mercy of the elements and ensure your tailgate is protected with the Auto-mo-brella, a nine-foot, water-resistant umbrella that comes with a two-inch hitch bar and attaches easily to pickups, SUVs, and even regular cars with receiver hitches. Made of heavy-gauge steel, this portable party-saver sets up in seconds and stays securely in place, providing shade from the sun or cover from the rain.



Drinks Helmet ($20)

If this doesn't help you make friends in the parking lot, then nothing will. Get the hands-free headgear in a color to match your home team and stock it with two cans of your favorite drink. Place it on your head, and the included straws will keep the good times flowing all day.




Portable Fold-Out Bench ($100)

Couldn't get seats inside the stadium? This compact Instabench -- available in red, green, blue, and black -- measures over 8.5 feet long and can seat six 250-pound adults when fully opened. It weighs just 20 pounds, folds up to about two feet, and fits comfortably in the included carry bag with adjustable shoulder strap.




Car-Mountable Grill with Tables ($349)

The Freedom Grill attaches to the back of your truck, SUV, or RV with a swinging arm that allows you to move it away from the car before firing up the open-flame grill. It comes with an electronic igniter, 16,000 BTU stainless-steel burner, 352 square inches of grill space, fold-out side tables, and a condiment tray for the serious game-day griller. Propane tank and adapter are sold separately. If you're following your team out on the road, you'll be happy to hear that the grill comes with a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty -- that's a lot of away games.


Cooler with Hitch Basket ($498)

Crafted from tough polyethylene and filled with polyurethane foam, this 132-quart, ultra-insulated "Outback" cooler with trailer hitch carrier will keep your ice frozen for a week while you follow your team on the road. A divider allows you to keep contents organized and separated, and a cutting board turns this cooler into a multitasking prep station when need be. Stainless-steel hinges and latches guarantee an impermeable seal and will not wear out or break. A molded-in steel drain faucet makes cleaning and draining the cooler fast and easy.


Magnetic Coozies (4-pack from $25)

Where to put the drink while you tackle your buddy (or get more food)? On the side of your car, of course. These neoprene drink holders from American Tailgater are inexpensive and portable, and will keep your beer icy cold for the duration of the game. Tighten the Velcro to keep your bottle or can snug and attach your beverage to the side of your car or any other metal surface to free up your hands. Superstrong magnets make sure it stays where you left it. Coozies are available in a variety of colors and team logos.


Beer Tubes ($99 each)

These dispensers pour like saloon taps, keep beverages cooler than traditional pitchers, and make it easy to serve large quantities of beer -- or any other cold drink -- to sports fanatics. Each tube stands 3.5 feet tall and holds 100 ounces of the beverage of your choice; a small tap at the bottom of the tube makes for easy pouring. A variety of sports-inspired designs and team colors are available.






MORE FROM EPICURIOUS.COM:

  • Recipe Slideshows
    Assorted galleries featuring pictures and recipes from Epicurious.com