Tailgates: EVERYTHING you need to make them safe.

I found some great tools that give men (and women, of course, when we need them) the upper hand when creating the Tailgate Food Safety Game Plan Checklist for the SecretLifeRD  Man vs Germ Tailgate Podcast. Some were gifted to me, some I own, and some I plan to buy. Do you have suggestions for other great finds to prevent food poisoning from crashing your tailgate? Send me a note and a link at maryangela@keepsafefood.com

KSF Tailgate Food Safety Checklist Game Plan Shopping Guide

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 Beginning with KeepSafe Food’s  Deluxe Outdoor Food Safety Kit makes all the rest easier.

In addition to a top rated, quick read, easy clean, cooking thermometer, the kit includes sanitizer, a chopping mat, carryall tote and a fridge magnet with safe food storage guide. As a bonus, you’ll receive a FREE cooler thermometer while supplies last. During the off season you can hang this thermometer in any fridge that doesn’t have a temperature gauge to ensure that it is ≤ 41 °F.

MOVE IT SAFELY with a rolling cooler. I prefer one with wheels, because at barely 61 inches tall, let’s just say my upper arm strength is limited. This one is on my Wishlist. I like the one I have except it doesn’t have a drain. My next one will.

 KEEP FOODS IN SEPARATE CONTAINERS

I’m not a big fan of divided coolers because the size of the cooler compartments may not jive with what’s on my menu. If the compartments are fixed, they may be too big or not big enough.  If the cooler has a removable divider leakage from one compartment may contaminate another. That’s why I pack foods in a reusable, cleanable, leak proof, freezer friendly container like this one.

 KEEP IT COLD

I like the slim chill packs because they are easy to clean and stack in my freezer. I also have a variety pack of sizes. Although I do keep a few of the foldable, flexible packs to squeeze into small spaces or to wrap around a container..  My last set of flexible chill packs eventually sprung a leak, so I pitched them when I moved. These claim to be leak proof but what I really like about them is that they can be cut to size. And finally, the heavy duty packs like this Yeti  garners ultimate respect in the outdoor community.   I use both gel packs and ice. Not one or the other, but both.

 KEEP IT HOT

 Hot transport is trickier. Of course, there are commercial grade hot food carts for caterers for just this purpose but most of us don’t invest in that type of equipment for an occasional event. Insulated carrier bags (think pizza delivery) are helpful. They do keep food hot, but how hot, for how long is not guaranteed. Another reason to check temperature and have a reheating plan in place.

 KEEP IT CLEAN

 Lotions, Sprays and Wipes: A sanitizer for every purpose.

 Bring several hand sanitizer dispensers so you can place them in strategic locations. Plus, somehow, one often gets “relocated” or goes missing. You can find these anywhere and probably have your favorites. Plus, somehow, one often gets “relocated” or goes missing. You can find these anywhere and probably have your favorites. This is a nice option with Vitamin E and Aloe.

Include a bottle of food safe disinfectant spray to clean tabletops and any other surfaces that might need a quick wipe down and a packet of packet of probe wipes to clean your thermometer between temperature checks.

 Simplify Clean Up

A pop up trash can is a great tailgate add. Enables you to toss things in without getting grungy hands. These containers are multipurpose. I used mine for collecting leaves before I lost it to the wind…so be careful. When I reorder, I might try one like this, which gets raves for its sturdy bottom.  If you don’t have small clamps in your tool box, these clips to hold the trash bag in place should do the trick.

 GRILL IT RIGHT

 As part of the Miller Sisters’ Annual Weekend, my sister Jeanette is assigned to bring the steaks and I’m tasked to grill them. A few outtakes reveal how my hairstyle has changed over the last 20 years.  As for my own grill, it’s a Weber.  Why Weber? Because I’m not sure I’ve ever had anything other than a Weber grill. When I downsized last year, I switched out my deck grill for this portable one. Then my girls gave me this foldable grill stand as a housewarming gift. Perfect for condo use and easily transportable.

 I need to replace my grill brush and scraper just about every season. Why grill cleaner spray? It’s not so much about the germs but the crusty stuff from the last cookout. When crud gets in your food it’s called physical contamination. Other options to keep the grill clean are these easy clean, reusable grill mats . I keep a supply of disposable foils and liners that work well too.

 SERVE IT COLD

One of the nice features of this chill bar is that it not only has compartments to keep foods separate, you can keep an eye on the ice level. Plus, it comes with tongs. An inflatable buffet tray provides a lot of flexibility for different size items. Also good for a potluck tailgate because you never know what size bowls people are bringing. Remember that you will need to blow it up! This snack bowl with removable ice pack works well for dips and dippers.

 SERVE IT HOT

 This buffet kit with chafing dishes, pans and canned heat has most of what you need. Add an assortment of smaller size pans for small batches which also allows you to offer more foods in the same tabletop space.

 Using chafing pans? Pour hot water in the bottom pan liners. Then use the canned heat to keep it warm. It’s too much to ask of those little canned heat flames to bring a large pan of water from cold to hot. One solution is to heat water in a pan on the grill. Another is to heat water at home and bring it in a thermos. Finding one with a large enough capacity was a challenge. But this jug comes in a one-gallon size and claims to hold hot for up to 6 hours.

 Consider a Stainless-Steel Warming Tray…because I couldn’t find a battery operated one! A bit fancy, a bit pricy and you have to warm it up via electrical connection beforehand. It stays hot for 60 minutes. This might be something to consider only if you have use it for it for other purposes.

Share and Be Secure

I invest in another item or two each season, loan what I own when I go to other tailgates and enjoy the game all the more because of the added sense of security gained from having the right gear.

Listen to the Man vs Germ Podcast on Secret Life of Dietitians

Order your  Outdoor Food Safety Kit and receive a bonus cooler thermometer while supplies last

Request your free Tailgate Food Safety Checklist from maryangela@keepsafefood.com and subscribe to KeepSafe Food .