tailgating party with grill
Self Storage

How Self Storage Can Help Store Your Tailgating Gear

Tailgating is an important gameday tradition across America. Read this blog for storage tips on how to preserve your favorite tailgate gear in the offseason.

The roar of the crowds, the passion of thousands of fans, all coming together for a common cause. There is truly nothing like football season. And while most places have wildly different gameday traditions that they pass down from generation to generation, there is one that has been universally adopted across the entire country: tailgating.

From the blaring music and high-stakes games of cornhole, to the unique food carefully crafted on blazing-hot grills, the art of tailgating has been perfected over the years to become a beloved staple of pre-gametime festivities everywhere. Leading a top-tier tailgate often comes with a plethora of equipment, and finding the space at home to store it all can become a real challenge over time. When this happens, going with a storage option off-site can be a real game changer.

The Benefits of Self Storage for Your Tailgating Gear

When it comes to convenience and peace of mind when stowing your tailgating gear, utilizing a storage unit is a surefire way to get both. Whether you are looking for short-term storage for your gear between weekly games, or a long-term solution for getting it out of the house during the offseason, a storage unit can provide a flexible option for both. 

While it may seem easier to dedicate your garage or shed to this task if you are living in a house, tailgating gear is often bulky and can quickly dominate space. This storage area is better suited for equipment and tools that you use frequently, like cars and lawn equipment.

Organizing Your Tailgating Equipment

Whether the big game is out of town or just a few blocks away, getting your tailgating gear into a storage unit clears up valuable space at home and can be a convenient way to get yourself organized as well. When you have part of your unit dedicated to storing your tailgating equipment, it is easier to spread it out without mixing it in with other everyday items.

Most storage units have enough room for a simple shelving unit to be utilized Not only does this keep your valuable equipment off the ground, but it also lets you store your belongings in a way that lets you know exactly where that stuff is when you need it. Using clear plastic bins to store loose utensils, power cables, and other tailgate essentials allows you to see what is inside while protecting them against potential harm from dust, dirt, or pests.

How to Prepare Your Gear for Storage

Before packing up and organizing your tailgating gear in storage, it is crucial to make sure it has been properly prepared for this process. This is especially important for increasing the longevity of your equipment, as it can protect it from rusting, growing mold, or becoming the nesting site of pests. Read on for tips on how to properly store your tailgating essentials.

Grill

Grilling hamburgers on a grill

The grill is the heart and soul of all tailgates, bringing people together in solidarity over shared food. After the last hot dogs, hamburgers, and brats of the season have been seared to perfection, it is vital to make sure that your grill is properly cleaned before putting it up for the year.

Make sure that the grates have been extensively cleaned and all food particles have been burned and scrubbed off. The best way to do this is to heat the grill up and let it sit on high heat for 15-20 minutes, which sears any built-up food debris and makes it easier to clean off. When the grill has completely cooled off, you can go in and scrub the interior off with soap and water. For charcoal grills, make sure that all coal remnants have been removed. Propane tanks should never be stored inside under any circumstances, and are best left outside at home, away from buildings.

For more in-depth grill storage tips, you can peruse through our blog post on this topic!

Coolers

It can be easy for mold or mildew to grow inside coolers if they’re not properly cared for. Taking the time to completely dry out the interior of your cooler after each use goes a long way in maintaining its cleanliness over time, as accumulated water sitting in an enclosed space very quickly leads to the creation of unwanted fungi and bacteria.

Before storing your cooler in the offseason, clean it out with warm water, a mild detergent, and baking soda. This homemade disinfectant is great for clearing out bacteria and nasty smells that can grow if left unattended for several months. If your cooler already has mold growing inside of it, try using a heavy-duty cleaning solution of bleach, baking soda, and liquid dish soap that blasts away this grime with some scrubbing. Stains or strange smells can be freshened up with a white vinegar and lemon juice concoction.

Once the cooler is washed, leave it propped up upside down to air dry for several hours, and give it a final once-over with a dry washcloth before putting it in storage. Make sure the lid and plugs are tightly sealed to keep dirt and pests out.

Tables and Chairs

Tailgates can often lead to your furniture getting covered in crumbs, sauces, or spilled liquid. Make sure that everything gets wiped down with a warm water, soap, and white vinegar mixture that disinfects, removes stains from the surface, and takes care of any oxidation that has accumulated on the metal parts of the chairs and tables. Let everything properly dry before sticking it in storage.

Canopy Tent or Shelter

Before storing your canopy tent, inspect the fabric and metal frame for damage. Any holes in the fabric will need to be repaired right away, as they can be made worse with additional use, poor weather or wind, and time spent in storage. These damages can usually be repaired by sewing the hole shut and covering it using an adhesive. Any damage to the frame may be able to be fixed with a hammer, however it is best to be cautious when doing so as to not bend the metal too far in the other direction.

If your canopy withstood inclement weather, it is best to make sure it has properly air dried before putting it into storage so it does not grow mildew. Keep it in the canvas bag it came in to protect it from dirt and pests.

Tailgating Vehicle

Friends around a tailgating vehicle

For the dedicated fans that have a designated tailgating camper, truck, bus, or other vehicle, storing it at a storage facility can free up a great deal of space at home. Before storing the vehicle for the offseason, give it a thorough cleaning. Clean the outside with a traditional soap and water scrub, removing all of the dirt or grime that accumulated during the season.

Additionally, examine the inside and vacuum the floor and seats so crumbs or other debris do not attract pests. Making sure that all engine fluids are up to date, and the tires have ample air pressure in them, allows them to better withstand the cold weather and leaves your vehicle ready-to-go for the next time you need it.

Find a Storage Facility Before Your Next Tailgate

When the sad time comes for you to pack away your tailgating gear for the season, utilizing a storage unit is your best option for convenience and optimizing space.. When Life Demands Space®, Prime Storage has the facilities and amenities you need. Find a location near you and rent your storage unit online today!

Share
Email Facebook Twitter
Tagged as  Self Storage