Why a Generator Can Help You Power Up Your Football Tailgate this Fall

As the summer turns to fall, the air crispens, and the leaves start changing colors, it’s usually an indicator of an important milestone—football season is back! And with football returning, you can also expect the return of epic tailgating parties before, during, and after the games themselves.

Of course, whether you’re a tailgating pro or a rookie just entering this wonderful recreation, there are certain things worth considering to make sure your tailgate is as enjoyable as possible.

Did someone say electricity?

By adding a portable generator into your tailgating supplies, you can up your game and create a truly memorable experience. So, let’s look at tailgate generators and spotlight how they can help add value to the moment.

Tailgate Generator  Benefits

Tailgating is more than just a way to party before (and during) this week’s game. It’s a community-driven, social outdoor activity that shares traits with the ancient harvest festivals of Rome and Greece. It’s also a ton of fun! 

Of course, as you become more steeped in the tailgating tradition, you may find certain things can enhance the experience, especially if you have a generator to power all your needs.

Before going into some of the considerations you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing your generator, let’s start by talking about why you need a tailgate generator in the first place. This will help ensure you know how to use your portable generator like a pro at your next tailgate. Many tailgaters may think a cooler and charcoal grill is enough to create a great tailgating experience. And it can be! But there are so many benefits you’re missing out on by not having electricity.

Let’s take a look at just some examples of what you can power up by using a generator:

  • Phone chargers – These days, nothing will kill a party faster than if people’s phones start to die. And, while you can bring mobile chargers and other accessories to stave off this eventuality, generators make it easier by allowing anyone with a low battery to plug in as needed. The same rule applies for our everyday, chargeable electronics.
  • Television – Some people may opt to tailgate only during the pregame and then head into the stadium when the game starts. Others may keep the tailgating going throughout. Either way, you’re there to celebrate your team. So, whether it’s watching the pregame coverage or the game itself, having a TV live will add to your enjoyment and make it easy to stay focused on the game.
  • Kitchen appliances – There’s nothing wrong with burgers and brats cooked on a charcoal grill. Let us repeat: there is nothing wrong with burgers and brats cooked on a charcoal grill.
    However, no one ever complained about having too many food or drink options during a tailgate. Expand your tailgating culinary skills by bringing some favorite appliances like coffee makers, blenders, or hot plates, and make sure you have a food and drink selection that will be the envy of your game-going peers.
  • Radio/Music – Whether you want to listen to game analysis or just relax to some of your favorite tunes, having a small generator to power your radio or music choices ensures the soundtrack doesn’t stop.
  • Lights – Football season runs through the winter and has numerous night games. That means it gets dark. The solution may be portable lighting units. With these units and a generator to power them, you can ensure that your tailgate isn’t reliant on the sun.
  • Heat – As we said, football season runs through the winter. And tailgates happen outside. Bundling up and crowding next to the grill is one way to stay warm but using a generator to power some space heaters is a less crowded way to ensure your comfort.

These are just some examples of what a little extra electricity can add to your tailgate. Understanding how much power you need for these different appliances is important when picking the right size, too.  In short, if you want your tailgate to be as fun and comfortable as possible, you need a tailgate generator.

Generator Considerations

Now that you know some of the ways a tailgate generator can add to your tailgating experience, it’s time to consider the right generator to fit your needs. Considerations like power capacity will vary depending on the size of your generator. So, what size generator do I need for tailgating?

In which case, let’s look at some of the main points to consider when deciding on your perfect generator:

  • Run time – You don’t want to be in the middle of a tailgate and suddenly have your generator fail. Different generators will have different run times. Run times will also be affected by how much power you’re using and the type of fuel you’ve selected. Be sure that the generator you purchase has the run time you desire.
  • Power – Another consideration is the power capacity of the generator you purchase. For example, the DuroMax Tri-Fuel Portable HTX generator has a capacity of 13,000 watts. While that will do the job, it might be more than you need. In contrast, our Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator has a capacity of 4,500 watts.
  • Noise – Another reason you may want to opt for a less powerful generator is that all that power can generate noise. You don’t want your tailgate to be drowned out by generator noise so be sure to consider volume when comparing your options.
  • Portability – Not all generators are portable. And even among portable generators, some are lighter and easier to move around than others. Understand what size portable generator you need will help you choose one you actually want to bring it to your tailgate.
  • Other uses – We’re talking about tailgate generators today, but generators have myriad applications. Other reasons you may want a generator include but are not limited to:
    • Home power backup
    • Job site power
    • Recreation or RV purposes

You can buy a small generator purely for tailgating purposes, but if you do plan on using your generator for more than just tailgates, be sure it’s capable of handling the various different functions you need it to perform.

  • Environmental impact – Most generators run on fuel. Gasoline, natural gas, and propane might work across different generators. It’s worth considering the environmental impact of running a fuel-based generator and opt for those that will have minimal environmental impact. Here at DuroMax, we’re proud to offer generators that feature EPA & CARB reduced emission engines.
  • Price – We’re big fans of top-of-the-line generators that will cover your every possible need. But we also understand budgetary restrictions. Generators can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands. To that end, it’s essential you find a generator that offers the functionality you desire at a price you can afford.


How Do I Use a Generator?

If you’re not familiar with using portable generators, then the first thing you should do is carefully read the manual that accompanies your unit. Different generators won’t operate ubiquitously, so even if you have a foundational understanding of how generators work, it’s important to know how to use and maintain your generator.

As far as basic generator usage, it’s a relatively straightforward process:

  • Determine a good place to position your generator. You’ll generally want a decent amount of clearance, so your tailgating guests don’t get hit with generator emissions.
  • Be sure that your generator isn’t fueled until your on the site. Transporting the generator with a full tank of gasoline can be dangerous due to gas fumes and spill potential, so it’s recommended to store gasoline separately from the generator in a gasoline safe container and fuel the generator on site.
  • Turn the generator on. Check specific instructions to learn how to turn your generator on.

At this point, you’re ready to start plugging in appliances. Just be sure to know the capacity of your generator so you don’t accidentally overload it.

A couple of other generator safety tips and considerations to keep in mind:

  • Electricity and water don’t mix. Unless you have solid overhead coverage, you should not use a generator in direct rain or snow.
  • Turn off and unplug all your devices before following the instructions to turn off your generator.
  • If you do need to refuel your generator, be sure it’s turned off and you have given it ample time to cool. Refueling before cooling can be dangerous and lead to the fuel igniting.
  • Do not use your generator in any enclosed space. Pay specific attention to any carbon monoxide alarms and immediately head to an area with fresh air. Carbon monoxide can be deadly.
  • Have fun and enjoy the game!

Get Your Tailgate Generator at DuroMax

So, what do you say? This season, are you ready to elevate your tailgating game to be the envy of all your fellow fans?

If so, there’s no better place to find the perfect portable generator than here at DuroMax.

And we offer more than just that. We have generators, accessories, water pumps, power washers, and engines. During this football season, we’d love to be part of the party.  

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