How to Store Tailgating Equipment
Whether you're a sports fan or a music lover, tailgating before and after an event is one of the best parts of attending special events with your favorite people. It's a social time to gather around food and drinks as you get amped up for the big event and create a sense of community around tradition and team spirit. From Giants, Jets or Big Time College games at Met Life Stadium, a Yankees or Mets game in the Bronx or Queens, or your favorite live music performed at one of a multitude of venues around New York City, tailgating clearly rocks!
However, a major challenge that tailgating enthusiasts often encounter is finding space to store all their tailgating gear between games and in the off-season. Fortunately, Stop & Stor offers tailgating equipment solutions in every one of our convenient New York locations.
Preparing Tailgating Equipment for Storage
Once the big event is over or your team is done playing for the season, it is crucial to clean and inspect your tailgating items before storing them. In the pre-party atmosphere of a parking lot, tailgating stuff tends to become dirty, spilled on, and damaged.
Here’s a list of the best items for tailgating and how to prepare them for storage.
Grill
To store your charcoal, gas, or electric grill safely away, you'll need to do a maintenance check. Make sure all parts are in working order, checking for damage, hose issues, and clogged ports. Most importantly is to clean the inside and outside of your grill and any tailgate cooking equipment with warm, soapy water to remove leftover grease and food. A grill cover can prevent rust, dents, and damage. Remember that no food items are allowed to be stored at any Stop & Stor facility.
Propane Tank
For safety reasons, propane tanks must be stored elsewhere, not in a storage unit. If stored inside, even tightly closed propane tank vapors can seep out and impact your health. To protect yourself, place propane tanks on ventilated metal shelves outdoors and far from anything flammable.
Cooler
It's essential to clean your cooler before storing it in tailgating gear storage. A dirty cooler can grow mold and mildew that will make you sick the next time you use it. Clean your cooler with warm water, dish soap, and baking soda. White vinegar and lemon juice can help with difficult stains and bad odors. To prevent mold growth during tailgating equipment storage, allow your cooler to remain open while fully air-drying. Same as the grill, remember that no food items can be stored!
Tailgating Flags & Decorations
Some of the best items for tailgating are your festive decorations, so take good care of them so they can be reused next year. Inspect team flags and decorations for wear and tear, mending any damage. Clean items in a washing machine or hand-wash them, allowing them to dry completely to prevent mildew. Storage tubes and other packing supplies can be useful to keep tailgating items looking fresh and new.
Tables & Chairs
Remove debris from tailgating tables and chairs with a soft-bristle brush, and then wash them with warm water and white vinegar. This method eliminates rust on the metal parts of your tailgating equipment.
Canopy Tent
Inspect your tailgating tent for rips or damage to the metal frame before storing it. You can make repairs by sewing holes shut, using fabric patches, or hammering bent poles. Wash the tent with warm, soapy water and store it in a canvas bag for protection.
Tailgating Vehicle
Some tailgaters use a special vehicle for their parking lot parties, which you’ll want to clean inside and out before moving to storage. Trucks, campers, and trailers can haul your tailgating gear to a storage unit and then be stored themselves until needed again.
Best Ways to Store Tailgating Gear
From our storage experts at Stop & Stor, here are some tips for how to store tailgating items.
Plastic Storage Bins
- Ideal for speakers, portable radios, and other electronics
- Stack labeled bins on top of each other to save space
Cardboard Boxes
- Ideal for lightweight items like blankets and tablecloths
- An affordable option for tailgating gear storage
Utility Hooks & Wall Mounts
- Ideal for tailgating furniture and games
- Use sturdy hooks to maximize wall space and minimize floor clutter
Shelving Units
- Free-standing and wall-mounted shelves are ideal for heavier items
- Great for keeping tailgating gear organized
Overhead Storage
- Ideal for tents, large coolers, and tailgate cooking equipment
- Use caution when lifting and removing tailgating items from up high
Where to Store Tailgating Equipment
Fortunately, there are several options for choosing the best storage location based on the amount of tailgating gear you have, your climate-control needs, and accessibility.
Garage Storage
If you have enough space around your vehicles, a garage can protect tailgating gear from weather damage. However, garages rarely have temperature control, which is necessary for sensitive items.
Outdoor Shed Storage
Backyard sheds can provide tailgating gear storage if you don’t have oversized items or require temperature control. You can maximize your shed space by adding adjustable shelving or pallets.
Basement Storage
Basements provide out-of-sight, out-of-mind storage for tailgating gear you need to access frequently. Use bins or shelves for basement organization, and ensure items are protected from moisture and potential flood damage.
Self-Storage Units
Renting a storage unit is a good option for many tailgating gear situations. Based on your equipment, you can choose between climate-controlled and standard units. Size options range from a 5x5x4 locker that's about as big as a small closet to a 10x20 unit the size of a one-car garage.
Contact Us for Tailgating Gear Storage
To ensure your tailgating gear is ready to use for the next big game or event, it’s essential to clean, repair, pack, and organize it properly. When you take good care of your tailgating equipment, you’ll spend less time and money shopping for new items and enjoy more celebrations with fellow fans.
Please contact us for your storage needs during the New York sports off-seasons or whenever you need extra space for your tailgating gear. On our website, you can search for available units based on where you live and get flexible month-to-month renting with hot deals and promotions in NYC.
Keep your possessions safe and secure during the entire phase of your home renovation by seeking out storage units in NYC. Here at Stop & Stor, we have a wide range of storage unit sizes. We offer small 25 square foot units that can hold a few furniture pieces as well as large 300 square foot units that have enough room to hold all the possessions from a 3-bedroom house. Find an available unit today to learn about all of our storage solutions so you can free up space in your home until the construction is complete.
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