For some, the autumn season signifies changing leaves and cooler evenings. But for the Bulldog faithful, fall means one thing: football. If you can’t make it to Sanford Stadium or follow the Dawgs on the road, move the tailgate party to your backyard and watch the game with friends and family.
Tech it out: Walton EMC found some gadgets that will
take your backyard bash to the next level.
The tech world offers plenty of great gadgets to help you up your tailgate game. The team at Walton EMC has shopped around and checked reviews to find appliances and gadgets that will help you take your hosting game to the next level. Here are five of our favorites for a backyard bash.
Weatherproof Television
SunBriteTV 55-inch Veranda
Forget huddling in front of a TV in the den while the party’s outside. Instead, take the viewing to your patio or deck with a weather-resistant television. Lifewire.com is among several reviewers ranking the 55-inch SunBriteTV Veranda as a top choice for an outdoor environment. The LED screen and ultra-HD resolution provide vivid picture quality that is up to 50 percent brighter than indoor TVs. Even better, the SunBrite comes with built-in speakers and offers a variety of connections for maximum compatibility with 4K streaming services. The TV has a durable, aluminum casing that can withstand rain, snow, dust, insects and extreme temperatures. Retails for $1,999.
Outdoor Speakers
Polk Atrium4
If you prefer to listen to play-by-play man Scott Howard call the game on the Georgia Bulldogs Sports Network, you’ll want to invest in some quality outdoor speakers. After testing 11 outdoor speakers priced under $500, tomsguide.com named the compact Polk Atrium4 as the best overall. “A great outdoor speaker has to withstand the elements and deliver robust bass, crisp treble and full midrange with enough power to be heard over both the wind and the chatter of a party. These Polk speakers check all the boxes,” the reviewers said. Buy the pair for $99.
Wi-Fi Grill
Green Mountain Grill Davy Crockett Wi-Fi Portable Pellet Tailgate Grill
Green Mountain Grill’s Davy Crockett will work effectively in your backyard as well as a UGA parking lot. The independent reviewers for thespruceeats.com liked this portable electric pellet grill’s Wi-Fi control feature. You can use an app to remotely turn the grill on and off, adjust the temperature and even use the timer to let foods cook for a specific amount of time. This grill has ample grate space for cooking all the burgers and dogs that your backyard party requires. It has legs that also serve as handles and comes with an adapter that you can use with a home electric outlet, generator or car cigarette lighter. At $300, it’s one of the least-expensive pellet grills available.
Electric Ice Maker
Opal Nugget Ice Maker
Forever ditch those plastic bags of convenience store ice cubes that melt before the fourth quarter. Instead, check out the Opal Nugget Ice Maker. In it's review, pcmag.com lauds this machine for producing “the same chewable nugget ice made famous by Sonic restaurants.” You can even connect to it with your phone to see how much ice is left and set schedules. Selling for around $400, it’s a luxury item for sure, but it beats driving to Sonic every time you need a chewable ice fix.
Automatic Grill Cleaner
Grillbot
Who wants to be stuck cleaning the grill while there’s a game to watch? Luckily, there's Grillbot, which TechHive.com describes as “the best thing to happen to barbecues since fire.” The rechargeable Grillbot is essentially a Roomba for your barbecue. Simply place it on a dirty grill, turn it on, and it will automatically do the dirty work while you enjoy the game. It even sounds an alarm to let you know when cleaning is complete. The Grillbot is widely available at home centers and online for about $100.
Whether the Dawgs notch a W or not, it’s certain that your backyard party will score big with these great gadgets. Ready. Set. Tailgate!
