Like any self-respecting Hawkeye football fan, when the cool breezes of autumn roll in, Kiernan Cavanagh (BBA16)’s thoughts drift toward delectable tailgating fare.

However, unlike most fans, Cavanagh has an “in” for the freshest tips and tools in the world of grilling. As Weber’s new product development finance manager, he gets to test drive (grill?) the latest and greatest in the world of outdoor cooking.

We asked him for a couple of quick tips for aspiring grillmasters looking to be tailgate heroes.

Here’s his hot take:

• Plan your menu 
  What time is the game? For those crisp, 11 a.m. kickoffs, Cavanagh likes breakfast ham and egg sandwiches. For late games, he prefers sweet and spicy chicken wings. Detailed grilling instructions for both can be found at weber.com/US/en/recipes.
• Prep early
  Prep the ingredients the night before so all you have to do is throw the food on the grill once you arrive at Kinnick (or your watch party).
• Bring your tools
  If you’re going old-school charcoal, try a charcoal chimney to help light and heat coals consistently and evenly. For your griddle, pack a scraper and water to keep your cooking surface clean and squeeze bottles for easy oil and sauce application. One of his favorite new products is the basin with cutting board lid, which allows you to cut up your meat or veggies right at the grill.

• 

  Ready your grill
  Whether using a portable charcoal or gas grill, clean your grates and empty the drip tray before you head out. Instead of using a wire grill brush that can leave metal shards in your food, try burning the residue off for 15 minutes prior to grilling—or get a Weber “T” brush designed with safe bristles.

• Be safe!
  Keep burns away by using essential tools like a spatula, tongs, and grill gloves.

This article appeared in the Fall 2025 issue of Tippie Magazine.