Heat's Neat

At a glance (everything the results say about this team, in numbers)

Power ranking

#4383

of 6,413 rated · rankings

Rating

1475

peak 1515 · rated over 15 contests ⓘ

Contests

in the data

First seen

2013-05-31

latest 2025-11-05

Best ToY finish

#1970

Master 2013

Grand champs

0 reserve

Category wins

0 podiums

Overall top-10s

of 18 contests

Avg finish

top 58%

overall standings

Best overall

674.8688 / 720

Master · 37th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue(OPEN)

Perfect 180s

Current form

620.28 ▲

last 5 Master vs avg 619.29 (+1.00)

Walk rate

11%

contests with a top-10 call

Best single call

175.4172

Chicken · 34th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open

Consistency

±44.01

std dev of Master overall scores (lower = steadier)

Strongest meat

Chicken

avg 159.18 · weakest Pork Ribs (156.01)

Road miles

434

mi across 18 mapped stops · furthest 354 mi

Schedule strength

48%

of rated fields were softer than their average draw (1562)

Purse competed for

$353K

listed at 8 contests — purses, not winnings

State championships

0 🏅

GCs in 7 state-championship entries

Master avg

619.29 / 720

14 Master contests · 0 GCs

Backyard avg

316.54 / 360

1 Backyard contest · 0 GCs

Master and Backyard overall scores sit on different scales (Master is out of 720, Backyard out of 360), so they're kept separate — averaging them together would be misleading.

This team cooks the Backyard series — its own boards, records and Team of the Year are here.

⚔ Compare with another team

Storylines (4 found in this team's record)

Each card leads with the number that made it a story — read straight out of their results, no editorialising.

High-water mark

674.8688 career-best overall

93.7% of a perfect 720

Their best day on record: 674.8688 at 37th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue(OPEN) — 93.7% of a perfect 720.

Master
2016-10-29

A tough matchup

13–0 behind in the head-to-head

SHIGGIN & GRINNIN ahead in 100% of their meetings

SHIGGIN & GRINNIN has come out ahead in 13 of their 13 shared contests.

A strong matchup

12–0 ahead in the head-to-head

Ahead in 100% of their meetings

They've finished ahead of Smoke & Beer BBQ in 12 of their 12 shared contests.

Chicken nemesis

11 of 12 shared chicken entries lost

IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ ahead 92% of the time

Even in their strongest meat, IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ has out-cooked them in 11 of 12 shared chicken entries.

Teams like this (closest power rating)

The nearest teams in the power rankings, with a different reason on each card — six teams on one rating are rarely on it for the same reason. Rating decides who makes the list; where teams tie on it, the ones this team has actually cooked against come first, then teams at a similar point in their own career. KCBS doesn’t publish where a team is from, so nothing here is inferred from geography.

147 rated teams sit within a point of this rating, so a place on this list means the numbers match — no more than that.

BEER & SMOKING IN LAS VEGAS

#4377 of the rated field

1475 ▲ 0 power rating

Contests: 17
GCs: 0
Top-10s: 6%
Peak: 1475

3–0 in 3 shared contests (100% to Heat's Neat)

These two have cooked 3 of the same contests — Heat's Neat ahead 3–0 — so there's a record behind this pairing and not just a matching number.

rated over 17 contests
last seen 2018-05-04

⚔ Head-to-head

Smoke Wurx BBQ

#4356 of the rated field

1475 ▲ 0 power rating

Contests: 23
GCs: 0
Top-10s: 0%
Peak: 1475

0–3 in 3 shared contests (0% to Heat's Neat)

This is the highest they've ever been rated, 23 rated contests in — a team sitting at its own career peak.

rated over 23 contests
last seen 2026-08-28

⚔ Head-to-head

Next Year's Winner

#4401 of the rated field

1474 ▼ 0 power rating

Contests: 6
GCs: 0
Top-10s: 0%
Peak: 1474

4–2 in 6 shared contests (67% to Heat's Neat)

Their last contest in the data was back in 2018, 7 years before Heat's Neat's most recent — their rating stopped moving when they stopped cooking.

rated over 6 contests

⚔ Head-to-head

NO NAME SMOKERS

#4388 of the rated field

1475 ▼ 0 power rating

Contests: 5
GCs: 0
Top-10s: 0%
Peak: 1475

0–1 in 1 shared contest (0% to Heat's Neat)

Fewer contests behind them than Heat's Neat has cooked, 5 to 18, which makes theirs the less settled rating of the two.

rated over 5 contests
last seen 2023-09-27

⚔ Head-to-head

KC OUTLAWS BBQ

#4357 of the rated field

1475 ▲ 0 power rating

Contests: 5
GCs: 0
Top-10s: 0%
Peak: 1475

1–0 in 1 shared contest (100% to Heat's Neat)

They turned up 5 years after Heat's Neat did, first appearing in 2018.

rated over 5 contests
last seen 2023-04-21

⚔ Head-to-head

BUDWEISER

#4380 of the rated field

1475 ▼ 0 power rating

Contests: 5
GCs: 0
Top-10s: 0%
Peak: 1475

1–0 in 1 shared contest (100% to Heat's Neat)

Level with Heat's Neat on power rating, which is the whole reason they're on the list.

rated over 5 contests
last seen 2021-09-16

⚔ Head-to-head

Familiar foes (most-met opponents in overall standings — one meeting per contest)

Opponent	Meetings	Ahead	Behind	Win rate
Brewski and Barbeque	13	11	2	85%	⚔ compare
Hawg Wild	13	6	7	46%	⚔ compare
PARK AVENUE PORK	13	4	9	31%	⚔ compare
B & C SMOKERS	13	1	12	8%	⚔ compare
BREW 'N' BAR-B-QUE	13	1	12	8%	⚔ compare
SHIGGIN & GRINNIN	13	0	13	0%	⚔ compare
Smoke & Beer BBQ	12	12	0	100%	⚔ compare
PORK RADIO 810	12	8	4	67%	⚔ compare
HI-TECH SMOKERS	12	7	5	58%	⚔ compare
On the Dotte Smokers	12	7	5	58%	⚔ compare
Moolicious Intentions	12	6	6	50%	⚔ compare
RED OAK BBQ	12	5	7	42%	⚔ compare
Tractor Shed BBQ	12	5	7	42%	⚔ compare
Outhouse BBQ	12	5	7	42%	⚔ compare
Burn Rate!	12	5	7	42%	⚔ compare

By meat

Category	Entries	Calls	Best	Worst	Average	Avg finish
Chicken	15	0	175.4172	126.7772	159.18	top 63%
Pork Ribs	15	2	174.2972	122.0688	156.01	top 69%
Pork	14	0	170.8228	146.8456	158.31	top 69%
Brisket	14	0	164.0000	147.3256	156.26	top 70%

“Calls” = top-10 category finishes (getting called to the stage). Scores here are the final weighted totals KCBS publishes; per-criterion appearance/taste/tenderness marks aren’t in the public results feed.

By state / province

Where	Contests	Avg finish
KS	10	top 62%
MO	4	top 44%
MN	1	top 86%

By contest size

Field	Contests	GCs	Avg finish
Medium (20–39)	1	0	top 38%
Large (40+)	14	0	top 60%

Contest-by-contest record (recurring contests they've cooked twice or more)

Contest	Visits	Best	GCs	Avg finish	Last visit
American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest	3	139	0	top 67%	2023-09-27
American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest	2	368	0	top 94%	2025-11-05

The story so far (18 numbers that describe this team)

On the trail 12.4 yrs 2013-05-31 → 2025-11-05

Busiest season 2024 2 contests

Contests a season 1.5 across 12 seasons in the data

Cooks most in KS 13 of 18 contests · 3 states/provinces in all

Contests visited 12 2 of them cooked more than once

Most-entered meat Chicken 15 entries · 0 wins · 0 calls

Strongest meat Chicken averages 159.18 · weakest Pork Ribs (156.01)

Walk rate 11% a top-10 call in 2 of 18 contests

Overall top-10 rate 6% 1 of 18 contests

Master average 619.29 out of 720 · 14 contests · 0 GCs

Backyard average 316.54 out of 360 · 1 contest · 0 GCs

Opponents faced 2,462 2,366–3,773 across every shared overall standing

Road miles 434 18 mapped stops · furthest 354 mi

Schedule strength 1562 average field rating faced — tougher than 48% of rated contests

Purse competed for $353,295 listed at 8 contests — purses, not winnings

State championships 0 from 7 state-championship entries

Longest layoff 1.5 yrs 2019-09-12 → 2021-03-12

Power rating 1475 peak 1515 · #4383 of 6,413 rated

Milestones (the firsts, the round numbers and the personal bests)

2013
May 31 First tracked contest Smokin' in Steele
Oct 3 Career-best single call (Chicken)175.4172 34th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open
2014
Oct 2 First overall past 90% of a perfect score662.7428 35th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open
2016
Jun 24 First call Great Lenexa BBQ Battle-Kansas State Championship
Oct 29 Career-best overall score674.8688 37th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue(OPEN)
Oct 29 Peak power rating (1515) 37th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue(OPEN)
2021
Mar 12 First overall top-10 American Royal Backyard and Steak Contest
Mar 12 10th tracked contest American Royal Backyard and Steak Contest
2025
Nov 5 Most recent contest American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest

Power rating over time (1500 = average; recomputed nightly)

📈 Biggest rating jumps

Swing	Contest	Date
+13.1	37th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue(OPEN)	2016-10-29
+10.4	40th American Royal World Series of Barbecue- OPEN CONTEST	2019-09-12
+8.2	36th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbeque- Open	2015-10-03
+7	35th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open	2014-10-02
+6.8	Great Lenexa BBQ Battle-Kansas State Championship	2016-06-24

📉 Toughest weekends

Swing	Contest	Date
-11.5	Smokin' in Steele	2013-05-31
-10.9	American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest	2024-10-30
-9.6	38th American Royal World Series of Barbecue (OPEN)	2017-09-01
-9.4	American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest	2025-11-05
-8.8	34th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open	2013-10-03

Category scores over time

Overall finish over time (top-% of field, lower is better)

Where they finish (overall)

Best vs average (by meat)

How entries end (by meat)

Season by season

Season	Contests	Top-10s	Walk rate	Avg finish	Best overall (% of perfect)	Avg overall (% of perfect)
2025	1	0	0%	top 92%	87.9%	87.9%
2024	2	0	0%	top 95%	84.3%	84.3%
2023	2	0	0%	top 85%	88.5%	88.5%
2022	2	0	0%	top 87%	87.7%	87.7%
2021	2	1	50%	top 34%	—	—
2019	1	0	0%	top 15%	—	—
2018	1	0	0%	top 75%	88.8%	88.8%
2017	1	0	0%	top 88%	85.9%	85.9%
2016	2	0	50%	top 25%	93.7%	91.7%
2015	1	0	0%	top 18%	65.9%	65.9%
2014	1	0	0%	top 37%	92%	92%
2013	2	0	0%	top 84%	85.6%	84.8%

Contest history (click a row for the event, a column to sort)

Date	Event	Overall	Chicken	Ribs	Pork	Brisket
2025-11-05	American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest 🏅 Kansas City, KS	368 / 401 (632.9144)	372 (157.0628)	385 (151.3716)	318 (163.3828)	312 (161.0972)
2024-10-30	American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Sides Kansas City, KS	—	—	—	—	—
2024-10-30	American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest 🏅 Kansas City, KS	424 / 444 (607.1996)	387 (158.2168)	421 (150.2628)	423 (150.7656)	411 (147.9544)
2023-09-27	American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Sides Kansas City, KS	—	—	—	—	—
2023-09-27	American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest 🏅 Kansas City, KS	415 / 487 (636.9712)	372 (162.7884)	414 (158.2512)	392 (159.3944)	410 (156.5372)
2022-10-01	American Royal World Series of Barbecue - SIDES Kansas City, KS	—	—	—	—	—
2022-09-29	American Royal World Series of Barbecue - OPEN CONTEST 🏅 Kansas City, KS	437 / 505 (631.3488)	310 (165.1200)	476 (151.3944)	467 (152.5372)	310 (162.2972)
2021-09-16	American Royal World Series of Barbecue-OPEN CONTEST 🏅 Kansas City, KS	139 / 467 (325.6228)	457 (126.7772)	436 (150.2400)	336 (159.3828)	344 (156.5712)
2021-03-12	American Royal Backyard and Steak Contest Kansas City, MO	9 / 24 (165.1200)	21 (144.5372)	4 (172.0000)	—	—
2019-09-12	40th American Royal World Series of Barbecue- OPEN CONTEST 🏅 Kansas City, KS	69 / 468 (493.1200)	99 (171.4172)	266 (164.0232)	433 (148.0000)	400 (150.8344)
2018-09-15	39th American Royal World Series of Barbecue (OPEN) Kansas City, KS	349 / 467 (639.3368)	312 (162.8112)	358 (158.8344)	279 (162.2628)	357 (155.4284)
2017-09-01	38th American Royal World Series of Barbecue (OPEN) Kansas City, KS	359 / 407 (618.1600)	315 (158.8344)	364 (151.3944)	390 (146.8456)	254 (161.0856)
2016-10-29	37th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue(OPEN) Kansas City, KS	102 / 557 (674.8688)	48 (173.7716)	176 (168.0344)	108 (170.8228)	291 (162.2400)
2016-06-24	Great Lenexa BBQ Battle-Kansas State Championship 🏅 Lenexa, KS	57 / 183 (645.7256)	176 (142.8684)	8 (174.2972)	58 (164.5600)	53 (164.0000)
2015-10-03	36th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbeque- Open Kansas City, MO	107 / 606 (474.1484)	483 (156.0228)	532 (150.2516)	320 (163.4400)	526 (147.3256)
2014-10-02	35th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open Kansas City, MO	204 / 552 (662.7428)	85 (172.5828)	159 (168.5716)	193 (167.3712)	409 (154.2172)
2013-10-03	34th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open Kansas City, MO	441 / 535 (605.5776)	15 (175.4172)	530 (122.0688)	421 (152.0800)	299 (156.0116)
2013-05-31	Smokin' in Steele Owatonna, MN	44 / 51 (615.9992)	38 (159.4286)	44 (149.1426)	40 (155.4284)	37 (151.9996)

Career map (orange GC · green top-10 · grey the rest — tap a pin)

Team of the Year standings (rank per category by season — year links to the full board on kcbs.us)

Year	Series	Overall	Chicken	Ribs	Pork	Brisket
2013 ↗	Master	#1970 (75 pts)	#2073 (75 pts)	#2043 (75 pts)	#2080 (75 pts)	#2034 (75 pts)