Perfect scores on the board
1
perfect 180
1 perfect 180 in the data — every judge at the table handing back a nine, all in chicken.
- Chicken ×1
HAROLD'S HOT MEAT SMOKERS
HAROLD'S HOT MEAT SMOKERS is a competition barbecue team with 44 Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) contests on record between 2013 and 2026. They have won 1 Grand Championship, at the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship (2014). They are ranked #757 of 6,491 teams in the KCBS power rankings.
At a glance (the record in numbers)
Rating
1633
peak 1648 · rated over 41 contests3 invitational or side-series contests not counted
Contests
44
in the data
First seen
May 3, 2013
latest Sep 11, 2026 · 13.4 years on the trail
Grand champs
1
0 reserve · wins it all 2% of the time
Category wins
5
12 podiums
Overall top-10s
7
16% of 44 contests
Best top-10 run
3
straight overall top-10s
Avg finish
top 33%
overall standings
Perfect 180s
1 🔥
Current form
672.71 ▲
last 5 Master vs avg 666.39 (+6.32)
Walk rate
64%
contests with a top-10 call
Consistency
±11.88
spread of their Master overall scores (lower = steadier)
Strongest meat
Pork Ribs
avg 167.50 · weakest Pork (165.86)
Road miles
3,371
across 44 mapped stops · furthest 210 mi
Schedule strength
34%
of rated fields were softer than their average draw (1545)
Purse competed for
$221K
listed at 16 contests — purses, not winnings
State championships
1 🏅
won from 20 state-championship entries
Master avg
666.39 / 720
42 Master contests · 1 GC
Team of the Year (rank per category by season — the year links to the full board on kcbs.us)
| Year | Series | Overall | Chicken | Ribs | Pork | Brisket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 ↗ | Master | #625 (237 pts) | #475 (432 pts) | #640 (297 pts) | #613 (267 pts) | #713 (197 pts) |
| 2025 ↗ | Master | #1148 (60 pts) | #1221 (60 pts) | #1293 (60 pts) | #1190 (60 pts) | #1190 (60 pts) |
| 2024 ↗ | Master | #735 (190 pts) | #879 (155 pts) | #868 (175 pts) | #584 (320 pts) | #873 (140 pts) |
| 2023 ↗ | Master | #938 (120 pts) | #869 (170 pts) | #877 (195 pts) | #989 (120 pts) | #989 (120 pts) |
| 2022 ↗ | Master | #986 (120 pts) | #1341 (60 pts) | #1404 (60 pts) | #702 (260 pts) | #784 (210 pts) |
| 2021 ↗ | Master | #1236 (60 pts) | #1286 (60 pts) | #935 (145 pts) | #1262 (60 pts) | #1245 (60 pts) |
| 2019 ↗ | Master | #1400 (135 pts) | #1261 (190 pts) | #828 (385 pts) | #1578 (120 pts) | #1219 (200 pts) |
| 2018 ↗ | Master | #917 (325 pts) | #872 (375 pts) | #916 (360 pts) | #1028 (295 pts) | #945 (335 pts) |
| 2017 ↗ | Master | #1890 (115 pts) | #2286 (60 pts) | #2304 (60 pts) | #2260 (60 pts) | #1139 (285 pts) |
| 2016 ↗ | Master | #1248 (233 pts) | #1479 (193 pts) | #1469 (198 pts) | #1137 (303 pts) | #1007 (348 pts) |
| 2014 ↗ | Master | #476 (810 pts) | #586 (665 pts) | #632 (605 pts) | #570 (690 pts) | #556 (665 pts) |
| 2013 ↗ | Master | #1168 (229 pts) | #797 (409 pts) | #1281 (224 pts) | #962 (329 pts) | #1447 (169 pts) |
Overall rank by season
Teams like this (closest power rating)
The teams rated closest to HAROLD'S HOT MEAT SMOKERS, each with one reason worth a look.
#752 of the rated field
- Contests
- 63
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 21%
- Peak
- 1633
0–1 in 1 shared contest (0% to HAROLD'S HOT MEAT SMOKERS)
One contest in common so far: too few to settle anything, but a team HAROLD'S HOT MEAT SMOKERS has actually stood beside rather than a stranger on the same rating.
⚔ Head-to-head#759 of the rated field
- Contests
- 160
- GCs
- 5
- Top-10s
- 37%
- Peak
- 1717
0–2 in 2 shared contests (0% to HAROLD'S HOT MEAT SMOKERS)
They've been 1717 at their best, 84 points above where they sit today — they're arriving at this rating from above.
⚔ Head-to-head#758 of the rated field
- Contests
- 39
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 31%
- Peak
- 1669
Their last contest in the data was back in 2019, 7 years before HAROLD'S HOT MEAT SMOKERS's most recent — their rating stopped moving when they stopped cooking.
⚔ Compare careers#755 of the rated field
- Contests
- 37
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 32%
- Peak
- 1641
Careers of much the same size, 37 contests to 44, so neither rating has had more chance to settle than the other.
⚔ Compare careers#754 of the rated field
- Contests
- 35
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 54%
- Peak
- 1633
35 contests and no Grand Championship yet — a rating made of 54% top-10 finishes rather than wins.
⚔ Compare careers#753 of the rated field
- Contests
- 82
- GCs
- 1
- Top-10s
- 32%
- Peak
- 1687
Level with HAROLD'S HOT MEAT SMOKERS on power rating, which is the whole reason they're on the list.
⚔ Compare careersFamiliar foes (most-met opponents in overall standings — one meeting per contest)
| Opponent | Meetings | Ahead | Behind | Win rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B & C SMOKERS | 19 | 10 | 9 | 53% | ⚔ compare |
| Four Men and A Pig | 19 | 7 | 12 | 37% | ⚔ compare |
| HUNKA HUNKA BURNIN' RUB | 18 | 7 | 11 | 39% | ⚔ compare |
| 913 BBQ | 18 | 2 | 16 | 11% | ⚔ compare |
| KC Meat Sweats | 17 | 10 | 7 | 59% | ⚔ compare |
| DUNN UP BBQ | 16 | 16 | 0 | 100% | ⚔ compare |
| PASSIONS OF THE PIT | 16 | 15 | 1 | 94% | ⚔ compare |
| BREW 'N' BAR-B-QUE | 16 | 7 | 9 | 44% | ⚔ compare |
| Sublime BBQ | 16 | 3 | 13 | 19% | ⚔ compare |
| KC Rib doctor | 15 | 15 | 0 | 100% | ⚔ compare |
| Hawg Wild | 15 | 13 | 2 | 87% | ⚔ compare |
| OINK, MOO & COCK-A-DOODLE DOO | 15 | 9 | 6 | 60% | ⚔ compare |
| Big Wigs BBQ | 15 | 6 | 9 | 40% | ⚔ compare |
| THE LICKS | 14 | 14 | 0 | 100% | ⚔ compare |
| Can't Beat Our Meat | 14 | 13 | 1 | 93% | ⚔ compare |
By meat
| Category | Entries | Calls | Wins | Podiums | Best | Worst | Average | Avg finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 44 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 180 🔥 | 141.6572 | 167.12 | top 41% |
| Pork Ribs | 44 | 13 | 1 | 3 | 178.2972 | 156.5484 | 167.50 | top 36% |
| Pork | 44 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 178.3200 | 150.2400 | 165.86 | top 43% |
| Brisket | 44 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 178.8572 | 153.6684 | 166.41 | top 37% |
“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 field size and state
By contest size
| Field | Contests | GCs | Avg finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (<20 teams) | 1 | 0 | top 61% |
| Medium (20–39) | 9 | 0 | top 43% |
| Large (40+) | 34 | 1 | top 30% |
Repeat visits (contests they've cooked twice or more)
| Contest | Visits | Best | GCs | Avg finish | Last visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship | 6 | 26 | 0 | top 21% | Jun 26, 2026 |
| Great Lenexa BBQ Battle-Kansas State Championship | 4 | 1 | 1 | top 8% | Jun 24, 2016 |
| Sertoma 48 BBQ | 4 | 5 | 0 | top 32% | May 4, 2018 |
| Made for KC BBQ Championship 2026 (COMPETITORS SERIES) | 2 | 16 | 0 | top 52% | Aug 21, 2026 |
| Smoke in the Spring | 2 | 39 | 0 | top 39% | Apr 8, 2016 |
| Bikes Blues & BBQ | 2 | 8 | 0 | top 35% | Sep 25, 2015 |
More numbers
Busiest season
2014
6 contests · 1 GC
Contests a season
3.4
across 13 seasons in the data
Most contests held in
KS
30 of 44 contests · 4 states in all
Contests visited
30
6 of them more than once
First title
Jun 27, 2014
Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship
Opponents faced
1,879
finished ahead 3,822 times, behind 1,101
Longest layoff
1.7 yrs
Oct 11, 2019 → Jun 25, 2021
Milestones (the firsts, the round numbers and the personal bests)
20263 milestones
- First perfect 180 (Chicken) The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship
- Peak power rating (1648) Masters at the Midway: Johnson County Fair BBQ Championship
- Most recent contest Meat Inferno
20181 milestone
- 25th tracked contest The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle
20146 milestones
- First overall podium Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship
- First Grand Championship Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship
- First state championship Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship
- Biggest field won (184 teams) Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship
- 10th tracked contest Bikes Blues & BBQ
- Career-best overall score687.3368 Bikes Blues & BBQ
20135 milestones
- First tracked contest Truman Heritage Festival BBQ Championship
- First call Truman Heritage Festival BBQ Championship
- First category win (Brisket) Truman Heritage Festival BBQ Championship
- First overall top-10 Truman Heritage Festival BBQ Championship
- First overall past 90% of a perfect score672.5712 Truman Heritage Festival BBQ Championship
Power rating over time (1500 = average; recomputed nightly)
📈 Biggest rating jumps
| Swing | Contest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| +13.5 | Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship | Jun 21, 2013 |
| +13.1 | Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship | Jun 27, 2014 |
| +12.9 | Truman Heritage Festival BBQ Championship | May 3, 2013 |
| +12.8 | Sertoma 48 BBQ | May 10, 2013 |
| +9.6 | Bikes Blues & BBQ | Sep 20, 2013 |
📉 Toughest weekends
| Swing | Contest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| -15 | Keepers of the Fire BBQ Contest | Jul 13, 2018 |
| -14.6 | Meat Inferno | Sep 11, 2026 |
| -8.3 | BBQ & Fly-In on the River | Aug 18, 2023 |
| -4.9 | Sand Creek Summer Daze Festival Saucy and Glazed BBQ | Aug 16, 2019 |
| -4.4 | Smoke On the Trails | Sep 29, 2017 |
Scores over time (% of a perfect score, averaged over 5 contests — tap a meat to add it)
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 | GCs | Top-10s | Category wins | Walk rate | Avg finish | Best overall (% of perfect) | Avg overall (% of perfect) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 75% | top 56% | 94.8% | 93.3% |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | top 19% | 94.5% | 94.5% |
| 2024 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 67% | top 31% | 94.1% | 93.9% |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | top 46% | 93.2% | 92.1% |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100% | top 8% | 94.8% | 94.8% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100% | top 21% | 92.8% | 92.8% |
| 2019 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 75% | top 34% | 92.5% | 91.6% |
| 2018 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40% | top 46% | 93.1% | 90.9% |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 50% | top 32% | 92.2% | 91.3% |
| 2016 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50% | top 40% | 92.7% | 92% |
| 2015 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 80% | top 30% | 93.9% | 91.8% |
| 2014 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 50% | top 23% | 95.5% | 93.6% |
| 2013 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 100% | top 18% | 95% | 93.5% |
Contest history (click a row for the event, a column to sort)
| Date | Event | Overall | Chicken | Ribs | Pork | Brisket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 11, 2026 | Meat Inferno 🏅 Edgerton, KS | 29 / 33 (657.5772) | 26 (167.4172) | 28 (168.5256) | 28 (163.3944) | 29 (158.2400) |
| Aug 21, 2026 | Made for KC BBQ Championship 2026 (COMPETITORS SERIES) unrated Weston, MO | 27 / 43 (678.8004) | 33 (167.9772) | 3 (178.2972) | 24 (169.7028) | 36 (162.8232) |
| Jul 24, 2026 | Masters at the Midway: Johnson County Fair BBQ Championship 🏅 Gardner, KS | 12 / 29 (682.7428) | 18 (170.8228) | 5 (173.1200) | 8 (173.1200) | 20 (165.6800) |
| Jun 26, 2026 | The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship 🏅 Lenexa, KS | 49 / 157 (668.5144) | 1 (180) | 83 (164.5716) | 93 (162.8456) | 85 (161.0972) |
| Jun 27, 2025 | The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship 🏅 Lenexa, KS | 30 / 159 (680.5140) | 82 (165.6912) | 42 (172.5944) | 29 (172.5600) | 45 (169.6684) |
| Sep 13, 2024 | Made for KC BBQ Championship (COMPETITORS SERIES) unrated Weston, MO | 16 / 38 (675.8628) | 1 (177.7028) | 37 (159.9544) | 19 (169.6800) | 16 (168.5256) |
| Jun 21, 2024 | The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship 🏅 Lenexa, KS | 34 / 172 (674.2052) | 47 (169.1428) | 64 (166.2856) | 55 (167.3712) | 21 (171.4056) |
| May 31, 2024 | McLouth BBQ Blowout 33rd Annual 🏅 McLouth, KS | 11 / 35 (677.5884) | 18 (169.6684) | 14 (169.7144) | 2 (177.7028) | 26 (160.5028) |
| Aug 18, 2023 | BBQ & Fly-In on the River 🏅 Excelsior Springs, MO | 40 / 57 (655.2456) | 36 (166.2284) | 17 (174.2628) | 54 (150.8000) | 33 (163.9544) |
| Jun 23, 2023 | The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship 🏅 Lenexa, KS | 38 / 167 (671.3256) | 15 (173.1200) | 18 (173.7028) | 133 (157.1200) | 45 (167.3828) |
| Jun 24, 2022 | The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship 🏅 Lenexa, KS | 13 / 164 (682.2628) | 45 (167.9772) | 104 (159.3828) | 2 (178.3200) | 4 (176.5828) |
| Jun 25, 2021 | The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle-Kansas State Championship 🏅 Lenexa, KS | 31 / 145 (667.9540) | 33 (166.8800) | 9 (174.3200) | 62 (164.5256) | 66 (162.2284) |
| Oct 11, 2019 | Cookin on the Kaw BBQ Contest (JUDGES FULL) 🏅 DeSoto, KS | 9 / 51 (163.9428) | 18 (170.8572) | 1 (178.2972) | 49 (150.2400) | 29 (164.5256) |
| Aug 16, 2019 | Sand Creek Summer Daze Festival Saucy and Glazed BBQ 🏅 Newton, KS | 11 / 18 (651.9200) | 14 (158.8228) | 7 (166.8800) | 13 (161.1200) | 11 (165.0972) |
| Jun 21, 2019 | The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle-Kansas State Championship 🏅 Lenexa, KS | 26 / 183 (666.3200) | 53 (166.2400) | 2 (176.0344) | 155 (152.6056) | 15 (171.4400) |
| May 31, 2019 | Smoke on the Bricks 🏅 Baldwin City, KS | 22 / 49 (662.8344) | 11 (169.7600) | 12 (170.2972) | 37 (157.6572) | 19 (165.1200) |
| Sep 28, 2018 | Bikes, Blues and BBQ Fayetteville, AR | 24 / 49 (661.0748) | 10 (173.1200) | 34 (157.1432) | 37 (158.8344) | 11 (171.9772) |
| Jul 27, 2018 | Racing for the BBQ Lee's Summit, MO | 17 / 66 (670.1944) | 13 (169.7144) | 22 (165.7028) | 14 (169.6800) | 21 (165.0972) |
| Jul 13, 2018 | Keepers of the Fire BBQ Contest Mayetta, KS | 43 / 48 (627.8288) | 48 (141.6572) | 27 (163.3944) | 34 (163.4172) | 32 (159.3600) |
| Jun 22, 2018 | The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle Lenexa, KS | 52 / 185 (650.3316) | 14 (169.7372) | 74 (162.3316) | 130 (153.6684) | 41 (164.5944) |
| May 4, 2018 | Sertoma 48 BBQ Lawrence, KS | 16 / 41 (663.8628) | 21 (163.9772) | 7 (170.8344) | 27 (158.7884) | 10 (170.2628) |
| Sep 29, 2017 | Smoke On the Trails Gardner, KS | 36 / 64 (650.1716) | 42 (159.4516) | 32 (164.5372) | 48 (158.8000) | 25 (167.3828) |
| Jun 23, 2017 | Great Lenexa BBQ Battle-Kansas State Championship 🏅 Lenexa, KS | 14 / 184 (663.9544) | 109 (156.5372) | 45 (165.7028) | 64 (163.9772) | 1 (177.7372) |
| Sep 23, 2016 | Bikes Blues and BBQ Fayetteville, AR | 22 / 43 (650.6856) | 36 (159.9544) | 22 (162.8000) | 5 (174.2628) | 31 (153.6684) |
| Aug 19, 2016 | Flint Hills Beef Fest BBQ Emporia, KS | 20 / 33 (667.3716) | 22 (166.2400) | 24 (163.4288) | 26 (164.5600) | 6 (173.1428) |
| Jun 24, 2016 | Great Lenexa BBQ Battle-Kansas State Championship 🏅 Lenexa, KS | 22 / 183 (667.3488) | 34 (167.4400) | 77 (161.6688) | 44 (166.2744) | 14 (171.9656) |
| Apr 8, 2016 | Smoke in the Spring Osage City, KS | 39 / 109 (663.8624) | 52 (165.7028) | 37 (166.8112) | 42 (166.8228) | 42 (164.5256) |
| Oct 3, 2015 | 36th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbeque- Open Kansas City, MO | 91 / 606 (675.9768) | 301 (163.9884) | 82 (171.4744) | 184 (167.9656) | 68 (172.5484) |
| Sep 25, 2015 | Bikes Blues & BBQ Fayetteville, AR | 15 / 35 (654.7088) | 3 (172.5600) | 22 (157.1088) | 10 (166.8228) | 17 (158.2172) |
| Jun 26, 2015 | Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship 🏅 Lenexa, KS | 25 / 183 (659.9772) | 149 (151.9772) | 49 (165.1316) | 21 (169.1428) | 8 (173.7256) |
| May 8, 2015 | Sertoma 48 BBQ Lawrence, KS | 17 / 45 (659.9084) | 17 (167.4056) | 10 (169.7372) | 33 (158.7884) | 14 (163.9772) |
| Apr 10, 2015 | Smoke in the Spring Osage City, KS | 41 / 97 (655.8740) | 53 (163.3828) | 7 (174.8572) | 58 (162.2400) | 62 (155.3940) |
| Oct 2, 2014 | 35th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue Invitational unrated Kansas City, MO | 41 / 165 (681.0972) | 20 (174.8572) | 93 (166.8228) | 32 (172) | 80 (167.4172) |
| Oct 2, 2014 | 35th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open Kansas City, MO | 92 / 552 (674.8116) | 69 (173.1544) | 254 (165.0972) | 81 (172) | 217 (164.5600) |
| Sep 26, 2014 | Bikes Blues & BBQ Fayetteville, AR | 8 / 30 (687.3368) | 11 (172.5484) | 13 (168.5600) | 10 (170.8228) | 3 (175.4056) |
| Jun 27, 2014 | Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship 🏅 Lenexa, KS | 1 / 184 (683.9540) | 20 (169.7028) | 10 (173.1428) | 5 (173.7028) | 24 (167.4056) |
| Jun 6, 2014 | Keepers of the Fire BBQ Contest Mayetta, KS | 15 / 54 (665.6684) | 6 (173.7028) | 17 (165.7372) | 13 (168.5828) | 35 (157.6456) |
| May 9, 2014 | Sertoma 48 BBQ Lawrence, KS | 23 / 54 (651.2456) | 38 (160.5256) | 31 (161.6572) | 29 (161.6800) | 14 (167.3828) |
| Sep 27, 2013 | Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship 🏅 Shawnee, KS | 24 / 114 (661.6456) | 3 (174.8572) | 71 (156.5484) | 7 (174.2972) | 66 (155.9428) |
| Sep 20, 2013 | Bikes Blues & BBQ Fayetteville, AR | 10 / 49 (683.9888) | 9 (176) | 10 (173.1428) | 10 (171.4516) | 21 (163.3944) |
| Aug 30, 2013 | Four State BBQ Championship Presented by Downstream Casino Quapaw, OK | 14 / 36 (672.5488) | 23 (166.8572) | 5 (173.1316) | 18 (168.5600) | 19 (164) |
| Jun 21, 2013 | Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship 🏅 Lenexa, KS | 9 / 183 (669.1424) | 107 (157.1428) | 22 (168.5712) | 6 (173.1428) | 13 (170.2856) |
| May 10, 2013 | Sertoma 48 BBQ Lawrence, KS | 5 / 49 (678.2856) | 4 (174.2858) | 19 (161.1428) | 6 (170.8572) | 7 (171.9998) |
| May 3, 2013 | Truman Heritage Festival BBQ Championship Grandview, MO | 4 / 31 (672.5712) | 21 (158.2856) | 5 (167.4284) | 7 (168) | 1 (178.8572) |
An unrated contest — an invitational, or a Competitor or Kosher Series board — is in the record but doesn’t move the power rating.