The heartbreaker
0.5712
points from the title
Came within 0.5712 points of the Grand Championship at Smoke on the Harbor BBQ throwdown (PALMETTO BBQ SERIES) (Nov 10, 2017).
DIG-IN COOKERS
DIG-IN COOKERS is a competition barbecue team with 53 Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) contests on record between 2013 and 2017. They have won 1 Grand Championship, at the Smoke on the Harbor BBQ throwdown (2016), and finished Reserve Grand Champion twice. They are ranked #428 of 6,485 teams in the KCBS power rankings. Also listed in KCBS results as “Dig In Cookers”.
At a glance (the record in numbers)
Rating
1692
peak 1692 · rated over 52 contests1 invitational or side-series contest not counted
Contests
53
in the data
First seen
May 25, 2013
latest Nov 10, 2017 · 4.5 years on the trail
Grand champs
1
2 reserve · wins it all 2% of the time
Category wins
8
26 podiums
Overall top-10s
20
38% of 53 contests
Best top-10 run
5
straight overall top-10s
Avg finish
top 40%
overall standings
Perfect 180s
2 🔥
Current form
681.45 ▲
last 5 Master vs avg 669.71 (+11.74)
Walk rate
72%
contests with a top-10 call
Consistency
±13.47
spread of their Master overall scores (lower = steadier)
Strongest meat
Chicken
avg 169.48 · weakest Pork Ribs (165.97)
Road miles
11,102
across 53 mapped stops · furthest 990 mi
Schedule strength
60%
of rated fields were softer than their average draw (1576)
Master avg
669.71 / 720
53 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 ↗ | Master | #365 (1,019 pts) | #339 (1,079 pts) | #285 (1,189 pts) | #435 (884 pts) | #398 (964 pts) |
| 2016 ↗ | Master | #185 (1,578 pts) | #271 (1,215 pts) | #182 (1,493 pts) | #105 (1,758 pts) | #239 (1,353 pts) |
| 2015 ↗ | Master | #358 (1,044 pts) | #234 (1,324 pts) | #395 (939 pts) | #115 (1,739 pts) | #341 (1,048 pts) |
| 2014 ↗ | Master | #353 (1,041 pts) | #238 (1,311 pts) | #405 (956 pts) | #297 (1,156 pts) | #300 (1,161 pts) |
| 2013 ↗ | Master | #752 (409 pts) | #660 (494 pts) | #817 (399 pts) | #783 (424 pts) | #472 (679 pts) |
Overall rank by season
Teams like this (closest power rating)
The teams rated closest to DIG-IN COOKERS, each with one reason worth a look.
#432 of the rated field
- Contests
- 38
- GCs
- 2
- Top-10s
- 66%
- Peak
- 1694
1–0 in 1 shared contest (100% to DIG-IN COOKERS)
One contest in common so far: too few to settle anything, but a team DIG-IN COOKERS has actually stood beside rather than a stranger on the same rating.
⚔ Head-to-head#426 of the rated field
- Contests
- 174
- GCs
- 3
- Top-10s
- 38%
- Peak
- 1759
2–4 in 6 shared contests (33% to DIG-IN COOKERS)
They've been 1759 at their best, 67 points above where they sit today — they're arriving at this rating from above.
⚔ Head-to-head#427 of the rated field
- Contests
- 53
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 42%
- Peak
- 1692
Careers of much the same size, 53 contests to 53, so neither rating has had more chance to settle than the other.
⚔ Compare careers#429 of the rated field
- Contests
- 51
- GCs
- 5
- Top-10s
- 76%
- Peak
- 1729
Their rating is built on 5 Grand Championships in 51 contests, alongside a 76% overall top-10 rate.
⚔ Compare careers#430 of the rated field
- Contests
- 54
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 39%
- Peak
- 1716
Both teams' first contest in the data came in 2013.
⚔ Compare careers#433 of the rated field
- Contests
- 79
- GCs
- 3
- Top-10s
- 37%
- Peak
- 1746
Level with DIG-IN COOKERS 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WOODWARD BARBEQUE | 31 | 12 | 19 | 39% | ⚔ compare |
| IOWA WILD HOGS BBQ | 28 | 10 | 18 | 36% | ⚔ compare |
| LUCKY'S Q | 27 | 4 | 23 | 15% | ⚔ compare |
| SMOKERS PURGATORY | 26 | 9 | 17 | 35% | ⚔ compare |
| TRUE SMOKE BBQ | 25 | 14 | 11 | 56% | ⚔ compare |
| BIG T'Z Q CRU | 22 | 3 | 19 | 14% | ⚔ compare |
| OVERSIZE LOAD BBQ | 21 | 9 | 12 | 43% | ⚔ compare |
| SMOKEHOUSE 72 | 21 | 9 | 12 | 43% | ⚔ compare |
| IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | 21 | 0 | 21 | 0% | ⚔ compare |
| GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS | 19 | 10 | 9 | 53% | ⚔ compare |
| TREEFROG BBQ | 18 | 11 | 7 | 61% | ⚔ compare |
| DIRT ROAD BBQ | 18 | 5 | 13 | 28% | ⚔ compare |
| BLACK DOG BBQ IA | 17 | 13 | 4 | 76% | ⚔ compare |
| GRILLS GONE WILD IOWA | 17 | 3 | 14 | 18% | ⚔ compare |
| PORKY BUTTS BBQ | 17 | 2 | 15 | 12% | ⚔ compare |
By meat
| Category | Entries | Calls | Wins | Podiums | Best | Worst | Average | Avg finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 53 | 17 | 4 | 8 | 180 🔥 | 155.9428 | 169.48 | top 40% |
| Pork Ribs | 53 | 18 | 0 | 5 | 176.5716 | 154.2858 | 165.97 | top 47% |
| Pork | 53 | 23 | 3 | 9 | 177.7372 | 156.5714 | 168.29 | top 37% |
| Brisket | 53 | 17 | 1 | 4 | 176.5600 | 146.8116 | 165.97 | top 43% |
“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) | 6 | 0 | top 44% |
| Medium (20–39) | 27 | 1 | top 39% |
| Large (40+) | 20 | 0 | top 39% |
Repeat visits (contests they've cooked twice or more)
| Contest | Visits | Best | GCs | Avg finish | Last visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up in Smoke BBQ Bash | 5 | 6 | 0 | top 44% | Jul 21, 2017 |
| Smoke on the Harbor BBQ throwdown (PALMETTO BBQ SERIES) | 3 | 1 | 1 | top 12% | Nov 10, 2017 |
| Tri City BBQ Fest | 3 | 5 | 0 | top 28% | Sep 22, 2017 |
| Back to Back to the Park BBQ | 3 | 2 | 0 | top 50% | Aug 28, 2015 |
| 38th American Royal World Series of Barbecue (OPEN) | 2 | 61 | 0 | top 32% | Sep 1, 2017 |
| The Best Damn BBQ Contest at Smithville Lake | 2 | 11 | 0 | top 25% | Apr 7, 2017 |
| BBQ in the Bluffs | 2 | 7 | 0 | top 27% | May 13, 2016 |
| Central Iowa Expo BBQ (Day 2) (Judges Full) | 2 | 8 | 0 | top 49% | Apr 23, 2016 |
| MVH BBQ BIVOUAC (POW/MIA Tribute) | 2 | 10 | 0 | top 55% | Nov 7, 2015 |
| Smokin' in the Junction | 2 | 6 | 0 | top 38% | May 23, 2015 |
| Central Iowa Expo BBQ | 2 | 26 | 0 | top 65% | Apr 25, 2015 |
| Central Iowa Expo BBQ, Cruise & Brew | 2 | 23 | 0 | top 56% | Apr 26, 2014 |
More numbers
Busiest season
2016
13 contests · 1 GC
Contests a season
10.6
across 5 seasons in the data
Most contests held in
IA
36 of 53 contests · 6 states in all
Contests visited
35
12 of them more than once
First title
Nov 11, 2016
Smoke on the Harbor BBQ throwdown
Opponents faced
1,875
finished ahead 3,284 times, behind 1,232
Milestones (the firsts, the round numbers and the personal bests)
20173 milestones
- 50th tracked contest 38th American Royal World Series of Barbecue (INVITATIONAL)
- Peak power rating (1692) Smoke on the Harbor BBQ throwdown (PALMETTO BBQ SERIES)
- Most recent contest Smoke on the Harbor BBQ throwdown (PALMETTO BBQ SERIES)
20162 milestones
- Career-best overall score693.1432 Smokin' Trackside BBQ & Brew Bash
- First Grand Championship Smoke on the Harbor BBQ throwdown
20154 milestones
- 25th tracked contest Mr. BBQ Barbeque Challenge
- First overall podium Back to Back to the Park BBQ
- First Reserve Championship Back to Back to the Park BBQ
- First multi-meat day Back to Back to the Park BBQ
20144 milestones
- First overall top-10 Smokin' in the Junction
- 10th tracked contest Mr. BBQ Barbeque Challenge
- First category win (Pork) Rockin' Country BBQ Fest
- First perfect 180 (Chicken) 35th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open
20133 milestones
- First tracked contest Smokin' In The Junction
- First call Iowa State BBQ Championship
- First overall past 90% of a perfect score655.4282 Iowa State BBQ Championship
Power rating over time (1500 = average; recomputed nightly)
📈 Biggest rating jumps
| Swing | Contest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| +14.3 | 34th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open | Oct 3, 2013 |
| +14 | Up in Smoke BBQ Bash | Jul 25, 2014 |
| +14 | Back to Back to the Park BBQ | Aug 28, 2015 |
| +12.1 | Smokin' in the Junction | May 24, 2014 |
| +11.3 | Tri-City BBQ Fest | Sep 19, 2014 |
📉 Toughest weekends
| Swing | Contest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| -8.9 | Up in Smoke BBQ Bash | Jul 26, 2013 |
| -8.2 | Central Iowa Expo BBQ (Day 1) (Judges Full) | Apr 22, 2016 |
| -6.9 | Smokin' In The Junction | May 25, 2013 |
| -6.6 | Up in Smoke BBQ Bash | Jul 21, 2017 |
| -6.1 | Nevada Kiwanis BBQ Contest | Aug 23, 2013 |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 60% | top 30% | 95.9% | 93.9% |
| 2016 | 13 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 92% | top 29% | 96.3% | 93.9% |
| 2015 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 62% | top 47% | 95.9% | 92.8% |
| 2014 | 11 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 82% | top 41% | 95.2% | 92.9% |
| 2013 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50% | top 58% | 92.7% | 90.3% |
Contest history (click a row for the event, a column to sort)
| Date | Event | Overall | Chicken | Ribs | Pork | Brisket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 10, 2017 | Smoke on the Harbor BBQ throwdown (PALMETTO BBQ SERIES) Mt. Pleasant, SC | 2 / 25 (690.2404) | 7 (167.9772) | 2 (176.5716) | 2 (174.8572) | 5 (170.8344) |
| Sep 22, 2017 | Tri City BBQ Fest Denison, IA | 14 / 37 (672.5140) | 14 (171.4056) | 4 (176) | 30 (157.6800) | 15 (167.4284) |
| Sep 1, 2017 | 38th American Royal World Series of Barbecue (OPEN) Kansas City, KS | 69 / 407 (682.8340) | 99 (172) | 24 (174.8800) | 251 (163.3712) | 48 (172.5828) |
| Aug 31, 2017 | 38th American Royal World Series of Barbecue (INVITATIONAL) unrated Kansas City, KS | 61 / 129 (682.8344) | 21 (176.5600) | 61 (170.8572) | 117 (162.2744) | 42 (173.1428) |
| Jul 28, 2017 | Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Ankeny, IA | 10 / 30 (678.8228) | 28 (161.6800) | 2 (174.2972) | 13 (169.1084) | 4 (173.7372) |
| Jul 21, 2017 | Up in Smoke BBQ Bash Mason City, IA | 28 / 49 (654.8000) | 11 (169.1428) | 21 (166.2400) | 39 (159.4172) | 33 (160) |
| Jun 30, 2017 | Back to Mayberry Rodney, IA | 9 / 29 (683.9312) | 8 (174.2628) | 19 (168.5256) | 15 (169.1200) | 14 (172.0228) |
| Jun 16, 2017 | Rose Festival KCBS BBQ Competition State Center, IA | 5 / 17 (674.1944) | 3 (174.2628) | 9 (165.6916) | 12 (163.4056) | 4 (170.8344) |
| Apr 7, 2017 | The Best Damn BBQ Contest at Smithville Lake Smithville, MO | 16 / 54 (671.9656) | 12 (171.9656) | 12 (171.4628) | 14 (172) | 34 (156.5372) |
| Feb 3, 2017 | Humble Rodeo & BBQ ( WFC Qualifier) Humble, TX | 17 / 136 (671.3372) | 4 (174.2628) | 53 (164.5372) | 60 (159.4172) | 12 (173.1200) |
| Nov 11, 2016 | Smoke on the Harbor BBQ throwdown Mt. Pleasant, SC | 1 / 25 (689.0512) | 2 (175.4172) | 3 (169.6684) | 5 (170.2628) | 4 (173.7028) |
| Oct 29, 2016 | 37th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue (OPEN) Kansas City, KS | 43 / 557 (683.4632) | 15 (176.5600) | 274 (165.1316) | 228 (166.2972) | 25 (175.4744) |
| Sep 16, 2016 | Tri City BBQ Fest Denison, IA | 8 / 34 (673.0976) | 11 (167.9772) | 13 (167.4060) | 3 (173.7144) | 13 (164) |
| Aug 12, 2016 | Smokin' Trackside BBQ & Brew Bash Winston, MO | 4 / 17 (693.1432) | 12 (166.2400) | 3 (175.4288) | 2 (177.7372) | 5 (173.7372) |
| Jul 29, 2016 | Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Des Moines, IA | 14 / 28 (663.9884) | 22 (159.9428) | 10 (168.5828) | 10 (169.1428) | 9 (166.3200) |
| Jul 22, 2016 | Up in Smoke BBQ Bash Mason City, IA | 16 / 47 (676.5144) | 5 (177.7028) | 25 (167.4288) | 29 (165.7028) | 23 (165.6800) |
| Jul 15, 2016 | BBQ'Loo & Blues Too Waterloo, IA | 15 / 32 (664.5828) | 1 (179.4400) | 2 (173.2000) | 22 (158.8456) | 24 (153.0972) |
| Jul 1, 2016 | Back to Mayberry BBQ Whiting, IA | 7 / 35 (685.6572) | 7 (174.2628) | 17 (167.9772) | 12 (169.1544) | 9 (174.2628) |
| Jun 17, 2016 | State Center Rose Festival KCBS BBQ Competition (Judges Full) State Center, IA | 10 / 31 (681.1088) | 24 (165.1088) | 5 (174.2972) | 8 (172.5600) | 17 (169.1428) |
| May 13, 2016 | BBQ in the Bluffs Council Bluffs, IA | 7 / 33 (671.3600) | 25 (163.9428) | 4 (174.8572) | 2 (172.5716) | 18 (159.9884) |
| Apr 23, 2016 | Central Iowa Expo BBQ (Day 2) (Judges Full) Boone, IA | 8 / 36 (681.7372) | 21 (167.9656) | 15 (168.5372) | 9 (170.8800) | 4 (174.3544) |
| Apr 22, 2016 | Central Iowa Expo BBQ (Day 1) (Judges Full) Boone, IA | 32 / 42 (650.7428) | 38 (155.9428) | 33 (156.5372) | 8 (172.5600) | 19 (165.7028) |
| Apr 8, 2016 | The Best Damn BBQ Contest at Smithville Lake Smithville, MO | 11 / 53 (677.0628) | 28 (165.0856) | 9 (170.8572) | 9 (172.5600) | 18 (168.5600) |
| Nov 7, 2015 | MVH BBQ BIVOUAC (POW/MIA Tribute) St. James, MO | 10 / 18 (677.6688) | 6 (174.2744) | 6 (173.1200) | 3 (176.0116) | 17 (154.2628) |
| Nov 6, 2015 | MVH BBQ BIVOUAC (Armed Forces Tribute) St. James, MO | 14 / 26 (667.9544) | 9 (172.5600) | 5 (173.1200) | 1 (175.4400) | 25 (146.8344) |
| Oct 3, 2015 | 36th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbeque- Open Kansas City, MO | 201 / 606 (663.9884) | 165 (169.1084) | 431 (157.7372) | 241 (165.7144) | 91 (171.4284) |
| Aug 28, 2015 | Back to Back to the Park BBQ Marshalltown, IA | 2 / 16 (690.2400) | 1 (180) | 12 (160.5372) | 1 (177.1544) | 3 (172.5484) |
| Jul 24, 2015 | Up in Smoke BBQ Bash Mason City, IA | 18 / 54 (670.2060) | 37 (163.9544) | 32 (163.9772) | 9 (170.2972) | 7 (171.9772) |
| Jun 27, 2015 | Mr. BBQ Barbeque Challenge Davenport, IA | 21 / 32 (654.7312) | 24 (159.3828) | 18 (162.2400) | 3 (173.1428) | 19 (159.9656) |
| Jun 19, 2015 | State Center Rose Festival BBQ Championship State Center, IA | 8 / 27 (665.6228) | 16 (164.5372) | 18 (162.2628) | 7 (169.1200) | 6 (169.7028) |
| May 23, 2015 | Smokin' in the Junction West Des Moines, IA | 21 / 37 (653.6116) | 20 (165.6800) | 21 (161.6688) | 20 (165.7372) | 19 (160.5256) |
| May 8, 2015 | BBQ in the Bluffs Council Bluffs, IA | 11 / 33 (662.8116) | 1 (175.4172) | 25 (154.8344) | 13 (168.0344) | 15 (164.5256) |
| Apr 25, 2015 | Central Iowa Expo BBQ Boone, IA | 28 / 41 (664.5032) | 2 (176.5600) | 27 (165.7144) | 4 (175.4172) | 40 (146.8116) |
| Apr 24, 2015 | Central Iowa Expo BBQ Boone, IA | 26 / 42 (662.1600) | 12 (173.1200) | 26 (163.3944) | 35 (161.6684) | 29 (163.9772) |
| Mar 21, 2015 | 2nd Annual Smokin At The Run Shootout Miami, OK | 47 / 82 (677.0400) | 37 (173.7028) | 36 (169.1200) | 36 (170.2628) | 68 (163.9544) |
| Mar 20, 2015 | 3rd Annual Smokin At The Run Miami, OK | 43 / 87 (672.4572) | 22 (174.2628) | 72 (159.9544) | 19 (173.1200) | 48 (165.1200) |
| Nov 14, 2014 | Smoke on the Harbor BBQ Throwdown (JUDGES REGISTRATION WILL BEGIN ON 6/15/2014) Charleston, SC | 7 / 30 (672.4572) | 15 (161.6800) | 4 (170.8228) | 11 (163.3944) | 1 (176.5600) |
| Oct 18, 2014 | Back to Back to the Park BBQ (Day 2) Marshalltown, IA | 18 / 27 (665.0972) | 15 (169.7028) | 15 (166.8344) | 20 (163.9772) | 22 (164.5828) |
| Oct 17, 2014 | Back to Back to the Park BBQ Marshalltown, IA | 24 / 34 (645.5656) | 20 (163.9428) | 27 (155.9772) | 16 (168.5828) | 25 (157.0628) |
| Oct 2, 2014 | 35th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open Kansas City, MO | 107 / 552 (673.0856) | 1 (180) | 417 (156.5372) | 142 (169.7028) | 169 (166.8456) |
| Sep 19, 2014 | Tri-City BBQ Fest Denison, IA | 5 / 21 (681.6456) | 12 (165.1200) | 9 (167.9656) | 4 (172) | 3 (176.5600) |
| Jul 25, 2014 | Up in Smoke BBQ Bash Mason City, IA | 6 / 52 (682.2856) | 17 (171.4056) | 36 (162.8228) | 5 (173.7372) | 6 (174.3200) |
| Jun 27, 2014 | Rockin' Country BBQ Fest Nevada, IA | 10 / 15 (657.6456) | 12 (160.5256) | 10 (164.5600) | 1 (171.4400) | 12 (161.1200) |
| Jun 21, 2014 | Mr. BBQ Barbeque Challenge Davenport, IA | 10 / 25 (661.0512) | 12 (167.9656) | 6 (169.7028) | 11 (164.5372) | 15 (158.8456) |
| May 24, 2014 | Smokin' in the Junction West Des Moines, IA | 6 / 31 (685.7144) | 2 (175.4172) | 6 (171.9772) | 5 (174.8800) | 16 (163.4400) |
| Apr 26, 2014 | Central Iowa Expo BBQ, Cruise & Brew Boone, IA | 23 / 39 (669.6688) | 20 (169.1200) | 33 (157.0972) | 5 (173.1544) | 13 (170.2972) |
| Apr 25, 2014 | Central Iowa Expo BBQ, Cruise & Brew Boone, IA | 24 / 45 (660.6064) | 4 (176.5944) | 34 (155.9544) | 26 (165.1544) | 25 (162.9032) |
| Oct 3, 2013 | 34th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open Kansas City, MO | 61 / 535 (667.3140) | 11 (176.5600) | 99 (167.3828) | 112 (167.4172) | 305 (155.9540) |
| Sep 20, 2013 | Kings of BBQ 2013 Des Moines, IA | 17 / 35 (664.5032) | 24 (160.5488) | 11 (167.9888) | 21 (160.5600) | 2 (175.4056) |
| Aug 23, 2013 | Nevada Kiwanis BBQ Contest Nevada, IA | 13 / 17 (639.9772) | 16 (161.0856) | 15 (155.9888) | 8 (162.8800) | 10 (160.0228) |
| Jul 26, 2013 | Up in Smoke BBQ Bash Mason City, IA | 54 / 66 (626.7080) | 49 (159.9312) | 50 (158.2628) | 56 (157.1428) | 55 (151.3712) |
| Jun 21, 2013 | Iowa State BBQ Championship Marshalltown, IA | 16 / 28 (655.4282) | 8 (170.8570) | 24 (155.4284) | 23 (156.5714) | 6 (172.5714) |
| May 25, 2013 | Smokin' In The Junction West Des Moines, IA | 27 / 36 (647.9996) | 27 (160.5712) | 31 (154.2858) | 11 (170.2856) | 17 (162.8570) |
An unrated contest — an invitational, or a Competitor or Kosher Series board — is in the record but doesn’t move the power rating.