Hartville Rib Contest

[BBQCentralShow]

This past weekend I took part in my first barbecue competition. It was a single event rib cook an hour south of Cleveland. If you know my show you know I am not a big fan BBQ competitions for a number of reasons but for $30 and the location supplying the meat and the cooker how could I not give it a try?

There were 10 Trager grills spots and 10 Big Green Egg spots. I went with the Traeger because I have a more experience cooking on pellets...plus I didn't want to mess with playing around with the draft during my first event. The winner for each cooker got $250 and the overall winner between the 2 cookers got an additional $250!

Overall my experience was positive and I got to meet a few people who have been on my show for a long time (Dr. BBQ & Doug Scheiding from Rogue Cookers) . Here is a picture of my turn in box. In the end I finished third overall on the Traeger cooker side and 7th overall between Traeger and Big Green Egg contestants combined!

[RonB]

Very nice looking ribs BBQCS, and congrats on the finishes and the fun ~ Ron

[CandySueQ]

Good looking ribs! Hate the kale though.

[BBQCentralShow]

Garnish doesn't get judged!! :-)

[Powersmoke_80]

BBQCentralShow So they Say!
But one has to wonder if it is hard to not judge something that is there.

[BBQCentralShow]

That was a zinger back at a post Candy made in a different thread...LOL!! My kale game was tight!!

[DWCowles]

Congrats on your finish at your first competition. Ribs are beautiful.

[rat88]

It would be interesting to know how this all turned out. I would like to see finishing position by cooker type. I know it has more to do with the rub and experience of the pitmaster, but still interested in the head to head cook off of the 2 styles of cookers

[BBQCentralShow]

I can find that I think...stand by!

[BBQCentralShow]

This was the overall results between both cookers.

[rat88]

That's is kinda how I thought it would turn out. Not bashing the Treagers or any pellet cooker really, but I have not been that impressed with the end result from pellet burners. I will keep using my wood fired smoker

[BBQCentralShow]

In this scenario...not being sanctioned or anyone really having any kind of competition experience, I don't think the cooker had anything to do with it really....it was definitely the cook and how they were preparing the ribs. Just my $0.02.

[fuzzydaddy]

Well you finished quite well! Congrats.

[Powersmoke_80]

Nice Greg, so when do you honestly think you will try again? I know you were not happy about some judges scoring but has this peaked your interest to do a sanctioned comp?
What sauce did you use? I seen Keith used some Blues Hog.

[BBQCentralShow]

Powersmoke_80 No...not a KCBS event. I would do this rib event again next year if they have it. I used my homemade sauce, Big Poppa's Sweet Money Rub and Butchers BBQ Honey Rub. I also used the butter flavor grilling oil and apple juice at certain points. I couldn't possibly spend $1,000 and get simialr variations in judging and live with myself afterwards...LOL!!