Our second KCBS contest of the year is on the books - we finished 31st out of 63 exceptional teams.  While we are not satisfied being in the “middle”, we are happy with our numbers. 

The scores we received at this contest show steady improvement - had we received the same scores in the Dells competition, we’d have placed 6th there.  Why?  Simple - the teams at Marshalltown were simply that good.

This was the first contest with a “finished” trailer...and we still have some final issues to deal with.  Our electrical connections and generators, while new and reliable, still have some problems and our LP water heater also had trouble staying lit.  The weather on Friday night was wicked - heavy rain for almost 2 hours...and some sites remained under inches of water throughout all of Saturday.  Our site was muddy...but we certainly managed.

The team discussed the scores and we know what we did wrong in each category...well...except for chicken.  That remains a work-in-progress.  The brisket and pork shoulders need some modifications in injections and the ribs simply were a little over cooked.

Our thermapen died at Marshalltown...so it looks like we will be getting a new one soon.

Given the rain, inconsistent power, lack of thermapen, mud and simple mistakes, we think the team did ok...but we know how to improve and we hope to be even stronger at the next comp.

Thanks to Woodfellas for the TR, thanks to Boondoggle for pellet delivery and the IA Barbecue Society for a well run competition.