Uncle Butt's BBQ Competition
Uncle Butt's BBQ Presents

Pits & Pistons

Presented in partnership with the Meridian Chamber of Commerce
DateAugust 15, 2026 · Saturday
LocationDowntown Meridian, ID ↗
Entry Fee$60–$70 / Team
Max Teams20
Register Your Team → View Schedule
Back-to-Back · Idaho BBQ Association
Back-to-Back · Idaho BBQ Association
Snake River Farms · Boise BBQ Battle
Snake River Farms · Boise BBQ Battle
Working the Grill · Competition
Working the Grill · Competition
In the Pit · Backyard Competition
In the Pit · Backyard Competition
Comp Day · Always Ready
Comp Day · Always Ready
The Crew · Competing Together
The Crew · Competing Together
Wings Turn-In · Competition Ready
Wings Turn-In · Competition Ready
Ribs Turn-In · Bark on Point
Ribs Turn-In · Bark on Point
Brisket Turn-In · The Money Box
Brisket Turn-In · The Money Box
1st Place · Caveman Seasonings
1st Place · Caveman Seasonings
Res. Grand Champion · IBA Summer Smoke Off
Res. Grand Champion · IBA Summer Smoke Off
The IBA BBQ Community
The IBA BBQ Community
Competition Categories

Three Ways to Win

🍖
Pork Ribs

Low and slow. Show us your smoke ring, your bark, and your sauce game. This is where BBQ reputations are made.

🍗
Chicken Wings

Crispy, sauced, or dry rub — bring your best wing. Judges are looking for flavor, texture, and execution.

🥩
Beef One Bite

One bite to impress. Beef, your way — steak, brisket, burnt ends, or beyond. Judges score on flavor, tenderness, and that one perfect bite.

Beef Category

IBA rules and certified judging apply across all three categories. This is an elevated backyard comp — come ready to cook, compete, and have fun.

🎟️
People's Choice Award

Throughout the day, attendees buy raffle tickets and drop a stub in the jar at their favorite team's booth. Voting closes at 1:30 PM — the team with the most stubs wins the sponsored People's Choice prize bundle, a separate award from IBA judging. The matching stubs go into a live raffle drawing during the awards. Bring your crew, buy your tickets, and back your favorite pit master.

Attendee Vote · Raffle Tickets · Separate Award
Day of Event

Day-of Schedule

7:00 AMTeam Arrival & Setup
8:00 AMMandatory Cooks Meeting · Fires On
10:00 AMPublic Gates Open
11:30 AMTurn-In — 🍗 Chicken Wings
12:30 PMTurn-In — 🥩 Beef One Bite
1:30 PMTurn-In — 🍖 Pork Ribs · People's Choice Voting Closes
2:00 PMCar Show Awards
2:30 PMBBQ Awards & Raffle Drawing

Competitor note: Each team gets a 10×10 ft space. Power is not provided — bring your own power source if you need it (generators welcome, no units over 5,000W). Bring all your own equipment, tables, tents, and cooking gear.

Rules & Info

What You Need to Know

  • All teams compete across all three categories — Pork Ribs, Chicken Wings, and Beef One Bite
  • Each team is responsible for their own equipment, fuel, and setup
  • Team space: 10×10 ft allocated per registered team
  • Turn-in boxes are judged blind by certified IBA judges
  • 6 awards presented: Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion, 3 category winners (Ribs, Wings, Beef One Bite), and People's Choice
  • Entry fee and full competitor packet sent via email upon registration
  • Max 20 teams — spots awarded first come, first served
📋 Official Competition Rules Idaho BBQ Association · Full Rulebook →
Idaho BBQ Association
Sanctioned & Judged ByIdaho BBQ AssociationCertified IBA judges across all categories
Got Questions?

Competitor FAQ

What fuel sources are allowed?
Charcoal, wood, and pellets are all permitted. Propane and gas are allowed for fire-starting only — not as a primary cooking fuel. Wood chunks and chips for smoke flavor are encouraged. Electric smokers are not permitted.
What smoker types are allowed?
Any charcoal, wood, or pellet smoker is welcome — offset stick burners, kettle grills, drum smokers, kamados, pellet grills, and cabinet smokers all qualify. No electric-only or microwave-assisted cooking. When in doubt, contact us before the event.
How does judging work?
All turn-in boxes are judged blind by certified IBA judges. Judges score on appearance, taste, and texture across all three categories. IBA rules and scoring criteria apply — teams are strongly encouraged to review the official rulebook prior to competing.
What are the turn-in times?
Chicken Wings at 11:30 AM · Beef One Bite at 12:30 PM · Pork Ribs at 1:30 PM. Late turn-ins will not be accepted. All teams must attend the mandatory cooks meeting at 8:00 AM for final timing confirmation.
What's included in my team space?
Each registered team receives a 10×10 ft space. Power is not provided — teams must bring their own power source if needed (generators welcome, no units over 5,000W). Teams are responsible for bringing all their own equipment, supplies, tables, tents, and cooking gear.
What time should we arrive?
Team arrival and setup begins at 7:00 AM. The mandatory cooks meeting is at 8:00 AM sharp — all team representatives must attend. Public gates open at 10:00 AM. Plan to be fully set up before the cooks meeting.
When will I receive my competitor packet?
Full competitor details — including your entry fee invoice, setup instructions, and event day packet — will be sent to the email provided at registration. Make sure to check your inbox after submitting.

Still have questions? Reach out directly.

officialunclebutt@gmail.com
Ready to Compete?

Claim Your Spot

Spots are limited to 20 teams and go fast. Register now and lock in your place at the pit. Entry fee is $60 for IBA members and $70 for non-members — invoiced by email after registration.

📅DateAugust 15, 2026
📍LocationDowntown Meridian, ID ↗
💵Entry Fee$60–$70 / Team
🏆Max Teams20
Register Your Team →

Not competing? Get day-of updates →  |  First come, first smoked · $60 IBA Members · $70 Non-Members · Questions? Email us at officialunclebutt [at] gmail.com

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