The WORST episodes of BBQ Pitmasters

Every episode of BBQ Pitmasters ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of BBQ Pitmasters!

The reputations and respect of the leading cooks of America's burgeoning barbecue circuit ride on the virtues of one perfectly glazed rib, and hundreds of thousands of dollars are won or lost after a single, mouthwatering bite.

Last Updated: 6/30/2025Network: Destination AmericaStatus: Ended
Decatur Jaycees Riverfest
star
5.96
50 votes

#1 - Decatur Jaycees Riverfest

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 12/17/2009

Barbecue cooking skills, nerves and patience are tested during Alabama's state championship at the Decatur Riverfest.

star
6.22
9 votes

#2 - All Hammed Up!

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/17/2012

Beef ribs and ham challenge contestants in Dothan, Ala.

star
6.25
4 votes

#3 - Father Vs. Son

Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 1/27/2013

BBQ PITMASTERS judge, Myron Mixon and his son, Michael, are traveling America's barbecue circuit together, checking out the country's most revered BBQ joints, and most importantly, going head-to-head in a father/son cooking rivalry that will rock the roots of BBQ nation...or at least the Mixon family tree.

star
6.29
7 votes

#4 - Doctors, Divas and 2 Worthless Nuts

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/24/2012

Three contestants grill chicken and pork in Salisbury, Md.

star
6.29
14 votes

#5 - Try, Try, Tri-Tip Again

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/30/2012

Three competitors face off at the Don't Be Cruel BBQ Duel in Mississippi in the Season 3 premiere

star
6.33
3 votes

#6 - Bluegrass, Bourbon & BBQ

Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 1/20/2013

Kentucky has one of the most delicious BBQ traditions in the South. John Foreman of Old Hickory Bar-B-Que Restaurant, Roy Henry of Henry's Boogalou BBQ, and Mike Ramage of Still Smokin' BBQ compete for the title of BBQ Pitmasters Kentucky Champion.

star
6.43
7 votes

#7 - O-Cue-Homa

Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 7/28/2013

Pitmasters Robbie Royal, Howie Kleinberg, and Jack Waiboer head to the Bixby BBQ and Blues Festival in Bixby, OK for their chance at becoming the BBQ Pitmasters Grand Champion and winning $50,000.

star
6.67
9 votes

#8 - True Blue Memphis Style Que

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 12/30/2012

Here in the Birthplace of Rock and Roll, Craig Blondis of Central BBQ, Mark West of 10 Bones BBQ, and Carey Bringle of Peg Leg Porker fire it up to see who's got the best Memphis-Style ‘cue. Up for grabs is the title of BBQ Pitmasters Memphis Champion.

star
6.67
9 votes

#9 - Trimming the Fat

Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/10/2012

Pork belly and turkey are barbecued as Johnny Trigg takes on younger competitors.

star
6.75
8 votes

#10 - Smoking in Memphis

Season 6 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/3/2014

Tennessee cookers Ken Wood, Michael McDearman and Chris Chadwick summon that Memphis soul and go toe to toe to see who will win BBQ Pitmasters Memphis Championship and the chance to win the $50,000 grand prize.

star
6.80
10 votes

#11 - Kings of Carolina

Season 6 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/10/2014

North Carolina cookers Jonathan Upchurch, Christopher Prieto and Carl Lewis must fan their flames and get things cooking to get a shot at competing for $50,000 and the title of BBQ Pitmasters Grand Champion.

star
6.83
12 votes

#12 - Made in the USA

Season 6 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/17/2014

Among Louisianan Jeff Petkevicius, New Yorker Howard Daley and Alabaman Jeff Coon, which wild card competitor will emerge victorious and keep their barbecue dream alive?

star
6.85
13 votes

#13 - The Trigg Is Up

Season 7 - Episode 6 - Aired 6/25/2015

With pork belly and beef ribs on the menu, Corey and Craig think that Johnny might have an advantage in the competition.

star
6.86
7 votes

#14 - My Kind of Q!

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/11/2013

Returning champions Lynnae Oxley, Jeff Vanderlinde, and Rob ‘Rub’ Bagby face off for the second BBQ Pitmasters semi-final round in Westmont, IL.

star
6.86
43 votes

#15 - Butt Out!

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 8/12/2010

Four pitmasters go head to head to prove their pork butt is the best.

star
6.88
8 votes

#16 - Show Me the Q

Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 8/18/2013

"Stump" McDowell, Robby Royal, and Rod Gray return for the last of BBQ Pitmasters semi-final rounds before the Kingsford BBQ Pitmasters Grand Championship.

star
6.90
10 votes

#17 - Champions Q-Off

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/21/2013

Previous BBQ Pitmasters champions Mark West, Rod Gray, and Corey Brinson battle it out in an all-star barbecue showdown at the Barnesville BBQ and Blues Festival in Barnesville, GA.

star
6.91
11 votes

#18 - Ribs, Ribs, and more Ribs

Season 6 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/31/2014

Among Georgia Champion Robby Royal of Rescue Smokers, Texas Champion Junior Urias of Up in Smoke and Wild Card Champion John Coon of House of Q, who will emerge victorious to continue on to win the title of BBQ Pitmasters Grand Champion?

star
6.91
35 votes

#19 - Bring Home the Bacon

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 9/23/2010

star
6.92
13 votes

#20 - Baby Light My Fire

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/3/2012

Three competitors face off at the annual Pigs in Flight BBQ Competition in Memphis.

Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-off
star
6.98
83 votes

#21 - Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-off

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 12/10/2009

Lee Ann and Myron face off in whole hog competition while tempers flare between Johnny and one of the local cooks at a barbecue cook-off in Murphysboro, Ill.

star
7.00
63 votes

#22 - Not a Moment To Spare

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/2/2010

BBQ favorite, spare ribs; contestants face a prehistoric challenge.

star
7.06
17 votes

#23 - Ribs Rematch

Season 7 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/11/2015

With the title of Kingsford BBQ Pitmasters All-Star Grand Champion on the line, reigning Grand Champion Robby Royal hopes for another victory over Junior Urias and John Coon.

star
7.06
65 votes

#24 - Diamond State BBQ

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 1/21/2010

The competition heats up as the temperature falls during the Diamond State BBQ Championship in Dover, Del.; Harry's former teammate, Gary, competes on his own; Tuffy does Myron a favor that might hurt his own chances.

star
7.07
73 votes

#25 - American Royal Open Barbecue

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/14/2010

Nearly 500 professional and amateur barbecue teams compete for more than $40,000 in prizes at the American Royal Open in Kansas City, Mo.