Members Mark Grill Review: Putting the Flames to the Test

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grilled meal of steak and vegetables

There’s nothing quite like food kissed by fire. A burger flipped over glowing grates. A rack of ribs that hisses and pops while the smoke twists into the sky. Grilling isn’t just about dinner – it’s about mood.

Backyard cooking brings people together in a way that few things do.

But here’s the problem: not everyone has the patience – or the spare Saturday afternoon – to wrangle charcoal into submission. For many of us, life runs on tight schedules. Kids need rides. Deadlines creep in.

And when dinnertime hits, nobody wants to be caught babysitting a stubborn firebox. That’s where gas grills come in. One quick turn of the knob, the burners roar to life, and you’re ready to throw meat on the grates in minutes.

Perfect for weeknight cookouts, no starter chimney required. And that’s where Members Mark grills enter the picture.

Salmon Grilled In The Plate

Who Makes Members Mark Grills?

If you’re not familiar, Members Mark is Sam’s Club’s in-house brand. Most of these grills are built by Nexgrill, the same crew behind a lot of budget-friendly backyard gear. Think of them as the warehouse version of “grill big without grilling your wallet.”

On the market, the Members Mark grill lineup competes directly with names like Broil King, Cuisinart, and Char-Broil. All three are chasing the same crowd: folks who want plenty of cooking space, decent features, and a price tag that won’t make your eyes water.

But the big question is simple: Are Members Mark grills actually worth firing up, or are you just buying more metal to gather dust in the corner of your patio?

Let’s find out.

Pros and Cons: Members Mark Grill at a Glance

Before we dive into the details, here’s the scorecard:

Pros

  • Sleek, appealing design
  • Affordable price point
  • Impressive heat output for the money
  • Solid customer service

Cons

  • Durability isn’t top-shelf
  • Exclusive to Sam’s Club (availability can be hit-or-miss)
  • Assembly takes patience

So, not a slam dunk – but not a dud either. Now let’s unpack what this means in real backyard cooking.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Gas Grill

Gas grills aren’t for everyone. If you’re the kind of pitmaster who lives for the ritual of glowing charcoal or a pellet smoker humming away on a slow Saturday, the Members Mark grill might not scratch that itch.

But if your weeknights look anything like mine – running from work to family chaos, trying to beat the dinner clock – then a gas grill feels like a gift. It’s instant gratification. Turn the knob, hit ignition, and boom – you’re cooking.

That’s where a Members Mark unit shines: fast, hot, and ready when you are.

Before rolling one out of Sam’s Club, ask yourself:

  • How much are you looking to spend?
  • Do you want a long-term workhorse, or are you fine with replacing it in a few years?
  • How often do you really cook outdoors?
  • How many mouths are you feeding on a regular basis?
  • Are you mostly grilling burgers and dogs, or do you plan to push into ribs, roasts, and beyond?

Your answers will guide whether this grill makes sense – or if you’d be better off with something heavier duty.

Grilled Steaks And Vegetable Salad

Members Mark 5-Burner Gas Grill: Features & Benefits

Let’s get into the flagship model: the Members Mark 5-Burner Gas Grill. This is their most popular unit, the one most backyard cooks end up with.

Price

The best news first: this grill won’t bust your budget. Gas grills can range anywhere from a couple hundred bucks to the price of a used car. The Members Mark grill lands in that sweet spot – affordable without feeling flimsy.

If you’re hunting for a big cooking surface that doesn’t demand a second mortgage, this is where it shines.

Construction

The build is sturdy for the money. You’ve got a double-walled porcelain-enameled steel hood with stainless trim. Translation? It holds heat decently and cleans up easier than raw steel.

Inside, you’ll find five stainless steel tube burners with porcelain coating for durability. The firebox and body are also porcelain-enameled steel. Not heirloom-level, but more than tough enough for regular weeknight use.

The left side shelf doubles as a sixth burner, perfect for simmering beans, heating sauce, or sneaking in a skillet of bacon while everyone’s distracted.

Down below, the propane tank sits on a slide-out tray, which means no wrestling match every time you swap it out.

Flavor Factor

Here’s a nice touch: the grill has a built-in wood chip box. That means you can toss in hickory, mesquite, or applewood and actually get real smoke flavor on a gas grill.

No foil pouches, no weird hacks. It’s not a full stick-burner, but it scratches the itch when you want that smoke-kissed taste.

Cooking Surface

This is where the Members Mark grill flexes: 683 square inches of cooking space. That’s 495 inches on the main grates and another 188 on the warming rack. Enough room to feed eight hungry guests without juggling batches.

For perspective: that’s burgers, chicken, veggies, and ribs all sizzling at once – without crowding.

Grilling Grates

Here’s where things get tasty. The grates are heavy-duty cast iron with a porcelain coating. Cast iron holds heat like a champ, giving you those bold sear marks everyone brags about.

The porcelain coating isn’t mandatory, but it makes cleanup way less of a headache. There’s also a warming rack – handy for keeping bread rolls warm or resting steaks without losing heat.

Heat Output

Here’s the firepower breakdown:

  • Each main burner: 12,400 BTUs
  • Total main surface: 62,000 BTUs
  • Side burner: 12,000 BTUs
  • Grand total: 74,000 BTUs of grilling muscle

That’s impressive for this class of grill. It gets hot enough to sear steaks, roast a whole chicken, and still keep a side pan of onions sizzling. The one catch? All burners share a single igniter. Not a deal-breaker, but worth noting.

Mobility & Cleanup

The whole setup rolls on four locking casters. They’re a little small for a grill this size, so you won’t be wheeling it across the yard like a pitmaster parade float. But if it mostly stays parked, you’re golden.

Cleanup’s made easier with a removable grease tray – less scraping, less swearing.

Ease of Assembly

Here’s the headache: putting this thing together. Assembly takes time, patience, and a willingness to actually read the manual. Skip steps, and you’ll pay for it later. Once it’s built, though, the grill holds up well.

Storage

You get two roomy side shelves for prep and tools. The cabinet below mainly houses the propane tank, so don’t expect a ton of extra storage. Still, enough to stash paper plates or buns if the clouds roll in mid-cookout.

Warranty

Members Mark keeps it simple with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If something breaks, you can call their toll-free number for free replacement parts. What they don’t clarify is how long that coverage lasts, which makes the warranty feel a little vague.

Members Mark Grills: Social Proof

So, what do real pitmasters-in-the-wild think of the Members Mark grill? We dug around to see what backyard cooks are saying.

The verdict? Solid value for the price. Most owners call out the strong burner power and appreciate how much grill you get without draining the wallet. For anyone who grills a couple nights a week, it hits the mark.

That said, reviews also throw out a fair warning: don’t expect this grill to be your forever pit. Plenty of users admit they only count on a year or two of heavy use before wear and tear show up.

Think of it as a budget workhorse – reliable while it lasts, but not heirloom material.

Alternatives Worth Considering

If you can’t find a Members Mark grill (they’re Sam’s Club exclusives and often sell out), here are three solid alternatives.

1. Char-Broil Performance 5-Burner Gas Grill

  • Similar cart-style design
  • Slightly less BTU firepower than Members Mark
  • Easier assembly
  • Backed by a 5-year warranty

Choose this one if warranty peace of mind matters to you.

2. Megamaster 6-Burner Gas Grill

  • Bigger main cooking surface
  • Six burners, but no side burner
  • Affordable and easy to find
  • Not as sturdy as Members Mark

Great if you want sheer space without breaking the bank.

Weber Spirit Ii E-310
Credit: @foodfunda.us

3. Weber Spirit II E-310

  • Smaller cooking area than Members Mark
  • Costs more, but built with superior materials
  • Industry-leading durability and support

Perfect if you’d rather buy once and keep it for years.

Final Thoughts: Is the Members Mark Grill Worth It?

So, what’s the verdict?

The Members Mark 5-Burner Gas Grill lights fast, burns hot, and gives you a ton of cooking space without draining your wallet. Affordable, straightforward, and powerful – that’s its sweet spot.

The trade-offs? Assembly takes patience, and the long-term durability isn’t legendary. Plus, finding one depends entirely on Sam’s Club stock.

Bottom line: If you want big heat and big value, this grill delivers. If availability is an issue – or you want more warranty backup – check out the Char-Broil Performance 5-Burner Gas Grill as a worthy alternative.

Pitmaster’s Verdict: The Members Mark grill isn’t built to pass down to your grandkids – but for a few seasons of hot, fast, budget-friendly cooking? It’ll keep your backyard fired up.

Darren Wayland Avatar

AUTHOR

1 thought on “Members Mark Grill Review: Putting the Flames to the Test”

  1. All I care about are two things: but and main cooking area size. Divide btu by square inches. The closest to 100 or above wins.

    Reply

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