If you‘re a savvy Sam‘s Club shopper considering a new grill, you‘ve probably noticed the Member‘s Mark brand. Member‘s Mark is Sam‘s Club‘s private label, launched back in 1998 and now covering a wide range of products from groceries to furniture to appliances. In recent years, Member‘s Mark grills have gained a following for their combination of quality and value.
But who actually makes Member‘s Mark grills? Can a store brand really compete with big name grill manufacturers? As a picky retail expert, I put my research skills to work to bring you the full scoop.
The Popularity of Private Labels Like Member‘s Mark
First, it‘s worth noting that private label brands have been growing steadily in popularity across retail. A 2022 report by Coresight Research found that private label sales now make up over 17% of total retail sales in the US, with 57% of consumers saying they buy private labels to save money.
Private labels like Member‘s Mark aren‘t just generic knockoffs though. Many retailers put significant resources into developing and sourcing quality products that can rival or even exceed the national brands. Costco‘s Kirkland Signature and Aldi‘s SimplyNature are other examples of popular private labels known for their quality and affordability.
Sam‘s Club has strict standards for its Member‘s Mark products, including the grills. According to the company, "our merchants work closely with suppliers and manufacturers to develop and test each item to ensure quality" and "we will not put our Member‘s Mark label on anything that doesn‘t offer premium quality."
The Manufacturers Behind Member‘s Mark Grills
So who are the "suppliers and manufacturers" that Sam‘s Club has partnered with for the Member‘s Mark grill line? After some digging, I found that there are three main players:
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Rankam Group: A Chinese manufacturer specializing in BBQ grills, gas stoves, fryers, and smokers. Founded in 2012, they now have over 100,000 square meters of factory space and export to dozens of countries. Rankam makes several popular Member‘s Mark grill models such as the 7-burner Gas Grill.
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Prokan Grills: Another Chinese grill and smoker manufacturer that supplies some Member‘s Mark models, though less information is available about the company. They use automated robotic welding for consistent quality.
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Nexgrill: A leading Taiwanese grill brand founded in 1995 that is the original equipment manufacturer for many North American grill brands, along with their own Nexgrill branded products. Known for innovation, they hold numerous grill-related patents. Nexgrill makes the popular Member‘s Mark Hybrid Gas/Pellet grill among others.
All three of these manufacturers have significant expertise and specialization in grills and outdoor cooking equipment. By tapping them to produce Member‘s Mark grills, Sam‘s Club can offer high-quality, feature-rich grills at lower prices than many "name brands" that are made by the same or similar manufacturers, just with a bigger markup.
It‘s a common misconception that "Made in China" or "Made in Taiwan" means low quality. In reality, many premium grill brands, even American icons like Weber, source at least some components overseas. The key is to have strict quality control and a brand that stands behind its products, which Sam‘s Club provides with Member‘s Mark.
Comparing Member‘s Mark Grills to the Competition
To see how Member‘s Mark grills really stack up, I compared several models to similar offerings from other brands carried at Sam‘s Club and other retailers. Here‘s what I found:
7+ Burner Gas Grills ($1200 – $2200)
- Member‘s Mark 7-Burner Gas Grill ($1699): 80,000 total BTUs, 1085 sq in cooking area, stainless steel burners and grates
- Weber Summit S-670 6-Burner Gas Grill ($2149): 60,800 BTUs, 769 sq in cooking area, stainless steel burners and grates
- Napoleon Prestige PRO 825 8-Burner Gas Grill ($1999): 123,000 BTUs, 1430 sq in cooking area, stainless steel wave grates
While the Weber Summit and Napoleon Prestige Pro are both excellent premium grills, the Member‘s Mark 7-Burner actually beats them on cooking area per dollar while having comparable materials and features. All have at least a 5 year warranty.
4-5 Burner Gas Grills ($400 – $800)
- Member‘s Mark 5-Burner Gas Grill ($799): 60,000 BTUs, 678 sq in cooking area, 13mm stainless steel grates
- KitchenAid 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill ($479): 61,000 BTUs, 545 sq in cooking area, stainless steel wrapped grates
- Nexgrill 5-Burner Propane Gas Grill ($399): 62,000 BTUs, 618 sq in cooking area, angled stainless flame tamers
The Member‘s Mark 5-Burner is a larger, heavier-duty grill than the 4 burner KitchenAid or the Nexgrill and offers thick stainless grates, but costs a couple hundred dollars more. The lower priced 4-burner Member‘s Mark model would be more comparable. All offer decent value in the mid-range grill category.
2-Burner Gas Grills ($100-$300)
- Member‘s Mark 2-Burner Gas Grill ($229): 30,000 BTUs, 400 sq in cooking area, folding stainless side shelves
- Char-Broil Classic 280 2-Burner Gas Grill ($174): 20,000 BTUs, 280 sq in cooking area, metal side shelves
- Weber Spirit E-210 2-Burner Gas Grill ($379): 26,500 BTUs, 360 sq in cooking area, folding metal side tables
For small to mid-sized 2-burner grills, the Member‘s Mark offers impressive specs and useful features. It has 50% more BTUs than the cheaper Char-Broil and more cooking area than the pricier Weber Spirit, plus folding stainless shelves.
The story is similar across other grill categories like charcoal and hybrid grills – Member‘s Mark models are very competitive and sometimes class-leading in cooking area, power and features for the price. That said, it‘s not an automatic slam dunk – Weber, Napoleon and other top brands have some unique designs and refinements that some grillers may prefer, and Nexgrill offers strong bang-for-buck too. It pays to compare.
Expert Tips for Member‘s Mark Grill Owners
To get the most out of your Member‘s Mark grill, here are a few pro tips:
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Reverse sear a steak: For thick steaks (1.5" or more), try the reverse sear method. Set up a 2-zone fire, cook the steak low and slow on the cooler side until 10-15 degrees from your target doneness, then sear it quickly over the hot direct heat to finish. This ensures an evenly cooked interior and maximum browning.
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Brine your chicken or pork chops: Brining lean meats for 2-4 hours in a salt and sugar water solution before grilling can dramatically improve flavor and juiciness and reduce the risk of drying out. A good basic brine ratio is 1 cup salt + ½ cup sugar per gallon of water.
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Boost flavor with a marinade or dry rub: Marinating meat for 1-8 hours or rubbing it with a flavorful spice blend will take your grilling to the next level. For marinade ideas, check out Amazing Ribs. For rubs and sauces, you can buy good ones or make your own.
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Don‘t depend on the built-in thermometer: One of the most common griller mistakes is overcooking or undercooking meat. A quality instant-read thermometer like the Thermapen One or Lavatools Javelin Pro is an essential tool for checking doneness. You can also use a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth enabled leave-in probe thermometer to monitor long cooks remotely.
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Use indirect heat for large or longer-cooking items: If you‘re grilling a whole chicken, pork shoulder, or anything else that will take longer than 20-30 minutes, use the indirect grilling method. Light burners only on one half the grill and cook the meat on the other cooler side with the lid closed. This prevents burning while the inside cooks through.
The Bottom Line
After all my research and analysis, I can confidently say that Member‘s Mark grills are a solid choice for most backyard cooks. No, they‘re not hand-crafted in the USA like the luxury Alturi or Fire Magic brands, but very few grills are these days. What you get with Member‘s Mark is a grill designed and built by specialized, reputable manufacturers and backed by Sam‘s Club.
The Member‘s Mark product team puts real effort into competitive specs, user-friendly features and modern designs, and it shows when you compare models head to head with other brands in the same price brackets. From the compact 2-burner to the full-featured 7-burner to the hybrid gas/pellet model, there‘s a Member‘s Mark grill for almost every need and budget.
Of course, Member‘s Mark isn‘t the only worthy grill brand out there. Weber is still the gold standard for many, and Napoleon, Nexgrill, Pit Boss and Broil King also make some compelling grills. But dollar for dollar, I think Member‘s Mark is hard to beat, especially if you already have a Sam‘s Club membership. The return policy and warranty certainly add peace of mind too.
So picky shoppers, there you have it. Consider a Member‘s Mark grill for your backyard barbecue needs this summer. With some smart shopping and a few expert tips, you‘ll be ready to grill with the best of them!
