In our experience reviewing grilling, bbq & outdoor cooking, we analyzed each option's real pricing and features; from our research, the comparison below reflects what actually matters for buyers in 2026. Yes, the Members Mark Pro Series 36 is a strong 2026 value. You get a big pellet cooker near $699. However, you also get real ash work.
This is not a small weeknight grill. Instead, it fits cooks who use the smoke tray often.
Key takeaways
- At $699 from Sam’s Club, the Pro Series 36 bundles an induction burner, smoke tray, and cover, so the cart looks better than many add-on-heavy pellet setups.
- The smoke tray is the deciding feature because it lets you add wood chunks, chips, pellets, or charcoal for more smoke depth.
- The wrong buyer is a small-patio cook, steak-first griller, or anyone who hates removing ash around a burn pot.
- The owner’s manual says ash must be cleaned from in and around the firepot, so this is not a no-maintenance cooker.
- The best supporting buys are covers, replacement parts, and the Monument Grills Mesa Series for buyers who should skip pellets.
| Option | Best for | Key spec | Price band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Members Mark Pro Series 36 pellet grill | Weekend BBQ hosts | 36-inch pellet cooker with smoke tray | $699 |
| Kipiea 600D Pellet Grill Cover for Camp | Budget outdoor storage | 600D fabric callout | Budget cover |
| Comnova Pellet Grill Cover for Camp Chef | Heavy weather protection | Camp Chef fit language | Mid cover |
| SUPJOYES Grill Cover for Camp Chef 36 | 36-inch cover shoppers | 36-inch fit language | Budget to mid cover |
| Direct Store Kit DG186 Replacement for Members | Member’s Mark maintenance | Members-tied replacement kit | Parts buy |
| 3 Pack Grill Burner Replacement 15 3/4 | Gas repair value | 4.8-star rating data | Parts pack |
| Monument Grills Mesa Series | Fast propane grilling | $449, 52,000 BTU, 630 sq. in. | $449 |
Is the Members Mark Pro Series 36 pellet grill actually a good value in 2026?
Yes, if you want space, easy pellet heat, and smoke-box help near $699. It fits backyard cooks who smoke big cuts often. However, it is not for tight patios or bargain hunters only.
Pellet grill value means space, heat control, smoke, included gear, and cleanup pain. In this group, the Pro Series 36 wins on features per dollar. You get the induction burner, smoke tray, and cover in one bundle.
The current official product listing showed $699 and 184 reviews when checked. Still, buyer chatter has a clear theme. A July 30, 2026 Reddit thread showed folks want pellet value without used-car pricing.
That same thread also showed concern about light pellet smoke. So the smoke tray matters more than raw grate size. It gives this grill its real hook.
Would I buy it for a one-bedroom balcony? No. Would I consider it for brisket, ribs, pork butt, and meal prep? Yes.
Because 36-inch class space changes the cook. You can run more meat with less batch work.
If you still question pellets, read our pellet convenience versus live-fire cooking guide. The Pro Series 36 sits on the easy side. However, the smoke tray pulls it closer to wood cooking.
How we picked
We picked these options by matching real buyer problems to the Pro Series 36. Those problems include price, smoke, ash, storage, parts, and fuel choice. We used listed data, manuals, buyer talk, and the approved product set.
Selection criteria are the rules behind the picks. We checked current listed price, included features, smoke help, ash access, covers, parts, and gas alternatives. Instead, we avoided fake lab scores.
We analyzed the $699 Sam’s Club listing and official model SMK4036AS manual. We also checked July 2026 pellet-grill talk and the listed accessories. The Mesa comparison used official Mesa 425 product data.
That data lists $449 pricing, 52,000 BTU output, and 630 sq. in. cooking area. It also lists propane fuel and an 8-year limited warranty. So the Mesa fits quick propane cooks better.
Our main call is simple. We rank the smoke tray above raw square inches. Big grates help, but weak smoke sends pellet owners chasing fixes.
Because of that, the Pro Series 36 only shines if you use the tray. If it sits empty, you bought size first. That still helps, but it is less special.
What does the smoke tray change in real cooking?
The smoke tray lets you add wood chunks or extra smoke during pellet cooks. That targets the biggest pellet complaint. Pellet heat runs clean, steady, and mild.
Treat the tray as a flavor assist. It is not magic. However, it helps ribs, pork butt, and brisket more than burgers.
Pellet smoke comes from compressed hardwood pellets in an auger-fed firepot. Wood-chunk smoke comes from larger wood that smolders hotter and longer. In practice, chunks can add a deeper, older-school note.
Recent pellet users like the ease. Still, many admit smoke depth feels limited. So the tray is not decoration.
However, more smoke control means one more hot part. You need to load it safely. You also need to clean it.
For example, ribs can use extra wood during the first half. Pork butt can handle a stronger smoke layer. Brisket benefits too, especially when you want better bark.
Burgers do not gain much. Chicken breasts also cook too fast. Instead, use the tray for longer cooks.
If you come from charcoal, the tray feels like a bridge. It is not a full swap. Our best pellet grill style for charcoal cooks guide fits that question.
How annoying is ash cleanup on the Pro Series 36?
Ash cleanup can make or break this grill. A large cooker saves time during prep and cooking. However, it can give time back after long cooks.
Burn pot ash is the powder left after pellets burn. Too much ash can block ignition and hurt airflow. It can also create fire risk and temp swings.
The official model SMK4036AS manual tells owners to remove key internal parts. You remove cooking grates, the heat plate, and the heat baffle. Then you clean ash and grease in and around the firepot.
The manual also says a shop vac is handy before every use. That is plain enough. This grill still needs ash discipline.
For brisket, pork shoulder, and rib cooks, that matters. Long cooks burn more pellets. As a result, you get more ash.
The owner’s manual links excess ash with ignition and temperature trouble. That tracks with pit logic. Fire needs air.
If ash piles near the firepot, the burn gets dirty. It also gets less stable. So cleanup is part of the cook.
Ask yourself one blunt thing. Do you clean Sunday night? Or do you always leave it for next time?
Who is the Pro Series 36 best for?
This grill best fits Sam’s Club buyers who cook for groups. It gives pellet ease and extra smoke help. It also avoids buying a second cooker or smoke tube.
A 36-inch pellet grill is a large backyard cooker. It is built for volume, not tight storage. In practice, it shines when parked, covered, and ready.
The Pro Series 36 fits brisket, pork butt, ribs, and family events. It also makes sense for weekend meal prep. Grate space matters more than portability here.
This is a backyard host cooker. It also fits value-focused pellet buyers who like bundled gear. However, the extras only matter if you use them.
The induction burner can help with sauce, sides, or a pan sear. Still, it adds power needs. It also adds one more surface to clean.
The Pro Series 36 is not a tailgate cooker. It is not a tiny-deck cooker. The manual lists 62.9 inches wide, 26 inches deep, and 46.5 inches high.
The listed weight is 185.6 lbs. So moving it often will get old fast. Plan a real parking spot.
For small outdoor spaces, charcoal may make more sense. Our small-patio charcoal grill guide serves that buyer better.
Who should not buy the Members Mark Pro Series 36?
Skip it if you mostly grill hot and fast. Also skip it if you cook for one or two. However, the biggest wrong buyer hates pellet ash.
Hot-and-fast grilling means steaks, burgers, chops, and weeknight chicken over high direct heat. Pellet grills can do some of that. Still, they usually do steady indirect heat better.
The Pro Series 36 gives you space and ease. On brisket day, that helps. On Tuesday night, that same size can feel silly.
Why heat a large pellet cooker for two burgers? That makes little sense if smoke does not matter. Instead, use propane for quick meals.
It is also wrong for apartment patios or tiny decks. You need clearance, dry storage, and room to work. You also need room to clean.
Because pellet grills are machines, neglect hurts them. They have firepots, augers, fans, controllers, and hot ash. Ignore them, and you invite rough ignition.
If most meals are quick propane-style cooks, pick the Monument Grills Mesa Series. It is the cleaner fit in this product set.
What should buyers budget beyond the grill price?
Start with the $699 grill price. Then budget for pellets, protection, wear parts, and cleanup tools. The real basket costs more than the cooker.
AOV means average order value. Here, it means grill, cover, parts, fuel, and maintenance gear. That is the honest backyard cost.
The first extra cost is pellets. The second is protection. The manual says the grill and pellets must stay dry.
Wet pellets can swell and jam the auger. So the included cover matters. However, it only helps if it keeps weather out.
Kipiea 600D Pellet Grill Cover for Camp belongs in the cover conversation. So do Comnova Pellet Grill Cover for Camp Chef and SUPJOYES Grill Cover for Camp Chef 36. Still, confirm Camp Chef cover dimensions first.
Replacement parts serve a different job. Direct Store Kit DG186 Replacement for Members is the maintenance pick. It is the only listed replacement kit tied directly to Members.
The 3 Pack Grill Burner Replacement 15 3/4 has 4.8-star data. However, it fits gas-grill maintenance buyers better. It is not a pellet upgrade.
For instance, outdoor rain storage makes cover fit the first priority. A weekly cook should think about ash tools next. Flavor toys can wait.
Which approved accessories are worth recommending with it?
Recommend accessories only when they solve a real owner problem. Weather, worn parts, and wrong fuel choice count. Random add-ons do not.
A cover is the first add-on to consider. Replacement parts are maintenance buys, not upgrades. The Mesa serves the reader who should skip pellets.
An ownership problem shows up after purchase. Rain exposure is one. Worn burner hardware is another.
Buying the wrong fuel type is the big one. Covers protect the cooker and pellets. Replacement parts keep older grills working.
The Monument Grills Mesa Series fits readers who mostly sear and cook fast. However, none of these products makes pellets taste like a stick burner. A loose cover is just bad protection.
Kipiea 600D Pellet Grill Cover for Camp
Kipiea 600D Pellet Grill Cover for Camp is for outdoor storage. It fits budget-focused pellet owners who want 600D fabric. Still, measure before checkout.
The honest downside is fit risk. It is labeled for another 36-inch pellet-grill body style. So do not assume it hugs the Pro Series 36.
Comnova Pellet Grill Cover for Camp Chef
Comnova Pellet Grill Cover for Camp Chef is the heavy-use cover mention here. It suits buyers who value weather protection over lowest price. However, use a tape measure first.
Check it against the Pro Series 36 dimensions. If it binds at the side burner, skip it. If it hangs badly, skip it too.
SUPJOYES Grill Cover for Camp Chef 36
SUPJOYES Grill Cover for Camp Chef 36 has the cleanest size cue here. The 36-inch fit language makes it worth checking. Still, that does not prove fit.
The downside is the same Camp Chef label issue. Confirm width, depth, height, and side-table shape. Then decide.
Direct Store Kit DG186 Replacement for Members
Direct Store Kit DG186 Replacement for Members is the best maintenance pick. It fits Member’s Mark owners who need compatible replacement hardware. However, it is for fixing wear.
It is not a flavor upgrade. If your Pro Series 36 is new, wait. This is a later buy.
3 Pack Grill Burner Replacement 15 3/4
3 Pack Grill Burner Replacement 15 3/4 is a gas-grill repair value pack. It best fits people keeping a gas grill alive. The listed 4.8-star data helps its case.
However, it is not a pellet-smoker upgrade. Do not use gas burner parts for pellet issues. They will not fix firepot or smoke-tray problems.
Monument Grills Mesa Series
Monument Grills Mesa Series is the best pick for non-pellet buyers here. It suits steak-first cooks and quick weeknight grillers. It also fits propane buyers.
The Mesa 425 data is clear. It costs $449 and makes 52,000 BTU. You also get 630 sq. in. cooking area.
It uses propane-only fuel. It has an 8-year limited warranty. The downside is obvious: it is not a smoker.
If you need a fast camp or tailgate setup, go smaller. A portable gas cooker may fit better. We cover that in our portable gas grill guide.
Final verdict: get this if, skip it if
Get the Members Mark Pro Series 36 if you cook for groups. It fits brisket, ribs, and wood-chunk smoke tray use. At $699, the included burner, tray, and cover make sense.
Get a fitted cover if your grill lives outside. Start with the 36-inch and 600D options below. However, measure first.
Get replacement parts if you maintain older hardware. Direct Store Kit DG186 Replacement for Members is the cleanest Members-tied pick.
Get the Monument Grills Mesa Series if you mostly sear and grill fast. It gives propane simplicity at $449.
Skip the Pro Series 36 if you cook for one or two. Also skip it for tight patios. The smoke tray helps, but firepot chores stay.
FAQ
Is the Members Mark Pro Series 36 pellet grill worth $699?
Yes, if you need a large pellet smoker with a smoke tray, induction burner, and cover included. The value is strongest for weekend BBQ, brisket, ribs, and family events. However, it is not the right buy for a small patio or a mostly quick-grilling routine.
Does the smoke tray make it taste like an offset smoker?
No. The smoke tray adds helpful wood-smoke depth, but pellets still cook cleaner and milder than a stick burner. Use the tray for ribs, pork butt, and brisket. However, do not expect heavy offset flavor with no extra wood management.
Is ash cleanup still required?
Yes. Pellet grills still need burn-pot and firebox ash managed according to the owner’s manual. The Pro Series 36 manual says to remove internal parts and clean ash from in and around the firepot. Skipping that can hurt ignition and temperature stability.
Who should skip this grill?
Small-patio cooks, steak-first grillers, and anyone who hates pellet maintenance should skip it. The Pro Series 36 is physically large, and its ash routine matters. For hot-and-fast cooking, propane is simpler.
Is the Monument Mesa Series a pellet-grill alternative?
No, it is a propane gas-grill option for buyers who care more about searing and fast weeknight cooking than smoking. The Mesa 425 offers $449 pricing, 52,000 BTU output, 630 sq. in. cooking area, and propane simplicity.
Written by Cole Mason for Nestway. About our editorial team · Contact us. Every recommendation is editorially reviewed against current pricing and features.