I think this kind of thing could happen to anyone using any brand gas grill, so it's a good warning to check all connections carefully before grilling. I confess I only checked the tank to regulator and regulator hose for leaks prior to my first usage of the Virco. The manual did say to also check the gas control valves, but I couldn't figure out how to get to them. I guess I could see them from underneath if I lay on my back, so that's what I'll do next time. I also recall that propane is heavier than air, unlike natural gas, which is lighter than air. So the propane can settle in low places and collect and then explode. Also, as I have recently noticed, a new steel propane container may react with the odorant in the propane charge, and the result is that it can be harder to detect leaks. Lots of people are probably buying new propane tanks with OPD valves rather than retrofit their old ones, so perhaps some extra caution is needed for the first tankful or so. All this makes me wonder if perhaps I may be installing the natural gas conversion kit sooner than I expected...;-) Here is a link that might be useful: Propane safety

I'll try and post a picture of my grill tomorrow but I did compare both the Virco and the smaller and larger model of the Member's Mark before purchasing. I would say that if you want a smaller grill and don't mind not having a built in smoker box and extra burner then go with the Virco. For me, I wanted a grill that I could easily build in later and that was comparable in size and quality to the Viking and DCS units I had been looking at for comparison. I really had no idea that this grill was as nice as it is. My wife had originally spotted it and told me to go look at it. I was very skeptical because first off it was at Sam's Club (no offense) and second for the price, $1,499.00, I figured it could not compare with the high end units I had been looking at for around $5000. After seeing the unit and thoroughly checking it out I was proven wrong. It is solid double walled stainless throughout (drawers, cart, lid and cooking grates) and looks similar to the Virco unit only larger. I would say aside from size the other differences are that the lid is double walled stainless throughout and will probably not discolor from heat as easily. There is a seperate burner for the smoker box and this burner is stainless also. The remaining burners are heavy porcelain coated cast iron and appear very well made. There are two central pull out drawers on ball bearing glides and a seperate door on both the right and left of the drawers with the right door containing a paper towel holder and spice rack. The propane tank is fully enclosed on the left and is on a locking pull out slide. There is a seperate brass side burner and a rotissere with a steel encased motor unit that I haven't tried yet. There are also two stainless side shelves on each side that fold up and lock. The unit is for the most part, welded and comes fully assembled on a steel pallet that was forklifted on the back of my pick up. It weighs about 450 lbs and you'll need at least 4 strong friends to help you unload it! That's the long version and again I am very happy with it so far and would encourage you to go and look at each of the units for comparison. The Virco is a really nice unit and I know it's been beat to death already on this board but between the smaller Member's Mark and the Virco, I would have probably gone with the Virco. For me, I wanted a bit bigger grill with the built in smoker unit and something that I could build in later on and was willing to spend the extra money. Good luck!

After about 2 or 3 years, I discovered that I needed to change the batteries for the Tank Gauge Display (which I figured out how to do but had to use pliers to bend part of the metal to get it back in). The manual tells how to put it together, but nothing about how to change the batteries or the direction to put the battery in for the Ignitor (which does not work). It is usually a good grill, but it seems to be falling apart and the manual does NOTHING to help. As usual, the manual that comes with a product made in Asia (Taiwan to be exact) is horrible (incomplete, no index, etc...). Sorry for the griping, I was just hoping to save someone else the same aggrivation

i had a MM grill give to me. i replaced all burners tamers etc. it works very well but it has infrared burner and i know nothing about it can someone help thank you paul