First look at Virco Costco BBQ grill

LOTSA discussion about the Virco BBQ grill from Costco ... so I decided I should go check this out and shoot a few pictures for everyone.

First, I recently purchased a Member's Mark (manufactured by Grand Hall) Stainless Steel BBQ grill from Sam's Club and am VERY HAPPY with it - read all about the Member's Mark Grand Hall BBQ here. So I could be consider biased - since after spending $600 for a BBQ grill, the LAST thing I want to do is go back to my wife 3 months later and say I actually shoulda got the $800 one! ;-)

The Costco in Superior, Colorado did not have any Virco BBQ Grills in stock; and their ONE display model was back in the warehouse, but they were nice enough to let me take a look at it and shoot some pictures. My first impression, which is probably my current one, is that this is a NICE BBQ grill and has a little more going for it than the Member's Mark ... but it doesn't blow it away as some have suggested ... but then again, I'm not a CGE (Certified Grill Expert) either! ;-)

Happy BBQ Grilling,
alek - © 2004 www.komar.org - Alek Komarnitsky

BBQ Grill Searching Courtesy of Google

I'm 99% certain this is the BBQ grill everyone is talking about. The name is right, the Costco guy confirmed this is replacing the Kirkland Series, and the grill output was 3X20K mains, 12K side, and 12K back burner which is consistant with what people have been saying.

Note the tamers are stainless (manual says this too) ... I thought someone had said they were ceramic, but this does not appear to be the case. There is a nice set of pictures showing you down to the burners below.

The BBQ grill main bowl/side burner ARE one piece ... so you could probably STAND on the side burner (not recommended on the MM ;-). Note that there is a side attachment to the left of the side burner (not shown in the picture since it wasn't there) that provides a little more space for stuff. So the working area is about the same as the MM. BTW, I understand that the side attachment can be placed on either side, so you can "split" these as desired ... with a "handle" placed on the other side to help move this monster! ;-) With this handle & nice casters, it rolls actually quite easily. BTW, something might have been missing, but you needed a pen or something to open the cover on the side burner; whereas on the MM it is easy to do with your fingers. I also like the spice rack on the MM - didn't seem to be one on the Virco ... but the "tool hangers" are pretty nice on the Virco.

The cooking surface appears identical to the MM - just over 30" long X a little less than 20" deep. BTW, I prefer the MM stainless grids because they rotate and are a little easier to clean because of that. One thing I DID like about the Virco grids was that one of 'em had a slight opening (look at the front right one) which made it easy to grab with your finger to pull out ... and then the others are trivial. With the MM, it's a little difficult to get that first grid out.

Virco had electric ignitor for the side burner whereas the MM has the "popper/twist/friction" one - advantage Virco.

Both appears to have rotisserree and cover (although others have said that the Virco is much heaver duty and includes a counterweight).

It does appear to include the upper warming rack - you have to order this seperate from MM (which is totally lame IMHO - this can't cost MM more than a few $$$ and is essential IMHO) ... so advantage Virco there.

The lid on the Virco is HEAVY ... I mean REALLY HEAVY. Take a look at the "doublewall" pictures - I'm guessing this also keeps the outer surface a bit cooler too (?)

The grease pan on the Virco is stainless and I like how it just easily slides out better than the MM.

No tank gauge on the Virco ... although if you are a 2-tank type of person (or will convert to NG), this isn't too much of an issue. The Virco also encloses the tank - I'm semi-indifferent about this ... almost easier having it out and accessible rather than having to open a drawer?

I have had some problems with the MM on windy days ... there's a few inches of opening beneath the grid on the front and sides - I've blocked these with sheet metal which helps ... whereas the Virco looks pretty airtight, so I'm guessing probably less sensitive to wind?