The Vermont Castings Signature Series 4-Burner Grill VCS4007 is admittedly pricier than its competitors, but this grill has the "wow" factor.

Right away, we could tell this grill is solidly built. It features heavy-duty brushed stainless-steel and cast-iron parts and is built for lasting performance. You get a large (29-inch wide by 22-inch deep by 24.3-inch tall) stainless-steel console base with front cabinet door. There is an additional 7 inches allotted for the control panel, so the grill surface actually sits a bit higher than some others in this class.

The 450-square-inch grilling surface is divided between three 9x16.5-inch porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates. These grates are noticeably heavy duty and built to withstand searing temperatures. Each grate weighs about 8.5 pounds and has thick, rounded interlocking bars. The glossy black enamel resists sticking but will get coated with grease and baked on food particles. The grates can be cleaned with mild detergent and hot water. A wire brush can be used to remove any stubborn particles, but make sure to be careful not to scratch the enamel. The grids also have a small lip at the back to keep foods from sliding off.

This unit heated fast! The electronic ignition lit the grill on the first try. It reached 500 degrees Fahrenheit in about 5-10 minutes and maxed out the hood's temperature gauge at 700 degrees. The heavy-duty stainless-steel hood has two cast-iron end caps, which are excellent heat retainers. The cast iron does make the hood a bit heavy to lift. We estimated the weight at about 8 pounds; however, the rock-back design lets the majority of the weight rest on the hinges for a smooth rollback effect.

There are four main burners on the VCS4007 for a combined Btu rating of 50,000. A separate 15,000-Btu side burner is included and has its own control knob and rotary igniter for hassle-free use. The burners on this model also have a cool backlight feature for stylish nighttime cooking. The lighted knobs give the grill a space-age look and are more for effect than functionality.

We did like the smooth-turning knobs, which have a rubberized grip and fingertip extensions for easy grasping. A sixth knob on the control panel is used to control the rotisserie burner -- a separate reflective 15,000-Btu Infra-Red heating element at the rear of the grill that is specifically designed for rotisserie or indirect cooking. The VCS4007 includes a full rotisserie setup, with rod, spits and motor.

Additional features worth mentioning include the front condiment trays and side utensil hooks, which provide easy access to all your seasonings, tools and accessories. A full-color recipe booklet provides a number of delicious grilling recipes, hints and tips. This model also has a periscope-type light, which was interesting but did not provide enough light to cook by.

From its solid construction to its convenient components and accessories, the Vermont Casting signature Series 4-Burner Grill is a winner.


Pros: Heavy-duty stainless-steel construction, 15,000-Btu side burner, fast heating, enclosed console cabinet, rotisserie accessory, front condiment trays, utensil hooks
Cons: Heavy hood

Warranty
1 year, rotisserie and paint; 5 years, parts; 10 years, porcelain-on-steel surfaces and main burners; lifetime, all stainless-steel components, castings, cast-iron end caps and cooking grates