The Vermont Castings The Chef Signature Series Gas Grill VCS4008 is solidly built from the ground up. Constructed from beautiful stainless steel and solid cast-iron components, this grill is built to last. It is a four-burner grill that measures approximately 59.5 inches wide (including the side shelves), 24.5 inches deep and standing 49 inches tall. It is quite heavy, weighing in at close to 300 pounds, attributable to the heavy construction and cast-iron components. The key features include four burners at 50,000 Btu, a 15,000-Btu side burner, a 15,000-Btu infrared rotisserie burner and rotisserie kit.

As with other Vermont Castings grills, we were impressed with this unit's excellent heat retention. The double-walled stainless steel hood has two heavy porcelain-coated cast-iron end caps that lock in heat for efficient performance. Within 10 minutes, the temperature gauge registered 500 degrees Fahrenheit and it quickly climbed to the highest reading: 700 degrees. You can adjust each of the burners or use a combination of the four to achieve both direct and indirect grilling. An electronic igniter provides quick, easy lighting of the main burners. The side burner has its own single source electronic rotary igniter. This rear-mounted infrared rotisserie burner also has its own independent control knob.

This grill provides 707 square inches of total cooking area (493 square inches of primary cooking space and 214 square inches of secondary space with the porcelain coated warming rack). The main grilling surface consists of three removable porcelain-coated heavy-duty cast-iron grates. Each grate has thick, rounded interlocking bars, with a small lip at the back to keep foods from sliding off and a thumb-notch for easy lifting. The glossy black enamel resists sticking but will get coated with grease and baked on food particles.

Beneath the grids (atop the burners), there are Signature stainless steel sear plates, which not only protect the burners but also catch and vaporize drippings to deliver a wonderful aroma and flavor-enhancing cooking experience. You also get a stainless steel smoker box, which can be used with wood chips to impart a smoky flavor to foods. All areas of the grill heated evenly so the foods in the front cooked as well as those in the back and on the sides.

The stainless steel cabinet console has two doors. The grill also has two side shelves, one of which holds a flush-mounted side burner. The other side shelf contains what we considered to be a truly unique and wonderful feature: a recessed stainless steel marinating tray with removable cutting board. Each side panel also has a built-in condiment tray, with towel bars and utensil hooks. A slide-out LP tank support provides easy access for lighting. Two other enhancements include softtouch backlit burner knobs, and an innovative LED Flex Light, which illuminates the entire cooking surface for easy nighttime grilling.

Four swivel casters make maneuvering the grill easy from any direction. The casters can also be locked to keep the grill stationary. One negative issue we had was that the skirt of the console cabinet sits rather low. While this aids greatly in hiding the wheels, it can impede movement over uneven surfaces.

For the price, the Vermont Castings The Chef Signature Series VCS4008 four-burner grill will provide many years of enjoyable grilling.


Pros: Four burners at 50,000 Btu, 15,000-Btu side burner, 15,000-Btu infrared rotisserie burner and rotisserie kit, 707 square inches of total cooking area (493 sq. in. of primary cooking space and 214 sq. in. of secondary space), lighted burner knobs, flexible cook light
Cons: Low console skirt can impede movement over uneven surfaces

Warranty
1 year, parts; 5 years, side burner and some parts; 10 years, porelain on steel surfaces, manifold and valves, main burners (limited); lifetime, exterior stainless steel components