Professional-style cooking in the home just doesn't get much better than Viking's premium gas rangetop VGRT362. Equipped with the finest brass burners and electronic ignition, this cooktop combines commercial performance with user-friendly cleanability.

Sporting a 15,000 Btu flame, this cooktop reacts instantaneously to the slightest adjustment. We created sizzling stir-fries and seared our meats in a flash. Water boils quickly and, best of all, the heat is so even that a tricky omelet looks just like the one the chef created tableside in our favorite restaurant. When is comes to low heat, VGRT362 excels at holding a perfect simmer thanks to the VariSimmer setting on not one but all of the burners.

The sealed burners may not be quite restaurant-authentic, but unless you're a purist with a staff, you'll appreciate how easy they are to clean. Unlike the open burner version, the VGRT362 has a solid one-piece top that keeps spills contained. You simply remove the grates and wipe the smooth-welled surface clean. With these sealed burners, you'll never be slowed by a cumbersome pull-out drip tray.

We found that the electronic ignition and re-ignition needed adjustment after installation to insure that they functioned properly. Accumulated soil around the burners may also affect them by interfering with the sparking of this feature.

The VGRT362 comes with three possible surface burner combinations: A six-burner configuration or a configuration featuring four burners with either a char/grill or griddle/simmer. The way you cook will probably be a factor in which configuration you choose, but we have a preference for the model with six burners. On a six-burner model, you can always add a heavy griddle for pancakes; we prefer to add this accessory as opposed to giving up two permanent burners.

You'll need a fairly large budget to bring Viking's VGRT362 home, but once you do you'll be the ultimate chef in your realm.


Pros: Flaming gas power with exceptional control and a heavy-duty, restaurant-worthy design, acceptable for use with Viking's telescopic downdraft ventilator
Cons: Electronic ignition can be temperamental

Warranty
90 days cosmetics, 1 year full, 5 years burners