The Bottom Line
Pros
- Solid construction of cast iron and stainless steel
- Highly durable components
- Powerful side burner
- Double walled hood
- Backlit control panel and side mounted grill light
Cons
- Lid can be pretty heavy due to the cast iron end caps
- Rotisserie burner not available
- Lower quality (400 series) stainless steel
Description
- Four 12,500 BTU Stainless Steel
- 50,000 BTUs from the main burners
- 450 square inches of primary cooking area for a total grilling space of 620 square inches
- Mixed enameled coated cast iron and stainless steel body (400 series stainless steel)
- Porcelain coated cast iron cooking grates
- 15,000 BTU side burner under a double walled stainless steel lid
- Enclosed storage space in cart with stainless steel door
- Independent electronic ignitors
- Rotisserie kit optional
- Strong 10 warranty
Guide Review - Vermont Castings Experience VCS4005 Gas Grill
This unit replaced by Vermont Castings VCS4006 Signature Series Gas GrillThe Castings in Vermont Castings comes from their days making cast iron fireplace inserts and stoves, which they still make. Vermont Castings never went the way of cheap sheet metal or cast aluminum body parts. These grills are made with a lot of cast iron. It has a stainless steel hood with cast iron end caps making for both an attractive grill and a solid piece of equipment. Now, I know what you're thinking. Cast iron rusts. Vermont Castings knows how to treat cast iron and all cast iron components are either porcelain coated or covered in a heavy coating of thermal resistant enamel paint.
The heating properties of this grill are great. The 50,000 BTU rating of it's four main burners is more than enough to heat the 450 square inches of primary grilling space. The heavy cast iron components act to hold heat, giving this grill a very even cooking surface and great indirect cooking abilities. It also features a back light control panel and a pop up side table mounted light for grilling at night.
This unit also comes with a powerful 15,000 BTU side burner which is enclosed under a stainless steel cover. This grill has a good warranty that provides support for most components up to 10 years.
The VCS4005 is one of the more basic units from Vermont Castings. At a price around $850 this is a durable and well built grill that should last for many years, however it's use of lower quality stainless steel limits how long it may look good.
