Vermont Castings Signature VCS501 Series User manual

Assembly Procedures
VCS501 Series
Tools Required: Knife or scissors, Phillips or Robertson (square head) screwdriver, 7/16” and 3/8” wrench
or ratchet. The use of a manual screwdriver is strongly recommended. A power drill may cause damage to
the unit.
30005436 3/11 Rev. 3 En
CAUTION: This grill is intended ONLY to be used as a cart model, this grill cannot be built into an
enclosure.
CAUTION: The assembly of this grill requires two (2) people.
WARNING: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly,
lifting or moving the grill is recommended. Protective eyewear and long sleeves are also strongly
recommended.
5434
VCS501 Users guide cover
11/10

30005436
VCS501 Series Assembly
CAUTION: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly, lifting or
moving the grill is recommended.
Step 1: Unpack Carton and Verify Contents
Use a sharp cutting tool to cut the straps on the packaging and then lift off the carton top. Remove the box
on the top. The sleeve surrounding the barbecue can be removed by lifting it straight up and over the top of
the unit. Compare all contents to the parts list and the carton content lists below. Refer to the parts list for
fastener detail.
CAUTION: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly is strongly
recommended.
CAR240
VCS501 2011 cartons
6
5
4
1
2
3
VCS501 Series Carton Contents
Box 1 (030911)
Grease Pan
Grease Cup
Warming Rack
Spit Rod
Bracket Spit Rod Storage ()
Box 2 (03091)
Condiment Tray Left
Condiment Tray Right
Towel Bar ()
Utensil Hook (3)
Hardware Bag Side Shelves
Door Accessory Shelf
Box 3 (50004557)
Heat Plate (5)
Box 4 (30005363, 4 boxes)
Cook Grate
Box 5
(030913LP for VCS501SSP)
Shelf Right Assembly
Cover Side Burner
Side Burner Assembly LP
Side Burner Cook Grate
OR
Box 5
(3000553NG for VCS501SSN)
Shelf Right Assembly
Cover Side Burner
Side Burner Assembly NG
Side Burner Cook Grate
VC Grill
Cover 5-Burner,
Bagged
Box 6 (030914)
Shelf Left Assembly
Smoker Kit
Kit VC Light
Rotisseries Motor Kit
Caster Swivel ()
Caster Swivel w/ Brakes ()
Hardware Bag, Casters
Bag 1: Instruction Bag Assembly
(3000559)
User’s Guide Manual
Assembly Instructions
Parts List
Battery “AA”
Bag 1

3
30005436
VCS501 Series Assembly
CAUTION: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly, lifting or mov-
ing the grill is recommended.
Step 2a: Install the Casters
This step requires  people.
Parts Required:
(4) Casters ( with brake, rear;  without brake, front)
(1) Block (not included)
(16) 1/4-0 Flange Nut (30005406)
Figure 1
NOTE: Casters (wheels) may differ from those shown in the illustration depend-
ing on the model you purchased.
Select a side to begin installing the casters. Place a block of wood, thick tele-
phone book or anything else available - approximately 6 inches thick - under the
side to support the weight of the barbecue. Insert the four (4) bolts attached on
the casters into their respective holes located on the bottom, near the front. If you
have any difculty snapping them into place, try rotating the casters in a circular
motion.
As one person holds the front caster in place, the other opens the front
door and installs four (4) ange nuts. Tighten the ange nuts on
the front caster. Repeat this process with the rear caster.
When both casters are in place on one side, repeat the
same procedure on the opposite side.
B346
install casters
Figure 1
Rear Caster
w/Brake
Blocking
Front Caster
without Brake
B346

430005436
VCS501 Series Assembly
CAUTION: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly, lifting or
moving the grill is recommended.
B347
attach skirt assy
11/10
Step 2b: Attach Skirt (Optional)
Parts Required:
(1) Skirt Left Assembly
(1) Skirt Right Assembly
(1) Skirt Front Assembly
() Skirt Corner Assemblies
(7) #10-4 x 1/” Screws (50000337)
(4) Adjustable Leveling Glide
Figures 2 & 3
NOTE: Remove protective coating from corner posts
before proceeding with this step.
Screw-in two () adjustable leveling glides into hex
threaded insert provided in front skirt assembly.
Screw-in one (1) adjustable leveling glide into hex
threaded insert provided in left and right skirt assem-
blies.
Attach left skirt assembly to the unit:
– Loosen one hex bolt from corner post. (Refer to Corner Post
Detail)
– Slide left skirt assembly between bottom panel and
side panel.
– Secure left skirt assembly with two () #10-
4 x 1/” screws.
– Tighten hex bolt at the back of the
unit.
Repeat these steps for right side.
NOTE: If you have any problems sliding the
skirt assembly (left or right), loosen four (4)
screws on side panel and lift the side panel to
allow more space.
Slide two () skirt corner assemblies into the
front skirt assembly. Slide above assembly
into attached left and right skirt assemblies.
Secure all skirt assembly parts with three (3)
#10-4 x 1/”
screws.
Skirt Left
Assembly
Skirt Corner Assembly
Skirt Front
Assembly
B347
#10-4 x 1/”
Screws
Figure 3
Corner Post/Skirt Detail
Loosen Outer Bolt
at Back Side
"
ATTACHLEVELINGGLIDE

Leveling
Glide
Skirt Right Assembly
Skirt Front Assembly
Skirt Left Assembly
B157
Figure 2
Leveling
Glide
Inverted View

5
30005436
VCS501 Series Assembly
CAUTION: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly, lifting or mov-
ing the grill is recommended.
Step 3: Grease Pan / Grease Cup Installation
Parts Required:
(1) Grease Pan
(1) Grease Cup
Figure 4
Install grease pan from back side of unit. NOTE: Be sure the grease tray is posi-
tioned with the opening in the bottom of the grease tray located over the grease
cup.
Place grease cup into grease cup holder attached to bottom of left brace support.
"
INSTALLGREASETRAYCUP

Grease
Tray
Grease
Cup
B159
Figure 4
Shown with optional skirt

630005436
VCS501 Series Assembly
CAUTION: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly, lifting or
moving the grill is recommended.
Parts Required for Steps 4, 5, 6 & 7
Right Side Shelf Left Side Shelf
(1) Kit Condiment Tray* (1) Kit Condiment Tray*
(1) Kit Shelf Right** (1) Kit Shelf Left***
*Kit Condiment Tray Contents
(1) Condiment Tray Left
(1) Condiment Tray Right
() Towel Bars
(3) Utensil Hooks
**Kit Shelf Right Contents
(1) Shelf Right Assy w/Support Brackets
(1) Cover Side Burner Assy
(1) Side Burner Assembly
***Kit Shelf Left Contents
(1) Shelf Left Assy w/Support Brackets

7
30005436
VCS501 Series Assembly
CAUTION: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly, lifting or mov-
ing the grill is recommended.
"
SHELFASSY

Left Side Shelf
Right Side Shelf
Condiment Tray Right
Condiment Tray Left
Loosen
Screws
From Inside
Loosen Screws
From Inside
B17
Steps 4 & 5: Right & Left Side Shelf Assembly
Parts Required:
(1) Kit Condiment Tray
(1) Condiment Tray Left
(1) Condiment Tray Right
(1) Hardware Bag Side Shelves (for both right and left side shelves)
(1) Kit Shelf Right
(1) Shelf Right Assy w/Support Brackets, Cover and Side Burner Assembly installed
(1) Kit Shelf Left
(1) Shelf Left Assy. w/Support Brackets
Figure 5
Left Side Shelf
Loosen two () screws on the support front of the left shelf assembly.
Slide the front condiment tray into the gap between front support and the side panel as
shown.
Tighten the two () screws loosened earlier.
Repeat for right side shelf.
Left Side Shelf
Assembly
Right Side Shelf Assembly
(Cover and side burner as-
sembly not shown)
Figure 5

830005436
VCS501 Series Assembly
CAUTION: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly, lifting or
moving the grill is recommended.
Step 6: Attach Right Shelf Assembly to Grill
Parts Required:
Right Shelf Assembly
(1) Right Shelf Assy. (Step 4)
(4) 1/4-0 x 1Z\x” Screws (50001383)
() #10-4 x 1/” Screws (50000337)
Figures 6 & 7
Loosely screw in (4-5 turns) four (4) 1/4-0 x 1Z\x” screws to the side of the grill.
Place right shelf assembly onto screws.
NOTE: Ensure the side burner ignitor wire is not pinched as the shelf assembly is installed into the unit.
Secure (tighten) four (4) screws to the grill.
Secure condiment tray to the console with one (1) #10-4 x 1/” screw.
From inside grill, attach 10-4 x 1/” screw to the right shelf assembly.
B348
attach right shelf
11/10
1/4-0 x 1Z\x” Screw
(50001383)
B348
Figure 6
B349
B349
secure right shelf
11/10
10-4 x 1/” Screw
(50000337)
10-4 x 1/” Screw
(50000337
Figure 7
NOTE: Shown without
side burner.

9
30005436
VCS501 Series Assembly
CAUTION: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly, lifting or mov-
ing the grill is recommended.
Step 7: Attach Left Shelf Assembly to Grill
Parts Required:
Left Shelf Assembly
(1) Left Shelf Assy. (Step 5)
(4) 1/4-0 x 1Z\x” Screws (50001383)
() #10-4 x 1/” Screws (50000337)
Figure 8
Loosely screw in (4-5 turns) four (4) 1/4-0 x 1Z\x” screws to the side of the grill.
Place left shelf assembly onto screws.
Secure (tighten) four (4) screws to the grill.
Secure condiment tray to the console with one (1) #10-4 x 1/” screws.
From inside grill, attach 10-4 x 1/” screw to the left shelf assy.
B229b
attach left shelf
10/07
#10-4 x 1/” Screws
(50000367)
B9b
Figure 8

10 30005436
VCS501 Series Assembly
CAUTION: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly, lifting or
moving the grill is recommended.
Step 8: Attach Towel Bars, Utensil Hooks and Spit Rod Storage Brackets
Parts Required
Left Side Right Side
(1) Towel Bar (1) Towel Bar
(3) Utensil Hooks (4) #10-4 x 1/” Screws (50000337)
(4) #10-4 x 1/” Screws (50000337)
Spit Rod Storage Bracket
() Brackets (3000547)
Towel Bars and Utensil Hooks
Figure 9
Slide three (3) utensil hooks into the towel bar. (Left side only)
Attach towel bar with utensil hooks to left side condiment tray as shown using four (4)
#10-4 x 1/” screws.
Attach towel bar without utensil hooks to right side condiment tray.
Spit Rod Storage Brackets
Figure 10
The spit rod storage brackets are located on the back upper panel of the grill.
Tilt the bracket as shown, so the larger end of the bracket will t
into the opening. Then slide the bracket down. Repeat for both
brackets.
B351
towel bars
11/10
Towel
Bar
#10-4 x
1/” Screws
(50000337
Utensil Hooks B351
Figure 9
"
SPITRODSTORAGE

Spit Rod Storage
Bracket
B4
Figure 10
"
SPITRODSTORAGE

Spit Rod
Storage
Rear View
B5
Shown with optional skirt

11
30005436
VCS501 Series Assembly
CAUTION: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly, lifting or mov-
ing the grill is recommended.
Step 9: Attach Side Burner Assembly
Follow Side Burner Assembly Instructions to assemble side burner to unit.
Step 10: Install the Ignitor Battery
NOTE: VCS501 Series require one (1) “AA” bat-
tery.
Figure 11
Unscrew the ignition button from the console and
insert the appropriate battery into the housing by
placing the positive side of the battery rst. Then
screw the ignition button back into the console.
Check for sparks under each main burner before
proceeding.
B352
Install battery
11/10
Figure 11
B35
Step 11: Install the Backlighting Batteries
NOTE: Eight (8) “AA” batteries are required. (Not included)
Figures 12
Remove the battery case from the battery holder. Insert the eight (8) “AA” batteries.
Attach battery case to back light wire connection. Reinstall battery case in battery
holder with back light connector on the top.
WARNING: Replacing the battery incorrectly might result in an explosion. Replace
the battery only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer.
Dispose of used batteries according to your local envi-
ronmental guidelines.
B353
battery case
Battery
Case
B353
Figure 12

1 30005436
VCS501 Series Assembly
CAUTION: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly, lifting or
moving the grill is recommended.
Step 12: Install the Internal Components
Parts Required:
(5) Sear Plates
(4) Cooking Grates
(1) Warming Rack
(1) Smoker Box Assy
Figures 13, 14 & 15
Carefully place each of the sear plates side by side inside the barbecue. (Fig. 13) Make sure the semicircu-
lar nger groove is facing toward the front of the grill. Each sear plate rests just above each burner tube.
NOTE: Place the smoker box assembly on any sear plate by laying the bracket over the sear plate so the
‘z’ ends of the bracket t into the ‘z’ slots of the sear plate. Slide the smoker box assembly back into the
locked position. (Fig. 14) Continue placing the remaining sear plates. The smoker box may be left in place
when not being used. CAUTION: Only add wood chips to the smoker box when grill is cool.
B354
Install sear plates
11/10
Sear Plate
B15a
Figure 13
Smoker Box
B6
B355
smoker box
11/10
Sear Plate
‘Z’ End
Cooking Tips - Smoker Box
• To produce more smoke and prevent fast burning, pre-soak the wood chips in a separate
bowl of water for at least 0 minutes.
• To add wood chips before cooking, ll the smoker box with your choice of avored chips
(remove wood chips from water rst). The amount and type of wood you use is entirely up
to you. Once the box is lled with the desired amount, close the lid and place the cooking
grids in the proper position on the grill.
• Tips: Small wood chips work best inside the wood chip box.
• Allow grill to heat up before placing your food on the grill. This will allow time for the wood
chips to begin to smoke.
• Do not use resinous woods such as pine or plywood. These will produce an unpleasant
avor.
• Do not try to add more wood chips while cooking. It is recommended that you allow grill to
cool before replacing wood chips or handling the cooking grates which may still be hot.
Figure 14

13
30005436
VCS501 Series Assembly
CAUTION: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly, lifting or mov-
ing the grill is recommended.
Set the cooking grates, side by side, on the upper ledge of the grill tub. (Fig. 15) Make sure the nger
groove is facing toward the front of the grill.
Set the warming rack into the supports located on either side of the rear lid.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to turn the cooking grates over while the grill is in use and the grates are hot.
Doing so could result in severe burns and other injuries.
B356
install cooking grates
11/10
Warming Rack
Cooking
Grates
B356
Figure 15
Step 12: Install the Internal Components (continued)

14 30005436
VCS501 Series Assembly
CAUTION: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly, lifting or
moving the grill is recommended.
Step 13: Install the LP Cylinder
(LP Models ONLY)
Parts Required:
(1) LP Gas Cylinder (not included)
Figures 16 & 17
NOTE: Check your User’s Manual for the cylinder lling requirements, how to attach the regula-
tor and how to test for leaks before you try lighting the grill.
CAUTION: Make sure the hose is not touching any hot or sharp surfaces.
Place the LP Cylinder into the hole in the bottom panel. Next secure it from moving by lifting the
cylinder retainer wire and latching the bent edge over the lip of the cylinder.
The nal step is to connect the regulator to the cylinder.
CAUTION: Do not turn on/ignite the grill until after performing a leak check at all gas connection
points and ttings. With the main LP cylinder valve OPEN, and ALL CONTROL KNOBS FULLY
OFF, use a spray solution of 50% liquid soap and 50% water onto all gas connection points and
ttings. The formation of bubbles indicates an air leak that must be repaired and veried with
this leak test before the grill is ignited.
NOTE: Ensure all plastic coatings have been removed from all stainless steel parts before using
the grill.
Figure 16
B358
install tank
11/10
B358
B359
tank in place
11/10
Figure 17
B359

15
30005436
VCS501 Series Assembly
CAUTION: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly, lifting or mov-
ing the grill is recommended.
Step 14: Install the Natural Gas Hose
(Natural Gas (NG) Models ONLY)
Figure 18
Run natural gas hose through bushing provided in back panel of grill.
B240a
natural gas hose
12/08
B40a
Figure 18
Shown with Op-
tional Skirt in Place

16 30005436
VCS501 Series Assembly
CAUTION: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly, lifting or
moving the grill is recommended.
Step 15: Install Shelf Light
Parts Required:
(1) Cook Light
(3) #10-4 x 1/” Screws (50000337)
Figures 19, 20 & 21
Attach the cook light to the side shelf using three (3) screws provided.
(Fig. 19)
Battery Installation (3 “AA” alkaline batteries required, not included.)
Open the battery cap by turning the cap counterclockwise as shown in
Figure 0. Insert the batteries into the battery compartment according to
the layout in Figure 0. Replace battery cap.
Operating Instructions
To turn the light ON and OFF, press the ON/OFF button located on the
back of the cook light. (Fig. 0)
To adjust the cook light, simply move the exible arm as desired to
achieve the best lighting for your task.
After use, allow the light and grill to cool completely. Place the light face
down on the shelf after use and for storage. (Fig. 1) Replace the grill
cover. If a grill cover is not used, the light should be removed when not in
use as rain, snow, etc. could damage the light.
WARNING: The light may get hot when in close proximity to
the grill surface. Do not touch the light lens when in opera-
tion. Allow it to cool.
WARNING: Keep the light away from ammable materials.
CAUTION: Do not move the cook light directly over the
cooking area when the grill is on, as this may damage the
cook light.
NOTE: The light will not work until the batteries are installed.
NOTE: For optimum battery life and to avoid damage to the
light, we recommend you retract and turn off the light when not
in use.
WARNING: Replacing the battery incorrectly might result in an
explosion. Replace the battery only with the same or equivalent type
recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries according
to your local environmental guidelines.
"A
ATTACHSIDELIGHT

Screws
Figure 19
B08a
"A
SHELFLIGHTSTORE

Figure 21
B3a
"
COOKLIGHT

Battery Cap
Flexible
Arm
Cook Light Handle
ON/OFF Button
To Open
Figure 20
B09

17
30005436
VCS501 Series Assembly
CAUTION: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly, lifting or mov-
ing the grill is recommended.

18 30005436
VCS501 Series Assembly
CAUTION: Some parts may have sharp edges; to avoid injury, wearing gloves during assembly, lifting or
moving the grill is recommended.
MHSC
149 Cleveland Drive • Paris, Kentucky 40361
www.mhsc.com