The Sanyo HPS-SG3 Indoor Barbecue Grill is an efficient and reliable tool for year-round grilling. This appliance consists of a large 14.5x23-inch plastic frame, with a 12x17-inch nonstick removable grilling surface and a shallow aluminum drip tray. The power is supplied through a 1,300-watt heating element, which is embedded in the grilling surface. An adjustable temperature control dial has settings from 200 to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and a temperature indicator light that signals when the desired temperature has been reached.

We appreciated the easy setup offered by this grill. The one-piece plastic frame sits flat on the countertop, raising the grilling surface about 3 inches -- enough to protect your surfaces from excess heat. The aluminum drip tray sits low in the frame and serves a dual purpose. The tray catches grease and other drippings as they drain through the slots in the grilling surface. Plus, by adding water to the drip pan at the start of grilling, you can achieve a virtually smokeless indoor grilling experience.

The best feature of the Sanyo HPS-SG3 has got to be its roomy surface. The nonstick grid provides more than 200 square inches of space for cooking hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, Kebobs, fish fillets and more. The slotted grilling surface consists of a series of ridged bars connected at various intervals. The oval heating element is attached to the underside of the grilling surface to deliver a concentrated level of heat to key points around the grill, where it is then channeled throughout the cooking surface. The ridged surface delivers wonderfully seared meats, vegetables and even pizza and garlic toast.

We noticed that the HPS-SG3 takes a little longer to heat up (about 15-20 minutes), but once heated, it performs like a champ. You can cook bacon or sausage using the lower heat settings; pork chops and fish fillets on medium heat; and steak, hamburgers and chicken using the medium-high settings. Most foods take approximately 15-30 minutes, depending on their thickness and your own preferences for rare to well done meat. The wide grid perfectly accommodates kebobs, asparagus and other oblong-shaped items. A cooking guide is provided in the instruction manual for reference. The only issue we had is it is difficult to set an exact temperature (e.g., 325 degrees F) since the thermostat is marked with temperature ranges, rather than exact notches. Since many grills don't even have temperature controls, this is a minor concern.

Another plus is that the drip tray design makes for less mess. As the juices fall through the cooking grid, they are cooled in the water below, so there's no splattering and no harsh fumes. In addition, although the instructions tell you to use cooking spray, we found this step to be unnecessary and do not recommend it since it can actually cause a gummy residue to form on the surface.

Other features worth mentioning include the unit's oversize cool-touch handles, a temperature indicator light and thin lightweight profile, which simplifies storage.


Pros: Adjustable temperature control, large (200 sq. in.) grilling surface, smokeless indoor grilling
Cons: Slow to preheat, imprecise temperature settings

Warranty
1 year, parts and labor