My Review Of The Sanyo HPS-SG2 Indoor Barbeque Grill

Grilling has always been a tradition in my family. Ever since that first juicy burger I ate off the grill as a kid, I was hooked on the great taste that only barbequed foods can provide. But what happens if the weather is bad or you simply don't want to go outdoors, yet you still crave grill cooked foods? One solution is to use an indoor grill like the Sanyo HPS-SG2 Indoor Barbeque Grill.

There is a lot going on with this Sanyo indoor grill. It offers many features that make it easy and safe to use indoors, as well as eliminates virtually all of the smoke and mess that can often go with indoor grilling. Here's a look at what you can expect.

What Should You Look For In A High Quality Indoor Grill?

I take my barbecuing seriously, so here are some of the best characteristics that you should look for in an indoor grill.

- Low smoke output
- Even heat placement
- Large grilling surface
- Easy to use

I knew that any grill that I used in my own house would have to fit the bill. So how does the Sanyo HPS-SG2 Indoor Barbeque Grill stack up to all of these qualities?

Virtually Smokeless Grilling Indoors

Some grills only heat up to low temperatures in an effort to keep your house smoke free. This means that grilling with these units takes three or sometimes four times as long as normal, and the food just doesn't taste right. But, this Sanyo indoor grill is unlike other grills. It is specifically designed to give you a great grill taste without the smoke.

The secret is its drip pan. The instructions tell you to place about 1/2 cup of water in the drip pan before you begin heating the grill. The water in the pan below the food keeps it at the correct level of moisture to avoid the formation of smoke.

Every great once in while when you are grilling a heavy steak or multiple hamburgers, you might experience a little bit of smoke. But it is not enough to fill up your whole house and it is certainly not enough to bother my wife and I. The best part is that you can cover this drip pan with aluminum foil to avoid a messy cleanup - all of the fat and grease will simply drip down into the pan. When you're done you can just remove the aluminum foil for a clean surface that is as good as new.

Even Heat Placement On The Grilling Surface

I remember using my George Foreman grill back in college. I was never satisfied with how the food would come out because the heat of the grilling surface was uneven. Half of the bottom of my food would burn while the other half would barely get done. This is not a problem with the  Sanyo HPS-SG2. I have read many reviews written by customers that have used this grill and love the fact that the grilling surface heats evenly. It does not have hot spots or cold spots, which allows you to put your food anywhere on the grill surface and get the same great results each time.

Plus, since the heating element is reliable, you do not have to worry about your food not being cooked to safe temperatures. If you grill steak on any other indoor grill, can you really be sure that it has been cooked thoroughly? The Sanyo's even grilling surface gives you peace of mind when preparing your food.

The Grilling Surface Large Enough For A Family

You might be turned off to the idea of an indoor grill because of the misconception that you will not be able to prepare much food at once. The Sanyo Indoor Grill HPS-SG2 has a relatively nice sized grilling surface - totaling 120 square inches. That's enough room to grill a few steaks and some vegetables at the same time. 

Smaller grills force you to prepare your meals in pieces. For instance, if you would like to prepare hamburgers for the whole family, other grills that only have 60-85 square inches might force you to split the hamburger patties up and grill them in pairs. The Sanyo grill gives you enough room to prepare a meal for your whole family all at one time.

But, don't let the large grilling surface get you down. I have read over and over again that the surface heats up very quickly despite its size. Plus, it is still easy to store because of the convenient stacking design. The unit is only 13 inches by 18.5 inches, so when you are not using the grill, you can turn it on its side and it will fit in almost any cabinet.

Is It Easy To Use?

Grilling outdoors is simple. Just light the coals and put your food on top. Using an indoor grill seems like it might be a bit more complex - with knobs and temperature settings. However, the Sanyo HPS-SG2 is incredibly easy to use. There is only one temperature setting dial that you have to worry about. Once you set the dial to your desired temperature, the 850 Watt heating element will get the grilling surface hot and ready in no time.

You shouldn't be worried about burning your hands on the grill either. The handles on either side of the Sanyo stay cool to the touch no matter how hot the appliance is. There is also a sturdy base with non-slip legs built in to keep the unit from moving around on your countertop. I have even read comments from customers who have used the grill in the back of a moving RV with no problems at all.

One thing that I have always disliked about indoor grills is the cleanup process. Outdoor grills stay outside so cleanup is easy. But, the Sanyo HPS-SG2 has been designed with ease in mind.  When you are finished grilling you just have to let the unit cool down a bit, then wipe it down with a wet paper towel. The drip pan will easily slide out and fit right into your dishwasher. That's right, the drip pan is dishwasher safe - that's another nice aspect with this grill.

Is There A Warranty On The Grill?

Sanyo stands behind the HPS-SG2 indoor grill with a one-year warranty.

Are There Any Complaints?

I have spent a lot of time reading through customer reviews written by people who have actually used the Sanyo HPS-SG2 and I must say that people really love this grill. It provides them with a lot of convenience and creates great tasting food. However, it is impossible to please everyone all the time and I was able to find a few small complaints.

The first of which is that the grill does create smoke from time to time. You must realize that this unit is not advertised as a smokeless grill, so when you are preparing thicker cuts of meat or cuts with more fat on them (such as lamb) you almost have to expect a little bit of smoke. An easy way of dealing with this is to simply open a window or turn on a fan. The smoke that the unit creates is not enough to bother the overwhelming majority of customers. (I also found that some users had even forgotten to fill the drip pan with water)

What Are Customers Saying About The Sanyo HPS-SG2?

Here are some real comments that I found from people who have used the Sanyo in their own homes.

- "I bought this grill after reading the reviews and have now had it about 1 1/2 months and I absolutely love it-It's a perfect size for 2 people."
- "I've cooked filet mignon, boneless pork chops, hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages and even veggies and it's awesome."
- "this cooks very, very well, with bare minimum of effort."
- "The Best That I Have Used"
- "LOVE THIS GRILL!"
- "The best grill for a new york apartment"
- "Have used and enjoyed this product.My wife is very pleased with it and uses it on top of the stove under the hood/vent and have no problem with smoke or oder in the home."

( Click Here To Read More Reviews) 

Where Can I Buy My Own?

There are several places that you could go to purchase your own Sanyo HPS-SG2 Indoor Barbeque Grill. However, I am partial to Amazon.com since they offer a very consistent low price, in addition to getting the Free Super Saver Shipping. I searched through many different web sites that offer this grill and found that Amazon was always the lowest.

Some Final Words

I hope that this review has helped you to decide if the Sanyo HPS-SG2 Indoor Barbecue Grill is right for you. There are definitely other indoor grills that offer you tons of bells and whistles, but for the price this is a grill that does a nice job at preparing all kinds of foods.

Click Here To Check Price On The Sanyo HPS-SG2 Indoor Barbeque Grill