The Toast-N-Serve Magic Bag

[Schielke]

The key would be to look at the arrangement of your toaster's heating element. Do they match up with the horizontal hole on your bag?

Ben

[jhlurie]

It's not the heating element. It's the metal wire cage that closes over the toast (or in this case the bag).

[phaelon56]

I must step in and say please, please, please do not ever put bread in the microwave.

I'll have to take exception to this but only for a specific application done i a very particular way. I eat a minimal amount of bread at home (not an Atkins thing - I just never have made many sandwiches at home or consumed much bread). I buy a good earthy multigrain sliced bread and freeze the entire loaf. I'll pull a slice at a time for the occasional piece of morning toast or two for a grilled cheese sandwich. I nuke 'em in the microwave on defrost for about 30 seconds or so just to get the frozen stiffness out. Then they go into the toaster to completion or get pulled out when halfway toasted to hit the skillet for the grilled cheese. Have never had any issues with texture or taste but can't imagine that any other methods of microwaving bread products would have merit. Pizza is the absilute worst when heated in a microwave - what an insult.

[Schielke]

I got em!

Came in the mail today, they had to ship it twice, but everything finally came. Thanks to Warner for his concern and help with the issue.

Ben

[Hest88]

Okay, after a disastrous incident this weekend which resulted in the ignominious disposal of some promising grilled cheese sandwiches (complete with Acme sourdough and Niman Ranch bacon!), I just placed an order for these bags. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Kim WB]

Are magic wraps the same as magic bags? The site seems to only offer the wraps?

[Jason Perlow]

Are magic wraps the same as magic bags? The site seems to only offer the wraps?

The wraps are their "new" product, I haven't recieved samples of those yet.

They are made of the same teflon material, but instead of a bag, they fold over with a snap and open up completely so they can be cleaned easier and can accomodate thicker sandwiches.

[skyflyer3]

Reading this thread has been unbelievably irresistable. Suddenly grilled cheese seems to be something I can eat at every meal, every day. Any word yet on the success factor of the wraps, or are the toaster bags still the best way to go? Phone operators are waiting by for my order.

[foodie3]

I've been reading this discussion with interest since i just bought a pannini maker and want to give it a try with sandwiches mentioned here.

I'd also like to ask for suggestions i.e. other interesting ingredientc, etc. - hope it's ok to do it on this thread!

[Hest88]

Okay, I've been bad and neglected to reply. I hate making grilled cheese sandwiches because I invariably burn them or burn my fingers when I'm flipping them over or the bread slips or something.

We got our toaster bags and they work great EXCEPT one really has to have one with a variable grate. I had to shove them into our toaster and, yes, they got completely scraped. So now I have an excuse to buy a new toaster.

[fifi]

I've been reading this discussion with interest since i just bought a pannini maker and want to give it a try with sandwiches mentioned here.

I'd also like to ask for suggestions i.e. other interesting ingredientc, etc. - hope it's ok to do it on this thread!

Start a new thread on pannini makers! I don't think I have seen that one. That could get interesting.

[s'kat]

I purchased a flurry of these for the holidays, and had forgotten that I'd actually tucked away a couple for myself, until this weekend.

I brought them into work today, and just finished making close to a dozen grilled cheese sandwiches for myself and my co-workers. Talk about winning 'cool points'!

Obviously, we have the el-cheapo toaster too, as it worked like a charm. Hot, toasty sandwiches at work... it's like a whole new world has opened!

Did anyone ever get to play with the wraps?

[Jason Perlow]

Funny you should ask, Rachel used the wrap for the first time this morning... pictures will be posted tonight.

[Rachel Perlow]

Warner was excited to share with us the latest from Toast-N-Serve, the Magic Wrap, so he sent us one a few weeks ago.

I finally tried it today, here are some pictures:

• 
  A big difference between the old bags and the new wraps is in assembling the sandwich.
  You can do it directly on the wrap and avoid handling the buttery bread.
  
  Buttered Sandwich on open bag, all you have to do now is assemble the bag.
  
  Fold it over, tuck in the corners and snap the bag closed.
  This is the only part that's a little messy, you have to stick a
  finger inside so you don't smush the sandwich snapping the
  bag closed.
  
  Closed bag
  
  Toast the sandwich just like with the old bags
  
  Careful, it's hot! I use a butter knife to lift it out of the toaster,
  those little slots are very convenient.
  
  The other big difference between the old bags and the wraps
  is that you can really see the mess on these. That's buttery
  burnt crumbs and the arrow points to some cheese that melted
  into one of the snaps.
  
  But because it opens up flat, it is very easy to clean. I used a
  brush to get the cheese out of the snap. I can only imagine how
  not clean my older toaster bags are, now that I've gotten one
  really clean.
  Mmm, toasty sandwich
  

[lamb]

Can I trade my bags in for the wraps??

[Jason Perlow]

Roast Beef with Sharp Sliced Cheddar Cheese and Arby's Horsey Sauce

[FoodZealot]

Great pic. I'm also glad to see I'm not the only one who takes a few extra Horsey sauce packets.

[shopsink]

has anyone in this thread noted the similarity of this product to Toas-tite sandwich presses of the forties? Ken

[Jason Perlow]

has anyone in this thread noted the similarity of this product to Toas-tite sandwich presses of the forties? Ken

Kenny, do you use those at the restaurant?

[jhlurie]

Great pic. I'm also glad to see I'm not the only one who takes a few extra Horsey sauce packets.

Horsey sauce rules, dude. And this is from someone who normally hates mayo-based sauces.

[shopsink]

Yes, in fact we have 3 or four differnt types. Some with different designs, some with double holders, and some with extra long handles for camp fires. But the original toas-tites had only one configuration, as far as I know; concentric circles and standard length.

[Jason Perlow]

Yes, in fact we have 3 or four differnt types. Some with different designs, some with double holders, and some with extra long handles for camp fires.  But the original toas-tites had only one configuration, as far as I know; concentric circles and standard length.

These are used in what, salamanders? Or over a gas flame? Surely not toasters!

I found a few on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...583&category=82

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...93&category=983

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...04&category=983

[shopsink]

They are loaded with a sandwich of diminutive filling (my mom used cold pot roast), buttered on both exterior bread sides and placed in the circular iron, which cuts off the extra bread, and put over an open flame. The edges of bread that overlap the iron burn off and the edges seal from the hot pressure of the clamped iron. About 1 minute per side on an already hot iron. What comes out is a perfect double convex circle sealed at the circumference and molten in the center. Also, because of the markings on the iron, the sandwich pocket is decorated with toasted concentric circles. The art of it comes in just the right amount and composition of the filling. Cream cheese is great. It was really popular becaue it not only used up leftovers but because it allowed for a very high ratio of starch to protein. Very economical, not unlike a little meat and alot of rice.

[Jason Perlow]

Gee, I wonder if that would work with pound cake and chocolate in the center....

[shopsink]

I have tried it with lots of different stuff ( crepes, pita, tortillas etc.) but never pound cake. The chocolate might hold enough heat for a good law suit.