Its what the toaster was made for (JML Toasta Bags)

Member Name: sandra101

Product:	JML Toasta Bags
Date:	08/10/08 (696 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: quick to make, easy to clean

Disadvantages: cheese is more softened than gooey, stringy and melty

About a year ago I bought a set of two toasted sandwich maker bags by JML for £3.99. Each bag is black and non-stick with a small handle for easy removal from the toaster after cooking. You simply place a made up sandwich in and put it in the toaster to make a toasted sandwich. I was tempted after I had seen a girl in work using one and her toasted melted cheese type sandwiches always looked a lot more tasty than my cold ones especially in winter but weren't much more difficult to make.

- - Using the bag - -

You make up what is essentially a normal sandwich say ham and cheese or tuna and cheese and instead of putting the butter on the outside like you would with a toasted sandwich maker you spread it in the inside along with the contents, or leave it out altogether if you are calorie conscious.

I chose to keep one of the bags at home and one in work as I have access to a wide slice toaster in which the sides close in as you pull down on the lever to fit the size of the bread in both. The sandwich inside the bag fits really snugly but might need a bit of a poke to push it right in even with a wide slice toaster. Probably a bit dangerous but its necessary if you want to get an even browness. I would doubt that this bag filled with two slices of bread and filling would fit into a slim toaster slot.

Set the toast for whatever depth of colour you like your toast and wait for it to pop up. After the normal amount of time it pops up, you grab it by the handles and tip it out onto a plate. Be careful it is very hot at this time. You'll find the toast is nicely browned on the outside, the ham is hot and the cheese has begun to melt. The overall effect isn't that close to that of a toasted sandwich made in a toasted sandwich maker but it tastes quite good for being simplicity to put together and washing up consisting of upending the bag to get the crumbs out and giving it a quick rinse in warm water. Unlike a toasted sandwich maker which in my experience loses its non stick very quickly and in which if the bread isn't sealed perfectly melted cheese is dripping down and out the back.


- - Results - -

The sandwich looks inviting and evenly browned, it tastes crunchier than one from a sandwich toaster but the cheese doesn't melt enough for my taste to beat the sandwich toaster, its more warmed and softened than gooey and stringy.

I cannot explain how this works but I can confirm that it does the inside of the sandwich stays in place while the outside toasts and heats it through. You can also place beans in the bag and insert it into the toaster to heat them through while presumably you have a slice of bread in the other half of the toaster for quick beans on toast. I haven't tried this myself but have seen it demonstrated on TV.

I would recommend buying these bags and keeping one at home and one in work if you have a toaster, simply take in a boring ham and cheese sandwich pop it in the bag and toast and you have a tasty, warming filling snack for the winter months plus you'll be saving money if you frequently spend £3.00 upwards on a sandwich or melt everyday. I would say that the majority of my workplace who would normally have bought a sandwich,\lunch meal every day are now bringing in bread, butter, sandwiches, soup etc. at least a couple of times a week.

- - Life expectancy - -

The bags claim to be reusable 100 times. My problem is I have no idea how many times I have used them never mind the kids, hubby etc. so I'm presuming there will be some sort of tearing or breaking down when the magic number approaches.

When these do disintegrate I will buy another set as although not as nice as a toasted sandwich maker etc. for speed and lack of mess and washing up its so much nicer than a
cold ham and cheese sandwich.

For £3.99 for 2 available on the high street from the like of Boots, Woolworths etc. they are well worth getting

Summary: Easy to clean, dishwasher safe - great snack maker without the mess

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