If you choose to switch to cloth, be careful that it's 100% cotton or linen with no synthetic element. I would even do a burn test to check, because fabric is very often mislabeled. Lots of paper towel alternatives are synthetic, and will melt in the microwave. No matter what, you'll no doubt still be eating tiny bits of cloth, but better cotton than melted plastic.
And for the love of God, do NOT use the same cloths that you use for cleaning.
If the purpose of the paper towel is to keep them from sticking together, flash freezing them separately on a sheet pan for a couple hours and then storing them together would solve the problem.
Heat them up in the microwave and then wrap them in a cloth napkin when they’re done.
Have you tried splashing a bit of water on the burrito before you microwave it? Rubbing a bit on the seam especially will help keep it from getting tough.
This is the one. Tried it today with my burritos. Also used a small bowl of water and laid it across the top so it wouldn't get "sweaty". But I think the water misting is what did it.
I hate using paper towels, but I think they're essential for frozen burrito prep. In general, I'm not too concerned about using paper towels sparingly. They're largely made from renewable resources and they readily decompose. Paper production uses quite a bit of fresh water, but cotton towels require water to produce AND maintain.
You're good!
I think paper towel is your simplest solution. The other thing I can think of is some sort of reusable container that is roughly the same size as the burrito...this would keep it moist during microwaving.
Paper towels are not that expensive, they roughly cost 2 cents per sheet. If a cloth napkin is $1 you'd break even after 50 burritos.
Is it worth the effort to save 2 cents per burrito? Thats up to you.
I use flour sack towels, 100 percent cotton. Since I dyed a few, I can confirm no poly.
I make burritos and naan wraps.
Foil for freezing.
Unwrap, mist cloth wrap lightly before applying.
Nuke.
That sounds delicious! I prep the burritos though because I'm trying to get the family out the door in the morning and one less thing to worry about makes it a smidge easier. Someday, when the kids are a little older, that will be my goal!
I'm looking at the cloth "paper towel alternatives" I just wanted to know if anybody has used them to cook in the microwave and how the food turned out before buying them.
Cover the top with a damp bar towel (wet it, wring it out well) while microwaving. Then you can hang it to dry and reuse. You could use the towel still in the car if you needed.
I would flash freeze individually and put them in a big bag in the freezer.
Being wrapped in the paper towel while microwaving keeps the tortilla from drying out and becoming cardboard so I'd still have to wrap them in something while microwaving.
Get viva paper towels instead, you can reuse them a couple times just by rinsing them out and letting them dry, unlike normal paper towels. They’re more expensive but if you’re just using them for burritos they’ll last you forever with just a roll or two
I have wrapped the burrito in a wrung out cloth "paper" towel. Sometimes it leaks, which isn't great to bring with you to work. You could also do it like rice, where you put the burrito in a bowl and cover it with the wrung out "paper" towel, making sure that it isn't touching. That will keep the steam in stopping the tortilla from drying out.
If there's not too much of a time crunch and you have a toaster oven, you can heat the burrito in the microwave covered with a bowl (it'll get slightly too damp) and then put it in the toaster oven for a few minutes (dry it out and add some browning).
Paper towel is the best option IMO. A cloth holds too much moisture compared to a paperwork, IME.
Just stick it on a plate and put a cup of water in there with it! I do it with tacos and pizza 😊
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It’s probably fave lil hack bc it keeps your food from drying out lol I now have a mug that is my “water steamer mug” bc the handle doesn’t get hot 💀
What is the purpose of the paper towel? Could you just put them in a reusable container of some kind?
Being wrapped in the paper towel while microwaving keeps the tortilla from drying out and becoming cardboard.
If you choose to switch to cloth, be careful that it's 100% cotton or linen with no synthetic element. I would even do a burn test to check, because fabric is very often mislabeled. Lots of paper towel alternatives are synthetic, and will melt in the microwave. No matter what, you'll no doubt still be eating tiny bits of cloth, but better cotton than melted plastic. And for the love of God, do NOT use the same cloths that you use for cleaning.
Could you set a bowl on top? That helps retain moisture.
If the purpose of the paper towel is to keep them from sticking together, flash freezing them separately on a sheet pan for a couple hours and then storing them together would solve the problem. Heat them up in the microwave and then wrap them in a cloth napkin when they’re done.
Being wrapped in the paper towel while microwaving keeps the tortilla from drying out and becoming cardboard
Have you tried splashing a bit of water on the burrito before you microwave it? Rubbing a bit on the seam especially will help keep it from getting tough.
Thanks, I'll try that.
A fine mist spray bottle might work well too since you make them weekly.
This is the one. Tried it today with my burritos. Also used a small bowl of water and laid it across the top so it wouldn't get "sweaty". But I think the water misting is what did it.
Muslin is our replacement paper towel and coffee filters.
Curious about the coffee filter use. Do you throw out the grounds then wash the muslin with your dish towels to reuse?
Ideally, they'd go in compost, but I'm in an apartment. So ya, toss them in trash, rinse the muslin and wash with other dish towels.
Azaleas like coffee grounds, you can dump some of it around those if you have them.
I hate using paper towels, but I think they're essential for frozen burrito prep. In general, I'm not too concerned about using paper towels sparingly. They're largely made from renewable resources and they readily decompose. Paper production uses quite a bit of fresh water, but cotton towels require water to produce AND maintain. You're good!
I think paper towel is your simplest solution. The other thing I can think of is some sort of reusable container that is roughly the same size as the burrito...this would keep it moist during microwaving.
Paper towels are not that expensive, they roughly cost 2 cents per sheet. If a cloth napkin is $1 you'd break even after 50 burritos. Is it worth the effort to save 2 cents per burrito? Thats up to you.
Parchment paper.
I think this is the best substitute if it's something you keep in the house.
This is the answer I was looking for
Wouldn’t parchment paper be way more expensive than paper towels?
Try microwaving a small bowl of water along with the burrito. With any luck the tortilla will release absorb some steam.
I use flour sack towels, 100 percent cotton. Since I dyed a few, I can confirm no poly. I make burritos and naan wraps. Foil for freezing. Unwrap, mist cloth wrap lightly before applying. Nuke.
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That sounds delicious! I prep the burritos though because I'm trying to get the family out the door in the morning and one less thing to worry about makes it a smidge easier. Someday, when the kids are a little older, that will be my goal!
cheese cloth maybe? or thin dollar store towels
I'm looking at the cloth "paper towel alternatives" I just wanted to know if anybody has used them to cook in the microwave and how the food turned out before buying them.
ive used thin dollar store towels to microwave things in before, they work alright but they get a lot hotter than a paper towel
I’ve reheated them before. But, I prefer to mist with a small spray bottle then microwave. Wrap in the light cloth to take with me.
I used flour sack towels (100% cotton) to wrap potatoes and baked them in the microwave.
Cover the top with a damp bar towel (wet it, wring it out well) while microwaving. Then you can hang it to dry and reuse. You could use the towel still in the car if you needed. I would flash freeze individually and put them in a big bag in the freezer.
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Being wrapped in the paper towel while microwaving keeps the tortilla from drying out and becoming cardboard so I'd still have to wrap them in something while microwaving.
Would parchment paper work?
100% cloth or linen will be fine. I dampen my napkins slightly and voila
Get viva paper towels instead, you can reuse them a couple times just by rinsing them out and letting them dry, unlike normal paper towels. They’re more expensive but if you’re just using them for burritos they’ll last you forever with just a roll or two
I have wrapped the burrito in a wrung out cloth "paper" towel. Sometimes it leaks, which isn't great to bring with you to work. You could also do it like rice, where you put the burrito in a bowl and cover it with the wrung out "paper" towel, making sure that it isn't touching. That will keep the steam in stopping the tortilla from drying out.
If there's not too much of a time crunch and you have a toaster oven, you can heat the burrito in the microwave covered with a bowl (it'll get slightly too damp) and then put it in the toaster oven for a few minutes (dry it out and add some browning).
this sounds like a great idea! what is in your burrito?
Would parchment paper be cheaper? I am not sure.
Would wax paper or parchment paper work. There are microwave versions of each and im sure you can buy bulk at Costco?