Kamil Perry
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a delicious, savoury treat, but they're best enjoyed hot and fresh. The good news is that there are several ways to keep your grilled cheese warm, whether you're serving a crowd or packing a lunch. From using a thermos to a low oven, you can enjoy your grilled cheese at the perfect temperature.
Characteristics of keeping a grilled cheese warm
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven temperature | 200°C or 400°F |
| Oven time | 2 minutes |
| Reheating | In small batches, every 20-30 minutes |
| Reheating frequency | Only once |
| Bread type | Substantial, e.g. sourdough |
| Reheating method | Hot pan |
| Container type | Metal or stainless steel |
| Container preparation | Fill with boiling water, empty, dry, then place sandwich inside |
| Sandwich preparation | Cut into slices or strips |
| Alternative methods | Wrapping in foil, using a hot pack |
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What You'll Learn
Use a thermos
A thermos is a great option to keep your grilled cheese sandwich warm and fresh. It is a well-known fact that grilled cheese sandwiches taste the best straight off the stove when the cheese is gooiest and the bread is crackly and buttery. However, a thermos can help retain warmth and freshness for a few hours.
Firstly, it is important to prepare your thermos. Fill your thermos with boiling water and set it aside. The thermos will retain the heat from the boiling water, keeping your sandwich warm. While the thermos is warming up, prepare your sandwich. Once done, let the sandwich cool on a cutting board for a few minutes until it is warm but no longer hot. This step is crucial as it prevents condensation from building up inside the thermos, which can make the sandwich soggy.
Once the sandwich has cooled down, remove the boiling water from the thermos and dry the thermos thoroughly with a paper towel. Make sure the inside of the thermos is totally dry. Then, cut your sandwich into slices or sticks, depending on the size and width of your thermos. Place the sandwich inside the thermos and seal it tightly until lunchtime.
While this method does not produce the same result as a freshly made grilled cheese sandwich, it will keep your sandwich warm and delicious. The cheese will be soft and gooey, and the bread will be firm and buttery, although not as crispy as when it is freshly made.
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Wrap in foil
Wrapping your grilled cheese in foil is a great way to keep it warm, especially if you're on the go. If you're planning to eat your sandwich soon after wrapping it, a simple piece of foil will do the trick. Wrapping your grilled cheese in foil will help hold in some heat and keep the sandwich warm for a short period.
However, if you're looking for a longer-lasting solution, consider adding a paper towel layer under the foil to avoid condensation and keep your sandwich from getting soggy. This method is perfect for transporting your grilled cheese to a picnic or outdoor activity.
If you're worried about keeping your grilled cheese warm for an extended period, you can also try using a camping griddle or a gas hot plate to cook or reheat your sandwich when you're ready to eat. This way, you can enjoy a warm and crispy grilled cheese even after a long drive.
Additionally, if you're open to using containers, a thermos is an excellent option for keeping your grilled cheese warm. Simply fill your thermos with boiling water, let it sit, and then empty and dry it thoroughly. Cut your grilled cheese into slices or sticks, place them inside the thermos, and seal it tightly. This method will keep your sandwich warm for hours, with a soft and cheesy center.
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Reheat in the oven
If you're looking to reheat a grilled cheese sandwich in the oven, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to note that the oven temperature and timing will depend on whether you're reheating a single sandwich or a larger batch. For a single sandwich, a few seconds on each side in a hot pan can be a quick and effective method.
For a small batch of grilled cheese sandwiches, preheat your oven to 200°C or 400°F. Place the sandwiches on a rimmed baking sheet and put them in the oven for 2-3 minutes until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. You can also try stacking a second rimmed baking sheet on top of the sandwiches to mimic the effect of a panini press, crisping both sides simultaneously.
If you're reheating a larger batch, a convection oven at 200°C or 400°F for about 2 minutes is a good option. It's important to note that you shouldn't reheat grilled cheese sandwiches more than once, and it's best to serve them in batches every 20-30 minutes to ensure they taste freshly made.
To keep grilled cheese sandwiches warm for longer periods, a thermos is a great option. Fill your thermos with boiling water, prepare your grilled cheese, and let it cool slightly. Empty and dry the thermos, then slice the sandwich into sticks or quarters and place them inside. This will keep your grilled cheese warm for hours, although the texture may change slightly.
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Make grilled cheese stix
Grilled cheese stix are a fun and easy snack to make. They are a great appetizer for parties and can be paired with tomato soup or tomato jam for dipping.
Ingredients:
- Sliced bakery bread (sourdough or any hearty, elongated loaf)
- Cheese slices (Sargento® Sliced Cheese or cheddar)
- Butter
- Mayonnaise (optional)
Method:
Preheat your broiler and place a rack about 8 inches beneath it. Take your sliced bread and cut it lengthwise into strips about 2 inches wide. You want the strips to be longer than they are wide, so they resemble "dipping sticks". Lightly butter one side of each bread slice, or use mayonnaise instead. Place a slice of cheese between two slices of bread, with the buttered/mayo sides facing out. The cheese should stick out about an inch on either side of the bread.
Heat a medium skillet to medium-high heat and place your sandwich inside, gently pressing down with a spatula to evenly distribute the heat and create a golden crust. After 1-2 minutes, flip the sandwich and repeat on the other side. Once the cheese has melted and the bread is toasted, remove from the skillet and slice into "finger-size" portions.
If you are making these grilled cheese stix ahead of time and want to keep them warm, use a thermos. Fill the thermos with boiling water, then set it aside while you prepare the stix. Let the stix cool for a few minutes after cooking, then empty and dry the thermos. Place the stix inside the thermos and seal tightly until you are ready to serve them.
Enjoy your grilled cheese stix!
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Use a panini press
Using a panini press is one of the fastest and easiest ways to make a grilled cheese sandwich. The heat is evenly distributed from both sides, and the weight from the top of the grill presses the sandwich perfectly without the need for flipping.
To make a grilled cheese sandwich using a panini press, start by gathering your ingredients. You will need bread, cheese, and butter or mayonnaise. You can also add different types of cheese and additional ingredients such as bacon, prosciutto, deli ham, or vegetables like avocado, sliced tomato, sun-dried tomatoes, alfalfa sprouts, and peppers. Just be sure to use a sturdy enough bread to handle the heat and weight of the panini press.
Once you have your ingredients, allow your panini press to heat up for about 7 minutes. If your press has a temperature range, check the manufacturer's instructions for details. Set the panini press to a medium-high temperature setting.
Now it's time to assemble your sandwich. Place the cheese between the slices of bread and coat the outside of the bread with either butter or mayonnaise. If you're using additional ingredients, layer them with the cheese before closing the sandwich. Carefully place the sandwich in the panini press and press the lid down gently, ensuring that both sides of the sandwich are touching the heated grates.
Let the sandwich cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the bread has crisped. Remove the sandwich from the panini press and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the cheese to thicken so it doesn't ooze out when you cut the sandwich. And that's it! You now have a perfectly warm and toasty grilled cheese sandwich made with a panini press.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to keep a grilled cheese sandwich warm for a few hours is to use a thermos. First, fill your thermos with boiling water and set it aside. Prepare your grilled cheese sandwich and let it cool on a cutting board for a few minutes until it's warm but not hot. Empty the water from the thermos and dry it thoroughly with a paper towel. Slice the sandwich into sticks or quarters and place them inside the thermos. Seal tightly until lunchtime.
Yes, you can keep your grilled cheese sandwich warm in a low oven (200°F or 93°C) for up to 30 minutes.
To prevent sogginess, use a sturdy, substantial bread like sourdough. If you're using a thermos, make sure it is completely dry before placing the sandwich inside. You can also try wrapping the sandwich in foil to keep it warm and prevent sogginess.
Yes, you can reheat your grilled cheese sandwich in a hot pan for a few seconds on each side. You can also use a convection oven or air fryer at 200°C or 400°F for 2 minutes.
Yes, you can make your grilled cheese sandwich ahead of time and use the methods mentioned above to keep it warm. However, for the best results, it is recommended to eat grilled cheese sandwiches fresh.
