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Comment by Kaibeezy | Hacker News Reader

Concur:

- Absolutely have to nuke the tortilla or it won’t flex. 45 seconds with the cheese (UK grated 4-cheese blend from As/co works great) until it just goes melty. Have the fillings ready and work fast, it stiffens right up.

- Don’t overstuff. UK “white wraps” are too damn small :|

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The steamers they use at burrito shops make the flour tortillas soft and flexible so they can wrap, fold, & stretch without breaking, and the steam moistened flour sticks to itself better when wrapped.

Steamers are well and good but not typically found in people's kitchens. Microwaving pre-packaged tortillas is an easy way to make them burrito-capable. Even "good" packaged tortillas benefit from the microwave treatment.

My home method: keep a spray bottle handy or, in a pinch, dribble some water along the edge of the tortilla while it’s in the pan. Can get a very tight seal if you then roll it over or spread with a spoon/spatula.

I'll have to try out a spray bottle. I usually go for the microwave because I usually am scooping the meat out of the pan I cooked it in. I microwave the tortillas on a plate I'm eventually using to serve them. Everywhere I've lived saved my current house has had cramped kitchens so I'm used to a cramped meal prep area. I optimize for fewer dishes as I've never had the room and I hate doing dishes post-meal anyways.

I'm curious to try the spray bottle as I'm sure it'll do a better job steaming tortillas than my microwave technique.

With a small tortilla you can eschew structural purity and leave the top of the burrito open. In such cases if the bottom flap can fold up 1/3rd the way from the bottom on the ingredients you're probably good. Then wrap the sides in tightly and plate with the solid "back" of the burrito down. It'll last long enough to serve without the contents spilling. If wrapped well enough you can still eat it with one hand.

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