A tortilla starts to stiffen within a minute or two of leaving the comal. Stack it with the others and cover the stack, and the steam each one gives off keeps the whole pile soft and pliable through dinner. That is all a tortilla warmer does, and it is why a good one earns its place on the table every time you serve tacos, enchiladas or a pot of beans.
What is less obvious is which kind to buy. Warmers come as insulated cloth pouches, lidded plastic servers, stoneware and terracotta, and woven palm baskets called tortilleros. They hold heat for very different lengths of time, and some are made for the microwave while others belong in the oven. This guide sorts out the differences, names the warmers worth buying, and explains how to use each one so the tortillas stay soft rather than soggy.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a working Mexican kitchen looks for in a tortilla warmer, the makers’ own specifications and published reviewer trials, which we cite.
Quick verdict: which tortilla warmer to buy
For most kitchens, the best tortilla warmer is an insulated cloth pouch such as the IMUSA 12-inch Cloth Tortilla Warmer: IMUSA says it keeps tortillas warm for up to an hour after heating, it goes in the microwave and the washing machine, and cloth pouches held heat longest in Reviewed’s comparison of warmers. If you want a rigid, lidded server that takes 10-inch burrito tortillas, choose the Nordic Ware 10-inch warmer. For the traditional table, a handwoven palm tortillero lined with a cloth is the classic answer.
The rest of this page explains why, and which of these suits the way you serve tortillas.
Five tortilla warmers at a glance
Our five standout picks side by side, one for each kind of table, with the details each maker or listing states. All nine warmers are reviewed in full below.
| Warmer | Best for | Material & size | Heating (per maker) | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IMUSA 12-inch Cloth Tortilla WarmerBest overall
|
Most kitchens, any tortilla size | Polyester with thermoplastic liner, 12-inch | Microwave; machine washable | View on Amazon |
Nordic Ware 10-inch Microwave Tortilla WarmerBest hard-shell warmer
|
Burrito-size flour tortillas | BPA-free plastic, fits 10-inch tortillas | Microwave; top-rack dishwasher | View on Amazon |
RSVP International 8.5-inch Stoneware Tortilla WarmerBest for the oven
|
Warming a stack in the oven | Glazed stoneware, 8.5 x 3.5-inch | Oven to 325°F, microwave, dishwasher | View on Amazon |
Jacq & Jürgen Handwoven Palm Tortilleros, 3-packBest traditional
|
Serving at the table, the classic way | Palm straw, for 6- to 8-inch tortillas | Serving only; line with a cloth | View on Amazon |
IMUSA 8-inch Plastic Tortilla WarmerBudget pick
|
Reheating store-bought corn tortillas | Plastic, 8-inch | Microwave without the lid | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Microwave, oven and dishwasher use are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best tortilla warmer
These nine warmers cover the ways people actually serve tortillas at home: a soft pouch that goes from microwave to table, lidded plastic servers in several sizes, stoneware for the oven, a traditional palm basket, a terracotta stone that adds heat to any basket, and a restaurant-grade server for big parties. Each pick explains who it suits, what the maker states, and one honest reason to skip it.
1. IMUSA 12-inch Cloth Tortilla Warmer – Holds Heat for Up to an Hour
The simplest warmer is also the one that has done best in published comparisons. IMUSA’s 12-inch pouch is a round, insulated cloth envelope: polyester outside, a thermoplastic liner inside, with an opening along one side for sliding tortillas in and out. IMUSA says it keeps tortillas warm for up to one hour after heating, and the microwave instructions are printed on the back.
The independent evidence points the same way. In Reviewed’s trial of tortilla warmers, an IMUSA 12-inch cloth warmer came a close second overall, keeping tortillas warm for just under an hour while preserving their texture, and the reviewers found cloth pouches held heat longest of every style they compared. Food Network’s roundup named an IMUSA cloth warmer its best value pick and noted it works for both warming and reheating.
At 12 inches across it takes anything from a small street-taco corn tortilla to a large flour tortilla without folding. Use it two ways: drop fresh tortillas straight off the comal into the pouch as you cook, or put a stack of store-bought tortillas inside and warm the whole pouch in the microwave, following IMUSA’s printed directions. Afterward, IMUSA says it is machine washable, and a hanging loop means it can live on a hook by the stove rather than in a drawer. This version has a Talavera-style print; IMUSA sells the same pouch in other patterns.
Why we like it
- Keeps tortillas warm up to one hour after heating, according to IMUSA
- 12-inch size takes small corn and large flour tortillas
- Microwave safe, with instructions printed on the back
- Machine washable, with a hanging loop for storage
- Cloth pouches held heat longest in Reviewed’s comparison
Key specifications
| Model | MEXI-1016 |
|---|---|
| Material | Polyester fabric with thermoplastic liner |
| Size/Capacity | 12-inch round pouch; capacity not stated |
| Microwave safe | Yes |
| Oven safe | Not stated (do not put fabric in the oven) |
| Dishwasher safe | No; machine washable |
| Keeps warm (as stated) | Up to one hour after heating |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It does the one job of a warmer well, costs little, and takes up no cupboard space. For a family that heats a pack of tortillas a few nights a week, or cooks a batch on the comal and wants every tortilla soft at the table, a cloth pouch is the most practical choice.
Skip it if you want a rigid server that stands on the table like a dish. A pouch slumps as it empties, and Food Network notes that cloth warmers need to dry flat after washing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Longest heat hold among warmer styles in Reviewed’s trial
- Fits every common tortilla size
- Microwave and washing machine safe
- Folds flat and hangs up
Cons
- Not a rigid serving dish
- Must dry flat after washing
- Capacity not stated
2. Nordic Ware 10-inch Microwave Tortilla Warmer – Fits Burrito-Size Tortillas
If you would rather have a lidded server than a pouch, Nordic Ware’s warmer is the one we would start with. It is a round plastic base and lid in a terracotta color, made in the USA, and the listing says it fits large 10-inch, burrito-size tortillas and holds more than a dozen. That makes it one of the few hard-shell warmers that suits flour tortillas for burritos as well as small corn tortillas for tacos.
The listing describes it as made for warming, reheating and keeping a stack warm, and says to put the whole warmer in the microwave so everyone at the table gets hot tortillas at the same time. Nordic Ware describes the material as BPA-free, melamine-free high-heat plastic and says it is top-rack dishwasher safe. It is also handy for pancakes, crepes and pita, and Nordic Ware backs it with a five-year warranty.
Be realistic about how long it holds heat. In Reviewed’s trial, the Nordic Ware warmer kept tortillas warm for about 25 minutes, with some sogginess near the end, because an enclosed plastic shell traps the steam. That is enough for most family dinners. For a long meal, tuck a clean cloth around the stack inside: the cloth takes up excess moisture, and you can rewarm the whole warmer for a few seconds in the microwave between rounds.
Why we like it
- Fits large 10-inch, burrito-size tortillas
- Holds more than a dozen tortillas, per the listing
- BPA-free, melamine-free high-heat plastic
- Made in the USA, with a five-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 67300 |
|---|---|
| Material | BPA-free, melamine-free high-heat plastic |
| Size/Capacity | 10-inch; more than a dozen tortillas |
| Microwave safe | Yes |
| Oven safe | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Top rack (Nordic Ware) |
| Keeps warm (as stated) | Not stated |
| Made in | USA |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you serve burritos or large flour tortillas often, or you like a lidded dish that sits neatly in the middle of the table and goes straight into the microwave. It is the same warmer we suggest in our taco bar supplies guide, for the same reasons.
Skip it if you want heat that lasts through a long, slow meal. Reviewers found plastic shells hold heat for roughly half as long as a good cloth pouch.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Takes 10-inch flour tortillas
- Microwave and top-rack dishwasher safe
- Made in the USA
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- About 25 minutes of warmth in Reviewed’s trial
- Steam can make the top tortilla damp
- Bulkier to store than a pouch
3. Dexas XL 9.5-inch Tortilla Warmer – Microwave and Dishwasher Safe
Dexas makes the warmer for people who want everything to go in the dishwasher. The XL model measures 9.5 inches across and 3 inches tall, and Dexas says it is microwavable and dishwasher safe. Its directions are short: put six to eight tortillas in the warmer, close the lid and microwave for 30 to 40 seconds.
The Dexas line has done well with reviewers. Food Network named a Dexas microwavable warmer its best all-in-one warmer and reheater, calling it “the only completely dishwasher and microwave-safe model” in its trial, and found it kept tortillas warm for about 40 minutes. The same reviewers noted that the snug lid tends to trap moisture, so the top tortilla can turn slightly soggy. A folded paper towel or a thin cloth on top of the stack solves that.
At 9.5 inches, the XL takes standard corn tortillas and most fajita-size flour tortillas, though not the largest burrito wraps. Dexas also says it stacks with other Dexas warmers, which is useful if you keep a corn and a flour warmer going side by side at a taco night. The oat color looks at home on most tables.
Why we like it
- Microwavable and dishwasher safe, according to Dexas
- Simple directions: 30 to 40 seconds for six to eight tortillas
- 9.5 x 3-inch size suits corn and fajita-size flour tortillas
- Stacks with other Dexas warmers
Key specifications
| Model | 507-51WP |
|---|---|
| Material | Not stated in the listing (other Dexas warmers are sold as polypropylene) |
| Size/Capacity | 9.5 inches across, 3 inches tall |
| Microwave safe | Yes |
| Oven safe | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Keeps warm (as stated) | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if easy cleanup matters more than anything else, or you mostly reheat store-bought tortillas in the microwave. It is a sturdy, no-fuss warmer for everyday weeknight tacos.
Skip it if you serve 10-inch burrito tortillas, which will not lie flat in a 9.5-inch warmer, or if you dislike any condensation on the top tortilla.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fully microwave and dishwasher safe
- About 40 minutes of warmth in Food Network’s trial
- Stackable for storage
Cons
- Snug lid can trap moisture
- Too small for burrito tortillas
- Material not stated in this listing
4. Norpro 9.75-inch Insulated Tortilla Warmer – Deep Enough for a Big Stack
Norpro’s warmer is the tallest of the hard-shell picks. The listing gives its size as 9.75 by 9.75 by 4.75 inches, more than an inch deeper than most plastic warmers, so a full pack of tortillas or a double batch from the comal fits without pressing the lid down. Norpro describes it as an extra-large insulated server that traps heat and moisture inside, and suggests it for naan, chapatis and pancakes as well as tortillas.
It is microwave safe and goes on the top rack of the dishwasher, according to the listing. That makes it a practical choice for a household that cooks tortillas by the dozen and wants one container to hold the whole batch. It is the larger of the two warmers suggested in our guide to tortilla making tools.
The trade-off is the one every enclosed plastic warmer shares. In Reviewed’s trial the Norpro held heat for just under 30 minutes and the tortillas turned soggy, because all that trapped steam has nowhere to go. Line it with a clean cotton cloth, wrap the tortillas in the cloth, and leave the lid slightly ajar if the stack starts to feel damp. Norpro’s listing says only that it is made of food-safe materials; retailers describe it as copolymer plastic.
Why we like it
- 9.75 x 9.75 x 4.75 inches: deep enough for a big stack
- Thermal insulation, per Norpro
- Microwave and top-rack dishwasher safe
- Works for flatbreads, pancakes and hot sides too
Key specifications
| Model | 1066 |
|---|---|
| Material | “Food-safe materials” (Norpro); plastic |
| Size/Capacity | 9.75 x 9.75 x 4.75 inches |
| Microwave safe | Yes |
| Oven safe | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Top rack |
| Keeps warm (as stated) | Not stated (“throughout the entire meal”) |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you make tortillas from masa in big batches and want one lidded container deep enough to hold them all. Its height is its real advantage over other plastic warmers.
Skip it if you serve only a few tortillas at a time, or if soggy tortillas bother you and you do not want to line it with a cloth.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Deepest hard-shell warmer here
- Microwave and dishwasher safe
- Large enough for big flatbreads
Cons
- Under 30 minutes of warmth in Reviewed’s trial
- Tortillas can turn soggy without a cloth
- Material only loosely described
5. Carlisle 12-inch Jumbo Tortilla Server – Built for Restaurant Service
Carlisle FoodService makes this server for restaurants and caterers, and it shows. The listing describes thick-walled construction for insulation and heat retention, room for tortillas up to 12 inches, and NSF certification, the food-equipment sanitation standard used in commercial kitchens. Restaurant suppliers list the base and lid as polypropylene, and Carlisle sells replacement lids separately, which tells you it is built to be used hard.
The listing gives its size as 12.75 by 2.625 inches. That is wide and fairly shallow: big enough for the largest flour tortillas laid flat, with room for a generous stack of corn tortillas. It is dishwasher and microwave safe, according to the listing, and the black base with an Aztec design looks like the servers you see on restaurant tables.
For a home cook, this is the warmer for parties. When you are feeding twelve or more, one wide server in the middle of the table, refilled from the comal, keeps the line moving. Carlisle backs it with a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects. Retail listings disagree on its maximum temperature, so do not put it in the oven.
Why we like it
- Accommodates tortillas up to 12 inches
- Thick walls for insulation, per Carlisle
- NSF certified
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
- One-year warranty; replacement lids sold separately
Key specifications
| Model | 071703 |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic (polypropylene, per restaurant suppliers) |
| Size/Capacity | 12.75 x 2.625 inches; tortillas up to 12 inches |
| Microwave safe | Yes |
| Oven safe | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Keeps warm (as stated) | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it for taco parties, big family dinners and anyone who wants restaurant-grade equipment that will last. It is the widest hard-shell warmer on this list.
Skip it if you have a small table or a small cupboard. At nearly 13 inches across, it is more serving platter than kitchen gadget.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Takes 12-inch tortillas
- NSF-certified, commercial build
- Replacement lids available
Cons
- Large to store
- Shallow for very tall stacks
- Heat-hold time not stated
6. RSVP International 8.5-inch Stoneware Tortilla Warmer – Oven Safe to 325°F
Stoneware does something plastic and cloth cannot: it goes in the oven. RSVP’s white warmer is glazed, lead-free stoneware, per the listing, 8.5 inches across and 3.5 inches tall, and the listing says it holds up to twenty 8-inch tortillas. RSVP rates it for the oven up to 325°F and for the microwave, and it is dishwasher safe.
That oven rating changes how you use it. Instead of heating tortillas one by one on the comal, you can wrap a stack in a damp cloth or foil inside the warmer, put the whole dish in a low oven while you finish the fillings, and carry it straight to the table. RSVP says heating tortillas this way keeps them soft and pliable with a more mellow taste. It doubles as a baker for brie and a keeper for pancakes or crepes.
Know its limits, though. Stoneware holds heat while it is hot, but a cold dish draws heat out of the tortillas. In Reviewed’s trial, RSVP’s stoneware warmer was among the first to fall to room temperature when filled with already-warm tortillas, and it gathered condensation. Warm the dish first, in the oven or with hot water, and line it with a cloth before the tortillas go in.
Why we like it
- Oven safe up to 325°F, and microwave safe
- Holds up to twenty 8-inch tortillas
- White glazed, lead-free stoneware (listing)
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 8034 (part MAIZ-W) |
|---|---|
| Material | Glazed, lead-free stoneware (per the listing) |
| Size/Capacity | 8.5-inch diameter x 3.5 inches; up to twenty 8-inch tortillas |
| Microwave safe | Yes |
| Oven safe | Up to 325°F |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Keeps warm (as stated) | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you like to warm tortillas in the oven alongside a dish of enchiladas or a tray of fajita vegetables, or you want a warmer that looks like proper tableware. It is the only oven-safe dish on this list.
Skip it if you mostly drop tortillas into a warmer straight off the comal. A cold stoneware dish cools them faster than a cloth pouch would, and the 8.5-inch size will not take large flour tortillas.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Oven, microwave and dishwasher safe
- Holds up to 20 tortillas
- Looks like tableware
Cons
- Cooled quickly in Reviewed’s trial unless prewarmed
- Heavy and breakable
- Too small for burrito tortillas
7. Jacq & Jürgen Handwoven Palm Tortilleros, 3-pack – Handmade in Mexico
Before there were microwave warmers, there was the tortillero: a round, lidded basket woven from palm, lined with a cloth and set on the table. You will still find them in homes and fondas all over Mexico. This set of three medium baskets is handwoven from natural palm straw by Mexican artisans, according to the listing, and each holds up to fifteen 6- to 8-inch tortillas.
A tortillero is not a heater. It does not go in the microwave or oven, and it holds heat because the woven palm and a folded cloth insulate the stack, not because it traps steam in plastic. That is also why tortillas in a basket stay soft without going soggy: the weave lets a little moisture escape. Heat the tortillas on a comal, wrap them in a clean cotton cloth, and set the bundle in the basket with the lid on.
Three baskets is a practical number. Use one for corn and one for flour at a taco night, and keep the third for bread rolls, quesadillas or arepas. Palm does not like water: shake out the crumbs, wipe the basket with a barely damp cloth if needed, let it dry fully, and wash the cloth liner instead of the basket.
Why we like it
- Handwoven from natural palm straw in Mexico, per the listing
- Set of three medium baskets
- Each holds up to fifteen 6- to 8-inch tortillas
- Lets moisture escape, so tortillas stay soft rather than soggy
Key specifications
| Model | 3 Artisan Palm Tortilla Warmer |
|---|---|
| Material | Natural palm straw, handwoven |
| Size/Capacity | Medium; for 6- to 8-inch tortillas, up to 15 each |
| Microwave safe | No (not stated; palm is a serving basket) |
| Oven safe | No (not stated) |
| Dishwasher safe | No; wipe and air dry |
| Keeps warm (as stated) | Not stated |
| Made in | Mexico |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want the traditional way to serve tortillas, a handmade piece for the table, or a set of baskets for corn and flour side by side. Paired with a good cotton cloth, a tortillero is all many cooks in Mexico ever use.
Skip it if you want to reheat store-bought tortillas in the microwave in the same container you serve them from. A basket only holds heat; something else has to provide it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Handmade in Mexico
- Three baskets in the set
- Tortillas stay soft, not soggy
Cons
- No microwave or oven use
- Needs a cloth liner (not included)
- Not washable; keep it dry
8. Fox Run Terra Cotta Bread Warmer Stone – Adds Heat to Any Basket
This is not a warmer on its own but a way to make any basket or cloth warmer hold heat longer. Fox Run’s stone is a small square of unglazed terracotta, 4.75 by 4.75 by 0.75 inches, and the listing says it is 100% terracotta with no glazes or additives. You heat it in the oven at 350°F, set it in the bottom of a basket, put the wrapped tortillas on top and cover them.
Clay is the oldest material in a Mexican kitchen, and terracotta works here the way a clay comal does: it heats slowly, then gives that heat back slowly and evenly. Fox Run says it keeps bread warm without drying it out, and it suits tortillas for the same reason. It pairs especially well with a palm tortillero, which insulates but has no heat of its own, and it gives an open bread basket some staying power at a long dinner.
Fox Run lists it as microwave and oven safe in the product title, but its own directions are to warm it in the oven. Handle it with an oven mitt, set it on a folded cloth rather than directly under the tortillas so they do not scorch, and let it cool before washing. The listing says hand wash only, since the dishwasher can crack or chip the clay.
Why we like it
- 100% terracotta, no glazes or additives, per Fox Run
- Heat at 350°F, then it gives off heat slowly
- Small enough to fit in any basket or tortillero
- Turns a serving basket into a warmer
Key specifications
| Model | 4675 |
|---|---|
| Material | Unglazed terracotta |
| Size/Capacity | 4.75 x 4.75 x 0.75 inches (a stone, not a container) |
| Microwave safe | Yes, per the listing title |
| Oven safe | Yes; heat at 350°F |
| Dishwasher safe | No; hand wash only |
| Keeps warm (as stated) | Not stated (“for the whole meal”) |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you already own a tortillero or a bread basket and want it to keep tortillas warm longer, or you like the idea of an unglazed clay piece rather than more plastic.
Skip it if you want one item that does the whole job. It needs a basket or cloth warmer to sit in, and an oven to heat it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Plain, unglazed terracotta
- Adds heat to any basket
- Small and easy to store
Cons
- Not a warmer by itself
- Needs oven time first
- Hand wash only
9. IMUSA 8-inch Plastic Tortilla Warmer – Light and Simple
The plain, round plastic warmer you see in taquerias and family kitchens alike. IMUSA’s version is 8 inches across, made of durable plastic in a terracotta color, and the listing says it is microwave safe without the lid. It is the smaller of the two warmers in our tortilla making tools starter kit.
Eight inches is the right size for standard corn tortillas and small flour ones, the tortillas most people buy for tacos. Put a stack in the base, warm it in the microwave with the lid off, then put the lid back on to carry it to the table. IMUSA also suggests it for arepas, pancakes, pita and naan.
Plastic warmers of this kind hold heat for a shorter time than cloth. Food Network found that a similar IMUSA plastic warmer promised an hour but kept tortillas warm for about 30 minutes in its trial, though its closed design produced less condensation than other hard-shell models. For a quick weeknight dinner that is plenty, and a cloth tucked around the stack stretches it further.
Why we like it
- 8-inch size suits standard corn tortillas
- Microwave safe without the lid
- Lightweight plastic
- Works for arepas, pancakes and flatbreads too
Key specifications
| Model | MEXI-1000-AMZ |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic, terracotta color |
| Size/Capacity | 8-inch diameter; capacity not stated |
| Microwave safe | Yes, without the lid |
| Oven safe | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Keeps warm (as stated) | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a simple, inexpensive warmer for reheating store-bought corn tortillas, or a second warmer so corn and flour each have their own.
Skip it if you serve large flour tortillas, which will not fit, or want a warmer that keeps a stack hot through a long meal.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Inexpensive and light
- Right size for taco tortillas
- Microwave safe base
Cons
- Lid must come off in the microwave
- Too small for flour burrito tortillas
- Dishwasher use not stated
How to choose a tortilla warmer for your table
Five things decide whether a warmer suits you. Looks matter, but how you heat tortillas and how long you need them warm matter more.
1. Material: cloth, plastic, ceramic, clay or palm
- Insulated cloth pouches are light, cheap and fold flat. In Reviewed’s comparison they held heat longest of every style, about an hour, while keeping tortillas soft rather than soggy. Most go in the microwave and the washing machine.
- Plastic servers are rigid and lidded, and most are microwave safe. Reviewers found they hold heat for roughly 25 to 40 minutes, and the closed lid traps steam, which can leave the top tortilla damp.
- Stoneware and ceramic look like tableware and, if the maker allows, go in the oven. A cold dish pulls heat out of the tortillas, so warm it first.
- Terracotta holds heat once it is hot. Food Network’s top pick was a terracotta warmer that kept tortillas warm for over an hour but needed soaking and a slow start in a cold oven. A terracotta stone, like Fox Run’s, adds the same slow heat to any basket.
- Woven palm tortilleros are the traditional choice. They insulate and breathe, but they provide no heat of their own and cannot go in the microwave.
2. Size: match it to your tortillas
A corn tortilla for tacos is usually five to six inches across; a flour tortilla for fajitas about eight; a burrito tortilla ten or more. An 8-inch warmer suits taco tortillas only. For flour tortillas, choose a 10-inch warmer or larger, such as the Nordic Ware, the Carlisle or a 12-inch cloth pouch. Our guide to corn versus flour tortillas explains why the two are made, and served, so differently.
3. How you heat the tortillas
If you cook or reheat tortillas on a comal, any warmer works: it only has to hold heat. If you reheat in the microwave, choose a pouch or a plastic warmer the maker rates for it, and check whether the lid must come off, as it must on the IMUSA 8-inch. If you like to warm a stack in the oven, you need an oven-safe dish such as RSVP’s stoneware, which is rated to 325°F.
4. How long you need them warm
For a quick family dinner, any of these warmers will do. For a long, slow taco party, choose cloth, or line a plastic or ceramic warmer with a clean cotton cloth, and keep a second batch warming while the first is served. A warmer only keeps warm tortillas warm. It cannot rescue cold ones, so always heat them first.
5. Cleaning and storage
Plastic warmers are the easiest to clean when the maker says they are dishwasher safe; check, because not every listing says so. Cloth pouches go in the washing machine and fold flat. Stoneware is dishwasher safe but heavy and breakable. Palm and terracotta are hand care only, and both should be kept dry.
How we picked these nine warmers
We started from what a Mexican kitchen asks of a tortilla warmer: hold a stack of hot tortillas so they stay soft through the meal, fit the tortillas you actually serve, and be easy to keep clean. We then narrowed the field to warmers sold on Amazon in the United States, in stock when we checked, from identifiable makers, and confirmed each one’s material, size and microwave, oven and dishwasher ratings from the maker or the brand’s own Amazon listing. Where a maker publishes no figure, we say “Not stated” rather than guess. For how the styles compare, we relied on published trials: Reviewed and Food Network both measured how long different warmers kept tortillas warm, and we cite their findings by name. We chose nine to cover every common style, size and way of heating, rather than repeat near-identical plastic boxes. We left out fabric pouches from sellers with no identifiable maker, decorative clay warmers whose listings give few details, and electric “tortilla warmers”, which on Amazon turned out to be griddles or buffet warming trays rather than tortilla warmers. We have not used these products ourselves; where we describe how a warmer performs, we say whose findings those are.
Getting the most from a tortilla warmer
A warmer works best when the tortillas go in hot and the stack goes in fast.
- Heat the tortillas properly first. A dry comal or heavy skillet over medium-high heat warms a corn tortilla in well under a minute a side. Our guide to the best comal for tortillas explains which pan to use.
- Stack them straight off the heat. Put each tortilla into the warmer as it comes off the comal and close the lid between additions. The steam from each tortilla keeps the stack soft.
- Line it with a cloth. In plastic and ceramic warmers, a clean cotton cloth wrapped around the stack takes up extra moisture so the top tortilla does not turn soggy, and adds a layer of insulation.
- Let corn tortillas rest. Fresh corn tortillas finish softening in their own steam. Give the stack a few minutes in the warmer before serving.
- Microwave only what the maker allows. Follow the printed directions on a cloth pouch, take the lid off a plastic warmer if the maker says so, and never microwave a palm basket or anything with metal trim.
If you are reheating day-old tortillas, our guide to reheating Mexican leftovers covers the comal, oven and microwave methods, and which one suits corn or flour.
Tortilla warmer questions, answered
How long does a tortilla warmer keep tortillas warm?
It depends on the style. IMUSA says its cloth pouch keeps tortillas warm for up to an hour after heating, and Reviewed found cloth pouches lasted close to that. Plastic warmers held heat for roughly 25 to 40 minutes in Reviewed’s and Food Network’s trials. A towel alone lasted about five minutes in Reviewed’s comparison.
Can you put a tortilla warmer in the microwave?
Most cloth pouches and plastic warmers, yes, but check the maker’s directions. Some plastic warmers, such as the IMUSA 8-inch, are microwave safe only without the lid. Stoneware such as RSVP’s is microwave safe. Palm baskets are not.
Why do my tortillas get soggy in the warmer?
A closed plastic or ceramic warmer traps steam, and the moisture collects on the top and bottom tortillas. Wrap the stack in a clean cotton cloth inside the warmer, or switch to a cloth pouch or palm basket, which let some moisture escape.
Is a tortilla warmer better than a towel?
For a quick meal, a folded cotton towel in a basket works. For anything longer, a warmer holds heat far better: in Reviewed’s comparison, a towel on its own kept tortillas warm for only about five minutes.
What size tortilla warmer do I need?
Buy for your largest tortilla. An 8-inch warmer takes taco-size corn tortillas; a 10- to 12-inch warmer takes flour tortillas for burritos and fajitas.
The warmer we would put on the table
Buy the IMUSA 12-inch cloth warmer if you want one tortilla warmer that suits almost every kitchen: it fits every size, goes in the microwave, and held heat longest in published trials. Choose the Nordic Ware warmer if you want a rigid, lidded dish for burrito-size tortillas, RSVP’s stoneware if you warm tortillas in the oven, and a palm tortillero, ideally with a terracotta stone underneath, if you want the traditional way. Whichever you choose, heat the tortillas properly first and stack them fast.
A warmer is one piece of a tortilla kit. Our guide to tortilla making tools covers the press, the comal and the warmer together, and if you are making your own corn tortillas, see the best masa harina for tortillas.
Related guide: Tortilla warmer alternative.
And if you would rather someone else made the tortillas tonight, see the menu or call to order.