At camp we used to make pizzas in them - a little marinara, some mozzarella cheese, and whatever toppings you want. Just stick it in the bread and you have a yummy campfire pizza! Plus, it seems like everything tastes better outdoors.

RM - http://suburbiahappens.blogspot.com/

We had these in the late 80s/early 90s for family camp trips, but it wasn't this brand. We called them "hobo pies" I think. But we made pizza type things in them too.

The thing I remember most about them is that the insides were hotter than the sun and I'd always burn my mouth and not be able to taste the rest of the thing.

I agree, everything tastes better outdoors. We had a different brand growing up, but we made these all the time while camping.

My Dad has one, and I think it used to belong to his parents. We haven't used it in ages. He used to make sandwiches with scrambled egg, cheese and whatever leftover meat could be found in the fridge. It was like eating an omelete sandwich. Thanks for reminding me of this, I totally forgot about it.

I made pudgie pies on one of these at camp! We put some Pillsbury instant biscuit material on either side, and in the middle was pie filling. Then stick it in the coals for a while. Mmm!

OMG! CIRCLE CHEESE! My sister and I would always fight as to who would get the first sandwich out of the pan. I go to my parents just for one sometimes. We did the pizza thing too but my mom would chop up apples with a bit of apple sauce and spices for a mini pie. Oh this just made me so happy.

Electric toasters were a status symbol around then, I wonder if that's what did this awesome invention in.

Pie filling (cherry is my favorite) and/or chocolate. Or even a marshmallow. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Except for the "Toas-tite" brand cache, how is this different than the absolutely identical-in-form-and-function pudgy-pie makers you can buy at any outdoors/camping store for about $15?

Since I guess I feel bad for all of you that thought these had died off somehow:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=pie+iron&x=0&y=0

http://www.rei.com/product/752497/camp-chef-cooking-iron

I bought a new one at Cabela's a couple years back. Works good. Lemon pie filling still burns the ever-lovin' crap out of my mouth just like I remember from my grandma's old one 25 years ago.

Thank you PhilMills for being the sole camper among the group thus far. These things are ubiquitous at camping stores and campgrounds. Although that original ad art is a treat to look at.

We use ours for a variety of meals but the pizza pie, with pizza sauce, mozz, and pepperoni is definitely a favorite. Other favorites include egg with ham and cheese, fruit pie filling, and peanut butter and banana.

I used to work at a "Victorian era" themed retail catalog, and they sold these things in a couple of different shapes. With 3-foot-long handles they were pretty awkward to use.

My grandmother used one of these (shaped like a shell instead of a circle) when I was growing up. Eventually when I moved out, she passed it on to me and I absolutely love it. In my opinion it makes the best grilled cheese ever.

Cast aluminum? No way I like the cast iron ones at Cabela's.

Even if other versions with better quality materials weren't widely available at half the price, the price point is ridiculous for a piece of metal made in China.

I bought something called a Tonka-toaster in the sixties--pretty much the same deal but I don't know if they're still around. It came with a booklet of sandwich ideas including one using slices of angel food cake instead of bread with chocolate inside. I never had the nerve to try that but it makes great grilled cheese.

aww, my grandma used to make me grilled cheese in one of these every time i would visit her! all it's missing is a jello cup for dessert!

We called it a hobo-pie maker, it made everything from fancy grilled cheese to warm peanut butter sandwiches.

Um...these never went away. As others have said, you've been able to get them at camping supply stores for years now.

We actually have 2 (a double and a single) cast iron ones from Pie Iron-and OMG the campfire Reubens. Yum.
http://www.pieiron.com/

My local ACE Hardware has been selling cast-iron pie irons for well, what seems like forever. They're about $15-20. Round, square, waffle-shaped, hot dog shaped, etc.

@EODWife

Here to help. I felt kind of bad for the author missing out on pudgy-pies all this time. I think a lot of bloggers could do with a good camping trip now and then.

@LR
I'm going to have to try this "campfire reuben" thing. I was looking for an excuse to fire up the charcoal grill this winter anyway.

PUDGY PIES!!! That brings me back to girl scout camping trips! I also loved the cherry filling!

these are a family camping-tradition [the enduring, rectangular ones. maybe the round ones went out of business because toast is..... not round. think of all those wasted corners!] but we call them Rocky Mountain Sandwiches. now am I going to be the first to mention chocolate as a filling? with marshmallows, peanut butter, etc.- makes a nice finish for a day of hiking.

Oh thank goodness I'm not the only one with such amazing camping memories of this that I simply can't go camping without it! The pizza ones are the best, but rhuebens, and pie-filling filled ones are also great.

They've never stopped selling these at camping supply stores. Sorry, Stephanie.

These round sandwiches are called flying saucers in Hawaii. But they have meat sauce in them along with the cheese. I love them.

I grew up making sandwiches in pie irons on camping trips, and now own two of my own. We started with cherry pie filling and progressed to sandwiches (both egg and cheese and reubens are amazing) and now are trying more adventurous things. Last time we made steaks and they turned out great with a good sear on the outside.

Just make sure you use real butter on the outside of the bread. Any fake butters have too much water and they turn to mush and stick.

I remember "tonka toasters" from summer camp. We would go for overnight or day-outings, and it was a fight to be the group that got the good ones!

I love toas-tite. My mother had one and she would make these incredible grilled cheese sandwiches in it as far back as I can remember. I'm going back to the early 1950's. Now that Mom's gone, I have this precious gadget. I had forgotten about it until a few years ago but use it often now. In fact it is never put away. It stays on my counter as a constant reminder when I'm trying to think of something quick and tasty to make.

I use it mostly for grilled cheese, maybe add a little mustard, or cooked bacon. Don't have much of a sweet tooth, so probably won't try the fruit pies. After reading the comments here I'll be sure to try it with eggs. And peanut butter and bananas (with a slight sprinkle of brown sugar) sounds heavenly. Oh, and peanut butter with cooked bacon is making me crawl to the kitchen right now.

The crust must be cooked long enough to be nicely browned and the clamped edges nice and crispy.

Wonderful post Stephanie.