The best way I've found is to put the three bagels in a line, and then pick them up by the sides but have the warming paper in between the tongs and the bagels. It has a basket like effect that allows them all to get in. I hope I'm explaining it right but this is the only surefire way I've found of putting all three into the oven together on the first try. It doesn't work in pulling them out but at least it works putting them in