Bagels aren't fattening! I make mine rather large and only one will do ..they are around 150gms each ... but to be honest they're so good I think filling often spoils them. They are sweet and chewy. I only make them because we can't find good ones any more.

The steak griddles are very cheap and worthwhile because they are cast iron and have lots of surface. When you put a half cup of water on it it produced a fast short injection of steam, just like a commercial bread oven. A tin in the bottom is not going to domthe same thing.

It sounds like your oven may be cool,. time for a temp check!

First try making your fist mix around 10 minutes that stretches gluten more and makes it easier to handle, and if you find it hard to handle then redruce hydrstion a little. Also the way you shop helps define the shape. A ball where you continue to press the sides under and to the middle to form a ball helps. Yes I use a range of kitchen peels that are floured!

Good luck.