Microwave Potato

Intro: Microwave Potato

Here, I will outline the best way(s) to bake a potato in the microwave.

In order to get a good baked potato, one must start with the correct potato,


Nuke it for the proper length of time,

And then, a little patience, will pay off nicely.

STEP 1: Identifying the Proper 'tator

The best potato, in my humble opinion, is the classic baking Russet or Idaho potato; one also hears of this potato being called a Chef's potato, or a baking potato.
It is a high starch potato, which will remain firm but not hard after baking. .

STEP 2: Prepare That 'tator

Once you have the proper potato, you need to do a few things to it before popping it in the microwave.

Wash / scrub it well with water (NO soap or detergent of any kind). But you may use a clean brush (a tooth brush works well if you haven't bought a special vegetable brush).

Poke holes in it. This is so that trapped steam in the potato doesn't cause the skin to bubble and burst in places and so, even if it doesn't burst, it may overcook in those areas.

Raise above the microwave bottom. Place in a plate (microwave safe) and on a paper one also. This allows the microwaves to get underneath the potato.

I, personally, like to smear a bit of Olive oil onto the potato (some prefer bacon grease, but that is high in cholesterol ). But, even if you do not put oil on the potato, there is no need to dry it. Many actually recommend keeping it a bit wet to keep the skin from drying or wrinkling.

STEP 3: Baking or Nuking As It Is Often Referred To

If it is available, find out the Wattage to your microwave.
Otherwise you will need to proximate the first few times to get it to come out just right.

Size counts in this case, both of the oven and the potato.

Assuming a normal 1200 watt microwave, one would place the potato on the plate in the oven (after scoring with the fork or knife) and microwave for about 8 minutes when placed on a rotating carousel. If you don't have one, then you must do it manually.
Set the timer for about 4-5 minutes, and then when done, flip the tator over and nuke it again for another 3-4 minutes.

STEP 4: Don't Jump the Gun !

Now, once the microwave stops, test it with a thin knife or fork to see if it is tender enough inside.....it should be firm but not HARD. If it is fairly close to how you like it, take it out and let is set "without cutting it open just yet. It might even be sizzling, so let it finish cooking outside the microwave for a few minutes. Five should be sufficient.

If your potato is soft when the microwave shuts off, you have cooked it a wee bit too long, take it out and spit it open immediately.

If your tator has started to wrinkle, as pictured in the last picture below, it is overdone. Reduce the time and soon you will be baking potatoes like a pro.

STEP 5: Now, Time to Garnish, But Not Ruin the Tator

Now you can cut it open lengthwise and place in what you like, things like butter (high in cholesterol), sour cream (high in fat content), margarine (high in trans-fats), veggies and a little olive oil (great for the heart), etc. can be use.
Be creative.
I was once at a restaurant in the south somewhere (southern USA) that served ONLY baked potatoes, and subsequent toppings. They had nearly everything except ice cream or peanut butter :-)

101 different toppings (I forget the name of the restaurant, as it was a few decades ago).

Enjoy.

Comments

[christocc]

"101 different toppings (I forget the name of the restaurant, as it was a few decades ago)."

That must have been around the last time you cleaned your kitchen.

[RaeanneB]

So you said not to wash your potato in soap...is that because you don't have any on hand as your advert for kitchen cleanliness has shown. But technique seems foolproof, will definitely try it out.

[PawanY3]

Also check http://eitems.co.in/lg-mh2342bps-800-watt-grill-microwave-oven-silver/ as well.

[KellyN1]

Thanks for the tips, not usually much of a nuker and my daughter just got her red seal soo...really a no-no but, in a pinch. It worked great :-)

[amclaussen]

Very good tips! Specially the one related to not open it vs open it depending on the degree of cooking that resulted. On my 1,600 watt LG brand oven, and with smaller potaotes, only 4 minutes are enough. I punch 2 minute time and after it, I turn the potato upside down and nuke it for another 2 minutes, then let it alone for 4 minutes and it is ready for cutting in half. Nice Instructable! Enjoy! Amclaussen, Mexico City.

[Goodhart]

Thank you, yes I agree..

[bassclarinet23]

I love baked potaters...you should try one without poking holes...kidding. Nice Instructable.

[lemonie]

Your kitchen look "busy"? Good details L

[fwjs28]

same said here "P

[Goodhart]

A clean kitchen is an unused one, right?

[Lateral Thinker]

Sorry, wrong, a clean kitchen proves you are a super cleaner of kitchens after also having created a super meal..

Think positive words, don't put yourself down. (thats two positives for you above)

Or did the wife clean up? Not likely so you must risk death if you don't do a super clean up, so that makes you both a super cleaner, and also the person mostly likely to survive the nuclear war coming soon to a city near you.
(everywhere in fact go and see the old movie "On the Beach" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053137/

[Goodhart]

Well, I live in the lap of messiness because my wife refuses to do anything while I am away at work, not the dishes, nor the house, and she does not work outside the house either.

[Lateral Thinker]

You could walk out on her? :-)

[Goodhart]

After 18 years (16 of them married) I am not sure I can, at least not at this point.

[Lateral Thinker]

new quote from Lateral Thinker "Nothing great ever came out of a clean kitchen" Same goes for the cannery I used to work in (see other comments on this Instructable) and for workshops. (So much stuff in mine, no room for my camera to take a picture)

[Goodhart]

Sadly it was like that when I got there to do the potato ;-)

[lemonie]

Not your "organisation" then?

L

[Goodhart]

Not hardly....I have cleaned up that kitchen 3 times too many....if that is how she likes it, more power to her (I will continue to disinfect my own dishes though).

[NikonDork]

well it IS part kitchen, part meth lab.

[Goodhart]

Nah, a meth lab in there would be dangerous (more so than otherwise) ;-)