General Question

Coloma's avatar

Does anyone know how to make a really good baked potatoe in the microwave?

Asked by Coloma (40600 points ) June 19th, 2014

I have never really cared for microwave baked potatoes but am wondering if anyone knows how to prepare one in the MW that does not end up with hard spots on it? It’s too hot to turn on the over here tonight. Any MW tips for turning out a good baked potato?

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

26 Answers

Adirondackwannabe's avatar

Does your microwave have a rotating table?

Coloma's avatar

@Adirondackwannabe Yes. Usually I just rub them in oil, poke a few holes in them, but..meh…they are never very good.

chyna's avatar

Poke holes in the potato with a fork. Wrap in a damp, not wet, paper towel. Cook for about 5 minutes for a smaller potato, 7 minutes for a larger one.

Adirondackwannabe's avatar

@Coloma I go with Yukon golds or russets, and I don’t rub any oil on them. Wherer did you get that from?

Coloma's avatar

@chyna Oooh..I never tried the damp paper towels..okay, good. :-)
@Adirondackwannabe I don’t know…haha, I do that when I bake them in the regular oven, it keeps the skin softer.

Adirondackwannabe's avatar

@Coloma I’m wondering if the oil is oxidizing or burning. I’ve never used it.

chyna's avatar


gailcalled's avatar

Mutually exclusive. You can cook a potato in the microwave and you can bake it in the oven.

I have not had hard spots on mine in the mv., but i tend to buy small potatoes like Yukon Gold. I usually mash them a little and throw some salsa on as a topping. It’s not bad but it’s not a baked potato with butter.

Coloma's avatar

I shall report back, this is a big spud, an Idaho tater, and I am having it will dill dressing. Mmmm
You just don’t get the nice crispy skins in the MV.
@Adirondackwannabe I have no idea of the physics of oil, all I know is that rubbing them with a little oil makes the skins more supple and not dry.

Coloma's avatar

@gailcalled Oooh yes, salsa, and….mix the salsa with lowfat sour cream for an amazing treat!
I have a dill dressing that I am using tonight.

gailcalled's avatar

I am growing fresh dill in pots on my deck, not that that has anything to do with nuking potatoes. And speaking of other completely irrelevant topics, I have dozens of of your morning glory seeds sprouting everywhere.)

Coloma's avatar

@gailcalled Haha…dill is so wonderful, and so are Morning Glories! Yay, go Dill go Morning Glories!

syz's avatar

I have cheated by starting a potato in the microwave, cooking it about half way, and then throwing in the oven – it takes like a normal baked potato and takes much less time to cook. But I’ve never been able to fully cook one in the microwave and not have it taste….different.

Coloma's avatar

@syz I agree. is cooking now, maybe it will be better than I hope. haha

dxs's avatar

What if you cut the potato in half?
Because my grandmother did this, I always microwave the potato for 3 minutes, flip it and microwave for another 3 minutes. Don’t know if that does anything, though.

LornaLove's avatar

I love @syz suggestion. You could half nuke, then, cut it open to expose it a bit, then bake it! Yum.

Coloma's avatar

@ Chyna
The damp paper towels made it pretty moist, just had a bite, not bad, not bad at all.
Still nothing compares to the good old fashioned over baked method.
Must eat my potaoe now, thanks everyone!

marinelife's avatar

I don’t think you can. The texture of the meat (the dry, fluffy goodness) just isn’t there. However, I have had luck microwaving sweet potatoes.

Coloma's avatar

@marinelife I totally agree. It was okay, but yes, you just don’t get the dry, fluffy goodness, as you put it. Ahhh…winter when the oven is a welcome thing. haha

kritiper's avatar

Get a real Idaho baking potato, poke some holes in it with a fork or knife, wrap it in damp paper towels and put it in for ½ of the allotted time then turn them over for the rest of the baking. Serve with lots of real butter and sour cream. And Rolaids!

dappled_leaves's avatar

I think the only way it would work would be to set a small fire within the microwave. ;)

And I’m sorry, but I can’t read this question without thinking of this famous moment.

Earthbound_Misfit's avatar

They always seem more steamed to me when I cook them in the microwave. I can never get the lovely crispy skin that you get when you cook them in the oven. So, if you want real baked potatoes – you need the oven (IMO).

JLeslie's avatar

I usually just poke a few holes in it and have no trouble. You might try doing the last 5 minutes on a lower power setting.

I usually microwave the potato ¾ of the way and then finish it up in the toaster oven so the skin is closer to a real baked potato. I do similar with a lot of frozen foods, like frozen pizza. Microwave for a minute to get the frost off and then bake, broil or toast. The microwave speeds up the cooking process, but some things cooked all the way in the microwave are less than ideal.

Coloma's avatar

Oh….I didn’t think of the toaster oven…oh well….maybe next time.

RocketGuy's avatar

@syz has the right idea. I’ve never had a good 100% microwaved potato.

Coloma's avatar

@RocketGuy Agreed, just not possible.

Answer this question




to answer.


Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther