Microwaved: Is it possible to bake a potato in a microwave?
Subject: Is it possible to bake a potato in a microwave?
Newsgroups: rec.food.cooking
From: SoS (reply at newsgroup.com)
Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2001 05:00:51 -0600
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Is it possible to bake a potato in a microwave?
From: Jeff B. (yeff at erols dot com)
Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2001 07:59:58 -0500
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> Is it possible to bake a potato in a microwave?
No.
From: Steve Calvin (calvin at vnet.ibm.com)
Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2001 09:13:03 -0500
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Yeff wrote:
> > Is it possible to bake a potato in a microwave?
>
> No.
Sure it is. I do it all the time! No... wait... I don't use the micro portion of the oven, only the convection.... ;-)
From: Helena Unzueta (varissull at worldnet.att.net)
Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2001 15:52:42 GMT
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> Is it possible to bake a potato in a microwave?
Yes, of course it is. It depends on the wattage of your oven. 20 - 30 minutes in the microwave!!??? I think not. I have a 700 watt microwave that has a special "potato" setting. You could also cook one medium-sized potato on high for 3-5 minutes and allow it to stand 5 minutes in the oven before serving. If you over-cook it, it will be hard around the edges. If you have a lower wattage oven, increase the cooking time 1 minute at a time until you acheive success
From: Sum (sumlin at earthlink.net)
Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2001 18:36:35 GMT
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If you cannot wrap tin foil around it since it is Microwave, what good is it? :-)
From: NUKED (nonukes at america.com)
Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2001 14:29:35 -0600
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While I type this, I am nuking a potato.
So far I have heard several blood curdling screams from the microwave, but nothing more, and nothing has blown up (YET)......
I'll keep you informed, if the place dont blow up....
*** OH MY GOD THE POTA!#$$%^ ^&%# @^# #$ @^^$#++++==.......
__________ ##help me_____it's attacking ____ .........
This is my heart monitor
...........^............^................^...............^..............^........^...^.
^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^.^ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\^/\... BANG .....................
........................................................................................
From: NUKED (nonukes at america.com)
Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2001 14:42:29 -0600
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WHEW !!!!!! That was a close call, but I lived !!!!! The potato died though, but I ate it, and it was not too bad. Not as good as baked though.....
But some butter, salt, pepper, dill weed, bacon bits, and a slice of jalapeno cheese, and a tastey quick snack in under 10 minutes.
This particular potato was getting a little soft from old age, so it is a tad bit dry. Since it's daytime I cant tell you if it glows in the dark :)
PS. I wet the potato first, to clean it, and to add moisture.
From: singer77 at NOSPAMteacher.com (Nancy)
Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2001 04:46:22 GMT
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And don't forget to pierce it with a fork a few times. I have done them in the microwave when I really HAVE to. They are not as good as grilled or regular oven but do-able.
From: Jim Kajpust (jkajpust at concentricRATS.net)
Date: 04 Feb 2001 06:18:45 GMT
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To pick a nit - No. Baking is a dry heat process and microwaving uses a moisture based internal heat.
However, you can cook a potato in a microwave -- tho' I much prefer a conventional oven baked potato. BTW, I've cooked a bunch of taters in my microwave and have yet to blow one up because it wasn't punctured.
From: malan6 at qwest.net (Alan)
Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2001 11:37:15 -0600
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Jim Kajpust gave this insight:
: I've cooked a bunch of taters in
:my microwave and have yet to blow one up because it wasn't punctured.
I nuked them for years before one exploded. Then, the time I spent cleaning the inside of the microwave made me start piercing them with a fork.
The key there is to stick a fork through the thickest part of the potato (from the side) so that it penetrates all the way to the center. This lets steam out.
If you put the pierced side down, you'll find that the bottom of the potato is much more cooked than the top half -- probably because the steam gets out through the piercing, thus heating up that part of the potato.
From: Jim Kajpust (jkajpust at concentricRATS.net)
Date: 04 Feb 2001 19:36:04 GMT
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>I nuked them for years before one exploded. Then, the time I spent
>cleaning the inside of the microwave made me start piercing them with
>a fork.
Maybe it's just the holier than thou, taters I use?
From: Stan Horwitz (stan at typhoon.ocis.temple.edu)
Date: 4 Feb 2001 18:21:03 GMT
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Jim K wrote:
> I've cooked a bunch of taters in
> my microwave and have yet to blow one up because it wasn't punctured.
There's still a risk that it can happen. Same with cooking a potato in a conventional oven. Considering how ridiculously easy it is to prick a potato with a knife or fork and how it makes no difference in the finished product, there isn't any good reason not to do it.
From: judgmoore at cs.com (Judith Moore)
Date: 05 Feb 2001 20:12:26 GMT
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>BTW, I've cooked a bunch of taters in
>my microwave and have yet to blow one up because it wasn't punctured.
Just wait. And stay away from eggplants.
From: Wendy (reply at newsgroup.com)
Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2001 02:06:43 -0600
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>And don't forget to pierce it with a fork a few times.
Just curious. What happens if you dont pierce them? Do they explode? Dont feel like trying it !
From: Stan Horwitz (stan at typhoon.ocis.temple.edu)
Date: 4 Feb 2001 18:22:34 GMT
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Wendy wrote:
> Just curious. What happens if you dont pierce them?
> Do they explode? Dont feel like trying it !
A potato that's not pricked with a knife or fork can explode. This is as true in a microwave oven as it is in a conventional oven. The odds of this happening is slim, but the result is truly a mess so since it is so easy to prick a potato, why not do it?
From: Chris Nelson (chris at pinebush.com)
Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2001 08:43:23 -0500
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SoS wrote:
> Is it possible to bake a potato in a microwave?
Yes, of course. Well, sort of. The skin won't be crisp and dry as it would be if done in a "real" oven but a reasonable facsimile can be achieved.
From: Kelly Sutton (ladypenguin at i2k.com)
Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2001 09:52:13 -0500
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It seems like when you "bake" a potato in the microwave that it turns out sort of "different",
for lack of a better way of putting it. The texture seems different, it gets sort of gummy around the edges...
There's nothing like a baked potato out of the oven; it's a whole different experience from a nuked one.
From: Jeff B. (yeff at erols dot com)
Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2001 10:30:20 -0500
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Kelly Sutton wrote :
> It seems like when you "bake" a potato in the microwave that it turns out
> sort of "different",
That's because you're not baking it (no dry heat).
From: Stan Horwitz (stan at typhoon.ocis.temple.edu)
Date: 2 Feb 2001 14:01:29 GMT
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SoS (reply at newsgroup.com) wrote:
> Is it possible to bake a potato in a microwave?
Well, you can certainly cook a potato in a microwave. The results might be pleasing to you, or they might not be. Potatoes cooked in the microwave can be quite tasty as far as some people are concerned, but in my opinion, they are quite different from a potato that's actually baked in a conventional oven. The skin is different and so is the texture of the potato.
From: Leonard Lehew (leonard-lehew at nc.rr.EXTRA.JUNK.com)
Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2001 14:05:53 GMT
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SoS wrote:
>Is it possible to bake a potato in a microwave?
You can _cook_ a potato in a microwave, but it is not the same as baking. The result is more steamed that baked. If you want to try it, pierce the potato deeply with a fork in several places, and cook it in the microwave for 20-30 minutes. Some people like this, but baking in the oven produces better results. I prefer to put a light coating of peanut oil and kosher salt on the potato and bake it directly on the rack of a conventional oven.
From: cwells21 at NOSPAMhotmail.com (Cathy Wells)
Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2001 16:41:47 GMT
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SoS wrote:
>Is it possible to bake a potato in a microwave?
No. You can COOK a potato in the microwave but it won't come out the same way a baked potato comes out of a conventional oven.
What you get when you cook a potato in the microwave is essentially a steamed potato. The skin won't be dry and crispy like a baked potato, and the texture of the potato flesh is very different froma baked potato. But it's perfectly edible. Experiment with it - for an average size potato 5-7 minutes on High should do it for you.
From: Peter G. Aitken (peter at pgacon.com)
Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2001 16:43:42 GMT
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SoS wrote:
> Is it possible to bake a potato in a microwave?
You can cook a potato in the MW but not bake it. Texture won't be the same, and you can forget about a crispy skin.
From: Denise~* (denise at nexuscomputing.com)
Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2001 08:52:07 -0800
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SoS wrote:
>Is it possible to bake a potato in a microwave?
There are a bunch of great responses below, but one thing you need to remember is to pierce the skin with a fork in a couple places, and they turn out much better if you let them sit after "microing" When the sit, they continue to cook. 5 to 8 minutes depending on size of "average" potato.
From: IcemanJim at webtv.net (James Trussel)
Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2001 13:18:02 -0800 (PST)
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no one has mentioned turning the potato over.Average potato 3 min. on one side,turn it over for 3 min. on other side.
From: catmandy99 at aol.comcrap (Sheryl Rosen)
Date: 02 Feb 2001 17:35:04 GMT
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>Is it possible to bake a potato in a microwave?
The answer is: Sort of.
You can cook a potato in a microwave.
But it will be closer in texture to a boiled potato. Or, similar in texture to wrapping a potato in foil and baking it in the oven.
If you don't like crispy skins on your potato, go for it. You will really like the results. Quick and just the way you like 'em.
If you do like crispy skins, it won't be quite the same as if you baked it in the oven without foil, but it will certainly be fast, and if you're hungry, there's nothing wrong with a microwaved potato.
Just don't call it a "baked" potato.
Baking requires dry heat. You just don't get that in a microwave oven.
That's why someone said "no" to your question, because technically, it's not baking in there.
But, sure, you can cook a pototo in there.
About 3 minutes for a potato about 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. (900 watt oven).
Good luck.
Sheryl
From: Gargoylle (gargoylle at postmaster.co.uk)
Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2001 12:03:46 -0600
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>Is it possible to bake a potato in a microwave?
If you're trying to save time you can nuke for a few minutes, and toss them in a 500 degree oven to crisp the skin up. It's not the best, but it will save time. You didn't state why you want to do it in a microwave, but if you don't have an oven, a toaster oven works very well for crisping the skin. As others have stated, nothing will be like baking, or my favorite: the grill.
Gar
From: red_car at webtv.net (Gene H Baker)
Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2001 13:26:23 -0800 (PST)
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YES: it is possible to bake potatoes in a microwave, i do it all a time, just wash your potatoes and dry them good. i take a fork and punch some holes in the potato to let the steam out while cooking. then you can microwave on high setting for 5 to 7 min. they come out real good. try it.
From: Peter Parry (peter at wpp.ltd.uk)
Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2001 22:25:17 GMT
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>Is it possible to bake a potato in a microwave?
Very successfully, make sure you prod it with a fork a few times first though otherwise steam build up under the skin can cause it to split with some force (not enough to cause harm but enough to startle you and ruin your baked potato).
From: Jeff B. (yeff at erols dot com)
Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2001 18:08:20 -0500
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Peter Parry wrote:
> >Is it possible to bake a potato in a microwave?
>
> Very successfully
Really? Can I also bake a potato in a pot of boiling water?
From: j-lattie at neiu.edu
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2001 20:50:03 GMT
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Yeff wrote:
>Really? Can I also bake a potato in
>a pot of boiling water?
Uhm, er .... boiling water is boiling, not baking.
but both work
From: Jack Schidt (jack.schidt at attdotnet)
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2001 21:09:37 GMT
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Using a microwave steams a potato. The only way to bake anything is in an oven.
Jack Baked
From: judgmoore at cs.com (Judith Moore)
Date: 21 Mar 2001 19:33:12 GMT
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The last time I wasn't paying attention, someone posted a method for using a m'wave to start a baked potato which one then finished in the oven. Seemed to me to be an excellent idea -- fast-cooking m'wave advantage with oven crispy/baked outcome. Does anyone have the particulars?
From: Familie Nelles (luc.nelles at worldonline.be)
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2001 21:35:02 GMT
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Judith Moore wrote:
> The last time I wasn't paying attention, someone posted a method for using a
> m'wave to start a baked potato which one then finished in the oven.
Sure, I always do it that way. Cut them lengthwise, and put them in the microwave 'till they are almost done. Then put some garlic and rosemary on it, and put them in the over, or faster still under a grill, untill they are brown. Ria
From: Craig Bennett (theclyde at mindless.com)
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2001 15:14:01 -0600
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Yeah - I think bake was used here in a generic sense to mean cook. Sort of like kleenex is used as a term for facial tissues.
From: j-lattie at neiu.edu
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2001 21:40:53 GMT
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Craig Bennett wrote:
>Yeah - I think bake was used here in a generic sense to mean cook. Sort of
>like kleenex is used as a term for facial tissues.
But a potato would make a very poor substitute for a Kleenex.
From: Craig Bennett (theclyde at mindless.com)
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2001 15:44:40 -0600
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>But a potato would make a very poor substitute for a Kleenex.
And putting a box of kleenex in a hot oven is just asking for trouble..
From: Stan Horwitz (stan at typhoon.ocis.temple.edu)
Date: 20 Mar 2001 22:20:06 GMT
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Craig Bennett wrote:
> And putting a box of kleenex in a hot oven is just asking for trouble..
True, but I would be surprised if some people were not stupid enough to try such a stunt!
From: Craig Bennett (theclyde at mindless.com)
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2001 07:56:46 -0600
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>> And putting a box of kleenex in a hot oven is just asking for trouble..
>
>True, but I would be surprised if some people were not stupid enough
>to try such a stunt!
Before you know it there will be a warning label on your kleenex box
"Warning: This product is not a potato, and should not be baked"
From: margali (margali at 99main.com)
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001 12:54:32 -0500
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>> And putting a box of kleenex in a hot oven is just asking for trouble..
>
>True, but I would be surprised if some people were not stupid enough
>to try such a stunt!
Why not - I had a roommate decide to make a hot sandwich by putting the thing on a paper plate into my toaster oven and get very confused when it started to burn - she had been brought up with a microwave oven and had never seen a toaster oven.
Got to love kids nowadays - otherwise they would get killed off!
From: blakem at ix.netcom.com (blake murphy)
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 05:35:14 GMT
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>But a potato would make a very poor substitute for a Kleenex.
eh, don't knock it if you haven't tried it. ram one up your nose, and it takes care of that post-nasal drip...
your pal,
blake
From: Sara (sarazarr at qwest.net)
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2001 14:20:37 -0700
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Try this:
Preheat your conventional oven to 400 F. Wash 2, unblemished, firm russet potatoes. Microwave them on high for 6 minutes (or 1 potato for 4 minutes). Transfer to baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes or until tender when pierced with fork.
Best of both worlds.
From: Goose (liquiddirt at yahoo.com)
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2001 02:55:51 GMT
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Here's how I do it when in a pinch for time:
Wrap the potato's in damp paper towels. Microwave about 5 to 7 minutes for each potato. Once the microwave stops, remove the potato's and wrap with aluminum foil. Slightly squeeze the potato and let set till ready to serve. That's about as close as you can get to baked without baking :(
From: Craig Bennett (theclyde at mindless.com)
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2001 07:59:27 -0600
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Now if you want a good potato on the BBQ...
Take one box kleenex.. errr, one potato. Slice it not all the way through in 5-8 places depending on the size of the tat (be sure the bottom still holds the slices together. In each slice, insert a thin slice of onion, and a couple thin slices of garlic, and a dab of butter (I usually do the butter first). Put on a piece of aluminum foil. Lightly pepper and sprinkle with some oregano. Wrap in foil and bbq (or bake) till it is done.
From: kim977 at webtv.net (SNAKE LADY)
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 11:07:43 -0600 (CST)
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sure you can boil a potatoe in the microwave. i have for years. take a potatoe, make a small slice in the middle of it, put it in a zip lock baggy with about a inch of water and close/zip it up. be sure to poke a whole at the top of the baggy. depending on the size of your potatoe it will take anywhere from 5 to 8 minutes. you'll just have to check it and see if it's done by jabbing a fork in the potatoe.
Dont tread on the Snake Lady ! !
From: Dan (danrcan at sympatico.ca)
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 12:33:30 GMT
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> sure you can boil a potatoe in the microwave. i have for years.
Sort of pointless to "boil" a potato in a microwave.
but to bake one, saves lots of time and energy and they come out perfect.
Be sure to poke holes in it in several places with a fork.... takes about 4 minutes per potato in a 600 watt oven.
From: Edwin Pawlowski (esp at snet.net)
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 21:52:56 -0500
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You can cook a potato in a microwave, but you need an oven to bake one. Baking involves dry heat. For potatoes, this IMO, far superior as it will crisp the skin. Molecular stimulation to generate heat by friction is not baking. Not a bad way to go if pressed for time though.
Ed
From: Tom Royer (troyer at mitre.org)
Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2001 11:33:07 -0500
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> You can cook a potato in a microwave, but you need an oven to bake one.
Plus, you can save a lot of time if you nuke the potato for, maybe, 2 to 2 and a half minutes, then put it in the oven.
Only takes about half an hour for a good baked potato with crisp skin.
From: catmandy99 at aol.comcrap (Sheryl)
Date: 30 Mar 2001 02:47:13 GMT
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>You can cook a potato in a microwave, but you need an oven to bake one.
>Baking involves dry heat.
I gotta go with Ed on this one.
You can certainly COOK a potato in a microwave, and it is a tasty alternative to a boiled potato, for sure. And a decent sub for a baked potato.
But a BAKED potato requires an oven. Even a toaster oven is ok.
If you're pressed for time, a nuked potato is certainly edible--even delicious, with sour cream and Sunny Paris seasoning.
However, if you are someone who wraps your potatoes in foil before putting them in the oven, then a nuked potato is going to taste pretty much the same as a potato baked that way.
If you like crispy skins on your potatoes, which I do, then a microwave potato is going to be lacking.
Sometimes, I nuke the spud in the microwave oven, then put it into the toaster oven for a little while to crisp the skin. Saves time and the results aren't bad at all.
From: marcella at peek.org (Marcella Tracy Peek)
Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2001 17:25:29 GMT
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>You can cook a potato in a microwave, but you need an oven to bake one.
>Baking involves dry heat.
Absolutely! They do taste very different. One thing I have done when pressed for time is wash, prick with a fork, and then nuke a few potatoes in the microwave for 3-4 minutes. Then I put them in the oven at 350 for 20 minutes. It finishes the cooking and drys them out so they are fluffy.
From: jyanikX at kua.net (Jim Yanik)
Date: 2 Feb 2001 18:11:44 -0600
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>Is it possible to bake a potato in a microwave?
Don't people READ their microwave manuals? If you don't have one,visit a used book store.
From: malan6 at qwest.net (Alan)
Date: Sat, 03 Feb 2001 12:13:41 -0600
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:Is it possible to bake a potato in a microwave?
Sort of. We call them "nuked" potatoes, and they're different from ones baked in a conventional oven.
However, at 4 minutes per (versus an hour) we like the nuked ones a lot!
From: smm3 at pacbell.net (Sanford)
Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2001 17:32:47 GMT
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After nuking'em, cut'em in half and garnish with butter/margerine, cheese, scallions and seasoning to taste. Place in broiler for a couple of minutes. Quick and tasty....
From: catmandy99 at aol.comcrap (Sheryl Rosen)
Date: 04 Feb 2001 19:20:08 GMT
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Re: piercing the skin on a potato before baking or nuking
I have always, after scrubbing them, just pierced the skin with a finger nail a few times before sticking in the cooker.
If I have a lot to do, I'll take a fork and jab away, but if I only have one, I have found the fingernail trick works fine.