Subject: Potato question
Newsgroups: rec.food.cooking

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From: jjrice25[at]webtv.net (Josh)
Date: Sun, 7 Jan 2001 15:56:57 -0500 (EST)
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I feel silly asking this. It's said to pierce a potato before cooking
it. My question is how deep? Just past the skin? Half way through?

Thanks in advance,

Josh

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From: Peter G. Aitken <peter[at]pgacon.com>
Date: Sun, 07 Jan 2001 21:24:29 GMT
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>  It's said to pierce a potato before cooking
> it. My question is how deep? Just past the skin? Half way through?

As far as I know, that is necessary only when baking or microwaving whole
spuds, to let steam out. It's not crucial, but about half way will be fine.

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From: Dennis Calhoun <dcalhoun[at]blomand.net>
Date: Tue, 09 Jan 2001 01:21:38 -0600
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Peter G. Aitken wrote:
>As far as I know, that is necessary only when baking or microwaving whole
>spuds, to let steam out. It's not crucial, but about half way will be fine.

Personally I've found that when microwave baking potatoes they tend to
dry our too much. I don't pierce them at all and have started wrapping
each in microwavable Seran wrap. They turn out great!

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From: Stan Horwitz <stan[at]typhoon.ocis.temple.edu>
Date: 19 Jan 2001 22:06:14 GMT
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Dennis Calhoun wrote:
> Personally I've found that when microwave baking potatoes they tend to
> dry our too much. I don't pierce them at all and have started wrapping
> each in microwavable Seran wrap. They turn out great!

I suspect you'll be weened from that habit the first time one of your
baked potatoes explodes on you. Experience is the best teacher. 

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From: Michael <dog3[at]mindspring.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2001 20:17:31 -0600
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Stan Horwitz Wrote:
> I suspect you'll be weened from that habit the first time one of your
> baked potatoes explodes on you. Experience is the best teacher.

Dude, I agree with Stan.  Wrapping them in Saran wrap and not
piercing them for moisture to escape?  I think I'd rather move
than clean up the mess.