Subject: Baking Potatoes in Microwave
Newsgroups: rec.food.cooking

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From: cara1158 at aol.com (Cara)
Date: 8 Sep 1998 01:39:49 GMT
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I new to this ng, so excuse me if this has been asked/answered before.

Lately I notice when I nuke a potato, it comes out with a very hard, leathery spot or two, while the rest of the potato is cooked through. I don't recall that I used to have this trouble w/ the microwave, so I don't know if it's something w/ my new, smaller microwave or what. I don't know offhand, but it's probably 600 or 700 watts, w/ a turntable, if either of that makes any difference. I usually nuke a potato for 10 minutes (having pierced the skin beforehand and wrapped in damp paper towel) -- used to work great but, like I said, lately it's coming out cooked but w/ these leathery inedible parts.
Suggestions, anyone?

Thanks!

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From: Ramone at worldnet.att.net (Ramone)
Date: 8 Sep 1998 01:58:53 GMT
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If they're leathery rather than crunchy, you may be overcooking them. Ten minutes sounds long to me. I always cook potatoes six minutes each, then let them set a few minutes as they will continue to steam for a while after the MW cuts off.

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From: ericp at mindspring.com (eric pearson)
Date: Tue, 08 Sep 1998 02:29:12 GMT
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Cara,
My older microwave was about 750-800W. I would do the potatoes about 5-6 mins per. If I wanted a Special Treat I would then put them into a *Very* hot oven (450+) for a few minutes (5 tops) afterwards to crisp up the skins. If you cook potatoes in uwave only, there is a neat device for placing 1-4 potatoes at sort of an angle. It helps. And ... KILL THE DAMP PAPER TOWEL!!!!!. That is a guarantee to make the skin a disgusting inedible substance. And yes, in all cases I used a turntable.

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From: Liam (Charlie) (saiga at concentric.net)
Date: 08 Sep 1998 01:35:37 PDT
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Cara, hard, leathery spots can occur if you forget to turn the potato over halfway through cooking. Also, I wouldn't use the damp paper towel - piercing the skin with a fork is good. If you cook "baked" potatoes in the microwave often you might want to invest a small amount of $ to purchase a microwave potato holder - they work very well for 1 to 4 potatoes. Some like to put a little oil or shortening on the potato - I don't care for the results but you might like to try it. 10 minutes cooking time sounds right for a large potato. I like HUGE potatoes and cook mine for 13 minutes.