Perfect baked potatoes

[Morning Glory]

A baked potato is simple fare and can make a complete meal with a topping and side salad. But what is the best way to cook them? Please add your tips and tricks.

N.B. if you have a whole detailed recipe please post as a new thread and link back here.

 

[Morning Glory]

I generally microwave first (but that is to save time) then finish in the oven, rubbed with olive oil and salt.

 

[badjak]

I really love them next to a wood or charcoal fire. Either in alu foil or without.
The without needs a lot of TLC though.
Otherwise in the oven, rubbed with salt and olive oil.
The microwave variety is just not the same

 

[SoCalZone10]

I just put them in the microwave.

 

[badjak]

I just put them in the microwave.

Have you ever tried the oven one?
The microwaved one resembles the boiled potato in my opinion

 

[SoCalZone10]

No, i’m not a potato fan, plus in California, the oven produces heat and sometime we don’t want heat, we have to pay to pump heat out via A/C

 

[Barriehie]

No, i’m not a potato fan, plus in California, the oven produces heat and sometime we don’t want heat, we have to pay to pump heat out via A/C

I like baked potatoes but feel you on the oven and AC thing. I don't like turning the oven on unless its winter.

 

[badjak]

No, i’m not a potato fan, plus in California, the oven produces heat and sometime we don’t want heat, we have to pay to pump heat out via A/C

I just started my outdoor woodfire and it's currently 36 oC
(97 F)

 

[badjak]

I just started my outdoor woodfire and it's currently 36 oC
(97 F)

I do understand though.
I just don't have much of a choice as no AC..
So either it's hot, or it's hot

 

[SoCalZone10]

I’m spoiled, I live in a moderate area, we’re coastal, so the weather is mild most of the time.

 

[Wombat457]

Generally the one someone else bakes

 

[Morning Glory]

Have you ever tried the oven one?
The microwaved one resembles the boiled potato in my opinion

Yeah, the perfect baked potato needs a crispy skin.

The microwave can really speed up cooking to partially or even almost cook them, so then the oven doesn't need to be on too long if you are saving energy and in a hot climate.

 

[SoCalZone10]

Yeah, the perfect baked potato needs a crispy skin.

The microwave can really speed up cooking to partially or even almost cook them, so then the oven doesn't need to be on too long if you are saving energy and in a hot climate.

I don't think I eat the skin, I use Russet potatoes. One time my husband and daughter ate the skin, I hate to warn them, I didn’t properly scrub them, lol.

 

[Barriehie]

I always eat the skin. Lots of nutrition.

 

[SoCalZone10]

I always eat the skin. Lots of nutrition.

Yeah, but the other potatoes, not the Russets, it’s hard to tell whether they are clean or not. I eat the skin of red and the white potatoes.