It's been quiet in the Lounge lately.

[rug]

Let's fix that.

The correct way to bake a potato.

4 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Unlimited
	4 hours at 250 degrees
	1 (25%)
	90 minutes at 350 degrees
	1 (25%)
	10 mintes at full power in the microwave
	2 (50%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[Tobin S.]

1. I had to go with the microwave option, rug.

We just ain't got time for that fancy oven baking around here.

[rug]

3. I usually avoid the whole thing and get french fries at the drivethru.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear rug...

[rug]

4. I see you went with the tried and true method, Peggy.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. I did, because it gets the best results!

[cwydro]

50. ditto

[lovemydog]

5. Why isn't there an option for 132 degrees for 74 hours?

WHY RUG? WHY?

[rug]

6. Because we don't live on Venus.

I see you chose the slow and steady route.

[lovemydog]

7. Yeah, well that's your opinion.

Yeah, slow and steady. I don't use a microwave.

[In_The_Wind]

8. I like things peaceful. It's easier to nap when teh lounge is quite.

[rug]

11. Blessed are the peacemakers . . . .

[LiberalElite]

19. I wonder why

they didn't just use the "baked potato" button.

[PosterChild]

9. I tried the microwave once...

...something went wrong . The aluminum foil kept sparking !

[rug]

12. Lol, I can see that easily happening.

[taterguy]

10. Just what the fuck do you mean by that?

Damn right I'm taking this personally.

What other possible interpretation is there?

[rug]

13. I haven't seen such an outburst since waterboarding was the topic in GD.

[taterguy]

53. Not much of an apology

Are you trying to antagonize me?

I'm gonna start a thread about carpet preferences.

Goose, meet gander.

[rug]

54. That would be like me starting a poll about arugula.

A carpet is not a rug. Plebeian.

[taterguy]

55. You wouldn't dare . . .

start a poll about arugula.

Go ahead.

Make my day.

[rug]

57. You're on, spud.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018715416

[taterguy]

58. I'll see you in hell

[rug]

59. !

[taterguy]

68. . . .

[Tuesday Afternoon]

52. ... lol ...

[taterguy]

56. . . . .

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

14. Sitting at the table with good Merlot...

...while someone else who knows the answer does it. I can make an excellent omelet but can't bake a potato to save my life.

[rug]

17. That's my solution tom the dishwashing problem.

[antiquie]

16. 400° one hour in foil in the toaster oven

two potatoes or three

[rug]

18. Ooh, I hadn't considered the toaster oven.

Also, camping I've sometimes thrown a few wrapped potatoes on the fire. Never got the timing down though.

[NightWatcher]

20. wrap it in foil, place it one your engine block and drive off a cliff

Who eats baked potatoes, what is this the Sizzler?

[rug]

21. Everyone eats baked potatoes. The better question is who eats the skin.

[fizzgig]

22. i love baked potato skin

chom chom chom chom

[rug]

24. The one time I didn't burn the damn thing, I'd agree with you.

[antiquie]

23. Love it, but eating skin depends on the source of the tater.

[rug]

25. Idaho?

[antiquie]

34. Organic Russet Potatoes

Trader Joe's Organic Russet Potatoes come not from Peru but from Colorado (and they're descended from a cultivar with roots in Central Europe), where they are cultivated according to strict organic regulations—meaning, among other things, that they're grown without the use of chemical pesticides.

[rug]

35. Geez, that sounds like a Nazi eugenics program.

[antiquie]

37. No, it's okay, really.

They're not Rockefeller taters.
You can trust me...

[rug]

39. Thank you. I feel much better.

[R B Garr]

45. The skin is the best part! Super Bowl Sunday is also

potato skin day. I make my annual potato skins with Ranch dressing dip, and it's the only day of the year I make those. Can't wait!

[CTyankee]

26. Put em in the microwave. I dunno how long...at what level...

I don't do them. I boil raw potatoes and mash them up with sweet butter and a little milk. Some pepper. No salt (I have high bp). Delicious!

[rug]

27. Yeah, I'll take mashed potatoes over baked any time.

[magical thyme]

49. yup. world's #1 comfort food.

except I have low bp, so can have salted butter. mmm...mmmm...mmm

[Major Nikon]

28. Bake until the internal temperature reaches 210F

[rug]

30. The day I stick a thermometer in my food is the day I'll shoot myself.

[Bagsgroove]

29. Higher heat--shorter time

To me the best part of a baked potato is the skin, and I like it kind of crunchy. So--high heat, shorter time. If you don't eat the skin you may prefer lower heat-longer time for more evenly cooked innards...but crunchy skin is the way to go.

But whatever you do, don't wrap it in foil. That gives you a wet nasty steamed potato, not a baked potato.

[rug]

31. You may be the one to answer this.

How long do you keep a potato in a campfire?

[Bagsgroove]

36. Not much of a campfire guy...

And I imagine you would have to wrap them to cook them that way (I never wrap them).

The only way I know to tell if a baked potato is done is to squeeze it. At 400 degrees it takes about 45 minutes to cook an average-to-large russet.

[rug]

38. Squeeze it. That makes sense.

If it wasn't a red hot potato.

[R B Garr]

32. Microwaving makes them gummy.

They need a good bake job. I only microwave them when I'm cooking them in other things like a country/farmer's omelet or something like that.

[rug]

33. "They need a good bake job."

Lol, don't we all.

I never heard that expression before.

[R B Garr]

44. Now that you mention it...

I've never heard it before either, but I kinda like it.

[lovemydog]

40. I once tried making 'Half-Baked Alaska'

Threw some ice cream in a broiler. Fell asleep high.

I don't recommend this recipe.

[Bagsgroove]

41. aw heck...I thought there was a Sarah Palin joke coming hehe

[lovemydog]

42. She's 9/10 baked.

[R B Garr]

43. Wait, you feel asleep high?

lol, no recipes come out too great that way.

[lovemydog]

46. Yes. And you are correct.

No recipes come out too great that way. Fortunately a housemate noticed and turned off the oven.

[Ramses]

47. Instant potatoes is the answer

just add water and milk and lots of butter.

[rug]

48. !

[olddots]

51. 146 hours in the clothes dryer ?

Naw the micro wave works fine if you turn the potato over .a few times

[csziggy]

60. Cut into chunks, toss with olive oil and choice of seasonings, and bake for 40-60 mins at 350 F

Spread out on a cookie sheet. Crispy outsides, soft inside and loads of flavor.

[rug]

61. That sounds pretty good.

[csziggy]

63. It started out with the Lipton Recipe Secrets Oven Roasted Potatoes

But since I've gone on to use my own seasonings - various herbs & spices depending on my mood and what the potatoes will be served with. No recipe - I just open my spice drawer and sprinkle stuff on!

I like it best with red potatoes - leaving the skins on. But I prefer waxy potatoes best anyway.

This last time I made potato salad with the leftovers - with the potatoes pre-seasoned, the salad came out better than usual.

[Baitball Blogger]

62. We will wake from our hibernation on February 7th.

[47of74]

64. Well, I was going to select stick it in a fusion reactor for 10 seconds.

But that wasn't an option here.

[Laffy Kat]

65. Crock pot option for me. Easy-peasy.

Rub taters with olive oil and sea salt. Stab each with a fork a few times. Wrap them up in foil. Stick in the crock pot on low. Go to work. Come home and enjoy.

[Skittles]

66. I will kick the ass of anyone willing to bake a potato for four freaking hours

let's just get that out there

[rug]

67. I'm with you.

Goddam slow food people.