Microwave Problems

How do I bake a potato in a microwave oven?

I have an old microwave oven that is not powerful (800-900 Watts), and I've got a potato that is on the large side. I know you poke it with fork holes to give it some breathing room. How long do you cook it, in order for it to be fully cooked?

Public Comments

1. Well there is something that i do sometimes when i don't feel like boiling a potato. Put the potato in a regular plastic grocery bag and tie the knot. Now microwave it for 5-6 minutes and you will have a potato cooked through. It sounds crazy but it works.
2. Poke some holes in it with a fork, put in the microwave on a plate or paper towel for 5 minutes. Check the potato. If it's not fully cooked, put it back in for another 2 minutes. Check it again. Zap it some more if it's still not done. You'll just have to try a few times until you get a feel for that specific microwave oven.
3. if it is a big potato & your microwave is low powered....wash it....jab it all over with a fork...put it into the microwave for about 5 mins....take it out...turn it over....and do another 5 mins...then it should be done. if not...put it back & do a couple of minutes at a time until the centre is soft. i then brush it wil olive oil & put it into a hot oven to brown it off & make it crispy skinned.
4. Poke the potato a few times with a fork first so the steam can escape and them place in the microwave for 5 minutes; this may be more or less time depending on your microwave and the size of the potato.
5. Okay Potatoes are great in the microwave so you poked holes in it and your ready it should be cooked for about 6 to 7 minutes then poke it with fork and see if cooked through if not 2 minutes more will do the trick
6. Cook for five minutes, turn it over & give it another four minutes, that should be enough but give it a squeeze, if the skin has loosened & it "gives" you are done!
7. I actually don't like potatoes baked in the microwave. The ends can easily get overcooked, resulting in a kind of cardboard texture that's lava hot. I use just the conventional oven. But, in the past I have done a kind of hybrid, where I cook the potato on high (as everyone else has suggested with the fork holes, etc.) for a few minutes and then finish it up in a conventional oven at about 400 for a half hour (wrapped in foil). This prevents the overcooked ends and it cooks a lot more evenly.
8. Yes, poke it with holes then cook it on HIGH for about 5-7 minutes. Remove carefully with oven mitts or a kitchen towel. Wrap in aluminum foil for another 5 min. It should be done by then because it steams in the foil. One of the other posters stated that they put their potato in a regular supermarket plastic bag. I personally wouldn't recommend this as toxins are released from most plastics when exposed to extreme heat. Toxins + Food = Bad Idea (just my two cents). If you want to steam something in the microwave, you could always buy glass or plastic cooking equipment designed specifically for steaming foods in the microwave.
9. Hi Coolquit, thats a very easy lunch or dinner when we dont have time.... so my friend my microwave is not powerful either so wash very good and make few holes with a folk wrap with paper towel the potatoes , so depends on the size of the potato and the microwave so 8 to 10 minutes and turn it sides.... butter it and some cream cheese and wala mm good and quick buen provecho
10. i usually cook mine for 8-10 Min's and check it with a fork, you'll know if its cooked