The Perfect Baked Potato

[mittshel]

How do you make the perfect baked potato? I don't mean all the stuff to put on top, just the best baking technique. Thanks. Betsy.

[Rob Babcock]

Gently scrub the dirt off, brush with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake. That's about it! It comes out nicer in a convection oven IMO.

[miniman]

Long slow baking.

[amelina]

I have tried this procedure before and have gotten this from a food magazine.. The boiling and baking really works wonders. They even offered a variety of dips..

Boil potatoes in a pot of salted water for 20 minutes. Drain and dry. Brush potatoes with vegetable oil and arrange in a foil-lined aluminum pan. Make a deep X cut on top of each potato. Put in 400 F oven for 20 minutes... Serve with dip of choice..

[GB]

I scrub them well and let them dry. I coat them with just a little bit of oil and then toss with kosher salt. I just just enough oil to get the salt to stick. They go into 350 degree oven for about an hour.

[Chef Mark]

I agree w/ both Rob and GB but I will try amelina's method next time I bake some at home

[GB]

A way to speed up the cooking is to insert a clean nail into the center of the potato before cooking. The oven will heat up the nail and transfer the heat to the middle of the potato so that it cooks from the outside, but also from the inside. Do not try this if you are using a microwave though.

[pacanis]

I'm a big fan of rubbing it with butter or oil and seasoning the outside with s & p, but done on the grill is my favorite. I like a skin you need to cut with a knife and I like grill marks. Roll it on the counter to help soften the insides before cutting it.

[Andy M.]

Originally Posted by GB

A way to speed up the cooking is to insert a clean nail into the center of the potato before cooking. The oven will heat up the nail and transfer the heat to the middle of the potato so that it cooks from the outside, but also from the inside. Do not try this if you are using a microwave though.

Another way to speed up baking potatoes is to microwave them for about 3 minutes each then bake them. I use a 400F oven. Be sure to poke some holes in the potatoes with a knife or fork before microwaving.

[GB]

How much time do you find that cuts the oven time by Andy?