Bake a Potato in the Microwave

__FORCEADV__ Can't be bothered to use the oven or get a pot, fill it up with water and watch it boil? Well, this is a faster way to bake a potato.

Steps

 * 1) Wash and dry the potato.
 * 2) Poke holes in the potato to vent steam (alternate method: make a deep 'X' cut into the long side with a knife).
 * 3) Wrap the potato in a WET paper towel (this keeps the moisture in the potato and keeps it from shrinking up). Put it on a plate and put it into the microwave.
 * 4) When using a 1200 Watt microwave, set the timer to 3:00 for a very small potato; set it to 4:30 for a medium-sized potato; and set it to 6:00 for a large potato. Huge potatoes require 7 to 8 minutes.
 * 5) The microwave should stop before the potato is soft enough for eating and while it is still slightly firm deep inside.
 * 6) Let the potato stand for five minutes. This allows the inside of the potato to finish cooking with the hot steam that is trapped inside; this helps it to become fluffy inside without over-drying the outer portion. Wrapping it in aluminum foil after taking it out of the microwave will speed this up.
 * 7) After waiting for the passive cooking, you now have a baked potato ready to eat.
 * 8) Cut open the potato and garnish with your choice of butter; parsley; green onions or chives; sour cream; cheese; crispy bacon. For a complete meal top the potato with chilli or scrambled eggs.

Alternate Method

 * 1) Wash the potato. Do not allow it to dry. It is rather good for the potato to be damp.
 * 2) Poke holes in the potato.
 * 3) Wrap the potato in two layers of plastic wrap.
 * 4) Set the microwave for seven minutes.

Tips

 * Make sure the potato has the correct softness when it is first taken out. You can use a fork or sharp knife to test the center. If the potato is too hard, you can microwave it a minute or so longer. If it is already soft enough for eating, cut it open immediately and cook for less time on your next try.
 * If you want to bake more than one potato, don't fully double the time. Using a 1200 Watt microwave, each extra small potato takes about 2 minutes, per potato. Each extra medium potato takes about 3 minutes, per potato.  Each extra large potato takes about 4:30 minutes, per potato.  Huge potatoes require 7 to 8 minutes each.
 * Lengthen the time when using microwaves with less power. An 800 Watt microwave requires 1.5 times the microwaving time.
 * Using a rotating carousel for microwaving is the best way to get the potato evenly cooked all around. If you don't have a rotating carousel, pause your microwave twice during the microwaving time, and manually turn the potato a half turn each time.   To decide when to turn the potato, divide the cooking time into 3 fairly equal units.
 * Some microwaves have a "baked potato" button; use that when in doubt.
 * If you are in a rush, you can cut open the potato immediately after the microwave stops, add your toppings (or not), and then do the final cooking in the microwave by microwaving another 30 to 60 seconds.
 * Try using parchment paper to wrap the potato in rather than plastic wrap. That way you don't have to worry about the wrap melting and the parchment paper can be saved and re-used.
 * To add flavor to your potato skin, try rubbing the potato with olive oil, kosher salt (or sea salt - you want something rough that will scrape the skin just a little), and basil before you start microwaving it.
 * You may also want to try making yourself a "Potato Sack". Sometimes it makes cooking the potatoes quicker.

Warnings

 * The plate will be rather hot, so use a towel to take out the plate.
 * Do not wrap the potato in metal foil while it is inside the microwave; this could cause sparking that damages the interior surface of your microwave.
 * If you overcook the potato it will burn or it could explode.
 * When using the saran wrap method, take care to use a brand that will not melt. Make sure it is microwave safe.
 * Also, the saran wrap will be VERY HOT! Be careful when removing the potato from the microwave.
 * Remove saran wrap carefully with a sharp knife.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Bake Potatoes
 * How to Make Tasty Home Style Fries
 * How to Cook Bacon in the Microwave
 * How to Make Chocolate Fondue in the Microwave
 * How to Clean a Microwave