Idle question. I’ve always heard that you need to prick the skins before baking a potato. The potential consequence for failure to do so is a catastrophic potato explosion.

Has anyone had this happen to them?

    • ArtieShaw@kbin.socialOP
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      10 months ago

      No. I’ve got a couple in the oven right now because the weather is cold. In warmer times I’ve been using an air fryer.

      • WeeSheep@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        10 months ago

        I was under the impression it only really happens in the microwave. The oven heats it slower so it might get a crack to let the steam out, but a microwave is so quick it can get a small portion that seems to “explode” enough to get a bit of potato on the inside of the microwave.

        • Perfide@reddthat.com
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          edit-2
          10 months ago

          It’s not just that. Ovens cook with heat originating outside of the food, so the skin cooks(and cracks) before the inside gets hot enough to detonate. Microwaves on the other hand cook by exciting water molecules inside the food, and since the inside of the potato has way more moisture than the skin, it heats up much faster than the skin does.

          • ThisIsNotHim@sopuli.xyz
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            10 months ago

            Microwaves still cook from the outside in, but yes, mostly only excite water.

            I believe this came up in another ATK thing, but can’t track it down at the moment.