really necessary?Mine have worked simply by wrapping the potato in the wet huck towel then leaving it in micro for a few minutes at a time..Just wondering before I go purchase the batting.

I'm so glad you posted this....I have bought all my supplies a while back and I'm going to make some potato bags....now I have a lot more information....No one said what they sold there bags for and I'm curious....thanks

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by theduchess 21 Apr 2011

Most I had seen sold anywhere from $5.99 to 9.99 at Flea Mkts, craft shows, shops.

I commented on here already but came back to read all the comments since then and quite a few saying nothing like baking in reg oven.
Only problem is you're heating up a big oven for one or two potatoes - what a waste of power and heating up of your kitchen. I haven't made them in the reg oven for a long time because of this and am now back to making baked potatoes. At first we did them in the microwave with piercing them and then placing them on a paper towel and turning over 1/2 way done. Now I just wash and put in potato bag. So quick and easy and if I start ahead of my husband I just leave them in the bag and fold it over to make sure the heat stays in and it stays nice and hot until we are ready to eat. Very good.

I wash my potatoes and wrap them in a dry towel to absorb the moisture that comes out of the potato. There's a lot there.

I love all the replies. It's so much fun to read how other people do things. I did so love the skin when we used the regular oven. I quit eating it long ago when we went to the microwave. But now I just cut the potato down the long way with my fork and then mush up the center of each half and put on the butter. Then cute a bite off and eat the whole thing. I've even put one in for lunch and walked around holding half the potato and eating as I go. I love the things. And don't want anything but butter on mine. Have a nephew who hates butter, so he just eats the potato with nothing. UCK. But as I said you won't believe the difference and the great potato you get using the bag. I've been telling people for 2 summers now and always have somebody come up to hear me and say that I'm 100% right. Had a woman who came up the first week I worked last year and didn't have very many to sell. Not a big selection of fabrics. She bought one. Came back the next week for 6 more. It was a good month before I got around to making more and she was there every week looking for her 6 more. And it's funny, I never sell just one. People either buy 2 or more or someone with them buys one. I know a lady who makes them who demos with a microwave right there. Let me tell you she sells them like mad. I just can't make enough to do that. It's just me. She has her daughter doing them, too.

Will just add my little bit. I do the potato's in a plastic bag, with a little hole in the corners to let extra steam out. There is just enough steam to keep the potato nice and soft, steam for a few minute's and leave to stand for about a minute. Must say, I also like the crispy baked potato, but when time is limited, this one works for me.

Have never heard of this and curiously asked the searchengine:
http://nanasknoll.blogspot.com/20...
Thank you, time saver in the kitchen - more stiching time ;-)
regards Sue

I have only ever sprayed potatoes with water, after pricking all over the skin with a fork.
I also lay a piece of paper towel on top of them.
CMicro on high for 1/2 the appropriate time, turn them over cook the balance of time and alow to stand for 1/2 the cooking time before serving.
Sometimes I will wrap each one individually in foil FOR THE STANDING TIME.
Then cut a cross through foil and potato to add sour cream and chives before serving.
hugs and roses, Meganne

Stella, it is so good to see you and your beautiful avatar back. Have missed you. Afraid that I cannot help with the potato thing. Sarah.

1 comment

by theduchess 21 Apr 2011

Ohh How nice someone missed me.Glad to see I stirred everyone up about the potatoes.!

hmmmmmmmm, for some reason I want a baked potato with sour cream and butter LOL
Bev

I have read NOT TO USE POLYESTER THREAD, it must be COTTON. Will cause a meltdown of the thread.

So be careful, do a little more investigating, before you try it.

I read somewhere that they have a new kind of batting for this, but I don't remember what it's called or where I saw it. I'm not much help, am I?LOL

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by mysugarfootswife 21 Apr 2011

It's called Warm Tater and it's the SAME thing as Warm n Natural. Only difference is the size on the bolt.
http://www.warmcompany.com/warmta...

I sometimes wet a white paper towel and wrap a hotdog in it and nuke it. Good eating!!

I have been 'baking' potatoes in the microwave for over 20 years by simply scrubbing drying poking with a fork and placing in the micorwave, medium power, to cook. There is no reason at all to wrap the potato, wrapping was to stop it 'exploding' which it does not do if you have stabbed it to release the pressure as it cooks. .Helen

Some of these bags have been known to catch on fire, therefore some of the site that were selling designs for the bags have taken them down. Like everything else you have to use caution. We just use dry paper towels here and get great results.

I just score the potato and put it on the microwave plate. Really don't see why you would need a bag???

1 comment

by mysugarfootswife 21 Apr 2011

You would not believe the difference. So much better. Honestly.

Thanks for all the information.I've heard dry paper towel, wet paper towel.
So I will experiment with both.

2 comments

by tbbender 20 Apr 2011

wet papertowel is the way to go. When cooking with a microwave it needs moisture. When reheating a piece of steak, little water on plate and cover. Cook for 1 min or less depending on power of unit and you will still have a pink piece of meat if not overheated.

by mysugarfootswife 21 Apr 2011

The batting in the bag does the same as the wet paper towel. Holds the steam in the bag.

hmmm...I have never heard of these-guess I will have to google it. I have always done like Anita-washing and piercing the potato and putting on a microwave safe plate-or sometimes on a piece of damp paper towel.What is the purpose in the bag? ~linda~

6 comments

by bevintex 20 Apr 2011

Do you remember the good old days when you actually had to put it directly in the oven?
Bev

by lindalee757 20 Apr 2011

they were actually the best darned baked potatoes-crispy skins that you scooped the potatoes out- put butter, salt n' pepper in the skins as well as on the potatoes and ate the skins-the skins were the best part of the potato!! ~linda~

by lerman 20 Apr 2011

absolutely... the skins are best! I don't bake in the micro at all - in case I don't have time to wait for the oven, I do somethings else.
But I suppose the batting helps to create a foggy environment so the potato gets soft better? greetings / Peggy
(I'm certainly baking potatoes tonite....)

by elizabethak 20 Apr 2011

It's amazing how reliant we've become on Microwave ovens. I only use my tio reheat or defrost(sometimes). I have a convection oven - a huge glass bowl with a lid that blows hot air. You can set the temperature and the time and leave to cook. Almost as good as a normal oven. Have roasted, baked etc. Made muffins and bread. Uses far less electricity. Flowers for everyone. Hugs Elizabeth

by airyfairy 21 Apr 2011

I also only put my potatoes in the oven. I have a tiny little work top oven which is perfect for potatoes. I hate microwaves - having said that I would not like to be without it.......

by meganne 21 Apr 2011

I actually prefer potatoes cooked directly in the hot coals of a bonfire.
Ah those were the days when we had cracker night and a community bonfire.
Everyone collected materials to make the bonfire, old tyres, old broken furniture, fallen tree branches, and of course there was always an effigy at the top and our parents all stood around and supervised, unlike parents of today who are far too busy for such childish nonsense.
Then of course when the fire died down everyone had a potato to cook in the coals, the outside would be burnt black, then inside was the hard crispy part and then inside that the soft white fluffy potato. I think I'm going to have to build a fire just to experience that one more time. YUM!

BTW duchess, good to see you around again/Lillian

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by theduchess 20 Apr 2011

Thanks Glad to be sorta back.Missed everyone!!

I too have been making these for some time & YES EVERYTHING MUST BE 100% COTTON EVEN THE WARM & NATURAL IS 100% COTTON! If you make these round instead of square then you can put tortillas in them too GREAT WAY TO KEEP THEM WARM & THEN THEY DON'T GO HARD EITHER! ( as I leave them in the bag until I need one!

I make them to sell. I don't think it would be the same without the batting. Remember if it ain't broke don't fix it. And this works, super great.

Everything must be 100% cotton. NO polyester of any kind. I've heard some horror stories about them melting and a fire. We've been using one for over a year and no problem. The potato is so soft and moist. You can split it with a fork. Outstanding. Not hard. I can eat the peal again!

Warm n Natural is the batting. And they now have Warm n White. Same stuff.

Let me tell you a funny. Friend lives in a retirement community in Florida. The quilting group was going to make them to sell. BUT one resident said that her's EXPLODED in the microwave. She made it so it was all cotton. Come on, give me a break. Cotton can not explode unless it's wrapped around a stick of dynamite! But this lady said that you have to use the new batting. Never use the warm n natural. I did the research. IT'S THE SAME THING! Same content, 100% cotton. Made by the same company! Difference, it's sized to fit the bags. Not a lot of cutting. Well, for the difference in price, I'll cut. My friend wrote me to stop making them until she got back to me with the full story. Horse feathers! The old lady either wrapped the potato in foil or left a pin in the bag from sewing. Check out their site and compare the two.

You do not prick the potato. Wash, dry and wrap in a dry paper towel. Then put in the bag. Cook same as if it wasn't in the bag. Remember when you take it out, THE BAG IS HOT. You will enjoy baked potatoes again. Just like cooked in a real oven.

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by lbrow 20 Apr 2011

I'll bet she had insul brite cotton, that you use for hot pads & mits & that's why it exploded because this has metal in it./Lillian

I just poke with a fork or knife and place on a plate in the microwave. Have tried a spray oil and sprinkled on some salt but the salt popped all over the microwave. Does putting them in a bag make any difference? Do you have to wet the bag?

I have one that I bought at a garage sale and I asked the lady who made them and she said it was a particular kind of batting and told me what it was but I don't remember as I didn't plan on making any.
I can put more than one potato in it at a time. I've put up to four - as long as the opening closes.
Although, I'm sure I saw something from a cutie a while ago about potato bakers not being safe as they catch fire.

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by teddybear117 20 Apr 2011

Quite some time back I posted the type of batting used, it was new and safe in the microwave but for the life of me I can't remember what it was or where from.

all material needs to be 100% cotton and let the bag cool between baking if making more than one for a meal

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by theduchess 20 Apr 2011

Yes Huck toweling is 100% cotton. Was just wondering if the batting is really necessary though.Seems as pointless as ling an inside pocket for a purse.