Microwaving is often the go-to for quick and easy cooking, but it can be a little frustrating if you don’t have enough space to fit everything, or if you’re trying to set a timer for more than one item at a time. Potatoes are a good example of this dilemma, as microwaving more than one can be difficult to manage.
You can microwave two potatoes at once, or even more than that, just as long as you have enough space and make the proper adjustments.
This article looks at the mechanics of microwaving multiple potatoes, and what you’ll need to watch for.
Table of Contents
Can You Microwave Two Potatoes At Once?
To some extent, this may depend on the size of your microwave. Unless you’ve got one of the smaller models on the market, using your microwave to cook two potatoes at once is very doable.
The trick is figuring out how to arrange them, and how much time they need. You’ll also need a way to be sure when they’re done.
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What’s the Best Way to Microwave Two Potatoes At Once?
First things first, you’ll want to try and get two potatoes that are close to the same size. Otherwise, they won’t finish at the same time.
Wash your potatoes thoroughly.
Poke each potato 5-6 times with a fork, being sure to puncture the skin.
Place potatoes on a microwave safe plate.
Microwave on high for about 10 minutes.
Check to see if they’re done.
How Do I Know if My Potatoes Are Done?
There are a couple of methods.
One is to poke the potato with a fork or knife. If it sinks in easily, this is usually a sign that the potatoes are done.
Another is to squeeze the sides, or the ends of the potato after cutting a shallow line across the top. If the potato opens up softly and easily, it’s done.
If the potatoes offer much resistance in either case, they aren’t cooked all the way through.
What Should I Do if My Potatoes Aren’t Done After 10 Minutes?
This can happen if you have a lower wattage microwave, or if you have larger potatoes.
Pop them back in for another minute or two and repeat the process until they are done.
Note: For very large potatoes, like you might be served in a restaurant, you may want to start by microwaving two potatoes for 15-16 minutes.
Why Do I Need to Poke Holes in My Baked Potato Before Microwaving?
During the microwaving process, a lot of steam builds up inside the skin of a potato. If you don’t poke a few holes to allow the steam to vent, there’s a risk that your potato will explode.
Exploding potatoes are dangerous and can result in severe burns if they come in contact with bare skin.
As an added benefit, the sound of steam venting from the holes – a whistling sound like a boiling tea kettle – will let you know when your potatoes are getting fairly close to done.
Other Safety Instructions:
– Always use tongs or oven mitts when removing baked potatoes from a microwave. Those potatoes are deceptively hot.
What Are the Benefits to Microwaving Potatoes?
Microwaved baked potatoes are done much faster than the traditional oven baking method. They’re also easier to keep an eye on.
Microwaving food doesn’t produce the same amount of heat that baking in an oven does. This can be important in summer, especially if you live in a hot climate.
Microwaving takes much less effort and skill for novices in the kitchen, or those who aren’t particularly savvy with cooking implements.
Once you have the method down, you can be sure of always getting nice, fluffy baked potatoes this way, where a moment of inattention to regular baking, or an alteration in placement, might result in a different outcome.
What Are the Downsides to Microwaving Potatoes?
You can’t do a whole lot of them. For medium potatoes, the limit is generally about 5, and that’s if you have a large microwave or a really good method of arranging them close together.
Microwaving isn’t an ideal method if you’re trying to cook for a large gathering. On the other hand, if you’re looking at a small family dinner of 5 or less people, then it works great.
The other downside is that your baked potatoes won’t come out with that crispy skin that traditional methods give you. The skin of a microwaved baked potato will be about the same texture as when it went in.
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Are There Any Other Tips For Microwaving Baked Potatoes?
– Some people advocate covering them with a damp paper towel to keep them from losing too much steam, which can make the skin look kind of wrinkled.
– There are ‘microwave potato bags’ that you can buy in stores like
These bags have an added benefit of being easier to remove from the microwave than a plate.
Other Tips and Tricks:
– some individuals advocate seasoning the outside of your potatoes before you put it in the microwave, to get a little more flavor and crispiness.
To do this, the most common method is to rub your potatoes with a mix of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
You can also add other herbs if you want, such as rosemary, which is a common addition to roasted potatoes.
– You can also pause your baking midway through to rotate or flip your potatoes. Doing this will ensure they bake more evenly, which is especially handy when you’re baking larger potatoes.
Unless you’ve got a tiny microwave or a HUGE potato in mind, it’s fairly easy to microwave two or more potatoes for a tasty, quick, and easy addition to any meal.
With a few simple steps, the proper precautions, and a quarter of an hour or less, you can sit down to enjoy perfectly done baked potatoes any way you like them.
References
https://www.familyfoodonthetable.com/10-minute-baked-potatoes/
https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-bake-a-potato-in-the-microwave-226751
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