I made 10-minute, 1-hour, and 10-hour baked potatoes, and I no longer trust methods that don't involve an oven

Paige BennettFeb 9, 2024, 23:35 IST

I tested three recipes for baked potatoes.Paige Bennett

I tried recipes for 10-minute, 1-hour, and 10-hour baked potatoes to see which was worth it.
I thought the 10-minute microwave recipe was fine but wasn't a fan of the 10-hour slow-cooker one.

Growing up, it was usually fastest for my mom to throw baked potatoes in the microwave before we piled toppings on them.

When I struck out on my own, I started wrapping them in foil and throwing them in the oven for about an hour — until I discovered baking potatoes uncovered and coating them in salt.

There are so many ways to bake a potato, so I decided to try a few methods. I tested an easy 10-minute recipe made in the microwave, a one-hour potato baked in the oven, and a 10-hour method using a slow cooker.

The first potato was cooked in the microwave.

The 10-minute recipe uses the microwave.Paige Bennett

The first potato was cooked in the microwave.

The 10-minute recipe uses the microwave.Paige Bennett

The recipe ended up taking less than 10 minutes.

I microwaved the potato in a mug.Paige Bennett

The recipe ended up taking less than 10 minutes.

I microwaved the potato in a mug.Paige Bennett

The texture turned out OK.

I've had microwaved potatoes before.Paige Bennett

The texture turned out OK.

I've had microwaved potatoes before.Paige Bennett

Toppings greatly helped the 10-minute potato.

It tasted better with butter.Paige Bennett

Toppings greatly helped the 10-minute potato.

It tasted better with butter.Paige Bennett

The one-hour potato uses a no-foil method, which is closest to how I usually make them.

The one-hour recipe uses the oven.Paige Bennett

The one-hour potato uses a no-foil method, which is closest to how I usually make them.

The one-hour recipe uses the oven.Paige Bennett

I placed the potato in the oven on a tray.

I'm used to making baked potatoes without foil.Paige Bennett

I placed the potato in the oven on a tray.

I'm used to making baked potatoes without foil.Paige Bennett

I couldn't get enough of the skin on this potato.

The texture on the outside and inside was perfect.Paige Bennett

I couldn't get enough of the skin on this potato.

The texture on the outside and inside was perfect.Paige Bennett

The result was everything I hoped for.

The oven makes the potato nice and crispy.Paige Bennett

The result was everything I hoped for.

The oven makes the potato nice and crispy.Paige Bennett

I expected the slow-cooker potatoes to turn out soft, but the result was quite the opposite.

The 10-hour recipe called for garlic.Paige Bennett

I expected the slow-cooker potatoes to turn out soft, but the result was quite the opposite.

The 10-hour recipe called for garlic.Paige Bennett

I wrapped the potato in foil and set it inside my slow cooker.

The recipe called for the potato to be wrapped in foil.Paige Bennett

I wrapped the potato in foil and set it inside my slow cooker.

The recipe called for the potato to be wrapped in foil.Paige Bennett

I started worrying about the potato's texture in the slow cooker.

I was very skeptical about the texture of the potato.Paige Bennett

I started worrying about the potato's texture in the slow cooker.

I was very skeptical about the texture of the potato.Paige Bennett

The potato was still incredibly hard.

This potato didn't look or smell appealing.Paige Bennett

The potato was still incredibly hard.

This potato didn't look or smell appealing.Paige Bennett

I won't use the slow-cooker recipe again.

The potato was so hard, even after cooking for 10 hours.Paige Bennett

I won't use the slow-cooker recipe again.

The potato was so hard, even after cooking for 10 hours.Paige Bennett

I'd use the microwaved recipe again if necessary, but the one-hour potato was the best by far.

The one-hour recipe was pretty much perfect.Paige Bennett

I'd use the microwaved recipe again if necessary, but the one-hour potato was the best by far.

The one-hour recipe was pretty much perfect.Paige Bennett

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I made 10-minute, 1-hour, and 10-hour baked potatoes, and I no longer trust methods that don't involve an oven

The first potato was cooked in the microwave.

The first potato was cooked in the microwave.

The recipe ended up taking less than 10 minutes.

The recipe ended up taking less than 10 minutes.

The texture turned out OK.

The texture turned out OK.

Toppings greatly helped the 10-minute potato.

Toppings greatly helped the 10-minute potato.

The one-hour potato uses a no-foil method, which is closest to how I usually make them.

The one-hour potato uses a no-foil method, which is closest to how I usually make them.

I placed the potato in the oven on a tray.

I placed the potato in the oven on a tray.

I couldn't get enough of the skin on this potato.

I couldn't get enough of the skin on this potato.

The result was everything I hoped for.

The result was everything I hoped for.

I expected the slow-cooker potatoes to turn out soft, but the result was quite the opposite.

I expected the slow-cooker potatoes to turn out soft, but the result was quite the opposite.

I wrapped the potato in foil and set it inside my slow cooker.

I wrapped the potato in foil and set it inside my slow cooker.

I started worrying about the potato's texture in the slow cooker.

I started worrying about the potato's texture in the slow cooker.

The potato was still incredibly hard.

The potato was still incredibly hard.

I won't use the slow-cooker recipe again.

I won't use the slow-cooker recipe again.

I'd use the microwaved recipe again if necessary, but the one-hour potato was the best by far.

I'd use the microwaved recipe again if necessary, but the one-hour potato was the best by far.