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?
Potatoes have exploded in my family’s microwave numerous times.
I stab deep with a fork; twice on the ends, twice on the sides (six total). I’m paranoid but it works.
No but had eggplants explode, and instantly sear onto the entire inside of the oven. Even kicked the door open a little.
Even if untrue, I’ll just take the opportunity to stab something inanimate that won’t get me arrested.
Years ago, though I’d say “burst” more than “explode.”
Hotdogs, on the other hand, do sometimes explode because of all the trapped moisture becoming steam
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Not something I thought I’d ever read
Yes. And in a very traditional oven too.
You used the microwave ? 🤨
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.
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.
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.
Well, t.i.l., thanks 👍
Never. Never had to prick them either.
Nope, never. I never prick the things, just straight in on the rack as they are.
I was under the impression that you prick the skin to make it easier for the moisture to exit the potato so it gets drier and therefore fluffier.
But my wife just said she had a potato explode when she didn’t poke it enough.
a catastrophic potato explosion
…or a bombe de terre, if you will.
You deserve good things in life.
slow clap
I thought it was Germans who were humourless.
And then proceeded to explain the joke
That’s what they we’re going for, yea
Potatoes absolutely will build up enough internal pressure to pop, even if the skins have been punctured. Not every spud will blow up some just split; when they do it makes a hell of a mess in the oven. I once broke a microwave at work with a potato because it did this. To postulate a reason; some potatoes have a higher moisture content than others.
Have you heard of the Tunguska Event?
*Spudguska Event
You brought receipts. Impressive lol.
No pan or tray? Straight on the rack huh?
