Step 2 – Load the Potatoes into the Oven(s) As long as the potatoes are cooked in single layers on each rack (not stacked in a pan), the cooking time is not so much impacted by potato quantity as potato size. If applicable, sort your potatoes into 2 categories: large and small. Place all the larger potatoes together on the rack, nearer the back of the oven, as these may take longer to bake. Place the potatoes directly on the racks
Step 3 – Bake the Potatoes Bake potatoes for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, until soft. Pierce potatoes with a sharp knife to be sure they are soft all the way through. If potatoes are not done, set the timer for an additional 10 minutes and check again.
Step 4 – Remove and Wrap the Potatoes Once baked, if not serving immediately, you can use a hot mitt to grab the potato and 1) set on a square of foil, 2) slice a slit in the potato so it’s ready for your guests, 3) wrap it in the foil to help seal in the dry heat of the oven, and 4) I like to gently roll the wrapped potatoes (with the oven mitt) to help ‘fluff’ them. These should stay warm for up to 15-20 minutes without any further action. (Read on for tips on how to hold them up to 2 hours!!
Step 2 – Pre-heat the Roaster Preheat your electric roaster to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The lid should be on the roaster while it’s pre-heating.
Step 3 – Load the Potatoes and Cook Place rack in roaster. Stack potatoes on the rack, taking care that potatoes do not touch sides of roaster. You should be able to fit approximately 16 – 20 potatoes in 2 layers in an 18 quart roaster oven. Bake potatoes in the roaster for 1.5 to 2 hours, until soft. Check potatoes with a fork or knife to be sure they are soft all the way through. Or use the squeeze test.
Step 4 – Remove and Wrap the Potatoes Once the internal temperature of the potato reaches 210 degrees F, they’re done baking. Remove the baked potatoes and serve, or turn off the roaster and leave the lid on to keep them warm. If some potatoes are not done, return them to the roaster for an additional 10 minutes and check again. Once baked, if not serving immediately, you can use a hot mitt to grab the potato and 1) set on a square of foil, 2) slice a slit in the potato so it’s ready for your guests, 3) wrap it in the foil to help seal in the dry heat of the oven, and 4) I like to gently roll the wrapped potatoes (with the oven mitt) to help ‘fluff’ them. These should stay warm for up to 15-20 minutes without any further action. (Read on for tips on how to hold them up to 2 hours!!
There are some secrets to cooking a great baked potato on the campfire. If you’re not careful you can end up with burnt and or uncooked potatoes. Here’s how to avoid those pitfalls and consistently turn out great potatoes every time.
You’ll want to start the fire at least 60 or even 90 minutes before you want to start cooking. Your potatoes will take up to 1 hour and 15 minutes to cook, so I would recommend you start your fire 2 hours and 45 minutes – 3 hours before you intend to eat. The potatoes will hold well if you get done early but this will ensure you’re at least done in time!
Keep adding wood so that you have a hot fire. It doesn’t have to be big – just hot. You don’t need a roaring inferno. A small, well-tended fire will create good hot coals – and use less wood. Let the fire burn, leaving it alone (this is a good time to do your prep.) and in about an hour you should have plenty of hot coals. Using tongs and/or campfire gloves, move the coals to one side of the fire or fire ring, spreading them out to an even layer, large enough to accommodate your potatoes. This is where you’ll be doing your cooking.
Step 3 – Prep the Potatoes Prep the potatoes. (See below for how to prep the potatoes). The potatoes should not be chilled and should instead be stored at room temperature so they don’t have to get warm before they start to bake. Slice the potato open (lengthwise). Fill the potato with butter. Doing this now helps prevent the potato from drying out when it is cooking in the campfire. You can also add some flavoring at this point. For example, shake some garlic salt or Lawry’s Seasoned Salt on the potato. Once the potatoes are prepped, wrap the potato tightly in foil. Make sure you prick the potatoes PRIOR to wrapping in foil so the ashes don’t get into the potatoes. To save time, prep the potatoes the night before.
Add more wood to the other side of the fire ring. This will ensure a supply of new coals. Keep tending the flames and moving the new coals as needed to replenish your coal bed. Once your coals are ready, you can begin cooking.
The best way is to pick a few at random and take their temperature. The center of a perfectly done baked potato should be 205 degrees. At that temperature your potato will have the perfect fluffy interior. Just use an instant-read thermometer to take its temperature. It may sound fussy, but it’s the only way to guarantee that you’re getting uniformly done potatoes.
Various sizes of potatoes were in the bag. A: Keep in mind that larger potatoes will take longer to bake than smaller ones.
How many Potatoes do I need for my Potato Bar? (And what size??)
‘How many potatoes do I need?’ should be a pretty easy question to answer, right? Well yes, if you were ordering potatoes by count. Not so much when you have to purchase them by weight. It’s an even bigger issue if you’re serving several hundred. No worries. Let’s start with the basics.
The absolute smallest size potatoes you would want are 5-6 ounces. I would only use potatoes this small if I was serving multiple other items and the potatoes were just ONE of the choices. You need to be careful – because unless the potatoes are specified as “Jumbo”, these 5-6 ounce potatoes are probably the exact size you’re going to get if you buy a 10 pound bag of potatoes. Here’s what a 10 pound bag of 5-6 ounce potatoes looks like.
This 10 pound bag of potatoes from Sam’s Club holds 28 medium size (5-6 ounce) potatoes. (PS: They are also not russets. They are Yukon Golds – which you do not want for a potato bar). See how small some of them are?
Holding a FEW Baked Potatoes
For regular meals or small groups, it’s best to plan to serve your potatoes within 15 minutes from the time it is finished baking. However, if you need to hold your potato for longer than 15 minutes:
- for small groups at home, the best method for holding a baked potato is in a warming drawer if you have one available. If not, wrap the potatoes in foil, roll the potatoes slightly with the palm of your hand and put them in a cooler. Do not plan to hold the potatoes in a low oven because the dry heat is going to take a lot of the moisture out of them.
How To Cook: Oven Baked Potatoes
FAQ
How long to bake a large potato at 400?
Do smaller potatoes take less time to bake?
Do russet potatoes take longer to cook?
How long does it take to bake 20 large potatoes?
Can You bake a large potato?
So, roll up your sleeves and let’s dive into the art of baking a large potato. Before you start baking, it’s important to select the right potato. When it comes to baking, **russet potatoes** are the top choice. Their high starch content and thick skin make them ideal for achieving that fluffy interior and crispy skin that we all love.
Is it healthy to eat a baked potato every day?
It is safe to consume potatoes every day as long as you cook them without much salt or saturated fats (fried). One medium-size potato can be part of a healthy diet, although it is better to combined other foods.
How many potatoes can you bake at a time?
Baking sheet: You can line the baking sheet with parchment if you wish for temperatures up to 420°F. You can bake as many as 24 to 36 potatoes at once in the same amount of time. However, flip them halfway through baking to promote even heating and turn on the convection if available.
How long does a baked potato take to cook?
If you’re baking at 200°C (390°F), the potatoes will take about one hour on average. How Do You Tell if Baked Potatoes are Done? There are three ways to check whether a baked potato is done: Skin: it should be wrinkly with a papery appearance. Texture: the center should be soft enough that a fork slides in easily.