Perfect Baked Potato

Ingredients

• 4 russet potatoes (or Idaho)
• olive oil (or vegetable oil for brushing)
• kosher salt (for seasoning)

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Method #1) Oven-Baked Potatoes ---

2. 2

   Preheat the Oven - Set the oven rack to the center position. Preheat to 400ºF (204ºC). Place a wire rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet, and set aside.

3. 3

   Potato Preparation - Scrub and rinse the outside of the potatoes with cool water. Pierce each potato with a fork 8 times, about ⅛-inch deep pricks all around. Brush olive oil over the surface and sprinkle with salt.

4. 4

   Bake Potatoes in Oven - Evenly space the potatoes on top of the wire rack. Bake until the skin is lightly crisp, the centers pierce easily with a fork, and the largest-sized potato registers between 200 to 210ºF (93 to 99ºC), about 70 to 80 minutes.

5. 5

   --- Method #2) Microwave-Baked Potatoes ---

6. 6

   Potato Preparation - Scrub and rinse the outside of the potatoes with cool water. Pierce each potato with a fork 8 times, about ⅛-inch deep pricks all around. Brush olive oil over the surface and sprinkle with salt.

7. 7

   Microwave the Potatoes - Place the potato on a microwave-safe plate, one at a time for even cooking, or two potatoes max. Cook on “High” for 5 minutes. Use tongs to flip. Continue to cook in 1-minute intervals until the center pierces easily with a fork, and registers between 200 to 210ºF (93 to 99ºC), about 1 to 7 minutes, depending on size and quantity.

8. 8

   --- Method #3) Slow Cooker-Baked Potatoes ---

9. 9

   Potato Preparation - Scrub and rinse the outside of the potatoes with cool water. Pierce each potato with a fork 8 times, about ⅛-inch deep pricks all around. Brush olive oil over the surface and sprinkle with salt.

10. 10

    Wrap with Foil - Individually wrap each potato with foil.

11. 11

    Slow Cook the Potatoes - Place the potatoes in a single layer in the slow cooker insert. Cover and cook until the centers pierce easily with a fork, and register between 200 to 210ºF (93 to 99ºC), 4 to 5 hours on the “High” setting, or 6 to 7 hours on the “Low” setting, depending on size.