Jacket potato for lunch

Original poster

Biscuitz1 · 30/07/2026 22:33

Salyexley · 18/01/2026 20:48

Is it acceptable to post this crap? Some of us don't have access to a microwave at work and if they microwaved a jacket for that long it's either gonna be burnt or it's a massive potato

No need to be so rude.
It did not burn but sorry you do not have a microwave. No excuse for rudeness however

OP posts:

Welshmonster · 19/01/2026 10:15

Can employer get a second microwave? I worked in a school and frozen ready meals were frowned upon as they took ages to cook. If you left microwave unattended and it finished then your meal left on side whether it was cooked or not 😂

it’s not good for a shared workplace where everyone has break at same time. Speak to them about how annoying it is and could they get a smaller potato if it’s taking 15 mins. I mean it must be a massive one or they are overcooking it.

speak to management as well or just bring a cold lunch!

daisychain01 · 18/01/2026 21:25

MidnightMeltdown · 16/01/2026 13:35

No way does a jacket potato take 15 minutes in the microwave. 5 minutes max. Massive exaggeration.

Was just about to say, no way does a medium jacket potato take 15 brimming minutes to cook.

If you stab it a few times with a knife and wrap it in a piece of kitchen towel, 5-7 mins tops! maybe 8 mins if you put a small pot of baked beans in at the same time.

lilkitten · 18/01/2026 21:19

I don't have a microwave, but is 15 minutes normal? That sounds a lot. Depending on how many staff there are, could there be a second microwave put in?

Salyexley · 18/01/2026 20:51

ACCEPTABLE

Salyexley · 18/01/2026 20:48

Is it acceptable to post this crap? Some of us don't have access to a microwave at work and if they microwaved a jacket for that long it's either gonna be burnt or it's a massive potato

JamesWebbSpaceTelescope · 18/01/2026 10:13

Petition whoever is in charge for more microwaves and/or a maximum time limit (6minutes) to allow fair usage.

BBW53 · 18/01/2026 10:03

Ask HR or your manager for a second microwave to meet demand. If they say they can’t then ask if they have another solution like staggering breaks. Failing that perhaps invest in good thermal storage containers and just take your food in already heated.

Longleggedgiraffe · 18/01/2026 10:01

MidnightMeltdown · 16/01/2026 13:35

No way does a jacket potato take 15 minutes in the microwave. 5 minutes max. Massive exaggeration.

A large jacket potato can take up to ten minutes.

Komododragonchocolatecoin · 18/01/2026 09:43

Heat at home then put in a food flask. That's what I do now. I'm not wasting my break queueing, then waiting for a rubbish microwave, then waiting again for the food to cool down.

hahagogomomo · 18/01/2026 07:35

They take 7 minutes in my microwave, they should be precooked though

Springtimehere · 18/01/2026 07:32

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

supersop60 · 18/01/2026 07:24

MidnightMeltdown · 16/01/2026 13:35

No way does a jacket potato take 15 minutes in the microwave. 5 minutes max. Massive exaggeration.

Quite. 5 or 6 minutes max or it will be charcoal.

DotAndCarryOne2 · 18/01/2026 07:20

SouthernNights59 · 17/01/2026 20:16

I also cook a jacket potato for around 90 mins in the oven - and yes, sometimes it's the only thing in the oven. I'm not rich either, and any time I have cooked a jacket potato there is no difference in my electricity bill. I never understand these posts about how much it costs to run an oven?

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Do you have a smart meter ? I do, and it jumps straight into the red zone when l put the oven on.

Pepsi4Eva · 18/01/2026 05:58

I'm pretty relaxed about things generally, but if I had a colleague who did (boil salmon in the kettle) that I would be making a formal complaint. Not least because you never know who might have a seafood allergy.

We had a toaster in one of my offices once. I had a colleague who used to butter her untoasted bread then put the buttered bread in the toaster 'because she liked it to melt'. The smell of rancid butter after months of doing that meant I could not go into the kitchen without holding my breath. No-one else seemed to find it a problem, but seriously?

RedRoss86 · 18/01/2026 00:57

I once worked with someone who would boil salmon in a plastic lunch bag ….
IN THE KETTLE.
One day they didn’t empty the water from kettle and I had the most disgusting coffee of my life.

Anyway, potato worker should go into kitchen 15 mins before everyone so as not to hog the microwave or (my preferred option) bake it night before in oven for a nicer, crispier potato 😋

PopandFizz · 18/01/2026 00:42

I get where you're coming from but also know pepple with micromeals that take almost as long.
How bigs the potato if its taking 15 minutes!

Totallybannanas · 18/01/2026 00:11

I have a colleague that never fills up the the kettle so I have to wait for hers to boil and then re fill and boil mine! If I'm first in the kitchen I always fill it up just in case someone comes in behind me.

Boododedoop · 18/01/2026 00:06

PineappleMelon · 16/01/2026 13:41

I’ve just googled this because I couldn’t believe that was right, but it is. I haven’t cooked them in the microwave for years but swear I remember them taking at least ten.

Maybe it’s a massive potato.

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My potato always takes 9-10 minutes.

SouthernNights59 · 17/01/2026 23:53

jannier · 17/01/2026 21:47

Its a waste of 90 minutes though....before an airfryer i did 4 spuds for 10 mins then hot oven for 15 to 20 now its 10 mins mic and 10 in airfry.

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I don't want an air fryer and even if I did I wouldn't get one. Although I have a reasonably large kitchen there is not much bench space and I'm not buying something I have to constantly get out and put away. My oven works fine and I don't care if it's on for 90 minutes.

Tulipvase · 17/01/2026 23:15

jannier · 17/01/2026 21:47

Its a waste of 90 minutes though....before an airfryer i did 4 spuds for 10 mins then hot oven for 15 to 20 now its 10 mins mic and 10 in airfry.

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But what does that saved 30 mins actually save you? I’m aware in some cases all pennies count but how much actually is it?

jannier · 17/01/2026 21:47

SouthernNights59 · 17/01/2026 20:16

I also cook a jacket potato for around 90 mins in the oven - and yes, sometimes it's the only thing in the oven. I'm not rich either, and any time I have cooked a jacket potato there is no difference in my electricity bill. I never understand these posts about how much it costs to run an oven?

Show quote history

Its a waste of 90 minutes though....before an airfryer i did 4 spuds for 10 mins then hot oven for 15 to 20 now its 10 mins mic and 10 in airfry.

Denim4ever · 17/01/2026 21:13

There are 3 microwaved where I work, so it wouldn't be a problem.

Tulipvase · 17/01/2026 20:57

SouthernNights59 · 17/01/2026 20:16

I also cook a jacket potato for around 90 mins in the oven - and yes, sometimes it's the only thing in the oven. I'm not rich either, and any time I have cooked a jacket potato there is no difference in my electricity bill. I never understand these posts about how much it costs to run an oven?

Show quote history

Thank you - thought I was going a bit mad.

TheGreenUser · 17/01/2026 20:16

Biscuitz1 · 16/01/2026 13:13

Just really annoyed right now as someone from work believes it is perfectly appectable to put a potato for 15 mins in the microwave!

There is already a queue as it is.

You buy lunchboxes that heat up your lunch for you.