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What might be the cheapest way to cook my jacket potato?

44 replies

Shreik · 08/09/2022 11:03

Microwave? Electric oven? Or combination of both?

Would it be massively cheaper to boil?

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Coughee · 08/09/2022 11:06

I'd read somewhere that microwave is the cheapest way of cooking. If you want a crispy jacket you could always finish it off in the oven. If you boil it it won't be a jacket spud surely!

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Sprogonthetyne · 08/09/2022 11:07

Microwave would be cheapest, though not as nice. Mostly microwave then 10 minutes to crisp up in the oven works well as a compromise, but depends how tight money is.

Boiling would also be cheep, especially if you have a gas hob. If you cut it up smaller it will cook faster.

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GetOffTheRoof · 08/09/2022 11:07

Microwave it. I usually ping them for 6-7mins. Finish off in airfryer - spray with oil, salt the skin then put in the hot air fryer for 5-10mins. Lovely and crunchy skin.

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Seeline · 08/09/2022 11:08

This is interesting

What might be the cheapest way to cook my jacket potato?
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tealandteal · 08/09/2022 11:08

It might be cheaper to cook a few in the oven when you are cooking something else,and then heat them up in the microwave later. I am imagining you might have a few a week for lunches?

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Shreik · 08/09/2022 11:10

That's a good idea Tealandteal. I usually do it in the microwave then crisp up in the oven but seems a waste to put the oven on for one potato now! I think I'll do a few for the week

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Shreik · 08/09/2022 11:10

That's helpful seeline

Thank you!

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BarbaraofSeville · 08/09/2022 11:10

tealandteal · 08/09/2022 11:08

It might be cheaper to cook a few in the oven when you are cooking something else,and then heat them up in the microwave later. I am imagining you might have a few a week for lunches?

Maybe so, but reheated baked potatoes are nasty.

I microwave them for a bit then put in a hot oven or air fryer to crisp up for a few minutes.

Also if you like a larger portion, have two small potatoes rather than one big one that takes longer to cook.

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greenacrylicpaint · 08/09/2022 11:10

microwave definitely.

if you have a combi microwave you could cook on mw setting and then grill/convection for a short period for taste/texture.

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Shreik · 08/09/2022 11:11

I do have a combi actually!

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Plastichanger · 08/09/2022 11:19

For anyone without a combi or an air fryer, after microwaving them, you can split them in half and put them under a hot grill for a few minutes to crisp up the skin and any exposed insides too. I think this would be cheaper than putting on the oven.

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GetOffTheRoof · 08/09/2022 11:21

@Plastichanger tbh I used to just eat them microwaved at work - pile on beans, cheese, ham, salad, whatever and you don't really notice it.

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gogohmm · 08/09/2022 11:23

Depends on how many and type of microwave. Combi microwave is going to be the cheapest and crispy for one. Or cook several in the oven and freeze (fridge is ok for a few days) microwave to reheat

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Mrsjayy · 08/09/2022 11:23

Shreik · 08/09/2022 11:03

Microwave? Electric oven? Or combination of both?

Would it be massively cheaper to boil?

I microwave then put in the oven for 15ish minutes to crisp up.but just microwaved is fine.

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Paganfreya1988 · 08/09/2022 11:26

Depending on size so let’s say medium size, I cook two separately in the microwave only for 5 minutes, then add both together in my Ninja air fryer, all done 20 mins and crispy. However I realise not everyone has an air fryer.

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JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 08/09/2022 11:39

Microwave is cheaper. It is generally always the cheapest option for cooking.

An electric oven is the most expensive of all cooking methods.

If you want a nice but cheap jacket potato, give it a few minutes in the microwave to start off then pop it in the air fryer to crisp up.

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JackandVera · 08/09/2022 11:41

Shreik · 08/09/2022 11:11

I do have a combi actually!

All sorted then.

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sponsabillaries · 08/09/2022 11:43

Absolutely your combi microwave. Panasonics have a 'jacket potato' button!

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OnTheRunWithMannyMontana · 08/09/2022 11:45

tealandteal · 08/09/2022 11:08

It might be cheaper to cook a few in the oven when you are cooking something else,and then heat them up in the microwave later. I am imagining you might have a few a week for lunches?

I do this too. Big batch with crispy skins and then wrapped and frozen individually and microwaved when needed.

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Katiepants27 · 08/09/2022 11:47

Jacket potatoes in the slow cooker are delicious and so easy, but not sure of the cost compared to microwave...

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loopylindi · 08/09/2022 11:48

Brush the potato with oil/butter and wrap in a piece of kitchen towel to cook. Makes it crispier but not as nice as low and slow in the oven

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Tryingtokeepgoing · 08/09/2022 11:51

Maybe I’m too fussy, but I’d rather have no jacket potato than a reacted/microwaved/grilled/slow cooked one. It need to be very crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside and slathered in butter. For which there is no substitute for a hot oven, and the associated cost sadly.

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DatingIsDifficult · 08/09/2022 11:56

@Seeline Can you put up a link for that screenshot as it’s really blurry for me and I’d like to read it? Thanks.

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A580Hojas · 08/09/2022 11:59

Re-heated potatoes are always such a disappointment (sigh).

But if you have to re-heat then microwave actually makes them taste nicer than any other method. Imvho.

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CaptainMyCaptain · 08/09/2022 12:06

Microwaved /slow cooker potatoes aren't proper jacket potatoes. They have no crunchy skin. Air fryer jackets are surprisingly good if you have one (partially microwave first).

I used to know someone who filled her oven with them and froze the ones she didn't need straight away.

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