I usually microwave baked potatoes, but the results aren’t always what I wish for. What am I doing wrong?

Back in the late 1960s, when microwaves were first being pitched for home use, I remember the advertising claim: “Bake a potato in minutes!” (Yes, I am old enough to remember that.)

Sadly, that was one microwave miracle that didn’t turn out to be true. You can cook whole potatoes in a microwave, but they won’t be very good. Microwaved potatoes taste steamed, not baked.

You can improve them, a little, by using a lower power setting and a longer cooking time. But for the best baked potato, you’re going to have to plan ahead and use the oven.

My favorite way to bake a potato: Scrub the potato and poke holes in it with a fork tine. Then rub the outside with a little softened butter and roll the potato in salt. The salt forms a crust you can crack off later. And you end up with a fluffy, tasty baked potato.