Baking potatoes

[Juliehelen]

I'm having a firework party and need to bake about twenty potatoes in the oven. How long should i bake them for and at what temperature for a fan assisted oven.

[Cetti]

This is just a guide as the  time depends on your particular oven and   every one is different. The cooking will be a lot simpler if you can  find 20  potatoes roughly the same size.

Pre-heat oven to 200c or Gas 6 - prick spuds all over as this will cut down the time. Cook for  an hour, then test largest spud with skewer or sharp knife - if it feels soft right through then they are done - if a bit hard cook for another 10 minutes before testing again. 

[sprogglin]

i know this is tough for 20 spuds, but i find that cooking the blighters (after pricking) in a microwave on kitchen paper until completely cooked and wrinkly, then crisping them in a hot oven (gas 8 or 9) works a treat.  you could microwave them in advance, them cook them in a hot oven (7 or 8) for about 20 mins later.

[sprogglin]

p.s i realise now that it is an electric fan oven, about 220 to 230 is nice and hot, crisp them for about 15 mins.

[georgit79]

Perfect answer Cetti- except I don't prick them with a knife- I slice them down the middle/

[camille79]

Nothing to add for cooking time, but rubbing with oil and salt before baking gets them super crispy!

[lobster]

Who prefers crispy jacket spuds or soft ones?

[oohbadknee]

Can my fireworks come or is it invitation only?  they won't be any trouble, apart from the rocket, he's got a short fuse.

[Juliehelen]

Many thanks for all your help.

[mr gary]

try doing this it's great. using large potatoes, slice off the top third of the potatoe, make a hole in the bottom third big enough to fit an egg in. then crack an egg into the hollowed out bit and secure the top with cocktail sticks (you may need to break them in half) then wrap in foil and cook as normal. nice