FOOD NEWS
You Should Certainly Use A Thermometer When Baking Potatoes
By Stacie Adams
Although an underdone baked potato probably won't imperil your health, it might ruin your dinner. Fortunately, a thermometer can tell you when to remove your spud from the oven.
In order to get the most accurate temperature reading, make sure you're inserting the thermometer dead center into the potato, which is typically the most substantial portion.
Bake the potato until it reaches at least 210 degrees Fahrenheit, then remove it from the oven so it doesn't get too crispy or dry. It should be soft when you stick a fork into it.
Traditional meat thermometers are digital or analog and are meant to remain inserted into food for the duration of the cooking process; digital versions even sound an alert.
If this seems a little more sophisticated than you need, you can also use an instant-read thermometer, which you periodically insert into food and remove to check doneness.
Oven temperature is another huge consideration when making a baked potato, and the general rule is that the oven should be set to a range between 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.