Freezing potatoes

martindow

Uncooked potatoes are disgusting if they get frosted. Farmers storing them in barns cover them with straw as even a slight frosting will cause them to go black or slimy. I would imagine that being thoroughly frozen in a freezer would do them no good at all. Best for the compost heap I'm afraid!

lou49

Afternoon all!

Saw somewhere on these boards that I can bake potatoes in the oven, cool them and then pop in microwave when we want to eat them.
My question is - do I need to defrost them first? How long in microwave?
Just bought spuds today to do this and am a bit confused now!

Thanks for your help.
Louise

jennyjelly

Lou, I can't imagine why you would want to!

If you have a microwave they are so quick to cook (crisp them up for 10 mins in the oven at the end) that I think it would take longer to defrost. I can't imagine they would be very nice either.

But if you want to have a go I would think you would need to defrost them first.

Hope it works - do post to let us know!

lil_me

I defrost them first, then heat/finish off in microwave, usually get them out the night before for the following days lunch. I started doing it because I can then buy potatoes in bulk cheaper without wasting them. Also I love them oven baked and they take ages. Now I stuff a tray of bakers in the oven when I am cooking anyway, let them cool them freeze them (can keep in fridge if using next days etc aswell) I like them but might be worth trying with one or two to start with if you haven't tried it yet.

lou49

Mm...thanks for your reply. I am wondering if it is such a good idea now. The reason I asked was because I am going into hospital next week and trying to organise some meals in advance. I thought that baked potatoes would be an alternative to rice and pasta as the carb accompaniment to the meal. I have a very domestically challenged 20 year old daughter at home as well as a 15 year old son and a husband who comes in quite late, and am trying to do as much as possible for them (probably too much) before I go.
Think I will try a couple and see how it goes.
Thanks
Louise

whatatwit

If I were to freeze them, after cooking in the oven, can I heat them through in the oven if I defrost them first?
(I don't have a microwave)

lil_me

I have no idea about warming in oven, maybe someone else has tried and will reply.

grannybroon

Whatatwit

Haven't tried to freeze baked potatoes but if you don't have a microwave, maybe partially bake, freeze and then give blast again in oven once defrosted. I would imagine you would want them piping hot so putting them in undercooked would allow for them to come up to piping hot heat and also help crisp the skin and finish off cooking process. Worth a try to see how it goes. Hope this makes sense!

GB

whatatwit

Thanks Grannybroon, before reading this thread, I'd never even considered freezing baked potatoes.
Unless I've got time for them to bake for ages, we don't bother, but I do like baked potatoes.

WISHIWASRICH_2

Good Luck Lou49