Ask Dr. Potato

With 938 posts, chances are there's already an answer to your question. Please try searching below before submitting a question to Dr. Potato. Use multiple words to help narrow down the results. For example, search for "potatoes" and "group" if looking for an answer on cooking potatoes for large groups.

Back To Dr. Potato Home

Can I Bake Potatoes in a Crock Pot or Slow Cooker?

My oven will be full so I'm wondering if I can bake potatoes in the crock pot? If yes, approximately how many can be done at a time and how much time will it take?

Personally I would never bake potatoes in the Crock Pot® or slow cooker. I would bake the potatoes off and add to the Crock Pot® the next day to warm them up (don’t pierce the potatoes or the fork marks will turn gray when storing in the refrigerator or the slow cooker). The Idaho russet potatoes are typically 20-21% starch and 79-80% water, so microwaving or cooking in a slow cooker, especially when wrapped with foil, does not allow the water to dissipate and so you end up with steamed potatoes, not baked. Below are a couple of links to look over for cooking suggestions. The www.allrecipes.com suggestion is to cook on high for 4 ½ hours and on low for 7 ½ - 8 hours until fork tender. The www.Food.com recipe calls for five to six on low for 8-10 hours.

allrecipes.com Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes

food.com Baked Potatoes from the Crock Pot

From Dr. Potato previous questions… Idaho® Potatoes Are Rock Hard After Cooking Them in a Slow Cooker