I'm talking about a big potato that needs a couple of hours. There's two of us so there'll be two spuds in the oven, and other things too depending on what we're having for tea.
It's a gas oven so uses a lot less energy than an electric one.

I've tried cooking a large potato for less time but they're always still a bit underdone in the middle.

If you microwave first, then bake it works.
People who don't eat the skin are mental, just buy some instant mash if that's all you want

I always microwave a potato for 4-5 minutes, depending on size. I then bung it in the oven for half an hour.

The McCains ones are ok, but as someone said, they can be dry.

I think the point of frozen jacket spuds is that it only takes 5 minutes. Either you want a quick meal or it's a quick decision to have one.

Taking them out of the freezer the night before to defrost defeats the object.

If you tried one as hot and spicy as I like mine then you would change your mind.

Sometimes I do that too And always rub the skin in olive oil and salt too, that way the skin goes crispier apparently.

No need to take them out the night before - I freeze my own cooked jackets then micro them from frozen.

Crispy skin is the whole point of a baked spud so it's got to be the oven
I prick them lightly and massage them well with a mixture of oil salt, crushed black pepper and paprika and place in oven proof dish.
Deelicious!

I've just put them straight in the oven, it seems to go crispy ok

It does go crispy after it has been microwaved then placed in the oven.

Best baking potato variety is Maforna - they are just ace!

Yes, I've used a microwave to get a head start but it has to be an oven for best overall results.
Another great idea is to remove the flesh, keeping the skins on low heat, mash/cream the flesh and pop it back in the skins - grated cheese on top and under the grill.

Where do you obtain Maforna? I've not heard of them.

I hate jacket potatoes with crispy, chewy, orrible skins. Worst thing about them.

Well I thought they tasted lovely. And very different to a potato microwaved from scratch.

It may be because I was brought up to enjoy baked potatoes rather than "jacket" potatoes which seems to be a more modern suffern affectation.

I'm not particularly concerned about the energy it uses, I just want a nice jacket potato.

Really? It's the best bit for me.

I like Egg Mayonnaise on mine

I love those, mixed with onions, bacon and cheese

Me too. I love them!! I think the name is bansters or something like that. I dont really use spuds much so if i buy a bag of 4, some will get chucked out.

The frozen ones suit me and my lifestyle. I dont have a spare hour to cook a potato

When I were a lad we used to bake spuds on 'bonfire... in the bathroom.

In those days spuds were known as "doodlebugs" and were 2 or 3 feet long, one spud would feed a family for weeks.

You would need a special licence to buy one, worth it though for the silver and gold content in the skins. "Skin Man" would come 'round every 2nd Tuesday to collect the valuable skins, melted down to be used to create a tiara for posh folk down the road.

But tell kids today about this and they won't believe you!

I'd have killed for a spud bonfire when I were a lad. You were looky

They're not great but considering they only take 5 minutes to cook and last for months in the freezer. they're not bad either.

If I know in advance when I'm going to want a jacket potato, I'll buy the biggest one I can find and cook it for 1-2 hours in the oven but life isn't always like that.

They're the same thing

Usually M&S, my mum used to work there and got them for me.

In Tesco and Asda, they do a 4 pack and if you read the variety, it should tell you. That's a hit and miss though. I bought some from Asda 2 weeks and I got Maforna, today I got another variety.

So if you see that variety anywhere (keep your eyes peeled), grab some. The flesh is amazing when it's been baked.

Not judging by how people on here are describing how they prepare theirs. A baked potato does not have to end up with a thick, hard to chew skin as a jacket. I prefer mine naked.