When you heat your sweet potato in the microwave, it warms up quickly and steam gathers in-between the fleshy inside and the skin. If you don't poke holes in the skin for the steam to escape, your potato will explode in the microwave.
Why did my sweet potato explode?
Expert Advice. "Yes, it's good to prick them," says Brennan Smith, a faculty member of the School of Food Science at University of Idaho. "It pokes holes in the skin, which allows steam to escape. Otherwise, they could explode—it doesn't happen all the time, but it happens every once in a while.
Can sweet potatoes explode?
One of the best ways to prepare sweet potatoes is by baking. While baking, a lot of pressure can build up inside the potato, which may cause it to explode inside the oven. So always remember to poke holes in the potato with a fork or toothpick to provide an outlet for the pressure to escape.
How do you keep sweet potatoes from exploding in the oven?
Baking them without poking holes in the skin I have first-hand witnessed a potato explosion in the oven, and let me tell you: It is not a pretty sight. The pressure inside a sweet (or regular) potato can build up in a hot oven. Pricking small holes in the skins with a fork is an easy way to let that steam escape.
How do you microwave a potato without it exploding?
Poke the potato with a fork to prevent them from exploding while cooking. The steam created in the potato should have a way to escape, if it doesn't, well, you suffer the consequences.
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