Why do potatoes take so long to bake in my oven?

smile12345

Thu, Oct 26 2017, 8:23 am

My oven isn't the best though everything else just takes slightly longer than it should. Potatoes, for some reason though, take well over two hours until they're properly soft - can anyone explain why??

dr. pepper

Thu, Oct 26 2017, 8:43 am

Someone just gave me this tip over succos as I've had the same problem.

Boil them for about 30 min. Then roast them.
I can't wait to try it.....

groovy1224

Thu, Oct 26 2017, 8:48 am

Well, what kind of potatoes are you cooking? Whole ones? Those do take a long time..what temperature are you setting your oven to?

smile12345

Thu, Oct 26 2017, 8:49 am

dr. pepper wrote:

Someone just gave me this tip over succos as I've had the same problem.

Boil them for about 30 min. Then roast them.
I can't wait to try it.....

Thanks.
I do sometimes do that, but it adds an extra step to the process and also sometimes makes them a little mushy.
Do you have this issue with everything or just with potatoes?

mha3484

Thu, Oct 26 2017, 8:50 am

If you live near a trader joes they sell these teeny potatoes that cook faster.

smile12345

Thu, Oct 26 2017, 8:50 am

groovy1224 wrote:

Well, what kind of potatoes are you cooking? Whole ones? Those do take a long time..what temperature are you setting your oven to?

No, not whole ones, cut up to very small pieces!

ra_mom

Thu, Oct 26 2017, 8:53 am

What temperature are you setting the oven on? Are the potatoes crowded in a pan with high sides or spread out in one layer on a cookie sheet? Are you baking them covered or uncovered?

smile12345

Thu, Oct 26 2017, 9:02 am

ra_mom wrote:

What temperature are you setting the oven on? Are the potatoes crowded in a pan with high sides or spread out in one layer on a cookie sheet? Are you baking them covered or uncovered?

Around 180
Uncovered
They're spread out though in a pan with have high sides - does that make a difference?

ra_mom

Thu, Oct 26 2017, 9:09 am

smile12345 wrote:

Around 180
Uncovered
They're spread out though in a pan with have high sides - does that make a difference?

Spread them out on a large cookie sheet sized aluminum pan with low sides [not more than 1 kilogram (2 - 2.5 pounds) of potatoes per pan].
Bake at 205 Celsius (400 Fahrenheit) for 40 minutes.
See if that helps.
If it doesn't, purchase an oven thermometer to hang on the rack in your oven, to see if your oven is really getting to the temperature you're setting it at.

groovy1224

Thu, Oct 26 2017, 9:17 am

smile12345 wrote:

Around 180
Uncovered
They're spread out though in a pan with have high sides - does that make a difference?

I assume you're talking celsius.

That shouldn't take 2 hours to cook potatoes cut up small. I would buy an oven thermometer to see how hot your oven is actually getting when you set it to a certain temp.

amother

Slategray

Thu, Oct 26 2017, 9:34 am

smile12345 wrote:

Maybe you need a new igniter for your oven

studying_torah

Thu, Oct 26 2017, 9:42 am

Istarted covering the potatoes and baking for about 25 minutes on 425 , then brush w oil and uncover under the brolier to crisp up. Takes a lot less time to get them soft all the way through if they are covered first.

smile12345

Thu, Oct 26 2017, 10:16 am

Thanks for all the tips.
Will try next time and see how it goes.

If doesn't help then will test the heat as suggested...

Raisin

Thu, Oct 26 2017, 11:36 am

These are amazing. Classic british roast potatoes.

Peel and cut up potatoes. Cook in water until just soft on the edges, but not the inside. Remove water from pot and put lid on. Shake pot vigorously. Heat oil and roasting pan and add potatoes, season, roast until golden.

ra_mom

Thu, Oct 26 2017, 12:16 pm

smile12345 wrote:

Thanks for all the tips.
Will try next time and see how it goes.

If doesn't help then will test the heat as suggested...

Oven thermometers are inexpensive and very handy.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d.....psc=1

lavenderchimes

Thu, Oct 26 2017, 1:37 pm

ra_mom wrote:

Oven thermometers are inexpensive and very handy.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d.....psc=1

Seconded-- buy an oven thermometer. If your oven is just running at a lower temp than you set it for, it is easy to adjust. You might also try having a technician come to make sure it is properly functioning/staying on.

I always cook whole potatoes at 400-450 F. They are done in an hour.