Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Potato Bags are just not worth it! >

Potato Bags are just not worth it!

Potato Bags are just not worth it!

Old 12-15-2011, 04:11 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
sandrab64's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Wanamingo, MN
Posts: 476
Thumbs down Potato Bags are just not worth it!

I bought a 'potato bag' kit yesterday from my LQS. Was excited to make it today to give as a gift! I read lots of threads regarding the pros and cons of the bag on the QB here so made sure I washed/dried the fabric, used only 100% cotton thread, and tested it in the microwave with a damp paper towel inside, hit the 'potato' button and.....the bag is now outside in the rain on the steps. It started smoking so bad and has a big brown burn spot in the inside and now I have a stinky kitchen to boot. Will never make one of these again. Perhaps others have had better luck but I feel it's just not worth the anxiety!
sandrab64 is offline  
Old 12-15-2011, 04:19 PM
  #2  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,312
Default

Some microwaves have a very high wattage and can set anything flammable on fire. Cotton is flammable and has a lower burn point than the potato. Personally , I never got the enthusiasm for these.
Lori S is offline  
Old 12-15-2011, 04:34 PM
  #3  
Power Poster
 
BellaBoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Front row
Posts: 14,646
Default

It's probably the batting. It has to be 100% pure cotton, no scrim batting. The only batting I know of that is safe to use in the microwave is Warm Tater Batting. Why use batting anyway? I roll a potato up in a cotton kitchen towel and it works just fine.
BellaBoo is offline  
Old 12-15-2011, 04:45 PM
  #4  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Grants Pass, OR
Posts: 2,071
Default

Wow, glad to hear this news. Actually, I roll a potato in a very wet paper towel after I poke some holes in it and zap it for 7-10 minutes depending on the size of the potato. It is perfect, fluffy, and delicious. Yum, could eat one right now!
Iraxy is offline  
Old 12-15-2011, 05:04 PM
  #5  
Super Member
 
lalaland's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Yakima, WA
Posts: 2,439
Default

I may eat a potato too after replying, sounds good to me too. I had some 100 percent cotton batting left after a project and gave it to a coworker to make potato bags and I was one of the recipients when she was done. Mine also ended up outside, on the back patio, complete with smoke and a small blue flame. Worked ok the first time, but the second time was it's demise.
lalaland is offline  
Old 12-15-2011, 05:05 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
sandrab64's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Wanamingo, MN
Posts: 476
Default

I did use the Warm Tater batting as recommended which came in the kit. The dog took off with it so now I'll have to hunt down the 'smoking gun'! Oh well...nobody hurt and nothing major ruined!
sandrab64 is offline  
Old 12-15-2011, 05:25 PM
  #7  
Power Poster
 
dunster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Lake Elsinore, CA
Posts: 15,130
Default

hmmm... I just rub butter on the outside of the potato, poke some holes in it, and it comes out fine. Why should it be better in a bag? Or in a towel or anything at all?
dunster is offline  
Old 12-15-2011, 06:14 PM
  #8  
Super Member
 
thepolyparrot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mars
Posts: 2,549
Default

I know this is not going to be a very popular response, but the truth is truth, even if nobody believes it.

These bags are dangerous. The fiber in batting and woven into the fabric is so fine that it is easily vaporized (a condition for combustion) and it does not contain enough moisture to prevent vaporization or extinguish combustion.

There, I said it. I'm a fire chief's daughter and I will probably still be acting like a fire chief's daughter the day I die. But, I won't die because I smoked in bed, plugged in a frayed cord, overloaded a circuit, used gasoline to start a barbecue or because I used a little quilt to cook my potatoes in.
thepolyparrot is offline  
Old 12-15-2011, 06:16 PM
  #9  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
Default

I've never seen the need for these anyway. I think they're a silly waste of time and energy. I agree...not worth it on so many levels!
Candace is offline  
Old 12-15-2011, 06:26 PM
  #10  
Super Member
 
Rose L's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Nebraska..The Good Life
Posts: 2,102
Default

Well, I must be misinformed as I thought the purpose of the potato bags were to keep the potatoes warm while serving at the dinner table. I just poke a hole in each potato and set them in a bowl with a little bit of water to cook them in the microwave. Then...I would place them in the bag...if I had one, lol!
Rose L is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Yellow Bird
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
18
02-03-2014 07:40 PM
PaperPrincess
Links and Resources
22
10-29-2013 05:53 PM
vivsqt
Main
3
01-29-2011 07:47 PM
bunniequilter
Links and Resources
10
10-06-2010 06:35 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter