I have never had a potato explode in the microwave, white, red, or sweet potato. Ever. Only thing I've ever exploded was those marshmallow peeps and that was on purpose!
I do as previous poster - 5 minutes or so, out of the wave and wrap in aluminum foil to finish cooking.
Does a cotton bag makes the taste better?
In the winter, I bake them in the oven - the oven keeps the kitchen warm and saves on oil! Rub with oil, sprinkle with salt (oooohh bad!
) and the skin gets nice and crispy. MMMMMnnnnn when's dinner?