Went to my sil last night to make potato bags had 100% cotton material and batting. Put our first ones together piece of cake they're so easy. Then I said I wonder if our thread had to be 100% cotton. So down to the kitchen we went. Threw hers! in the microwave. TaDa fire. Now the problem could have been the 1 thread 2 her microwave is as old as can be first ones made. 3 no turntable 4 no potato with wet papertowel. So after we fanned the kitchen out put out the fire in the bag. I went upstairs took my bag completely apart. Now off to the store to find cotton thread. Does anyone make these for craft shows went to the one at EJ Thomas hall last week she was sellin a lot of them. Do you use 100 cottn thread

Did you use the "warm tater" batting? It's supposed to not have the resins in it and supposedly therefore it is not likely to catch fire.

Hi,

I have made several tater bags using cotton fabric, warm and natural cotton batting and cotton thread....no issues with usage.
I recently bought the new tater batting, haven't used mine yet. A friend made hers with the new batting, and had a fire in her microwave and she did everything cotton.
So, now am in a quandry as to why??? And do I want to use the new batting or why did hers catch on fire?
I don't have a newer microwave, but others who have used the bags I made do, and no fires.
I will keep checking to see what others say on this post.
I do use mine all the time and love how the potatoes cook in it....yum! I also embroidered on mine and used rayon thread, no issue.
I was told to wash your potato, wrap in a paper towel, don't prick it, and cook it. I don't wrap it in a wet towel.
Bev

I bought a potato bag kit at a fabric store on black friday (for $4!) because I wanted to get the pattern--I am already planning for making these for Xmas presents for next year!. They specifically said to buy the warm tator batting (which they were selling for $2.50 a yard!) and they specifically said to use all cotton thread. Then all should be well. I plan to make three yet for Xmas presents for this year. Good luck.

Well, I bought the pattern and tried to make one but for some reason haven't been able to figure out the directions. It's VERY frustrating because I know it's something really simple that I'm missing and I'm going to feel like an idiot if I ever figure it out. I had planned to give one to each of my sisters as part of their Christmas present. Hopefully I'll figure out what the problem is before next Christmas! I was told to use 100% cotton in everything. I didn't buy the Warm Tater but 100% cotton Warm and Natural. The clerk at Joann's told me it was the same thing.

Here's some info taken from the Warn Company's website:
"Potato bags are all the rage and The Warm Company has the right batting for all your microwave and kitchen projects! Warm Tater is 100% natural cotton that hasn’t been chemically treated making it ideal for cooking potatoes, corn, rolls and warming tortillas in the microwave. Warm Tater is heavy weight 100% natural cotton that acts as an insulator keeping the moisture inside for fresh, hot steamy potatoes & so much more! Use the free pattern featured on the bolt wrapper or package to create your own. This quick, simple & practical project makes a great gift item! Amaze your friends and treat yourself!

Warm Tater is not intended to be microwaved alone. It is not fire retardant or flame proof and The Warm Company does not make this claim. It may help to understand how a microwave works and subsequently how the properly completed potato bag aids in cooking potatoes, corn and warming tortillas and bread.

A microwave oven uses radio waves at a high frequency of around 2.5 gigahertz to cook food. Radio waves in this frequency are absorbed by water, fats and sugars. The radio waves set the sugar, water and fat molecules in atomic motion resulting in heat. The excited water, sugar and fat molecules heat evenly throughout the food. This is how the microwave cooks from the inside out vs. a conventional oven that cooks from the outside in. Warm Tater being 100% natural cotton fiber that has never been chemically treated will contain extremely limited amounts of water and fat molecules as it is a natural fiber (plant). Without the presence of a substantial amount of water, fat or sugar molecules, the radio waves will eventually find these small molecules in the Warm Tater generating heat quickly and prolonged exposure can lead to scorching followed shortly by ignition.

When used properly in a completed potato bag with a couple of potatoes, corn on the cob or tortillas the Warm Tater acts as an insulator keeping the moisture (as steam) inside the potato bag which aids in cooking / warming as the excited water and sugar molecules evenly heat the potato, corn or tortillas. Another consideration is that microwaves vary by manufacturer and by wattage requiring users to establish their own cooking times. An operating microwave should never be left unattended. It is always in your best interest to strictly adhere to your microwave manufacturer’s instructions for use.

For more discussion, please see the following links:
Warm Tater PDF
http://www.potatobakingbag.com/instructions.htm
http://www.thathomesite.com/forums/l...158483416.html
"

Sorry, but I have no idea why these things have become the "in" must have, or must make. I just throw my potatoes in maybe with a wet paper towel or maybe as is and they cook fine. I think these bags are pretty useless. Don't mean to offend, but there it is..

I'm with Candace....I have one, used it, didn't burn up, washed it, tossed it in the drawer and then promptly forgot about it. My mother swears by them! I use the paper towel, too. (though not wet -- hmmmmmm). I used cotton thread, cottom fabric and cotton batting. No problems.

You should NEVER heat cotton-anything in a microwave oven - it is always likely to catch fire. The problem has nothing to do with your microwave oven, it can happen in any microwave oven. The reason has to do with the way microwave energy interacts with cellulose-based materials such as cotton. Many of these materials don't absorb microwaves very well on their own when they are very dry and at room temperature. However, since they are likely to contain water, they will get hot, and once they do the cotton fibers begin to absorb microwaves extremely well. In fact so well that they begin heating faster and faster the hotter they get, with the result that the cotton catches fire. The same phenomenon can occur with paper, wood, and other common materials. Another material you might use is nylon and that should NEVER be used in a microwave oven because that is likely to melt.

I'm a microwave scientist and this is well known physics.

Another thought is that if these bags get any grease/oils on them, wouldn't they become more flammable too?