Dumb question I know. I have done lots of internet searching on the potato bags. Yes, I've read all the warnings, opinions, etc. Most of the tutorials use quilting cotton for both inside and outside layers. However, I ran across one site that used flannel on the inside. Would the flannel be better/safer by absorbing more heat or steam?

So far, I've made two bags with flannel on the inside. I've only baked one potato at a time. I didn't really get the "fluffy" potato that everyone raves about. So I'm wondering if I'm a picky chef or does it have something to do with the flannel. I do plan on making a bag without the flannel.

The reason that I'm being obsessive is that I give sewing lessons to my fellow employees. Potato bags will be one of our projects so I really want to use the most appropriate fabrics. Thanks!

From a health stand point I would only make them with unbleached muslin you never know what is used to dye the fabric and I wouldn't want that being steamed in my potato

For fluffy potatoes, it depends on the type of potato you are baking. I buy Idaho baking potatoes, usually they are loose in a bin not in a bag.

Hate sounding ignorant, but better ignorant than stupid... what the heck is a potato bag?

It is a small fabric bag that some people use to bake their potatoes in. Nothing fancy. Just a bag that closes and you pop your potatoe in it and zap it and they say it gives you a super fluffy yummy potato. I do have a potato bag just never tried it yet heh.

Well, potato bags are a new one on me. I peel my potatoes )because my kids hate the peels), rub them with butter, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and nuke them. It makes an excellent baked potato.

All that being said, potato bags could be a cute little kitchen item.

My sentiment eactly. When I read the title, I actually wondered if someone wanted to use the sacks that some potatos are delivered in for quilting. I just could not imagine what part of the quilting. lol

I can barely drag my sorry behind to a restaurant and I hate doing laundry. Thinking there are no potato bags in my future.

Serious question: do they prevent the spuds from expolding?

My mom had big nails she put in them to bake for a few years then :lol: stopped

Have made many(!) potato sacks for gifts and always include instructions for baking with bag. No one has ever reported a problem except for my sister who caught a potato on fire. She left it in for 25 minutes and took a nap while waiting. Duh!

I use unbleached muslin(washed) for inside, 100% cotton batting and well washed 100% cotton for outside. I prefer using Idaho potatoes. The sacks make the best baked potatoes ever. Don't forget to wrap potato in paper towel before inserting into bag and be careful not to puncture the potato skin.

I think that I will be making a bunch of these for Christmas presents. There is a website that had someone selling them and included the nylon crocheted scrubbies and I thought that was a areal good idea. I will probably do the same and maybe include directions for warming frozen breads, tortillas, corn on the cob and of course the potatoes.

iS THERE A SITE THAT HAS PATTERNS FOR THESE POTATOES BAGS.THEY MAY BE INTERESTING, I'M GOING TO TRY THEM

Never heard about a potato bag! I don't have a microwave but I know so many people that have one. So I know what to make for christmas :lol: :lol: :lol:

I always cooked my potatoes in a bin with a lot of water. when there are done and still not fluffly( depands on the potato) then I through the water away and put the bin (closed) for a very little time on high fire. Than put the fire out, wait a minut and there are youre fluffy potatoes..it works al the time. :lol:

Thanks for this topic. Learned sometingh new today. :D
http://www.potatobakingbag.com/

interesting. i've never heard of them.

These bags rock! Our family and friends have used them for years. I've made them and used 100 % cotton fabric, cotton batting and unbleached muslin for the inside. To get them 'fluffy' and yummy- wrap a damp paper towel around the outside of the washed potato before putting it in the bag. They are also great for corn on the cob. My friend uses her to cook sweet potatoes. What great gifts they make :)

Hi - try www.embtreasures.com, it has an embroidered potato picture on top. Of course, you can make it without the embroidery. Word of caution, I made several, used one in the microwave and it caught on fire - starting to burn the fabric just as I was taking it out of the microwave. Haven't used it since.

I have heard that if you didn't use all cotton fabrics, including the thread, that the bags will start on fire. Maybe the embroidery thread wasn't cotton. We've used ours for years and haven't had a problem. I usually rinse it out with tap water and let it dry in the dish drain, then use it again.

could it have been the fabric wasn't 100% cotton? Poly cotton will do that. I remember years ago there was a warning not to put panties in the microwave as they would catch on fire I am sure they meant nylon panties, I could never figure out who would put panties in the microwave to begin with.

Uh, trupeach.... I think those were called 'hot pants' hahahhahahahaha

My mom had a request to make some of them, but didn't get why anyone would want to do their potatoes that way, She had fabric that had potatoes on it to do them with .

I've read so much lately about plastic in the microwave. Plastic releases toxic chemical when heated, might be a small amt. at a time, but by days, week or months end, we have warmed up plenty in plastic. I personally don't warm anything in plastic anymore. I remove food from there own containers and place it in mine. Just thought I pass this on.
Always enjoy reading all your suggestions, great bunch.

sounds really cool idea for christmas gifts so now we need a pattern?

I still do mine the Old Fashion way in the oven. No microwave here. Never know when my ele. will go out. I sware by my gas.

I have used the potato bag for years and made many for family and friends to use. You must be sure that you keep the bag clean and free from all grease. DO NOT USE IT AS A POT HOLDER. I have heard of them catching on fire if left in the micrwave to long. If you make them as gifts include this in the instructions. They are a timesaver but you have to use care in using them.

LOL.... guess you wouldn't need his and hers warming KY jelly would you now??? ( am i allowed to write that if not just delete it.)

Are these potato bags meant to be used in the microwave? For how long? On high?
Someone mentioned warming bread, etc. in them - how does that work?
They sound very intersting - but have lots of questions!
Terry in NY

trupeach- you probably would just use spray crisco or pam :):):)

Terry- we usually go 7 minutes in our microwave for a baked potato or an ear of corn. It depends on your microwave. I'd start at less minutes as some microwaves are quite wazoo and cook much faster. And we usually do a couple at a time. The sweet potatoes were cooked one at a time and cooked about the same time as the regular potatoes. The flavor of fresh corn done in these bags is absolutely incredible.

http://www.atimetostitch.com/potato_bags.htm

I often just wrap my potato in a kitchen towel to bake. Not for guests, but fine in a hurry pinch.

With corn I just remove all but 2 layers of husks and put in the microwave, 2 ears at a time for 5 minutes. Remove with potholders and the silk and husks slide off easily. Too nummy! No bag required.

gaigai- that is a great idea. I must try it... Oh wait, it snowed and froze all the corn plants and they are all dead.... sigh... must wait until next year, but I will definitely try then :) :) thank you for that tip.

Just got back online and read this thread..and I noticed that there have not been any directions sent in as yet....
at least since I read it.....
maybe sending this off, I will find that my answer is already listed.
if not, I do hope that someone sends in the directions for them...

.......................Christmas is coming !!!!!!......................

2 months.......two weeks .....&....one day........

http://tipnut.com/make-your-own-potato-baker-bags/

Here is a link on the how-to's :):)

My DH puts potatoes in the micro for 20 minutes and then puts them in a hot oven for another 30-45 minutes! He has asbestos hands, so he just grabs them or uses a towel.

Apparently you are supposed to read the directions. My gf bought one at a craft fair, and got to use it exactly once. She completely burned the bag and potato. hehehe Silly girl!!!

This is the pattern/instructions that I'm using for my co-workers for their sewing class. This site also has a nice freebie embroidery design to go on the bags. I decided that they would make two bags in class. One bag has the "potato" print fabric and the lining will be flannel. The other bag will have regular quilting cotton inside and out. I've made two of these bags so far. One bag I stippled and the other bag I didn't quilt. The non-quilted bag took about 30-35 minutes. It actually goes pretty quick. I still need to make a bag without flannel to see if there is any difference.

http://www.embtreasures.com/projects

When making the potato bags can you use the bleached muslin?

For fluffy baked potatoes use baking potatoes, the loose ones in the bins and pick the smaller size ones, the bigger the size the more time the starch content had to develop.

My mom and I use Warm and Natural when making our potato bags, and just plain cotton material on the outside.