klswift

We make the soup bowl microwave potholders. We use 100% cotton for the fabric, batting and thread. BUT, we have a note on them to use for maximum 3 minutes. This is plenty of time to heat items. Microwaves work on moisture and the potholders have no moisture (this is also the reason that folks have problems with making popcorn in some microwaves). Most baked potatoes take much longer than 3 minutes to cook, that could be the problem.

wbfrog

It could have been the cotton thread or the fabric and also how long did you cook the potato all microwaves are not the same. If you can remember the thread take a look at it to check. thanks

fruitloop

I loosely wrap potatoes in a plain clean dish towel. No problem. I have a 1200 watt microwave.

Pat M.

I had one that started smoking, it was because the potato was larger that the ones we used before. It had to cook longer. Will not use one again.

MarleneC

I haven't used or made any of these but in my sewing group a person had made them--cotton fabric, thread and batting and her thought was the sizing on the fabric. Prewashing may also be a factor.

soozieq2

This is exactly what I have been doing and I have had no problems. I started this practice because so much steam built up and dripped down the interior sides of the microwave. Now I won't bother to make potato bags. Good news for this lazy gal!

frenan

A spill in your microwave or a food spill on your potato bag or dish cozy can also cause it to burn.

nannya54

I've sold hundreds of those bags and learned, by personal experience, that they will burn if the microwave has more than 1000 watts of power. If it does, the potato, wrapped in a wet paper towel, needs to be baked at a lower setting.

msmariab5

I have learned that even though all materials are cotton, after a couple of times of use they do catch on fire, i dont recommend even the bowls for microwaves. I test on me and it was scary to see fire in microwave.

SusieQOH

It can be expensive too. My husband put something in the microwave, not sure what, but it sparked, then never worked right again. We had to replace it!