Bake in the Microwave

• 1). Clean the potato. You need to remove all dirt and debris. Run the potato under cold water and rub the debris with your hands or use a vegetable scrub brush. Dry the potato with a paper towel.
  
  
• 2). Make four holes in the potato with a knife. You need to do this so that steam is released when the potato is baking.
  
  
• 3). Place the potato on a microwave-safe plate. Bake the potato on high for four minutes.
  
  
• 4). Turn the potato over and bake for another four minutes. The potato should now be evenly cooked and it should feel soft to the touch.
  
  
• 5). Let the potato sit for three minutes when you are done cooking it. This allows it to finish heating inside.
  
  

Oven Baking

• 1). Clean the potato by running it under cold water and rub the dirt and debris with your hands or a vegetable scrub brush. Dry the potato with a paper towel.
  
  
• 2). Cut the potato in half lengthwise. Cutting the potato speeds up the baking process. A whole potato needs to bake for about an hour.
  
  
• 3). Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  
  
• 4). Cut up 1/2 tbsp. of butter. Grease the baking sheet with the butter by rubbing it on the entire bottom of the sheet. You are greasing the sheet so that the potato does not stick during the cooking process.
  
  
• 5). Cook the potato. Put the potato on the sheet. Place in the oven. Cook for 30 minutes.