Grilled Whole Baked Potatoes without Foil

A great grilled sided for the summer and it is simple, simple, simple. Only a few secrets to getting that whole baked potato grilled to perfection and it does not involve aluminum foil.

One simple way to grill baked potatoes is to wrap them in foil and cook them over direct heat. Many recommend double wrapping (I guess so the steam doesn't escape). But they tastes more like steamed potatoes not baked and definitely not grilled. Just as an aside... I love the Paula Deen recipe with double wrapping, cooking and then topped with a half stick of butter each.

So on to the secrets. First the potato needs to be partly cooked (heated) before the grilling. You can not get the inside done otherwise. Second, a done baked potato is 210 degrees internal.

So...wash the potato, stick with a fork a few times so it doesn't explode, brush with oil and season. Then the microwave is your friend. Nuke for 2-3 minutes then grill over direct heat until done.

Rating

A really good and simple side.

Notes:
I tried the whole potato without the oil and it shriveled up like a microwave potato.
You can cut the potato up instead. Lots of recipes out there for that including some of mine.
You could "parboil" the potato also but the microwave is easier.
Do not over microwave or it will shrivel. But microwaves vary some and potato size varies. A little under is better than over and make it up on the grill.

Preheat grill. Your grill surface needs to be in the 450-500 range. A little under is ok but not over. This is a little over medium on my super duper Weber but it is a "hot" grill and would be more medium high on a normal gas grill and over the edge of the coals of a charcoal grill. Clean and brush well under running water. You want to eat the skin so get it clean.

 Pierce the skin with a fork a few times on each side.

 Give them a nice brush of olive oil.

Sprinkle with course salt and pepper. I'm using my 7:2:2 to also add some garlic. (Link Homemade Everyday Seasoning Salt - 7:2:1 Mix (and 7:2:2)) Microwave on high about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes per potato flipping over halfway through. This can vary some with the strength of your microwave and size of potatoes. DO NOT over microwave.

Then transfer to grill over direct heat. Flip every 4-5 minutes. Grill until outside is nicely brown and internal temp of about 210 degrees. Total grill time 12-14 minutes.

Grilled Whole Baked Potatoes without Foil

by Dan Mikesell May-9-2013

A great grilled sided for the summer and it's simple, simple, simple. Only a few secrets to getting that whole baked potato grilled to perfection and it does not involve aluminum foil.

Ingredients

• 2 medium russet potatoes
• Olive oil for brushing
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1) Preheat grill. Your grill surface needs to be in the 450-500 range. A little under is ok but not over. This ia a little over medium on my super duper Weber but it is a "hot" grill and would be more medium high on a normal gas grill and over the edge of the coals of a charcoal grill. 2) Clean and brush well under running water. You want to eat the skin so get it clean.3) Pierce the skin with a fork a few times on each side. Give them a nice brush of olive oil. Sprinkle with course salt and pepper. I'm using my 7:2:2 to also add some garlic. 4) Microwave on high about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes per potato flipping over halfway through. This can vary some with the strength of your microwave and size of potatoes. DO NOT over microwave.5) Then transfer to grill over direct heat. Flip every 4-5 minutes. Grill until outside is nicely brown and internal temp of about 210 degrees. Total grill time 12-14 minutes.

Details

Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 14 mins Total time: 24 mins Yield: 2 servings

Updated

May 9 2013

Dan Mikesell