The Secret to Baked Potatoes on the Grill

Making baked potatoes on the grill is a rather easy task. It just takes some time, and some aluminum foil, to get right. Potatoes are generally fantastic for grilling, especially since they go with almost any flavor combination. The best potato to use for baking on a grill is the russet potato, also known as a baking potato. However, you can use almost any variety you like, from new potato to sweet potato.

Cleaning
Potatoes are dirt vegetables, so you should always wash them well before any cooking. Use a vegetable brush to scrub the potato skin well while running them under cold water. If there are any bruises or over-sized eyes on the potato, use a peeler to remove the small section. Baked potatoes need the skin, though, so make sure to leave as much of it alone as possible.

Preparing
It's important to always poke the potato with a fork a few times if you plan on baking it. This will help heat get in and moisture get out. Otherwise, your potato is at risk of exploding into a mess.

You want to brush some oil or butter over the potato skin to help seal in flavor and prevent the potato from sticking to the grill. You can grill the potatoes as is, or you can wrap them in some aluminum foil. Wrapping the potatoes in foil allows you to add any herbs, spices or other vegetables to the tubers.

Grilling Uncovered Potatoes
If you want to bake your potatoes whole and uncovered on a grill, place them on the outer edges of the grill. Depending on the size of the potato, it may need to grill for 30 to 60 minutes. When a fork slides into the middle of the potato with ease, it's done cooking. Turn the potato every 10 to 15 minutes to keep it moist and cooking evenly. If you want a crispier skin, baste the potato with oil or butter each time you turn it.

Grilling Covered Potatoes
If you want to grill your potatoes with a cover, wrap them up in some aluminum foil. Most people prefer to add at least a small sprinkle of salt and pepper to the potato skin before wrapping. You must add some oil or butter to keep the potato skin from burning and sticking to the foil.

You can bake the potato over direct heat, indirect heat or even right in the coals. Direct heat and coals bake a covered potato in 30 to 45 minutes. Indirect heat bakes a covered potato in 45 to 60 minutes.

Grilling Tips

• Never bake a potato covered or uncovered on a grill without a light brushing of oil or butter. It will burn easily, stick to the grill or foil, and come out a flavorless mush.
• Potatoes were made for mixing with other flavors. There are so many herbs, spices and other vegetables that create a tasty combination with baked potatoes that it's an outright shame to bake a potato on the grill without using a little extra flavor.