I've had a fabric bag for microwaving potatoes for years. At first I was skeptical of the whole thing, but at the shop we sold thousands of kits to make them so I gave one a try. Those bags work! I've made several for family and friends and everyone loves them. It really makes a difference in the texture of a baked potato that is cooked in a microwave.
The bag is a bit damp after use, so I usually just let it dry out and pop it back in the drawer. The next-to-the-last time I used it, dinner also included barbeque sauce. Evidently some sauce ended up on the fabric potato bag that I didn't notice. The LAST time I used it that sauce got hot - really hot and caught the bag on fire! I started those potatoes and walked back to my sewing room where I left my phone. Luckily I didn't get distracted and returned to the kitchen to see my potatoes and bag in flames.
I know there are stories about bags catching fire because metallic fabric was used or the wrong kind of batting was inside. This was a well used bag. It had zapped dozens and dozens of potatoes. I can only assume that the sweet barbeque sauce was the culprit. So this is my helpful hint in the form of a public service announcement:
WASH YOUR POTATO BAG
If you don't have a potato bag, you should. Below is a link to a video and printable instructions. Just be sure to use cotton fabric (no metalic, cotton thread and cotton batting) and remember to wash the bag after use. Guess what I am sewing today?
I made my dad a potato bag. No metallic fabric, and I used the batting that was designed for the potato bags. The second time he used it, it caught on fire. I asked him if he washed it out after using it the first time and he said no. I can only assume that the potato starch got on the bag and that is what caught on fire.
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