A Perfect Baked Potato

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350F.
2. 2
   Wash the potato with a vegetable brush and dry with paper towels.
3. 3
   With the fork, poke holes all over the potato surface.
4. 4
   This will allow steam inside the potato to release as it heats, which will result in a great fluffy texture.
5. 5
   Pour a small amount of canola oil into a bowl, add the potato and turn until the entire surface is lightly coated with the oil.
6. 6
   This not only makes for a slightly crunchy skin, because the oil can get so much hotter than the water inside the potato, it will regulate the moisture.
7. 7
   Sprinkle the potato skin with the kosher salt.
8. 8
   Place the potato directly on the rack in the center of the oven.
9. 9
   A medium-size russet should be fully cooked in about 1 hour.
10. 10
    To check for doneness, give the potato a squeeze (wearing fireproof gloves).
11. 11
    If the skin feels kind of crunchy but the meat inside is soft, its time to eat.