(snip)

> steam can pass through the flesh of the potato, but not through the
> skin, just like frying a sausage. However I don't think this is so. In
> Wal-Mart (I think) you can buy potatoes wrapped in film that you just
> pop in the microwave for 7 minutes and they come out really nice
> without holes. Also, I have often nuked potatoes without film or fork
> holes and they do just fine with no explosions.

Yes, it is a fallacy. I have been nuking my potatoes for years without
poking holes in them. They've never blown up on me and I've nuked some
large taters.

Kilikini