And it works pretty well.
Often there’s a cheat sheet for your microwave functions posted inside the door, so you might have a function code (like a Program button and then the number 6 or whatever) for potato, or you may have an actual Potato button on the keypad.
Generally, you initiate the Potato Sequence with the Program+Number or Button, and then it wants to know how many potatoes you have. This is a bit of a guesstimation based on average potato size, so if you have one average potato 1 will likely be fine. My guess from experience is that “one” standard microwave potato unit is 7-8 ounces, so if you have a ginormous one-pounder maybe say you have 2, or you can use 2 if you have a 1lb bag of wee potatoes.
Some microwaves are not clear on HOW you tell it the number of potatoes. My current microwave has a Potato button and I push it once to say a potato is incoming, then it shows me a 0 until I push the button again to indicate a measure of 1. Keep pushing it and the number goes up.
When it’s a Program function of some kind, usually pressing the 1 or 2 button after I do the Potato Sequence sets the quantity.
Standard instructions tell you to poke the potato in advance with a knife or fork. I am assured by the internet that the potato will explode if you don’t. I have never exploded a potato but legally I probably shouldn’t tell you there’s no point, as that’s clearly just one potato-lover’s opinion.
Tip: my potatoes often sit in the microwave for a while, because ADHD, but sometimes it’s actually on purpose, and I do this with a lot of microwave foods. Letting it sit, even if that means you need to give it a final do-over of 30-60 seconds, lets the heat equalize throughout. If it’s something stir-able, you should stop and stir, but I don’t want to stir my potatoes yet.
But sometimes with potatoes specifically I’ll let them sit there to equalibrilize for 5ish minutes, then put them in the air fryer with a spritz of oil to crisp up the skin. They do deflate a little in the waiting time, but I do think this makes the best version of a microwave baked potato.