How Long to Bake Potatoes on BBQ - Outdoor Cabinets

Baked potatoes are a classic barbecue side dish. When cooked right, they come out with a fluffy interior and a crispy skin. But getting the bake time just right can be tricky, especially when cooking them on a grill. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how long to bake potatoes on a BBQ.

Choosing the Right Potato

Not all potatoes are created equal when it comes to baking. Waxy potatoes like red or white potatoes don’t bake up quite as fluffy. For the best results, choose russet or Yukon gold potatoes. These starchier varieties get light and pillowy in the oven.

Look for potatoes that are similar in size so they will cook in the same amount of time. Size does matter when it comes to baking. A small potato may only need 30-45 minutes in the oven while a very large one could take 60-90 minutes.

Select potatoes that are free of blemishes, bruises or green spots. Damaged areas may cook faster leading to uneven baking. Scrub potatoes under running water to remove any dirt but do not peel them. The skins add texture and flavor when baked.

BBQ Bake Time Per Pound

The general rule of thumb when baking potatoes is 45-60 minutes per pound at 400°F. Since most grills top out at around 500-550°F, the cook times need to be adjusted. Here are some approximate BBQ bake times for common potato sizes:

Small (6-8 oz) potatoes: 30-45 minutes
Medium (8-10 oz) potatoes: 45-60 minutes
Large (10-12 oz) potatoes: 60-75 minutes
Extra Large (1 lb or more) potatoes: 75-90 minutes

These times are based on a grill temperature of about 500°F. If you have a very hot grill that can reach 600°F, reduce the times by about 10-15 minutes. If the grill runs cooler at around 400°F, increase times by 10-15 minutes.

Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Insert into the center of the largest potato. When it reaches 205°F the potatoes are fully cooked through. If the potatoes are not quite done, close the lid and check again in 10 minute increments.

BBQ Set Up Tips

To ensure your potatoes bake evenly from edge to edge, pay attention to these BBQ set up tips:

Arrange coals or burners for indirect heat. You want to bake the potatoes, not sear them over direct heat. Pile coals to one side of a charcoal grill or only turn on burners on one half of a gas grill.
Use a perforated grill pan. The holes allow airflow and prevent soggy bottoms. Place potatoes directly on the grill grates for a crisper skin.
Put potatoes over unlit side. Position baking potatoes over the side with no coals or flame. This prevents scorching.
Rotate potatoes midway. About halfway through baking, turn potatoes 180 degrees using tongs. This helps reduce hot spots.
Keep lid closed as much as possible. Opening the lid repeatedly lets heat escape. Opening briefly to rotate or check tenderness is ok.

Proper BBQ setup ensures the potatoes bake evenly without burning or undercooking. Maintaining an even 450-500°F temperature is ideal.

BBQ Potato Prep

Prepping the potatoes correctly prior to grilling will give you the best baked potato results:

Wash potatoes. Give them a good scrub under running water to remove any dirt. Do not peel.
Pat dry. Use a dish towel to dry potatoes so the skins will get extra crispy. Wet potatoes may steam instead of crisp.
Poke holes. Use a fork to poke deep holes all over the potato. This allows steam to escape and prevents exploding.
Coat with oil. Lightly brush or rub potatoes with olive oil or vegetable oil. This aids browning and makes the skins extra crispy.
Season. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika or other dry rubs. Seasonings will develop deep flavor while baking.
Wrap in foil (optional). For soft, tender skins, wrap each potato in foil. Leave foil slightly open at top for venting.

With these simple prep steps, your potatoes will be BBQ-ready for optimal baking.

Baking Large Batches of Potatoes

When cooking for a crowd, baking lots of potatoes on the grill is convenient. Here are some tips for baking large batches:

Use multiple grill pans. Divide potatoes between 2-3 perforated grill pans so there is space around each one.
Place pans on different heat zones. Put one pan over direct heat and another over indirect heat for even cooking.
Stagger start times. Begin baking smaller potatoes first then add larger ones later so they finish together.
Monitor temperatures. Check potatoes with a meat thermometer and remove pans as they reach 205°F.
Keep warm in cooler. Transfer done potatoes to an insulated cooler to keep warm if needed.
Reheat if needed. Potatoes can wait up to 30 minutes in the cooler and still stay warm. If they cool, reheat 5 minutes per side directly on the grill grates.

With the right setup, you can easily bake dozens of potatoes at once for a big backyard barbecue or tailgate.

Testing for Doneness

The best way to test potatoes for doneness is using a digital meat thermometer. For perfectly cooked baked potatoes, you’re looking for an internal temperature of 205°F. Here are some other signs potatoes are fully baked:

Fork tender. A fork or skewer should slide in and out of the potatoes very easily when they are fully cooked.
Slightly deflated. As potatoes bake, they lose moisture and deflate slightly when done.
Crispy skin. The skin will get dry and take on a leathery texture when fully baked.
Steam escaping. You may see wisps of steam coming out of the potatoes when first removed from heat.

Use all your senses when checking for doneness. Carefully remove from the grill and check a few spots by piercing with a fork. If any area seems undercooked, return to the grill for 10-15 minutes.

Get Creative with BBQ Baked Potato Toppings

A baked potato is the perfect canvas for creative toppings. Take your barbecue potatoes to the next level with fun additions:

Chili and cheese. Top with leftover chili and melted cheddar or Monterey Jack.
BBQ baked beans. Warm baked beans make a delicious topping. Add pulled pork or brisket.
Greek yogurt. For a healthier option, substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream.
Corn and bacon. Mix corn, crumbled bacon, scallions and ranch dressing.
Blue cheese and buffalo chicken. Shredded chicken with hot sauce and blue cheese crumbles.
Chopped BBQ. Dice up leftover chicken, sausage or burgers. Mix with BBQ sauce.

With your favorite proteins, veggies, sauces and cheeses, you can customize each baked potato into a hearty barbecue meal.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Potatoes

Like many barbecue side dishes, baked potatoes taste great as leftovers. Here are some tips for storing and reheating them:

Let cool completely before refrigerating. Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Reheat in the microwave in 30 second bursts, checking occasionally. Poke holes in the skin first.
Wrap in foil and reheat in a 300°F oven about 15-20 minutes until warmed through.
Cut potatoes into wedges. Toss with oil and reheat on the grill about 4-5 minutes per side.
Use leftover baked potatoes as the start of hash browns or breakfast potatoes.
Blend cooked potato flesh into a soup base or purée for gnocchi.

With proper storage, you can enjoy leftover baked potatoes in many ways. They retain their texture well for several days. Simply reheat until warmed through before serving.

FAQs About Baking Potatoes on the BBQ

Here are answers to some common questions about getting perfect barbecue baked potatoes:

How do you bake potatoes on a gas grill?

Arrange potatoes over unlit burners or indirect zone. Close lid and bake 45-60 minutes per pound at about 500°F, flipping halfway.

What is the best way to bake potatoes on a charcoal grill?

Rake coals to one side. Place potatoes over unlit side and bake 45-60 minutes per pound with vents open, flipping halfway through.

Should you wrap potatoes in foil on the grill?

For softer skins, wrap in foil. For crisper skins, bake directly on the grill grate. Partially wrap for in-between texture.

Can you bake sweet potatoes on the grill?

Yes, sweet potatoes bake great on the grill! Cook them same way as russets but allow a little more time since they are denser.

Should you poke holes in potatoes before baking on the grill?

Yes, poking holes allows steam to escape which prevents exploding. Use a fork to poke deep holes all over the potato skin.

How do you keep baked potatoes warm after cooking on the BBQ?

Wrap in foil then place in an insulated cooler, wrapping in towels if needed. Potatoes stay warm for up to 30 minutes this way.

Get Perfectly Baked BBQ Potatoes Every Time

Baking potatoes on the grill takes a little practice but results in fantastic flavor. With the right heat setup, prep and cook time, you can enjoy tender baked potatoes with crispy skins any time you barbecue. Whether you are cooking for a small dinner or a big crowd, baked potatoes are always a hit off the grill.

Use this guide to get the bake time right for your preferred potato size. Test doneness by temperature and texture. Then pile on creative toppings and dig in to a classic barbecue side. With the right techniques, you can enjoy perfectly fluffy baked barbecue potatoes every time.