roast potatoes vs. baked potatoes

[Unregistered]

What's the difference between roasting and baking? We usually roast meat and bake bread or cakes. Both roasting and baking take place in an oven in dry heat. So what's the difference (if any) between roast potatoes and baked potatoes?
I'd be very grateful if someone explained it to me.

[riverkid]

What's the difference between roasting and baking? We usually roast meat and bake bread or cakes. Both roasting and baking take place in an oven in dry heat. So what's the difference (if any) between roast potatoes and baked potatoes?
I'd be very grateful if someone explained it to me.

With roasting, attempts are made to retain moisture. Roasted potatoes are often done in with a roast with a lid to keep the potatoes more moist.

[naomimalan]

What's the difference between roasting and baking? We usually roast meat and bake bread or cakes. Both roasting and baking take place in an oven in dry heat. So what's the difference (if any) between roast potatoes and baked potatoes?
I'd be very grateful if someone explained it to me.

I'd always thought they were one and the same thing but apparently I'm wrong (even if a lot of people make the same mistake as myself).

Basically, roast potatoes are first peeled, then par-boiled then sprinkled with salt and pepper and placed in sizzling fat in a roasting pan in the oven, gas 7 for about an hour.

Baked potatoes are potatoes with their skins still on which you lightly coat with oil, generously sprinkle with salt and then place in an oven on a rack, gas 7 (I think) for about an hour and a half. You then split them open and place a knob of butter on each or else any filling you want e.g. grated cheese.

If you want to see a super step by step video on how to make them, click on www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-baked-potatoes

[Anglika]

Roasting something is technically cooking it over or in front of an open flame, whereas baking is cooking something in an enclosed heated space [an oven].

Roasting has come to mean cooking with the aid of oil or fat in some form, within an oven, whereas baking does not require oil or fat. So meat is roasted and cakes are baked, both in an oven.

Roast potatoes are peeled and cooked in fat or oil; baked potatoes are placed in the oven without being peeled, and are cooked as they are [though some people do put water and salt or oil on the outside to add a crispness.]