Pumpkin Carving for Beginners
Posted: Tuesday, October 21, 2008
by Rob Mann
Here are just a few tips and tricks to remember in choosing a pumpkin that is to be carved as a jack-o'-lantern:
* First you want to choose a large pumpkin because the larger the pumpkin, the easier it is to carve and try to pick one that is lighter in color because they are usually easier to carve as they are softer.
* You'll want to avoid using pumpkins that have bruises or have moldy stems because they tend to spoil a lot faster.
* When cleaning the pumpkin, it's a good idea to save the seeds. These seeds when toasted make quite a tasty snack. Use a large, heavy metal serving spoon or ice cream scoop to scrape the insides.
* If you are planning on lighting the jack-o'-lantern, scrape the back wall to a smooth finish as this is where the light will be reflected. Although this is not always the case, usually around a1-inch or so thickness of the pumpkin wall is the norm.
* For optimizing the pumpkins longevity, try soaking the cleaned pumpkin for at least a couple of hours in a bleach water solution consisting of 1 teaspoon of bleach per 1 gallon of water. Make sure to dry the pumpkin thoroughly, then rub inside and out, including all the carved edges with vegetable oil or some similar product to help prevent shriveling because when the pumpkin begins to shrivel, it won't be long before it goes kaput. The soaking time will depend upon how dried out the pumpkin has become.
* It's probably a smart idea for beginners to usually start with a simple, bold pattern and then once mastering the simple patterns, then move on to something more elaborate.
* It is a great idea to print out or draw the pattern you plan to use in carving the pumpkin on a piece of paper. Use small sharp scissors or a razor knife to cut out the areas you will be carving into the pumpkin. Tape the template onto the pumpkin and use a marker to trace the carving lines. Cutting slits in the paper will help it to conform to the round surface. Also a possible alternative to this is taping the template outline to the pumpkin and use a nail or large push pin to score the carving lines onto the pumpkin. Then you can simply play connect the dots as you carve.
* A long serrated knife or a pumpkin-carving knife with teeth will usually be necessary to cut through the pumpkin's thick flesh. Use a sawing motion while cutting along the outside edge of the marker lines so there is no marker residue left.
* Also consider cutting out the bottom of the pumpkin. The pumpkin will be more stable which makes it much easier to carve. If planning on using a candle to light the jack-o'-lantern, be sure the opening in the bottom is large enough to fit over the candle. Place the candle on a fire-proof base large enough to accommodate the pumpkin. You can then easily lift off the jack-o'-lantern to light the candle.
* As a safety note, If planning on lighting the jack-o'-lantern with a candle, be sure to leave the lid off to avoid any likely fire hazards. Try to use a votive candle in a glass holder or tea lights inside of a metal case. If you want to leave the lid on, carve a hole in the unseen back side of the pumpkin to act as a chimney. Also remember to never leave a candle-lit jack-o'-lantern unattended for any length of time. Actually a small battery-operated touchlight is a much safer choice than candles for lighting your jack-o'-lantern.
* Sprinkle the bottom side of the pumpkin lid with ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or even cloves to let your jack-o'-lantern do double duty as an air freshener.
* Place the jack-o'-lantern in a plastic bag and refrigerate when not in use.
Now, although carving pumpkins is a great source of fun and entertainment, pumpkin painting can be a wonderful and less tedious alternative that you may also want to try. A great on line site that offers a "how to" guide of pumpkin painting techniques, designs, resources and step-by-step instructions can be found by clicking here. Either activity however, is sure to be loads of fun.
Well, there you have it, just a few of surely countless ideas and tricks to get the most out of your carving this Halloween season. Happy Halloween and Boo!
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Interesting idea about the pumpkin doubling as an air freshener.Thanks. Yeah a friend of mine told me that you could also place the cinnamon, etc. in the bottom of the pumpkin to release more scent. Oh you know what, maybe after you hollow the pumpkin out, you could take what ever scented spice, etc. you wanted to use, put it on a cloth and then rub it all around the inside walls for even more scent release. Don't know if that would be a little overkill though. If you decide to give it a try, let me know the results. Thanks for the comment G!
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