Pumpkin Carving Basics: Tools, Safety and Easy Designs
Carving a jack-o'-lantern is one of the best parts of October. It is also easy to get hurt if you rush it. Here is a simple guide to the tools, the safety rules and a few first designs that look good without a lot of skill.
Pick a pumpkin that is easy to carve
Look for a pumpkin with a flat bottom so it sits steady, a sturdy stem and no soft spots. University of Illinois Extension notes that lighter-colored pumpkins are easier to carve because the skin is not as hard, but they do not keep as long. If you plan to carve, think about timing too. A carved pumpkin usually lasts about a week to ten days, so the week before Halloween is a good time to start.
The tools you need
You do not need much. A good setup is:
A small serrated pumpkin saw, like the ones in carving kits
A large metal spoon or an ice cream scoop for cleaning out the inside
A washable marker for drawing your design
A bowl for seeds and a trash bag or newspaper for the pulp
A battery tea light or small flashlight for lighting it up
Why a saw beats a kitchen knife
It seems like a sharp kitchen knife would be the best tool, but doctors who treat hand injuries say the opposite. Shriners Children's points out that a sharp knife can wedge in the thick skin of a pumpkin, and when it pulls free it can slip into your hand. The small serrated saws in carving kits are less likely to get stuck and are not sharp enough to cause a deep cut if they slip. Use short, controlled strokes and cut away from yourself.
Set up a safe spot
Carve at a clean, dry table with good light. Wash and dry your tools first, and wipe up pulp as you go, since wet hands, handles and tables are how slips happen.
If kids are helping, give them the jobs they can do safely. Shriners Children's recommends that children never do the carving themselves. Let them draw the face and scoop out the seeds and pulp. An adult handles the saw.
If someone does get a cut, press on it with a clean cloth. If the bleeding does not slow after about 15 minutes of steady pressure, or there is numbness or trouble moving a finger, get medical help.
How to carve, step by step
Draw a circle around the stem, a few inches out, and cut the lid at a slight angle so it rests on a ledge instead of falling in. Some people cut the opening in the back or bottom instead, which keeps the top looking whole. Scrape the inside walls clean, and thin the wall on the side you will carve so the saw goes through more easily. Draw your face with the marker, then saw out the shapes, starting with the small pieces in the middle and working out.
Easy first designs
Triangle eyes and a triangle nose are classic for a reason. They are all straight cuts. For the mouth, try a wide smile with two or three square teeth. Other easy ideas are round surprised eyes with a small round mouth, a sleepy face with two curved lines for closed eyes, or a single big star or moon shape. Keep the shapes large. Thin pieces between cuts break easily.
Light it safely
Fire safety groups such as the National Fire Protection Association say it is safest to use a flashlight or battery candle in a jack-o'-lantern. Battery lights also help your pumpkin last, since a real flame cooks it from the inside. Rub a little petroleum jelly on the cut edges to slow drying, and keep it out of direct sun.
Questions about your pumpkins?
If you have a pumpkin or carving question we did not cover here, we would be glad to help. Call or text us at (513) 409-0005, or send a message through our contact page. We are a family-run business right here in the Springboro, Dayton and Cincinnati area, and we are always happy to talk pumpkins.