The five-minute pumpkin carving hack I swear by for quick Halloween decorations
You'll be wondering why you never thought to try it before
I love all things Halloween, whether that's ghoulish Halloween decorating ideas or grinning jack-o-lantern. However, what I do not love is hollowing out the inside of a pumpkin, until I discovered a genius hack for carving pumpkins quickly.
While there are plenty of lovely no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas out there, I love to dot pumpkin vases around my house and light up my windows with jack-o-lanterns on the 31st October. If like me you find trying to dig the stringy pumpkin insides out with a spoon a painfully laborious experience, I promise this carving hack will be a game-changer.
The hack involves using an electric hand-held whisk to clear out the inside of the pumpkin with minimal effort and fuss. I discovered the hack last Halloween and used it to whip up a mix of pumpkin vases and jack-o-lanterns in record time as it takes just minutes to do.
The hack is easy enough. You start by cutting off the top of the pumpkin as you usually would before carving. Once you have the lid off move the knife to a safe location in the kitchen and get your electric whisk ready. I use my trusty Salter hand mixer available on Amazon for £21.99.
I would recommend placing your pumpkin on a chopping board on a kitchen worktop, this will protect the surface and give you more control over the whisk. Then put the whisk inside the pumpkin and turned it to the lowest speed.
To avoid being sprayed with pumpkin seeds angle the whisk slightly and keep the speed low. The goal is to use the whisk to detach all the seeds and stringy bits from the side so they're easy to scoop out.
Go up and down all the sides to make sure you've reached every last bit. To avoid overloading the whisk I'd do this in ten-second bursts, overall it should take about a minute.
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
Once you remove the whisk, you should be able to scoop all the seeds and pumpkin flesh out easily with a dessert spoon. You should have a perfectly hollowed-out pumpkin in under 5 minutes (even 2 minutes once you become a pro).
All that is left is to decide on your pumpkin design or whether you want to keep things simple with a pumpkin vase. It speeds up the process so much that I found it easier to curate a full pumpkin display without relying on buying extra decorations.
Never dread hollowing out pumpkins again.
Rebecca Knight has been the Deputy Editor on the Ideal Home Website since 2022. She graduated with a Masters degree in magazine journalism from City, University of London in 2018, before starting her journalism career as a staff writer on women's weekly magazines. She fell into the world of homes and interiors after joining the Ideal Home website team in 2019 as a Digital Writer. In 2020 she moved into position of Homes News Editor working across Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc, Real Homes, Gardeningetc and Ideal Home covering everything from the latest viral cleaning hack to the next big interior trend.
-
Vitamix A2500i review - a blender for serious home chefs
This powerful and expensive blender will be perfect for blending enthusiasts, but overkill for many people
By Helen McCue
-
The 5 bathroom lighting rules design experts always follow for a bright and beautiful space
Planning your bathroom lighting has never been easier
By Holly Cockburn
-
Søstrene Grene has opened its Christmas shop - these are the miniature scandi-inspired decorations to snap up now
Less is more with these pretty pieces
By Kezia Reynolds
-
Sock pumpkins are taking over TikTok - here's how to make this quick and easy Halloween decoration
Save your money on autumnal decor with this easy hack
By Kezia Reynolds
-
Ruth Langsford's autumnal Halloween display is the perfect last-minute decorating inspiration
It's not long now until Halloween...
By Amy Hunt
-
This Christmas tree trend is sweeping social media, but there's not a festive decoration in sight
This unconventional take on a Christmas tree has certainly caught our attention
By Jullia Joson
-
Halloween decorating ideas to get your home ready for spooky season
If you love Halloween but don't dig tacky skeletons and faux cobwebs, try these eerily elegant styling ideas instead...
By Stephanie Durrant
-
Quick-and-easy Halloween decorations from just £2.69 in the Amazon Prime sale
Last-minute Halloween decorations that are big on impact, low on effort, and in today's Amazon Prime Day sale
By Amy Lockwood
-
No-carve pumpkin decorating ideas – easy ways to create a gorgeous autumnal look
Add some autumnal style to your home with our simple pumpkin decorating ideas - no knives required!
By Ginevra Benedetti
-
Last year's sellout plush pumpkins are back at Hobbycraft and already selling fast
After selling out by September last year, you'd better act fast if you want to pick up this coveted Halloween decoration
By Rebecca Knight
-
Yankee Candle has launched a new pumpkin scented candle in time for Halloween
Trick your way to a treat this Halloween and get your mitts on a free Yankee Candle
By Grace Allen