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Under pressure: Amazing Halloween hack carves pumpkin in 30 spooky seconds

A man has shared a no knife hack to carve a pumpkin using a pressure washer. (Getty Images)
A man has shared a no knife hack to carve a pumpkin using a pressure washer. (Getty Images)

Pumpkin carving season is upon us, and with it comes the dread of having to spend hours curating some sort of acceptable door-step design, all while fearing we might lose a finger in the process.

Sure, pumpkin carving is fun festive activity, but not only is it time-consuming, there's also the prospect of having to dig out the gooey guts to consider.

But now, one man has shared his no-knife, no-goo way of carving a pumpkin in less than 30 seconds, using nothing but a pressure washer.

Kiel James Patrick, who posts under @kjp on video-sharing platform TikTok, has gone viral after revealing how he used a pressure washer to add a simple face to his pumpkin.

Watch: How pumpkins became a part of Halloween

In the clip he can be seen using the pressure washer to draw two triangle-shaped eyes, a nose and a spiky-toothed mouth.

Some water pours out of the mouth as he finishes the design, but as he moves around viewers can see that the back is still intact.

He adds: "Wow! That was really easy and fun!"

Read more: Unhappy Halloween: Britain's 8 most haunted locations

The video was captioned: "Carve a Jaco in 30 seconds. Back still intact."

With pumpkin carving being one of those time-consuming, tricky tasks, many viewers were thrilled with the idea of this no-fuss method of creating a pumpkin lantern.

"I did not just spend three hours carving a pumpkin to see this," one commenter joked.

"Wow, thank you. You just saved me an hour of quality time with my family," another joked

As well as swapping knives for a pressure washer, there are plenty of other expert-backed tips to find your pumpkin carving mojo this Halloween.

Cut a hole in the back

For those adding candles to their pumpkins, try cutting a hole at the back of the pumpkin, instead of the top.

"Not only is it easier to put the candle in, it ensures your pumpkins design is intact," explains Carl Poxon from Go Go Fruit Baskets. "However, if you're using a real candle, it's important that you make sure your pumpkin has a hole in the top to allow for smoke to escape."

Use vaseline to keep it fresh

Nothing is creepier than a decaying pumpkin, but if you'd rather keep your orange friend as fresh as possible, then it's worth rubbing petroleum jelly (vaseline will do!) into the areas in which you've carved.

"Not only will it help to protect the pumpkin from the elements, it'll also help to seal in moisture and prevent it from drying up and looking sad," explains Poxon.

Pumpkin carving can be time consuming and tricky but there are some tricks to help. (Getty Images)
Pumpkin carving can be time consuming and tricky but there are some tricks to help. (Getty Images)

Ditch the spoon

And use an ice cream scoop to cut out the insides. "It's a total timesaver and makes your life a whole lot easier," adds Poxon.

Don't carve it vase it

“Pumpkin vases are a fun autumnal alternative to a classic vase,” says floral stylist Amelia Christoffers.

Making a pumpkin vase is actually incredibly easy. Flower experts Bloom & Wild share their step-by-step guide and styling tips for an Instagrammable autumn decoration DIY.

What you will need:

A pumpkin

A knife for carving

A spoon

Some fresh or dried flowers

Wet Floral Foam, if wanted

How to create your pumpkin vase

Step 1: Cut out the stem of the pumpkin and create a big enough opening to fit your flowers

Step 2: Scoop out the pumpkin

Step 3: Fill the pumpkin with water or add the wet floral foam

Step 4: Add and arrange your flowers

Clean up the mess

Left with unsightly stains after your pumpkin carving efforts? Cleaning expert, Joyce French from HomeHow has some tips on how to clean it up.

"Flush the stained area with cold water as soon as possible," she suggests. "Pre-treating with commercial stain remover and working this in with a soft-bristled brush will work best."

French says you should then allow it to sit for 15 minutes before washing as usual on the hottest water setting, following fabric care label instructions.

"If the stain remains after the wash, blot with rubbing alcohol and then with white vinegar before repeating the steps above."

If the pumpkin has stained the carpet, she suggests mixing 500ml warm water and two tablespoons of washing up liquid together in a bowl.

"With a clean cloth, blot the stain gently with the solution until it goes away," she adds.

Read more: Ghost 'sightings,' as explained by science

The seeds of pumpkins can be turned into a tasty and healthy snack. (Getty Images)
The seeds of pumpkins can be turned into a tasty and healthy snack. (Getty Images)

7 things to do with pumpkin leftovers

According to recent statistics the nation bins an average of 8 million pumpkins every year. This adds up to the equivalent of enough pumpkin pie to feed the entire nation. Here's some tips on reducing pumpkin waste this Halloween...

Make a tasty (and healthy) snack

"By roasting the pumpkin seeds in the oven for about 10-15 mins and adding a little bit of seasoning, voila, you have a tasty snack!" suggests Poxon.

Grow next year's pumpkin

According to Liam Lapping of Flowercard you can save the pumpkin seeds and grow your very own pumpkins for next year.

"You’ll want to dry the seeds and prepare to plant them around 6 months before you want them to be ready," Lapping adds.

The plant experts at Primrose have some further tips including picking out the biggest seeds as these will have a better chance of germinating.

"Store them in a cool, dry spot for one week then keep them in the fridge and come April, you can plant your pumpkin seeds ready for October," a spokesperson adds.

Watch: UK's creepiest Halloween to open in a salvage yard

Turn it into a face mask

As pumpkins are packed full of vitamins and nutrients, turning them into a DIY face mask can be a great way to repurpose yours. "AHAs or alpha hydroxy acids are widely praised in the skincare world for the ability to help exfoliate and renew skin, and pumpkins are packed full of them!" explains Scott Hawthorne, managing director at SkipsAndBins.com.

"Not only this, pumpkins contain vitamin E, which can aid acne by reducing inflammation and controlling oil."

Create a bird feeder

There’s no need to ditch the pumpkin once you’ve finished carving it, as the large and shallow shape of the pumpkin inside makes for a great natural feeder. "Simply cut the top off, hang in your garden using some sturdy string, fill with bird seed and watch your feathered friends tuck in!" explains a spokesperson for Primrose.

Eat it

While pumpkin pie is perhaps the best-known option for Halloween leftovers, there are a ton of other options, both sweet and savoury. "Using the pumpkin flesh to create a hearty soup can make for a simple recipe and perfect winter warmer," explains Hawthorne.

"For those who are more adventurous, pumpkins can be used to whip up houmous, bake muffins or feed the family with a pot of risotto.

If you do decide to eat your pumpkin, it is great news for your body too as the fruit is packed full of beneficial ingredients.

"High in vitamin A and C, pumpkin can help your body to fight off infections, viruses, and recover from the common cold," adds Hawthorne.

"Pumpkins are also packed with fibre, helping you to feel fuller for longer and easing digestion."

Read more: Where are Britain's spookiest castles? Here's the hauntings to head for this Halloween

Why not repurpose old pumpkins into an outdoor planter? (Getty Images)
Why not repurpose old pumpkins into an outdoor planter? (Getty Images)

Create a pumpkin planter

Before you get rid of a pumpkin it may still have some use left in it and before it begins to rot, it can also be used as a planter.

"Fill the pumpkin up with a suitable potting mix and use it as a large biodegradable plant pot or container," suggests Elizabeth Waddington, garden designer and sustainability consultant at Horticulture Magazine.

"Once it begins to break down, simply dig a hole in your garden and place the pumpkin planter into that hole complete with the plant. Over time, the pumpkin carcass will break down and provide fertility for the plant."

Dispose of it correctly

If all else fails and you must throw out your pumpkin, ensure you are responsibly disposing of it.

"If you have a garden, composting your pumpkin is a good option, simply cut down any bigger chunks of rind to speed up the process and any flesh should break down quickly," suggests Hawthorne.

If you don’t have your own garden, you can offer up your old pumpkin to any gardeners or allotment owners who might be interested in taking it off your hands. "Lastly, if it does go in the bin, try to make sure you use a food waste recycling bin where possible," he adds.

Watch: Pumpkin carver accidentally creates the face of the PM