Carbide shooting

Carbide shooting is a local use in some parts of the southern, northern and eastern regions of the Netherlands. It usually takes place on or around oldyear. Carbide is laid in a milk barrel or painttin and slightly wetted with, for example a little water. The barrel is then sealed with a lid or a plastic ball. The carbide reacts with water into acetylenegas and will be ignited through a small hole in the barrel by a blow torch. This will cause an impressing (with a large barrel frequently deafening) explosion, causing the lid or the ball to fly several meters. (approx. 75 mtrs). To cause a larger bang, larger material should be used, like our diesel barrel, or a converted Potato Harvester.