A mine is the most powerful firework you can buy because the whole contents explode at once. Whereas the contents of a cake, candle or other firework go off "bit by bit", in a mine the whole lot is packed loosely in a single card tube. The fuse ignites this and the explosion shoots out of the end of the tube, into the air. The effects are not only powerful, they are sudden, and occur from ground level up to dozens of feet.

The mortar mine is a good example of this in action, with a pack or bag filled with the desired effect loaded into a mortar tube, and a fuse connected. The fuse burns down into the mine which then detonates.

The disadvantage of this single detonation is an extremely short duration compared to fireworks of a similar price. For example, a £25 professional style mortar mine would last perhaps five seconds at most, whereas a good cake for the same price could last up to a minute. Used in the right setting, however, the power of the mortar mine is simply stunning.

Mortar mines are sometimes referred to as "pre-loaded mortar mines". Professionals use reloadable tubes but these are not available to the public, you can only buy single use, ready loaded mines. Hence the term "pre-loaded".

Beginners often confuse the large tube of a mortar mine (particularly if it is labelled as a "pre-loaded mortar") as being a professional shell in a tube. It is not! Shells are not available to the public even if pre-loaded. A mine is a loose collection of effects which explode from the ground upwards.

As the name suggests, these fireworks are mines that start with a fountain effect. This is normally created by a wide fuse, and the fountain in itself is not normally particularly good compared to dedicated fountains. This burns down into the mine itself, setting it off.

Fountain mines are very good for any display for several reasons. Firstly, the fountain start can be quite pretty and it pads out an otherwise short firework. Secondly, the fountain is often mistaken by the audience as the main effect of that firework, so the main detonation creates a useful element of surprise.

These mines are also cheaper than the bigger mortar mines and work well in a line, the fountains creating a line of sparks which transform into columns of effects.

A fountain start mine shows the transition possible between the fountain start (left) and the mine itself (right)

Sometimes a mine is split into two or three sections, which go off one after the other. These are known as double or triple break mines. Although each effect is obviously smaller, the firework lasts longer and can offer great value for money.