Knowing how to make a banana pipe is one of the most useful smoking hacks you can have. No headshop, no papers, no problem — a banana turns into a fully functional pipe in about 5 minutes using only a knife and a hollowed-out pen. This banana pipe smoking hack has been around forever and it still works perfectly every time.
What You Need to Make a Pipe from a Banana
To make a pipe from a banana you only need 3 things:
- 1 banana (ripe but firm — easier to work with)
- A small knife or pocket knife
- A hollowed-out pen (remove the ink tube so it’s just an open tube)
Optional: a bowl piece from a regular pipe. If you have one handy, it makes a much better bowl than the banana peel alone. If not, the banana peel bowl works fine.
How to Make a Banana Pipe: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Cut the End Off the Banana
Cut off about 1 inch from one end of the banana. This becomes the mouthpiece end. Set that piece aside — you won’t need it. Then cut just the very tip off the other end (the bowl end). You want the peel intact at the bowl end — this is where your bowl piece will sit.
Step 2: Hollow Out the Bowl
Use the knife to hollow out the banana fruit from the bowl end — you want just the peel remaining to form a cup shape. A pen can help here too: poke it in and scoop out the fruit. This is your DIY fruit pipe bowl. Work slowly so you don’t tear through the peel. If you have a glass bowl piece, this is where it fits snugly into the banana.
Step 3: Bore the Airway
Using the hollowed-out pen as a drill, push it lengthwise through the banana body from the bowl end toward the mouthpiece end. Stop about an inch from the mouthpiece. You want to create a clear channel for air to travel. Once the pen is through, remove it and suck gently on the mouthpiece end — this pulls out any loose banana pulp blocking the airway. Clean until you get good airflow.
Step 4: Test the Fit and Pack the Bowl
Press your bowl piece into the peel cup at the bowl end. It should fit snugly. If it’s too tight, use the knife to widen the hole slightly — remember, you can always remove more peel but you can’t add it back. Pack loosely — no screen means smaller pieces can get pulled through if you rip too hard. Pack lightly and hit slowly on your first go.
Optional: Adding a Banana Pipe Carb Hole
A banana pipe carb hole is completely optional but makes the hit cleaner. Find a spot on the side of the banana body near the bowl end. Use the knife to start a small notch, then bore through with the pen until you have a clean hole all the way through the banana. Cover it with your thumb while inhaling, then release at the end of the hit — same as a regular pipe carb. The banana pipe carb hole improves clearance significantly.
How It Hits
The banana pipe smoking hack produces a surprisingly smooth hit. The banana flesh and peel cool the smoke slightly — not as much as a bong, but noticeably smoother than a dry glass pipe. You’ll get a faint banana flavor on your lips from contact with the peel, but the smoke itself doesn’t taste much like banana. This is a clean, functional emergency pipe. Once you know how to make a banana pipe, you’ll never be stuck without a way to smoke.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a banana pipe actually work?
Yes. When built correctly — clear airway, snug bowl, optional carb — a banana pipe works as well as any basic dry pipe. The banana cools the hit slightly and it’s completely biodegradable. Just don’t let it sit too long or the peel will get soggy.
Do I need a glass bowl piece?
No, but it helps. If you’re learning how to make a banana pipe with no accessories at all, the hollowed peel end works as a bowl — just be careful not to torch the peel directly. A glass bowl piece makes the experience much cleaner and longer-lasting.
Can I use other fruits?
Yes. The same DIY fruit pipe bowl technique works with apples, carrots, cucumbers, and potatoes. Apples are probably the most popular — they’re firm, widely available, and easy to work with. Check out the apple pipe guide on Herbistry420 for that method.
How long does a banana pipe last?
One session, maybe two. The banana peel softens quickly, especially if it gets wet. Make a fresh one each time you need it — bananas are cheap and the build takes under 5 minutes once you’ve done it a couple of times.
References
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