An apple pipe is an improvised, temporary smoking device fashioned from a single piece of fruit. This simple construction is often used when traditional smoking apparatus, such as glass pipes or rolling papers, are unavailable. The device relies on a straightforward system of carved channels that allow for the combustion of material and the inhalation of smoke. Its appeal lies in its immediate convenience, the use of commonly available household items, and the fact that the entire mechanism is fully disposable after a single use.
Gathering Materials and Initial Preparation
The fabrication process begins with selecting the proper materials. A firm, fresh apple is recommended, as its density provides structural integrity that soft or bruised fruit lacks during the piercing process. Any variety of apple, such as a Fuji or Granny Smith, will work effectively as long as its skin is intact and unblemished. The primary tool needed is a clean, rigid, cylindrical object with a pointed end, such as a ballpoint pen with the ink cartridge removed, a metal skewer, or a chopstick.
Before carving, the apple should be briefly washed to remove any surface contaminants or wax coating. The stem must then be completely removed by twisting it out or carefully cutting around its base to expose the natural indentation at the top of the fruit. This exposed depression serves as the primary receptacle for the smoking material. Having the prepared material, such as ground herb, ready at this stage saves time.
Creating the Airflow Channels
The construction of the pipe involves boring three distinct channels that must intersect precisely to create a functional path for the smoke and air. The first channel is the mouthpiece, created by pushing the piercing tool horizontally into the side of the apple, approximately halfway down the fruit. This channel should be driven toward the core but stop short of reaching the exact center of the apple. The width of the tool determines the diameter of the mouthpiece opening.
Next, the bowl channel is created by pushing the tool vertically down from the stem’s indentation at the top of the apple. This vertical path must be carefully bored to meet and intersect with the end of the horizontal mouthpiece channel. It is important to avoid pushing the tool all the way through the bottom of the apple, which would compromise the structural integrity. This intersection point is where the smoke will be drawn into the main chamber.
Finally, an optional but highly recommended third channel, known as the carb hole, is created on the opposite side of the apple from the mouthpiece. This second horizontal hole should also be bored to intersect with the main internal chamber, forming a T- or Y-shaped network of tunnels. Once all holes are carved, the airflow should be tested by placing a finger over the bowl opening and inhaling through the mouthpiece; air should only flow when the carb hole is left uncovered.
Usage and Safe Disposal
With the channels complete, the device is prepared for use by loosely packing the ground material into the bowl indentation at the top. Over-packing the material can restrict the draw and prevent proper combustion due to insufficient oxygen flow through the material. The user places their mouth over the mouthpiece hole, while simultaneously covering the carb hole with a finger to create a vacuum and control the airflow.
The material is ignited with a flame while the user inhales gently through the mouthpiece. Once a sufficient amount of smoke has accumulated in the internal chamber, the finger is lifted from the carb hole, allowing a rush of fresh air to clear the chamber and deliver the smoke. Due to the high moisture content of the apple, the device is temporary and begins to degrade immediately after the first use.
The apple’s natural moisture quickly softens the interior walls of the channels and can compromise the integrity of the fruit’s structure. Therefore, the apple pipe should be discarded promptly after a single session to maintain sanitary practices. As a natural, biodegradable object, the entire device can be safely composted or disposed of in a garden where it can decompose naturally, which is preferable to discarding it on sidewalks or public streets.