How To Make A Serious Potato Cannon

A lot of my friends have always wanted to make a potato cannon. Most thought it was harder than it actually was. So I decided to make one to prove them wrong. Now I am not posting videos of what I did as I realized I forgot after it was complete. Here are step by step instructions to make the perfect Potato Cannon with a video.


1) First things first, You need all the materials.

     1) 2 Foot of 4" piece of PVC Pipe
     2) 5 Foot of 2" piece of PVC Pipe
     3) 4" Female Adaptor
     4) 4" Plug
     5) 4" Coupler
     6) 4" Reducer (From 4" to 2")
     7) Spark Generator
     8) Electrical Tape
     9) Potato
    10) Broom
    11) Hair Spray, Axe, needs to be flammable.

2) Next you want to connect all the pieces. Now obviously there are many ways to do this but the most efficient way and to guarantee a long lasting Potato Cannon would be to connect using cement. First you want to clean the area you're cementing. Once it is clean apply the cement and place the End up ( Consists of female adaptor, plug,) onto the longer piece of PVC Pipe. Once connected clean off any extra cement.

3) Next part to add is the Coupler which once again needs to be cemented to the PVC. After that is the reducer which again is cemented. After all that is done, the next part is to add the thinner but longer piece of PVC or barrel to the reducer and you also want to cement that as well.

4) When all parts are connected you next need to connect the Spark Generator. Drill a hole into the side of the bigger PVC and using ELECTRICAL TAPE, (Not Duct Tape) secure it to the PVC.

5) Place potato into barrel and using broom slide it all the way down, once it is securely in spray a little hair spray into the back with the cap and close the cap, at this time you should be able to fire. Click the ignitor and your all set.

Most materials should be easy to get at your local hardware store or Home Depot.