Ashtray

Choosing an ashtray

Material. Glass and ceramic wipe clean and do not hold smell; they are the right choice for indoors. Metal is nearly indestructible and best outdoors, though it heats up. Silicone will not break if it is knocked off a table.

Depth and rests. A deep bowl contains ash instead of letting a draught lift it. Cut rests hold a joint or cigarette steady — the detail most cheap ashtrays skip.

Size. A small ashtray for a desk, a wide one for a group so nobody is reaching across the table.

Keeping the room fresh

Most smoke smell in a room comes from the ashtray, not the session. Empty it while the ash is cold, rinse glass and ceramic with warm soapy water, and dry it properly — damp ash is what smells. Pair it with a smoke odour candle or personal air filter if you smoke indoors regularly.

Ashtrays as gifts

Novelty ashtrays — gnomes, donuts, sculpted ceramics — are one of the easier gifts for someone who already owns every piece of gear. They sit out on a table without looking like smoking equipment.

Will a glass ashtray crack from a hot ember?

Borosilicate handles it. Cheap soda-lime glass can crack if an ember sits directly against a cold surface.

Is silicone safe with heat?

For ash and stubs, yes. It is not for setting a lit torch on.