Ashtrays

Glass and ceramic clean up best and look better on a table. Silicone is effectively unbreakable, so it is the practical choice outdoors or anywhere it will get knocked over.

Empty it, rinse with warm water, then wipe with isopropyl alcohol to lift the residue water leaves behind. Rinse again and dry. Doing it regularly stops the stain setting in.

They will not shatter if dropped, which is the main failure mode for glass and ceramic. They can still scorch if a lit item is left sitting directly against the surface.

A deeper well holds more and spills less, which matters if it gets moved around. A shallow one is easier to empty and wipe. Weight is the other factor, because a light tray slides.

Some designs include a notch or rest that holds it above the ash, others are plain bowls. Check the individual product photos, since it varies by design rather than by material.

Glass and ceramic generally survive it, but hand washing is safer for anything decorated or hand-finished, because heat and detergent can dull the artwork over time.

Ceramic is heavier than glass at the same size, so it stays put, and it handles heat well. The trade-off is that it still breaks if dropped.

Empty it rather than letting ash sit, and wipe it out with alcohol regularly. Most of the smell comes from old residue in the bowl rather than from fresh ash.

Weight varies by material and size, with ceramic and thick glass being the heaviest. Check the individual product page where the exact weight matters to you.

Silicone is the sensible outdoor choice because it will not shatter and shrugs off being knocked or dropped. Glass and ceramic are better kept on a stable indoor surface.