Ash Trays
An ashtray is the least glamorous item in a smoker's kit and the one that gets used most. This collection holds 8 trays split between two very different ends of the market. RAW supplies the heavy glass pieces, including a classic round tray and thicker crystal glass versions, while G.Rollz brings the licensed Hello Kitty designs in Amsterdam Classic, Amsterdam Sun and Cupid prints. In stock trays run from £4.99 to £39.99.
Choosing one comes down to three practical things. How much weight do you want on the table, how easy is it to empty and clean, does it need to survive being outdoors. Everything else is taste. The sections below cover materials, the features worth paying for and how to keep a tray presentable.
Glass, metal and the rest
Glass. The heavyweight option. Thick glass holds its position on a table, does not tip when you rest something on the rim and wipes clean without staining. It shows residue more obviously than metal does, which is either a drawback or a prompt to wash it. Crystal glass versions are heavier again and read more like a piece of glassware than an accessory.
Metal. Light, cheap and effectively unbreakable, which makes metal the sensible choice for a garden table or a workshop bench. Stainless and coated steel trays wipe clean easily, though they can discolour over time with heavy use.
Ceramic and silicone. Ceramic behaves much like glass with more scope for colour and pattern. Silicone is flexible, drops without damage and folds into a pocket, at the cost of holding odour more than a hard surface does.
The brands in this collection
RAW is best known in the UK for unbleached rolling papers. Its glass trays follow the same design language of plain shapes and clear branding, with substantial glass and wells deep enough to hold a session's worth without spilling. G.Rollz takes the opposite approach with licensed artwork. The Hello Kitty trays are collectable pieces as much as functional ones, priced so that picking up more than one print is realistic.
What to look for
Weight. A light tray slides across a table and tips when knocked. Glass solves that problem by itself.
Well depth. Deeper wells contain ash rather than letting a draught lift it out, which matters near an open window.
Rests and notches. Moulded grooves in the rim stop a cigarette rolling off. Check there are enough of them and that they suit the size you actually smoke.
Outdoor use. A windproof design with a partial lid or a deep recessed well keeps ash where it belongs on a breezy day. Glass outdoors is a risk on a hard patio.
Cleaning. Smooth interiors with no tight corners are far quicker to rinse out than moulded designs with fussy detail.
Keeping a tray clean
Empty a tray while the contents are completely cold, never before. Cold water and washing up liquid deals with most residue on glass and metal. A soft brush lifts anything stuck in the corners. For stubborn tar staining on glass, a soak in warm soapy water followed by a bicarbonate of soda paste works without scratching the surface. Avoid abrasive scourers on printed or coated trays, since they will take the artwork off long before they take the residue off. Dry glass fully before putting it back on a wooden surface.
Buying smoking accessories from Vapestore Direct
Smoking accessories are sold to adults aged 18 and over only and every order is age verified before dispatch. UK delivery is free on orders over £20, so a glass tray clears the threshold on its own while the Hello Kitty prints are worth combining with papers or tips. If you want to check the dimensions or the weight of a particular tray before ordering, call 07827 210361 between 8.30am and 4.00pm.
Ashtray questions answered
What is the best material for an ashtray?
Glass for indoor use and metal for outdoors. Glass is heavy enough to stay put, wipes clean without staining and does not hold odour. Metal is light and unbreakable, which suits a garden table or a shed where things get knocked over. Ceramic sits close to glass, while silicone is the one to pack if a tray needs to travel.
How do I clean a glass ashtray properly?
Make sure the contents are fully cold, tip them out, then wash in warm soapy water with a soft brush for the corners. Heavier tar staining lifts with a bicarbonate of soda paste left on for a few minutes. Skip abrasive scourers, especially on printed designs, because they scratch glass and remove artwork.
What makes an ashtray windproof?
Depth and shape. A deep recessed well or a partial lid stops a breeze lifting ash straight out. Extra weight keeps the tray itself in place. Shallow open dishes are fine indoors but become a nuisance on a garden table. If a tray is going to live outside, weight and depth matter more than the material.
Do you need to be 18 to buy an ashtray?
Vapestore Direct sells smoking accessories to adults aged 18 and over only and orders are age verified before they are dispatched. Identification may be requested. That policy applies across the smoking accessories range including trays, papers, tips and grinders, which keeps everything consistent regardless of what else is in the basket.
Are the Hello Kitty trays licensed products?
Yes. The G.Rollz Hello Kitty range is officially licensed artwork applied to standard sized trays, sold here in the Amsterdam Classic, Amsterdam Sun and Cupid designs. They function exactly as any other tray of the same size does. The appeal is the print, which is why many buyers pick up more than one across the range.
How big should an ashtray be?
Match it to the setting rather than buying the largest one available. A small tray suits a bedside table or a desk where space is tight. A wider tray with several rests makes more sense on a coffee table shared between people. For outdoor use pick something heavy with a deep well, since a light tray will move around in the wind.