Protip: Chilling Your Pieces

You need quality glass that can withstand rapid temperature change, so if you are not confident in the strength of your glass skip the advice. The colder the smoke, the easier it is on your throat and lungs. It is much easier to hold hits when the smoke has been cooled.

• I keep my bongs and my pipes in a mini-fridge so that the glass gets really cold. This is especially effective in pipes since there is no water component.
• When using bongs, fill the reservoir with very cold water. Same goes for ash catchers and bubblers.
• Lightly pack the neck of the bong crushed ice. If your refrigerator doesn't crush ice, get a hand-crank ice crusher. It is totally worth the money. If you are too lazy, at least pack the neck with ice.
• As the ice melts, remember to drain the reservoir periodically. If you don't, you'll taste bong water or get your weed wet or both.
  

Straight from the fridge and packed with ice. I sure am glad it has an ice pinch.

 

Thanks for the clarification on ceramics and metal. Obviously you can do the same with plastic. I forgot to mention it because all my stuff is glass.