hmmm... i've never done it that way. i always just cut out a hole in the middle of the bottom about half the size of a dime and then put my finger on the hole to plug it and fill it up with water. then put my chillum in the mouth of the bottle which is a snug fit. granted it takes another person to light it while you hold the bottle and take your finger off the hole, but the suction is great and i've nerver had a problem with it.