I usually dab up the stuck seal with a bit of oil (not motor oil obviously) and let it sit overnight before attempting to start the operation, seems to help at least as much as the hot water trick. Glass on glass is awesome compared to those old little rubber ring joints but I think most of us experience a broken bowl/downstem from a stuck GonG joint at one time or another in our career. Sucks it was your whole bong though, sorry man.