6 Things Every Home Cook Needs to Know Before Cooking with Pyrex, According to Chefs
It’s impossible to talk about kitchenware without mentioning Pyrex. Founded in 1915 by Corning, Inc. and now owned by Corelle Brands, Pyrex has been a staple in kitchens for more than a century. The brand makes versatile and high-quality glassware for all of your cooking needs, from mixing bowls to casserole dishes to measuring cups.
It’s a go-to brand for professional and home cooks alike. But a common question you may have, because Pyrex cookware and bakeware is made of glass, is if it can go in the oven. I asked cooking and baking pros, and combed through original Pyrex resources for the answer — and here’s what they had to say.
Meet the Pros
Kierin Baldwin, chef-instructor of pastry and baking arts at the Institute of Culinary Education’s New York City campus
Amy Casey, personal chef and food blogger
Steve Chiappetti, chef who oversees culinary at theWit Hotel, including the hotel’s State and Lake Chicago Tavern
Yes, Pyrex dishware can go in the oven up to 425ºF. To avoid thermal shock when cooking or baking with it, make sure not to expose the dish to drastic temperature changes.
Can Pyrex Go in the Oven?
Yes, Pyrex dishes can go in the oven. In fact, generations of foodies have used Pyrex to deliver creations from ideation directly to their dinner tables. “I feel like I grew up on Pyrex,” says Chiappetti. “My mom loved using it! From the traditional family lasagna to the icebox cake, it was a staple in our household for baking and even refrigeration.”
You can put Pyrex in the oven up to 425ºF. However, you must avoid what experts call “thermal shock” when cooking or baking with it. Thermal shock happens when glassware is exposed to drastic temperature changes it can’t handle. It could break or shatter under the stress, causing a safety hazard and completely ruining the dinner or dessert you worked so hard on. But don’t worry! There are a few simple ways to prevent this from happening.
6 Tips for Safely Using Pyrex Dishware in the Oven
Follow these expert-approved tips from Corelle Dinnerware and the pro chefs on safely using Pyrex in the oven.
1. Let your dish reach room temperature.
Baldwin says to let your Pyrex dish come to room temperature before cooking or storing food in the fridge or freezer to avoid breakage. Having your Pyrex dish cool or defrost to room temperature before putting it in sudden heat or cold, like the freezer or oven, can help avoid thermal shock and limit the chances of it shattering.
For example: The next time you pull out a lasagna you pre-made from the freezer or refrigerator for dinner, don’t place it directly in the oven right away. Instead, let it sit out until it reaches room temperature, then bake it. Follow the same process when taking the lasagna out of the oven; let it get to room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator or freezer.
2. Preheat the oven before putting Pyrex in it.
Because glassware can shatter when exposed to extreme temperature changes, make sure your oven is preheated before putting your Pyrex dish in it. This ensures the oven reaches a consistent temperature, which helps prevent thermal shock and breakage.
3. Add some liquid to your Pyrex dish before cooking.
Try this trick if you’re making something that could release liquid as it cooks, like a casserole or pork chops. Add a little bit of liquid, like room-temperature water, to the bottom of your Pyrex dish before putting anything in it. This helps prevent uneven heating and reduces the risk of thermal shock.
4. Avoid adding liquid to a hot Pyrex dish.
Speaking of liquid — don’t add any to a hot Pyrex dish, as the sudden temperature change could, of course, cause thermal shock. For example: If you want to baste a chicken you just cooked, use the warm meat drippings already in the dish instead of a cold marinade from the fridge.
5. Don’t use Pyrex over direct heat.
Putting Pyrex glassware over direct heat, such as on the stovetop or under the broiler, is a big no-no, according to the experts. If your recipe calls for broiling or cooking on a stovetop, use a different piece of cookware or bakeware.
6. Don’t put a hot Pyrex dish directly on the counter.
Putting a hot Pyrex dish directly on your countertops from the oven is also a no-go. Instead, place them right on potholders or dry cloths to prevent breakage.
What Is Pyrex Made of?
Modern Pyrex is made of tempered soda lime glass, which is what most glass bakeware sold in the United States today is made of. According to the brand, Pyrex glass bakeware used to be made of borosilicate glass, which better handled drastic temperature changes and was less likely to experience thermal shock. While unconfirmed, one reason the material change (which was decades ago) may have happened is as follows: Tempered soda lime glass is believed to be more eco-friendly and can be produced using less energy compared to borosilicate glass.
The two key differences between borosilicate glass and tempered soda lime glass you should know are as follows:
Borosilicate glass is more heat-resistant than tempered soda lime glass, which means it can better withstand sudden temperature changes.
Tempered soda lime glass is better at handling sudden impact than borosilicate glass.
It’s important to note these differences because you may assume modern Pyrex bakeware is made of the same glass as older Pyrex bakeware and can better handle sudden temperature changes, but that’s not the case. It’s best practice to let your glassware reach room temperature before putting it in an oven, fridge, or freezer to reduce the chances of breakage, no matter how old it is.
What Kinds of Foods Are Best for Cooking with Pyrex Dishware?
Pyrex is great for cooking a variety of delicious dishes, as long as you’re careful and follow the tips above. For breakfast, Casey recommends making breakfast casseroles and oven-baked French toast. She also raves about how wonderful baked pasta dishes, like lasagna and stuffed shells, turn out in the glassware.
Chiappetti says his go-to Pyrex meals are braised short ribs and roasted turkey. And one of his very favorite things to serve in it? Dessert! “Since it’s [usually] clear, it’s fun to present layered treats like tiramisu,” he says. “It tastes great and gives you that ‘wow’ factor when you pull it out to serve.”
Other mouthwatering meals to cook in Pyrex include (but are certainly not limited to) the following:
Spinach-artichoke dip
Casseroles
Stuffed peppers
Fruit cobbler
Apple crisp
Lemon bars
Can You Use Pyrex in the Microwave?
Don’t have time to reheat last night’s leftovers in the oven? Good news: Pyrex can be used in the microwave, as long as it’s microwave-safe. Check the bottom of your Pyrex dish for either a symbol or label that indicates it’s OK to pop in the microwave. Speaking of popping — don’t use it to microwave popcorn or warm up foods in browning wrappers, as they could damage the glass.
If you’re pulling the Pyrex dish from the fridge or freezer, just like with the oven, Baldwin says to let it reach room temperature before sticking it in the microwave to help avoid thermal shock.
How to Best Care for Your Pyrex Dishware
Like many kitchen staples, Pyrex needs to be taken care of properly to keep it intact and working its best. Here are some tips for keeping it in tip-top shape.
1. Try not to drop or nick your Pyrex.
Accidents happen, but try to avoid dropping or nicking your Pyrex. Even the smallest chip can weaken its structure, causing more fractures and reducing its ability to take heat.
2. Store your Pyrex dishes properly.
My bakeware and cookware cabinets definitely get messy from time to time, but it’s important to keep these spaces clean and organized, especially if you have glassware like Pyrex. It could get damaged if it’s strewn about. The good news? Properly storing Pyrex dishware is pretty simple.
“They easily stack together for neat storage,” Casey says. “Also, use a storage bin to store the lids vertically. They’ll take up less space in the cabinet or drawer, and it’ll be easy to grab the lid you need.”
3. Be careful when washing Pyrex.
Have some leftover crust on your Pyrex dish? Don’t scrub it, as scrubbing could scratch the glass. Instead, Chiappetti recommends letting the dish soak in warm water with some dish soap for 30 minutes, then washing with a soft sponge. “That’s all you need to get the dish back to new,” says Chiappetti.
Did any of these Pyrex expert tips surprise you? Let us know in the comments below!
Further Reading
Why People Are Ditching Their Seltzer After a Disturbing Study
The One Cookware Brand That Gordon Ramsay Can’t Stop Talking About
Ball Just Dropped the Most Beautiful Mason Jars for Its 140th Anniversary ("So Iconic!")
