We’re unsure whether it’s safe to use our favorite Pyrex on the stovetop because of conflicting stories about Grandma using Pyrex on her stove versus Mom’s exploding Pyrex on the stove. We looked into these stories to see which ones were made up and which ones should be taken seriously.
The type of Pyrex dish you’re using will determine whether or not you can use Pyrex on the stovetop. Pyrex produces cookware, bakeware, and glassware with a variety of properties and applications. Always read and follow the instructions that come with your dish.
Continue reading to learn more about the changes in Pyrex manufacturing that have resulted in the new care and safety guidelines that it now has, as well as safety and cleanup tips.
Is it Possible Using Pyrex on The Stovetop?
Pyrex is one of the best pots and pans, it was originally made of borosilicate glass. Borosilicate is made from a combination of silica and boric acid, resulting in a low-melting, thermal shock-resistant glass. When the stress on an object becomes too great, the material loses its shape, which is known as thermal shock. The bakeware produced at this time was able to withstand a fair amount of abuse.
Corningware sold their Pyrex line to World Kitchen in the late 1990s, and World Kitchen changed the manufacturing material from borosilicate to soda-lime, which has less thermal resistance. Mom had issues as a result of the change, but Grandma did not. Both Grandma and Mom are correct.
That’s why you should double-check the recipe for your specific dish. Pyrex cookware, on the whole, is made of heat-strengthened soda-lime that works well with Pyrex on the stovetop. Pyrex bakeware, on the other hand, cannot be used on the stovetop. Thermal shock occurs when a burner’s heat is uneven, resulting in shattered bakeware. Pyrex bakeware can be used in microwaves, preheated convection ovens, and conventional ovens.
How To Avoid Mishaps With Pyrex Bakeware
- Pyrex is safe up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven.
- Preheat oven before placing your bakeware in as the oven puts out a blast of high-temperature heat to speed up the trip to preferred baking temperature.
- Do not use Pyrex under the broiler.
- Avoid drastic temperature changes such as moving the Pyrex from the freezer to the oven or moving from the oven to the freezer.
- Do not add liquid to the dish while it is baking or hot. Put all the water in before putting the dish in the oven. If basting, use the sauce in the pan to baste.
- Do not cook without a layer of liquid at the bottom of the dish.
- If it is deeply scratched or chipped, do not use Pyrex as the dish is compromised and can break.
- Do not place nearly empty Pyrex dishes in the microwave.
- Do not place Pyrex on a damp or wet towel.
- Do not pop popcorn or heat things with browning wrappers on them. The targeted heat that both builds will cause the same thermal shock as using Pyrex on the stovetop.
Can Glass Cookware Be Used On A Stovetop?
Pyrex cookware is intended for use on a stovetop. Pyrex bakeware is made of the same soda lime as Pyrex cookware. The difference is that the soda-lime in the cookware has been heat-strengthened. Other brands of cookware can be used on the stovetop if the instructions clearly state that they are safe for use Pyrex on the stovetop.
If you don’t have the instructions for a specific glass dish, don’t use Pyrex on the stovetop. Pyrex, like all glass, is brittle. It will not be able to withstand the same kinds of abuse that metal cookware can. Avoid hitting the side of the bowl with a spoon or dropping it.
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