You may be wondering: can I put my beloved Pyrex dishes in the oven? The short answer is: Yes, Pyrex is designed to be oven-safe, but there are some important rules to follow. This guide covers everything you need to know to safely use Pyrex for baking, roasting, and more.
Few kitchen icons are as recognizable as those bright-colored, glass Pyrex baking dishes. Sturdy and durable, they have earned a permanent spot on millions of kitchen shelves worldwide. But can these glass workhorses actually go in the oven? Let’s find out.
What is Pyrex?
Before diving into oven-safety, let’s quickly review what Pyrex actually is. Pyrex is a brand of glass bakeware and cookware first introduced in 1915 by the Corning Glass Works company.
Originally, all Pyrex products were made from a specially formulated glass called borosilicate. This material was designed to be highly thermal shock resistant, allowing the dishes to withstand extreme temperature changes without shattering.
Over time, in an effort to reduce costs, Pyrex began transitioning to using a different glass formula called soda-lime for some products. While less expensive, soda-lime Pyrex is not as resistant to thermal shock.
Is Pyrex Oven Safe? The Facts
So can you put Pyrex in the oven? The simple answer is yes, both borosilicate and soda-lime Pyrex are oven-safe with some important qualifications.
Borosilicate Pyrex is considered fully oven-safe up to temperatures of around 425°F (218°C). Thanks to its thermal shock resistance, these vintage Pyrex pieces can typically go directly from refrigerator to oven with no issues.
Newer soda-lime Pyrex is also rated as oven-safe up to at least 425°F (218°C). However, it is less forgiving of sudden extreme temperature shifts. Avoiding these thermal shocks is key to preventing the glass from cracking or shattering.
Important Safety Rules for Using Pyrex
To use any Pyrex dishes safely in the oven, you must follow some basic precautions:
Never subject Pyrex to extreme temperature changes. Rapidly moving Pyrex dishes from freezing to blazing hot (or vice versa) increases the risk of cracking or shattering the glass.
Always preheat the oven fully before adding Pyrex. Pyrex can break when exposed to the extreme direct heat of the empty oven’s heating elements during preheating.
Never place Pyrex directly on a burner or other direct heat source. The concentrated intense heat can easily cause thermal shock and breakage.
Do not add liquid to an already hot Pyrex dish. The drastic temperature change between the hot glass and cool liquid can compromise the strength of the dish.
Allow hot Pyrex to fully cool before refrigerating or freezing. As with heating, subjecting a hot dish to fridge or freezer temps too quickly invites cracking.
Always inspect Pyrex for cracks, chips or scratches before use. Any existing damage significantly weakens the structural integrity of the glass.
Following these simple rules drastically reduces any risk of your Pyrex bakeware cracking, shattering or exploding in the oven.
Additional Pyrex Oven Safety Tips
Here are some other handy tips for safe Pyrex oven usage:
How to identify borosilicate vs soda-lime Pyrex: Borosilicate Pyrex baking dishes will be stamped with the brand name in all capital letters (“PYREX”). Soda-lime pieces use a lowercase “Pyrex”.
Maximum safe oven temperatures: While 425°F is widely cited as the maximum recommended temperature, Pyrex actually rates its glassware for oven use up to 500°F. Keeping it below 425°F just adds an extra safety buffer.
Use hot pads or trivets for hot Pyrex: Always use a thick potholder or trivet when handling hot Pyrex right out of the oven. Placing the hot glass directly on cool surfaces like counters or metal can cause cracking.
Not for broiler or toaster oven use: The extreme direct radiant heat of these appliances is too intense for Pyrex and will likely cause shattering.
Safe for microwave use: Both borosilicate and soda-lime Pyrex are generally microwave-safe, though you should avoid using Pyrex for microwave popcorn or browning dishes designed to get extremely hot.
Is Vintage Pyrex Oven Safe?
If you have any treasured vintage Pyrex dishes, you’ll be relieved to know they are absolutely oven-safe. Since all vintage Pyrex was made from thermal shock-resistant borosilicate glass, these antique dishes can typically go straight from fridge or freezer into a hot oven without issue.
However, you should take care never to use any vintage pieces that are cracked, chipped, or scratched. Existing damage can cause further breakage when heated. If a beloved heirloom piece is too worn for oven use, keep it for decorative purposes only.
Pyrex Alternatives for Oven Use
What if you simply don’t feel comfortable baking with glass, regardless of the brand? No problem – there are plenty of other oven-safe bakeware options.
Ceramic baking dishes made from clay or stone are an extremely heat-tolerant choice for casseroles, cakes, breads, and more. Look for lead-free ceramic from reputable brands.
Stoneware like Pampered Chef stoneware is another durable, oven-safe option that can handle temperatures up to 450°F. The glaze makes for easy food release and cleaning.
For savory roasts and bakes, consider investing in top-quality cast iron cookware like Le Creuset or Lodge. With proper seasoning, these heavy enameled cast iron pots and pans are practically indestructible oven workhorses.
Caring for Your Pyrex
With just a bit of care and caution, your Pyrex bakeware can last for decades. Be gentle when handling hot glass, and never place empty Pyrex dishes on or under a heating element.
Over time, the glass may develop light surface scratches which can weaken its strength. Once scratches or cracks appear, it’s best to replace those pieces rather than risking oven mishaps.
For extra Pyrex longevity, always allow dishes to cool fully before cleaning, and avoid abrasive scouring pads. With proper care and storage, quality Pyrex holds up remarkably well through thousands of trips to the oven.
In Conclusion
Yes, Pyrex bakeware is designed to be oven-safe. Both older borosilicate and newer soda-lime Pyrex can generally go in an oven heated up to at least 425°F when used correctly.
The key is avoiding extreme, rapid temperature changes that could cause thermal shock and shattering. Take basic precautions like preheating the oven, using potholders, and letting dishes cool gradually.
With a bit of care, your Pyrex dishes should provide many years of reliable oven service for all your baking and roasting needs. If any of your Pyrex pieces show signs of damage like cracks or chips, however, play it safe and replace them. A shattered, exploded Pyrex dish would really ruin that casserole!
