Pyrex glass bowls are an essential dish in my kitchen, providing a durable, versatile material for my food preparation, cooking, and storage needs. But despite their common use in the kitchen, many people are unsure whether or not can pyrex glass bowls go in the oven.
In this article, I will detail the facts about Pyrex glass bowls and their safe use in your kitchen so that you can make informed decisions when using these handy vessels. Understanding the capabilities of your cookware is important for cooking success and safety.
Keep reading to make sure you’re using your glass pyrex bowls properly.
What Are Pyrex Glass Bowls Made Of?
Pyrex glass material was invented all the way back in 1915 by the Corning Glassware Company. It was originally used for industrial purposes, but its handiness in the kitchen was soon discovered and capitalized on [1].
Pyrex glass is a type of borosilicate glass that is made from a combination of silica, boron, and other compounds. The main difference between Pyrex and soda-lime glass, another common type of glass used in a wide range of applications, is the addition of boron in the Pyrex formula, making it more heat-resistant and less likely to shatter or break under thermal stress.
This makes Pyrex glass a popular choice for cookware and other applications, including glass bowls, jars, casserole dishes, food storage containers, measuring cups, and pie plates, where high-temperature resistance and durability are important.
The boron in Pyrex also gives it a higher resistance to thermal expansion, which means it will not warp or crack as much when exposed to temperature changes.
Additionally, Pyrex glass is also known for its transparency and can be easily colored and decorated.
The benefit of pyrex over regular glass dishware comes down to its durability and ability to withstand heat. This makes it ideal for baking, cooking, and food storage, whether it is a glass mixing bowl, cake dish, loaf dish, casserole dish, or oven dish.
How To Use Pyrex In Oven?
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Pyrex glass bow is safe to use in the oven if you don’t have a more suitable cooking vessel for your oven dish. But it will do a job if you want to bake cakes, make casseroles, one-dish meals, bake bread, and cook some other dishes.
But that said, you should still follow some basic guidelines when using the glass bowl in the oven to avoid unwanted consequences.
Here is how to safely use a Pyrex glass bowl in the oven:
- What I like to do first is to preheat my oven before placing any Pyrex dish inside. This will help prevent thermal shock, which can cause the glass to crack or break.
- Try to place the bowl on a dry or flat surface in the oven. Avoid placing it directly on the oven floor, as this may, although unlikely, cause it to break or even shatter.
- Use oven mitts or potholders to handle the hot Pyrex bowl when you take it out of the oven. The glass gets very hot, and since the bowl does not have any handles, it can really burn you.
- Like with most glass dishes, Pyrex glass can become brittle when it is exposed to fast extreme temperature changes, so don’t take the dish from the refrigerator and put it directly into the really hot oven.
- To prevent liquids such as fat, juices, or moisture from frozen foods from damaging your Pyrex glassware during cooking, add a small amount of liquid to the bottom of the dish before placing it in the oven.
- Be very careful when using Pyrex on the stovetop, open flame, or under the broiler; however, I recommend not doing it.
- And lastly, always check the manufacturer’s instructions for recommended oven temperatures and use them accordingly.
If you follow these guidelines, you can safely use a Pyrex glass bowl in the oven and enjoy the benefits of its heat-resistant and durable properties.
At What Temperature Is Pyrex Safe In Oven?
It’s important to note that the temperature rating of Pyrex cookware may vary depending on the source of information. While many websites suggest using Pyrex cookware up to 425℉ (215℃), Pyrex’s own website states that their glassware can withstand temperatures up to 572°F (300°C) because they are made from borosilicate glass which is more durable and resists thermal shock than regular soda-lime glass [2], [3].
The advantages of Pyrex® borosilicate glass: Supports extreme temperatures from -40°C to + 300°C. Thermal shock resistant up to 220°C: Pyrex glass can go directly from the freezer at a temperature of – 20°C into the oven at a temperature of 200°C.
pyrex.co.uk
However, despite their sturdy design and great heat tolerance, there are certain things I recommend you avoid doing with your Pyrex dishes to ensure they last for years to come.
Below, I would like to cover some of the main mistakes again that could inadvertently damage or make it unsafe to use your Pyrex dishes.
How To Prevent Pyrex From Exploding Or Cracking?
I can attest to its durability and heat resistance as a Pyrex user. However, I have learned that improper use or handling can cause breakage.
To ensure your Pyrex lasts like mine, follow these guidelines below:
1. Avoid Sudden Temperature Changes
Pyrex states on its website the glass bowls are thermal shock resistant up to 428°F (220°C), which means they can go directly from the freezer at a temperature of -4°F (- 20°C) into the oven at a temperature of 428°F (200°C).
Although it is a lot more resistant to thermal expansion than most other glass cookware, to be safe, let hot dishes cool before placing them in the fridge or freezer.
Reversely, be sure to dethaw any dishes stored in pyrex either in the fridge or on the countertop before heating them. Make sure to follow proper food safety dethawing practices as well to keep both your dishes and your food safe.
2. Don’t Use Direct Heat
Direct heat puts too much stress on the pyrex glass, which can cause it to crack or even shatter! Don’t use pyrex dishes on the stovetop, on a grill, over an open flame, or even on the broiler setting in your oven.
3. Don’t Use Sharp Metal Utensils
Although advertised as scratch resistant, I would still recommend avoiding using metal utensils on Pyrex, as they can scratch the surface and weaken it. I recommend using silicon or wooden utensils instead.
4. Handle With Care
Pyrex glassware is made to be strong and long-lasting through a thermal tempering process. However, handling it with care is essential to prevent breakage. Glass products, including Pyrex, can break if you drop it if it is bumped against a hard surface or struck with a hard or sharp utensil. So be mindful of the way you handle it.
5. Clean It Gently
Don’t use abrasive cleaning products or steel scrubbers on Pyrex. This can scratch the surface and weaken the dish. Instead, use a soft sponge, plastic or nylon scrubby or cloth, and mild detergent or baking soda. Also, soaking it for 15-30 minutes has always worked great for me.
6. Throw Away Chipped Or Cracked Dishes
This final tip is especially important for using old or vintage Pyrex glassware. Cracked or chipped dishes have less structural integrity and are much more prone to shattering. They cannot withstand either the mechanical or temperature stress of regular use, which makes them a ticking time bomb for impending kitchen disasters! Unfortunately, they need to be thrown away.
A final rule of thumb to use is, if you’re not sure, err on caution. Good luck and happy cooking!
Read Also: Best Materials For Bakeware And Oven Safe Temperatures.
FAQ
Can Pyrex go in a 450-degree oven?
Pyrex glass dishes are designed to be heat-resistant and can be used in the oven at temperatures up to 572°F (300°C), according to the manufacturer’s website, so a 450-degree oven should be quite ok. However, it’s important to note that sudden temperature changes can cause the glass to break, so I recommended preheating the oven before placing the Pyrex dish inside.
Can Pyrex go in an air fryer?
Since Pyrex glass bowls are oven safe, they can also be used in an air fryer as long as they are not overheated. However, it is important to note that sudden changes in temperature, such as going from cold to hot or vice versa, can cause the glass to crack or shatter, so don’t use it straight from the freezer to the air fryer. It’s also important to check the manufacturer’s guidelines for specific instructions or warnings.
Can pyrex glass lids go in the oven?
Pyrex glass lids are oven safe, but it is important to check the manufacturer’s guidelines for any specific instructions or warnings because some of the lids have plastic trim or plastic handles that may not be oven safe.
Sources:
- [1] Corning Museum of Glass (2014). A Century of Pyrex. Retrieved from https://www.cmog.org/article/pyrex
- [2] Pyrek UK. Retrieved from https://pyrex.co.uk/collections/mixing-bowls/products/classic-glass-bowl-high-resistance
- [3] Food Network (2022). Is Pyrex Oven-Safe? Retrieved from https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/is-pyrex-oven-safe
