By John Doe
Pyrex glass kitchenware, which includes measuring cups and baking dishes, has a heritage spanning over a century.
Pyrex is ubiquitous in the kitchens of discerning home cooks. The company name is interchangeable with the product much like Scotch tape and Saran wrap.
Generally speaking, Pyrex is microwave safe. However, there are caveats that we'll explain with a history lesson.
The story begins in 1908. The Corning Glass Works developed borosilicate glass used for railroad lanterns due to its ability to withstand extreme temperature changes.
In 1913, Bessie Littleton, the wife of borosilicate glass’ inventor, asked her husband to lend her containers made of material to test how it would fare making sponge cake.
The experimentation was a success. Unlike earthenware baking dishes she had been using, the borosilicate glass (then known as Nonex) stayed intact despite temperature shock.
In 1915, Corning began manufacturing a line of glass cookware and named it Pyrex a portmanteau of “pie” and “Nonex”. It has a reputation for being durable and easy to clean.
Pyrex has developed a zealous fan base over the years with some home cooks who use it exclusively. There’s even a collectors’ market for vintage Pyrex products.
Since the 1950s, Pyrex began using soda-lime glass, which isn’t as resistant to temperature shock. Glassware branded in all lower case, “pyrex”, uses the new formulation.
While all Pyrex is microwave safe, always avoid rapid temperature changes with products manufactured recently due to a risk of shattering.
Join the storied heritage of home cooks with Pyrex microwave safe glass cookware.