CorningWare and Pyrex, both manufactured by the same company, are two frontrunners when it comes to bakeware, but if you have limited space or are shopping on a budget, it can be hard to choose between the two. When choosing a casserole dish, the top pick is CorningWare, for its flexibility, versatility and safety.
Corning Ware, also written CorningWare, was originally a brand name for a unique glass-ceramic (Pyroceram) cookware resistant to thermal shock. It was first introduced in 1958 by Corning Glass Works (later Corning Inc.) in the United States.
Corelle Brands is home to iconic, category-leading brands, including Instant™, Corelle®, Pyrex®, Corningware®, Snapware® and Chicago Cutlery®. We're passionate about delivering products that facilitate the joy we find in cooking and sharing food with family and friends.
Because borosilicate is the most durable when it comes to withstanding temperature changes, it is generally considered the safest choice for glass bakeware.
Based on declining profits, the Consumer Products division – including Corning Ware, Corelle and Pyrex – was sold to Borden Foods in 1998 and renamed World Kitchen, LLC in 2000. It was the end of an era. By 2002, Corning's Martinsburg plant, and many others, were closed.
Vintage CorningWare is still safe to use as long as it's not cracked or chipped.
No, Corning ceased manufacturing cookware in 1998. The PYREX brand now primarily focuses on producing laboratory glassware and related products.
Pyrex eventually switched to tempered glass most likely because boron is toxic and expensive to dispose of. Although tempered glass can better withstand thermal shock than regular soda-lime glass can, it's not as resilient as borosilicate. This is what causes the shattering reaction people are talking about.
Both are durable and highlight your culinary skills, but only CorningWare casserole dishes can safely withstand drastic temperature changes.
The Blue Cornflower pattern was introduced in 1958, and its popularity soared. It graced a range of Corningware products, from casserole dishes to teapots, turning everyday cooking into a culinary art form. The pattern's simple yet charming aesthetic perfectly captured the spirit of the era.
CORNINGWARE® FRENCH WHITE® COOKWARE LIMITED 1 YEAR WARRANTY
The owner must follow the Safety and Usage Instructions provided with the product. Should a warranty problem develop, contact Corelle Brands via our online contact form. KEEP THE PRODUCT. You may be asked to return it.
The “Wildflower” pattern, which is was made between 1977 and 1984 and is harder to find now. The design features bright red poppies surrounded by yellow daises and small blue flowers. The rare Wildflower pattern is one of the most coveted CorningWare patterns.
Utensils made of silicone, nylon, or bamboo will provide best results. Silicone is preferred for use with the “Non-Stick Visions” line to avoid damaging the SilverStone coating.
“The Cornflower range, with a blue floral design, is the most common pattern but is still worth a lot of money,” the Australian site said. “More rare patterns, like Wildflower - made from 1977 to 1984 - and Floral Bouquet - made from 1971 to 1975 - can fetch up to $10,000 online.”
Gordon Ramsay by Royal Doulton® Oven-to-Tableware 2-Quart Covered Casserole - Gordon Ramsay Cooks.
We recently tested an additional glass baking dish. The Pyrex Easy Grab 3-Quart Oblong Baking Dish remains our winner.
The Emile Henry Modern Classics Rectangular Baker is our top pick for its overall performance, versatility, and design. If you're on a budget, the Wilton Bake It Better Lasagna Roasting Pan is a wonderfully affordable option that is also quite sturdy.
The Bottom Line
Pyrex: Brand name for cookware brand. pyrex: Lowercase indication of containers that should not be heated in the oven or microwave. These are most likely made of soda-lime glass. PYREX: Uppercase label on cookware that is made of borosilicate glass and can be heated in a microwave or oven.
Corning divested itself of the Corning Consumer Products Company (now known as Corelle Brands) in 1998 and production of consumer Pyrex products went with it. Its previous licensing of the name to Newell Cookware Europe remained in effect.
Brittle materials like glass are much more vulnerable to thermal shock, because they break when their molecules quickly expand under heat or contract under cold.
“With some very rare exceptions, the paint on the outside of both vintage Pyrex and vintage Corningware bowls and baking dishes will usually test positive for lead between 15,000 - 100,000 PPM lead.”
This glass-ceramic, non-porous material was capable of withstanding sudden temperature changes and was resistant to stains and odors. The same dish could be used for cooking, freezing, and serving food, a boon to cooks looking for kitchen shortcuts.