How many times have you baked a sumptuous casserole, put the leftovers in the freezer in a pyrex glass bowl, only to wonder if you can directly place it on the oven to reheat it? We are sure several times! It is one of the most common issues faced by most who own a Pyrex bowl and use it regularly in the kitchen.
Glass bowls have a tendency to crack when taken out from the freezer and placed immediately on the oven. Let’s see if the claim holds true for Pyrex bowls as well.
Is Pyrex really thermal shockproof?
The answer to this is both yes and no. Back in the 90s, it was possible to store your leftovers in a Pyrex bowl and put it in the oven straight away. However, things have changed now, and Pyrex bowls are no longer heat resistant. If you are not careful, there are chances that you may be left with a shattered Pyrex bowl.
Up until 1998, borosilicate glass was used for manufacturing all Pyrex glassware. So if you own any Pyrex dish manufactured before 1998, you can safely use it in the oven as well as the freezer. However, currently, Pyrex bowls are no longer made with borosilicate glass. The manufacturers use soda-lime glass, which is much more prone to breakage.
Since you are handling ordinary glassware, it is essential to be extremely careful if you want to avoid making a huge mess.
How can I use Pyrex?
There are some easy tips to follow that will allow you to use your Pyrex without the fear of damaging it completely. For starters, never move the bowl from one extreme temperature to another. Even if you are using the Pyrex bowl to store leftovers in the freezer, don’t put it in the oven directly.
Take it out of the freezer at least half an hour before you want to put it in the oven. Set your oven to preheat. Place the Pyrex bowl carefully and set the oven timer. Keep an eye on the oven — if you hear any cracking sounds, switch it off immediately and take it out.
What are the best practices one must follow while using Pyrex for cooking?
There are several steps you can take to ensure that your Pyrex stays intact, and you can use it both in the freezer and oven. However, it is a good idea to follow a few tips that will increase your Pyrex bowls’ longevity. Whether you are an amateur cook or an experienced one, you will surely find these tips super handy.
Never put any hot glass dish directly on the metal eyes of your stove or oven
While usually, these are resistant to heat, if you place a hot Pyrex glass on a cool surface, it may shatter completely. So when you take out the Pyrex bowl from the freezer or the oven, place it on a silicone or cloth hot pad. You can also use a dry dish towel. The aim here is to let the glass come back to its room temperature before introducing it to any other extremities. Skipping this step can cost you a Pyrex bowl — so make sure you tread carefully.
Never cook any dry dishes in a glass pan
If you visit the Pyrex website, you will see a clear disclaimer that suggests adding a small amount of liquid that covers the bottom of the dish. This step is essential even when you are cooking something capable of releasing liquid on its own. Doing this ensures that the hot glass doesn’t come in contact with cool liquids directly. Once you add water, any liquid or juices released at a different temperature will not affect the Pyrex glass in any manner and also save it from shattering.
Never use oven mitts that are wet
Pyrex is a great conductor of heat. So if you touch a hot pan with wet gloves, you run the risk of suffering significant burns. Always make sure you are using a dry pair of oven mitts.
Never handle a hot Pyrex bowl without oven mitts
Pyrex bowls do not come with heat resistant handles. So make sure to always wear a pair of good quality mitts to handle these bowls.
Avoid cooking such dishes in Pyrex that require a very high temperature
Most Pyrex bowls are not really made for cooking in very high temperatures. So if you are planning to use it for grilling or broiling, resist that urge. You can safely use it in the oven under a controlled temperature. Make sure to read the instruction manual before you do so.
Take into account the cooling time
Always allow the Pyrex bowl to cool down completely before you start serving from it.