I started using Pyrex glassware before 1998, so I consider the products to be almost miraculously heat-resistant. Back then, you could safely take a dish from one temperature extreme to another—refrigerator to freezer to oven—without having to worry about glassware shattering from the change in temperature. (It’s a phenomenon known as “thermal shock.”) It was a thing of beauty for any home cook who likes to prepare a family-favorite 13×9 casserole on Sunday night, and pop it right in the refrigerator for a weeknight meal.
But what many folks don’t know is that somewhere along the line, things changed, and Pyrex glassware is no longer thermal shock-resistant. If used improperly, the dish can shatter into hundreds of tiny pieces inside your oven—leaving you with a potentially harmful mess. Here’s what you need to know:
The original Pyrex is thermal shock-proof
When Corning started manufacturing Pyrex in 1908, they were using borosilicate glass. That’s what made Pyrex thermal shock-resistant. Until 1998, all Pyrex glassware was made with borosilicate glass. That means that if you have Pyrex glassware made before 1998 (like this gorgeous vintage design), you can safely use it like you always have—making a baked mac n’ cheese casserole and leaving the dish on your cold granite countertop or immediately transferring it to the fridge for tomorrow’s dinner.
The classic Pyrex is one thing you should never pass up at Goodwill—here’s what else you should grab.
Why things changed
In 1998, Corning sold the Pyrex brand to World Kitchen LLC, which stopped using borosilicate glass and started using soda-lime glass, according to Consumer Reports. Soda-lime glass is just ordinary glass. It’s not resistant to thermal-shock, and it could shatter when going from one temperature extreme to another. So if you’ve bought new Pyrex glassware since 1998, it’s important to keep in mind that what you have is ordinary glassware and it needs to be handled with care. Here’s what Consumer Reports recommends:
- Do not place Pyrex on your stove top
- Do not move your Pyrex from one temperature extreme to the other—when you assemble a make-ahead breakfast the night before, take it out of the refrigerator and let it come closer to room temp while you preheat your oven
In other words, easy casseroles can still be your go-to as long as you’re careful with the temperature extremes!
Make these easy casseroles for dinner
Chicken Noodle Casserole
Everyone who tries this comforting, cheesy chicken noodle casserole asks for the recipe. It's so simple to make that sometimes I feel like I'm cheating! —Kay Pederson, Yellville, Arkansas
Baked Chops and Cottage Fries
Convenience items like frozen vegetables, cottage fries and a jar of cheese sauce make it a snap to assemble this comforting pork chop supper. It's a simple one-dish meal. —Gregg Voss, Emerson, Nebraska
Contest-Winning Broccoli Chicken Casserole
This delicious chicken and broccoli casserole is a twist on chicken divan that came from an old boss. It’s quick, satisfying comfort food. —Jennifer Schlachter, Big Rock, Illinois
Reuben Bread Pudding
Our Aunt Renee always brought this casserole to family picnics, and it became so popular that she started making two or three to bring. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
Stuffing & Turkey Casserole
This is a plate full of love, comfort and goodness. —Debbie Fabre, Ft Myers, Florida
Southwest Vegetarian Bake
This veggie-packed casserole hits the spot on chilly nights. But it's equally good any time I have a taste for Mexican food with all the fixings, too. —Patricia Gale, Monticello, Illinois
Contest-Winning Chicken Wild Rice Casserole
While this special chicken and wild rice casserole is perfect for a company dinner, it's also just too good not to make often for everyday family meals. We think it is very nice served with some crusty rolls or French bread. —Elizabeth Tokariuk, Lethbridge, Alberta
Seafood Casserole
A family favorite, this rice casserole is stuffed with plenty of crab and shrimp to make a special dish that's also hearty, homey and so easy to make! —Nancy Billups Princeton, Iowa
Taco Salad Casserole
This casserole tastes like a taco salad and is a breeze to assemble. I crush tortilla chips to form a bottom layer, then spread on refried beans, a spicy meat mixture and cheese. —Rhonda McKee, Greensburg, Kansas
Chicken Amandine
With colorful green beans and pimientos, this attractive casserole is terrific for the holidays. This is true comfort food at its finest. —Kat Woolbright, Wichita Falls, Texas
Rice-Stuffed Peppers
Mother used to fix this wonderful, easy dish when we had company. She was from a family of fantastic Cajun cooks, so our food was always well-seasoned. In Louisiana, rice is part of many meals. The cheese sauce sets these stuffed peppers apart from any others I've tried. —Lisa Easley, Longview, Texas
Chili Mac Casserole
This cheesy casserole uses several of my family's favorite ingredients, including macaroni, kidney beans, tomatoes and cheese. Just add a leafy salad for a complete meal. —Marlene Wilson, Rolla, North Dakota
Chicken and Swiss Stuffing Bake
I love to cook but just don't have much time. This casserole is both comforting and fast, which makes it my favorite kind of recipe. I serve it with a green salad. —Jena Coffey, Sunset Hills, Missouri
Chicken Tortilla Bake
Mother frequently made this comforting casserole when I was growing up. Our family would scrape the pan clean. Chicken, cheese and zippy green chilies are a mouthwatering mix.—Jerri Moror, Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Sauerkraut Casserole
Mom brewed her own sauerkraut and, of course, the cabbage was from our big farm garden! Blending the kraut with spicy sausage and apples was Mom's favorite way to fix it, and I still love this country dish. —Rosemary Pryor, Pasadena, Maryland
Artichoke Ratatouille Chicken
I loaded all the fresh produce I could find into this speedy chicken dinner. Serve it on its own or over pasta. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana
Potluck Taco Casserole
This is the dish I take most often to potlucks, and the pan comes home empty every time. It has the irresistible taco taste that everybody craves. —Kim Stoller, Smithville, Ohio
Penne and Smoked Sausage
My sausage pasta is a must-try dish. It just tastes so good when it’s hot and bubbly from the oven. The cheddar french-fried onions lend a cheesy, crunchy touch. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California
Chicken Enchilada Bake
Your family is going to gobble up this cheesy, southwestern chicken enchilada casserole…and will ask for it again and again. It’s real comfort food! —Melanie Burns, Pueblo West, Colorado
Tomato, Sausage & Cheddar Bread Pudding
This savory dish is the perfect excuse to have bread pudding as the main meal, not merely afterward as dessert. — Holly Jones, Kennesaw, Georgia
Crunchy Almond Turkey Casserole
A special cousin shared the recipe for this comforting casserole. The almonds and water chestnuts give it a nice crunch. —Jill Black, Troy, Ontario
Grandma's Rice Dish
My grandmother often made rice dishes when I was young. I forgot about this casserole until I found myself one day adding the same ingredients to leftover rice. The memories came flooding back, and I've made this recipe regularly since then. —Lorna Moore, Glendora, California
Meatballs Sausage Dinner
One day I was having trouble deciding what to make for dinner, so I combined whatever was in the refrigerator and freezer. To my surprise, everyone loved it! —Elizabeth Martz, Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania
Corn Bread Chicken Bake
To make the most of leftover corn bread, try this hearty main dish casserole. It's moist, delicious and good on any occasion. —Madge Britton, Afton, Tennessee
Golden Pork Chops
I have a large family and am always looking for easy recipes that will please all of them. This pork chop dish is definitely one of them. —Betty Sparks, Windsor, Connecticut
Chili Tortilla Bake
A homestyle Tex-Mex casserole is all it takes to gather the whole family around the dinner table. With its popular flavors and bubbly cheese topping, there is never a need to worry about leftovers. —Celine Weldy, Cave Creek, Arizona
Mexicali Casserole
If you like Mexican food but are watching your diet, try this tasty bake. It takes advantage of ground turkey and reduced-fat cheese without sacrificing flavor. —Gertrudis C. Miller, Evansville, Indiana
Chicken Casserole
The original old family recipe for this casserole called for the sauce to be made from scratch. Through the years, I developed this version that takes less time to prepare and still tastes great. It's an attractive main dish. —Ruth Van Dyke, Traverse City, Michigan
Creamy Turkey Casserole
I sometimes make turkey just so I have the extras for the casserole! —Mary Jo O'Brien, Hastings, Minnesota
Black Beans with Bell Peppers & Rice
My meat and potatoes husband goes for this cheesy, hearty black beans and rice recipe, and the kids gobble it up. For extra kick, add a splash of hot sauce. —Stephanie Lambert, Moseley, Virgina
Ham & Cheese Potato Casserole
This recipe makes two cheesy, delicious casseroles. Have one tonight and put the other on ice for a future busy weeknight. It's like having money in the bank when things get hectic! —Kari Adams, Fort Collins, Colorado
Turkey & Spinach Stuffing Casserole
I know dried cranberries may seem like an odd ingredient to include in this dish, but they add just a hint of sweetness that makes this easy casserole so special. —Gilda Lester, Millsboro, Delaware
Ham 'n' Tater Bake
Get ready for a gourmet loaded baked potato in casserole form. This is so good, I can’t resist making it several times a month. And, it’s a quick and easy dish for company, too. My sister gave me the recipe, and I’m always happy to pass it along. —Peggy Grieme, Pinehurst, North Carolina
TLC (Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole)
Turkey, stuffing and veggies come together into a fabulous day-after casserole. Top it off with chopped pecans. There’s comfort in every bite.—Barbara Lento, Houston, Pennsylvania
Church Supper Spaghetti
Because this recipe feeds so many, I often take it to church dinners and potlucks. This colorful dish also comes in handy when we have lots of help to feed on our farm. —Verlyn Wilson, Wilkinson, Indiana
Pineapple Ham Casserole
Living in Hawaii, I wanted to share this recipe which features pineapple. It's our most important fruit crop. —Marsha Fleming, Kula, Hawaii
Chicken Zucchini Casserole
A co-worker shared this recipe that was originally her grandmother's. When I make it, I use pre-cooked chicken from the grocery store and fresh zucchini my neighbor gives me from his garden. —Bev Dutro, Dayton, Ohio
Turkey Spaghetti Casserole
My mom made this creamy comforting dish when I was growing up. Whenever I have leftover chicken or turkey, I look forward to making this simple, yet tasty, filling dish. —Casandra Hetrick, Lindsey, Ohio
Mushroom Chicken with Wild Rice
Fix chicken dinner in a snap with this simple recipe. It warms you up, head to toe. —Cindy Cothern, Nampa, Idaho
Creamy Ham & Cheese Casserole
I felt so proud when I created this recipe, which my husband loved! Leftover ham, convenient cooking creme and garlic-herb seasoning make this pasta toss so delicious. —Betsy Howard, Saint Louis, Missouri
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Katie Bandurski