Pyrex - The journey of more than 100 years
If you have ever measured out the flour for pancakes or melted butter for brownies, chances are that you have had your hands on Pyrex at least once in your life!
Pyrex, introduced by Corning Inc. in 1915, has been around for more than a century. Corning Inc. manufactured a line of clear, low-thermal-expansion borosilicate glass which was used for laboratory glassware and kitchenware. Later on, they expanded the range to include clear and opal-ware products that were made of soda-lime glass. Corning does not manufacture or market kitchenware or glassware for consumers; however, Corelle Brands, spun off from Corning Inc. in 1998 under the name Corning Consumer Products Company, licenses Pyrex and manufactures products made from the material for their line of tempered soda-lime glass kitchenware products marketed in the United States, South America, and Asia.
History of Pyrex:
In 1893, 22 years before Corning Inc. introduced the Pyrex brand, a German chemist and glass technologist by the name of Otto Schott, founder of Schott AG in 1893, made borosilicate glass for the first time.
In 1908, the director of research at Corning Glass Works by the name of Eugene Sullivan, developed a material called Nonex. This material was a borosilicate low-expansion glass. Nonex was developed to reduce the breakage of shock-resistant lantern globes and battery jars. Sullivan first heard about Schott’s borosilicate glass when he was receiving his Ph.D. in Leipzig, Germany.
Soon after, a man named Jesse Littleton of Corning figured out that borosilicate glass has immense cooking potential and decided to gift his wife, Bessie Littleton, a casserole dish that was made from a cut-down Nonex battery jar.
Corning then removed the lead from Nonex and started manufacturing, on a large scale, consumer products. Pyrex was introduced to the market in 1915 during World War 1.
It became largely popular because it had unique qualities that cookware of other materials simply did not possess. It was able to withstand changes in temperature, it did not discolor, it did not change the taste of food by reacting to ingredients, it was odor-less, and because of its see-through nature, cooks could estimate how long it would take for the food to finish cooking.
Eventually, oven-safe Pyrex products and Pyrex bakeware entered the market and completely changed the game for home chefs and professionals.
In the coming years, Corning introduced in the market other products under the Pyrex brand such as opaque tempered soda-lime glass for bowls and bakeware and Pyrex Flameware for stovetop use.
That being said, here are a few of our favorite Pyrex products by Corelle brands:
1. Pyrex Measuring Jugs- These transparent measuring jugs come in various sizes and are dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave and pre-heated oven safe. Pyrex glass is made in the USA. The non-porous surface does not absorb food odors, flavors, or stains. Corelle brands also give a one year warranty on the glass itself.
2. Pyrex Bondi Storage Containers- These storage containers come in various colors and designs. With the name ‘Pyrex’ etched on the lid, you know this product is one that will not disappoint. With its clear glass, you always know what is inside and its secure-fitting lid keeps food fresh for longer. This product is dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, and pre-heated oven safe. Corelle brands offer a two-year warranty on the glass as well as the plastic lids.
If you want to purchase products made from this glass, simply search for ‘Pyrex best bakeware’ on Google and you will be given a plethora of options.