From what I've read, the Pyrex and Corningware in the US are no longer made of borosilicate glass and is being made of soda lime glass. In spite of all the claims that soda lime glass compares well to borosilicate, I can't help but notice that any new Pyrex I've bought doesn't seem to hold up as well as the Pyrex I got from my grandmother that she bought before I wss born.

I admit I am not unbiased as I detest the comapny World Kitchens with a passion almost equal to my dislike of Wally World and that ubiquitous green mermaid nasty coffee place.

I doubt you will find any that nest. As for the oven-safe part, are you really losing any functionality? It's not like you can put your current plastic ones in the oven either.

I have collected Blue Sapphire Fire King over the years, which is see-through, can be used in the microwave, the oven, the freezer and has glass lids for the smaller pieces like the square refrigerator dishes and bowls. Some of the lids can also be used as small pie plates, so the versatility of these pieces is great as long as you don't have someone living in your house who suffers from droppage. I had to smile when I read your post, as I went from all glass to buying Lock and Lock so my DH and I could live together in peace and harmony. Google Blue Sapphire Fire King on ebay. The prices are all over the map, but it can still easily be found. There are also bread loaf pans, small/large casserole dishes, custard cups, mugs and several sizes of pie plates. The old pyrex pieces can still be found along with other versions of Fire King, and can be used the same way. The styles are almost endless, so finding something you like shouldn't be a problem if you have the patience to collect it. These pieces don't really nest, as much as they stack with the lids on. (Well, actually the bowls nest, and the pie plate lids nest, along with the pie plates. The mixing bowls also nest, so some of them actually do.)

Hi,

Try the TV shopping channel QVC. They now have glass Lock-n-Lock containers. The tops are plastic but the bottom is glass - oven and microwavable glass bottoms.

DL

I have a lot of glass pryrex dishes with the plastic lids, and I put them in the oven all the time. So far no exploding. But maybe if you put them super cold from the fridge into a very hot oven it could happen, but I don't do that. I put leftovers in them, and often heat them a bit in the micro before finishing them in the oven, or just microwave. I like them a lot but don't have that many because they are pricey. And I drop things a lot and so I've broken a few, which wouldn't happen if I dropped plastic, and costs me a pretty penny more to replace than if I accidentally melt some plastic container, which I have also done!

I use Anchor Hocking glass bowls which have lids that I believe are a plastic material. I don't put the lids in the microwave.

Like Lpink, I have pyrex with plastic lids and I've had no problem with exploding Pyrex. Some of mine is old, some newer.

The only real problem I have is with the lids, eventually the plastic lids crack and break.

I do have a lot of stuff stored in glass canning jars too, and it works fine, LOL. My favorite is the plastic Lock and Lock, I'm glad to know they come in glass!

Annie

Thank you for your comments. I don't remember hearing about FireKing or at least have not seen it in stores. I have seen Anchor Hocking with glass lids but they just sit on top of the dish. I don't usually go from freezer or fridge to the oven, sometimes the microwave if it's deemed microwave safe so that is not really an issue. I have some old Pyrex baking dishes I use all the time, at least 20 years old but they have no lids and occasionally will use them in the fridge with left overs or hold before baking. I was not aware of Pyrex also gone to China, do we not make anything here anymore? I have carpal tunnel and a painful thumb so I do suffer from dropsies but I try to be careful. I have trouble lifting hot heavy dishes out of the oven so I try to use metal or foil there when I can. I have just purchased a set of 3 Pyrex storage dishes, they nest and the lids hold fairly tight. I suppose I'll keep them but use them with care and hopefully they won't explode. I just wont use them in the oven and probably not even the microwave. I don't trust plastic anymore.

I bought my Anchor Hocking bowls at Big Lots. They're made in the U.S.A. which is one reason I purchased them.

Now I know what I want for Christmas next year, lol! I think I stole one or two of these from my mom and I like them. But then I do mostly microwaving of leftovers for just single me.

Here is a link that might be useful: Anchor Hocking plastic lid glass storage

I haven't had any issues with pyrex exploding, either old or new.

I think one of the problems with pyrex today is not the pyrex itself (though I prefer borosilicate to the current soda glass) as much as the surface it's set on and how the heat conducts.

If you have a gas range with cast-iron grids and you tend to use those for cooling, cracking or bursting is a real risk. Granite or other stone tops (i.e. marble) are the same.

FireKing is an old ovenproof glass (think 1950's). It's wonderful stuff and I love it, but I'm aware that just as with old canning jars it can become brittle with age and use, so even with the old stuff there is a certain risk.

Carol

I checked the Pyrex packaging and glassware and they are clearly marked made in USA. On the instructions it cautions against extreme temp changes. So, I guess I'll take a chance on these, just be careful. I just wouldn't like to have them combust all over. I can see if you take them out of the oven and place on a cold counter slab that it may be a problem.. I usually slip a pot holder or tea towel under hot dishes, it may be a good idea to also cover with a towel in case it explodes out. I'll also keep a lookout for recalls. I still have old Pyrex bowels but without covers, maybe I can find some of the right size at the Corningware outlet so I can use these for storing large quantities.

I'm more peeved about the open handles, I have to admit, though I appreciate knowing why the glass feels different. I had a Pyrex pot that cracked from too many rapid changes in temperature, but it was old and I don't know which kind of glass it was. It didn't explode, and I abused it. I read this which seems to have good info on why they changed. The only exploding Pyrex I personally know about is from when people microwave water in it then put a spoon in, or something like that, that happens because the water doesn't always bubble when it's boiling in a measuring cup. I know someone who did that.

Snopes, the people who debunk urban legends, has a lot to say on the subject as well, and says that the glassware is made in the U.S.

Which all I found out because I went looking for something I'd seen. Vermont Country Store, and others I'm sure, carry the rippled Anchor Hocking glass topped glass dishes that look like the ones from the '40's or '50's. Those lids just sit on top too, but the containers are cute.

Several years ago a friend of mine had pyrex explode in her oven - it was very bizarre, and it was such a mess. I figure it was one of those very rare things - -until about 8 months ago when it happened to me. Scared the (%& out of me - happened in the oven, very loud shattering noise and food and glass everywhere.... I still use my other pyrex, but I'm a little wary and would definitely look into other options if I was purchasing something new. I agree, today's pyrex isn't like what my Mom used to buy. (and if that doesn't make me officially sound old fashioned I don't know what would...)

I have only a couple of pyrex round clear glass bowls with lids. I have had them a few years and love them. I would love to pick up every size. I can't say how they will last compared to my old stuff but they are so versatile.

I have had a pyrex explode in the oven. It happened when I opened the door. I sort of exploded outward towards me, and my "instinct" was to try and catch the pieces, for some reason, and I sliced up my hands. (I guess I am not used to things trying to escape from the oven) There was blood and meat juice and glass slivers everywhere, of course the dogs heard me scream and came running, making everything worse!!

I don't blame pyrex, because I had the broiler on. I thought if I had the pan a foot away from the broiler, I could get a brown crust on the top of the food I was cooking and be safe. I never ever put a pyrex pan in the oven with the broiler on, and it never happened again.

I guess my point is, I have had an explosion due to user error, but I still love pyrex and use it for all my refrigerator storage. I just don't abuse it.

Another vote here for the new glass Lock 'n Lock. I'm in the process of switching over to all glass as they introduce more shapes/sizes. I love those lids! Even with my current dexerity issues I can work them easily. On the QVC demonstrations they do a drop test with the glass Lock 'n Locks...looks to be pretty tough glass. They're also mico & freezer safe.

/tricia

Yikes! Exploding glass is scary. User error in the kitchen accounts for many an accident. I once forgot to monitor my pressure cooker and blew out the safety valve - another huge mess, but I don't think I'll forget to monitor again.

I, too, have several very old Pyrex bowls with plastic lids in various sizes, and I love them. However, I've gotten very cheap in my old age and now, instead of recycling certain glass jars, I save glass containers that have good lids that commercial foods come in, things like wide-mouth mayo jars, jelly jars and the like. They don't nest, they don't go into the oven, but they are free, and that makes me happy. I haven't had plastic containers in my kitchen in years.

Sherry

I've owned 2 of these for....almost 20 years? And I love them more than anything. Granted I'm single so that's part of it. I put leftovers in them for heating later in the microwave, or just put whatever in them for microwaving. I suppose you could put them in the oven. I don't freeze in them.
I was looking for flour canisters and read some of the reviews on Amazon for anchor hocking glass canisters sold in the big discount stores and was rather shocked by people complaining about the glass around the rim chipping very easily and getting glass shards in their flour and sugar.
So....I don't know if anything is totally safe.

I know Martha Stewart made a big deal of collecting those old...white on the inside, colors on the outside glass? with clear glass lids that used to come with refrigerators? is that right? Not sure they were for use with cooking but certainly for refrigerator storage.

Here is a link that might be useful: corning grab it bowl with glass lid

Like Mary I use my Corning grab-its and other Corning pieces with or without lids. But what I am using more and more are the cheap sets of "bowl" covers - like little shower caps of graduated sizes. These will even go around square-ish, oval, and rounded corner containers. These wash easily in the kitchen sink and will last a long time if you don't get them too near a heat source. I can put one around a pottery pasta bowl of leftovers and remove the cover to heat the contents in the microwave. You can find them in the dollar stores.

Teresa

I don't know, maybe some of you will think I'm off my rocker, but I don't believe in this new/old corning exploding nonsense and think it's a competitor's attempt to give it a black mark.

And no, I'm not saying it doesn't explode - it's GLASS and glass breaks, period. Just like those of you who 'can' have had jars bust in the boiled water baths.

I've been using corning for years, never in the freezer though. I've always put it in a cold oven so that the dish, whether out of the refrigerator or room temp, heats up at the same rate the oven does. And, I've put the broiler on it, but only after it's hot from baking.

For some reason, I do not like putting glass in the freezer. I think it's the expansion part that keeps me from doing that.

No, I just don't think those that break are from anything other than user error or that particular piece having a flaw.

Beth