I have a set of nesting tempered glass bowls, 10 or so, from large down to small enough to hold an egg yolk. I've had them for 25 years or so, can't remember the brand (Arcoroc or Duralex perhaps?), and think I got them at Zabar's in NYC. They've held up very well, none have broken or cracked. I would think that Pyrex or Duralex would have something similar nowadays. Yes, link below.

I also have a variety of colored Pyrex bowls, including my mother's old primary color set (the largest bowl is bright yellow, and there are also red, green, and blue).

Becky

Here is a link that might be useful: Duralex glass mixing bowl set

I like are the glass bowls by Duralex, made in France. Duralex has been making tempered-glass bowls since the 1920's. You can buy a set of 10 Duralex bowls on Amazon for about $38, or you can buy them individually at irawoods.com. However, it's handy to have lids for bowls for the MW, so I would buy the set of 10 glass bowls with lids sold by Sur La Table, which I suspect are made by Duralex too (I'll link those below). I suppose Pyrex glass bowls would have been a good MW choice until all the publicity Pyrex received for exploding glass (see Consumer Reports article online).

Where did you read that stainless is OK in a MW? Can you provide a link? I wouldn't use stainless steel in a MW.

Here is a link that might be useful: Set of 10 Glass Bowls + Lids at Sur La Table

Thanks, akchicago & becky. I'll look into those.

I was reading Cook's Illustrated's recommendations and they rate the Pyrex Accents bowl as their favorite (their opinion, of course).

I'll link it below on Amazon - I was thinking of getting this set for my daughter since she needs some good equipment. Does anyone have this brand?

Thanks :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Pyrex Accents bakeware set

I use Pyrex casseroles (with the two side lips for fingers) for many things.

Also oversized Pyrex handled measuring cup.

I hadn't heard about exploding Pyrex (all of my stuff is from before 1998), so I googled as akchicago suggested and found the link below at Chowhound...

Becky in Alberta

Here is a link that might be useful: Chowhound on exploding Pyrex

I heard about Pyrex exploding, too. I forgot about my Pampered Chef mixing bowl set. I wonder if they have the same risk - so far I've never had a problem & I've had my set for decades. Anyone have any experience with these bowls?

I really like the deep bowl, pour spout, measure lines & especially the cover so I can store easily in the fridge.

Here is their description:

#2230
Classic Batter Bowl � $15.00
Mix, store, reheat and even bake in this heavy-duty tempered glass bowl. It features standard and metric measures, a convenient spout and handle. 2 qts. Bowl is dishwasher-, freezer-, microwave- and oven-safe to 350�F; lid is dishwasher-safe.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pampered Chef 2-quart mixing bowl

I have the original iteration of the Pyrex Accents bowls, without the red silicone, and I love them. I've been using them, and other Pyrex wares, in the MW, oven, for mixing, etc. for years and have never had one explode.

I have lots of bowls, including some Volrath bowls from my mom, but those are my very favorite.

I also love the Duralex bowls, or Arc version of the same (I have some of each). They're kind of bulletproof, and even the littlest ones are easy to throw in the DW. They come in the sets of 10, sets of 4 tiny, nesting prep bowls, as well as open stock. The same sized ones stack, the graduated ones nest. Really well designed.

I use Pyrex bowls with plastic covers a lot for serve/fridge/MW, but more for salad type things. They're a little flat for mixing bowls.

If you put a wooden skewer or spoon in Pyrex before zapping, it shouldn't explode. That very very rarely happens at all, and usually only when a liquid heats from the inside out without an escape method (i.e., skewer). The same thing will happen to other brands, btw, not just Pyrex.

Melaska, I saw that Pyrex bowl with the red rubber ring in an Ace Hardware near me. I had also read that Cooks Illustrated liked it, but I found the shape just wasn't for me. The bottom of that bowl is very small, so how would I cream things, or whip egg whites or cream in it? The slight teardrop shape bothered me too, as I figured that might make stirring a little more difficult. I don't recall why CI liked it so much--perhaps it was for the very reasons I didn't like it. So I'd advise you to see it for yourself, and not to order it online, but instead find it in a store where you can hold it and decide.

As to Pyrex (and Anchor Hocking) exploding, I will link below the Consumers Report write-up from Jan-11. Click on the menu on the left to open each individual report they wrote.

I myself have Pyrex cookware dating from the early '80's when I was first setting up a kitchen and bought Pyrex mostly cause it was so cheap. Evidently that earlier stuff is safe, but they changed formulas (late '80's maybe?), and the potential for instability of the glassware started. For mixing bowls, I stand by my rec above for the Duralex/Sur La Table bowl set.

Here is a link that might be useful: Consumer Reports on Pyrex and Anchor Hocking

I have a set of 8 stacking bowls that my niece gave me for Christmas last year. They are very durable plastic with handles. I use them for the microwave and general use. (Cakes, Scones, Pancake batter, whipping cream). I can put them in the dishwasher/handwash. They are made by Joseph Joseph (Habitat).

I use Pyrex bowls for the MW, I actually did have a Pyrex casserole dish explode on me in the late 70's, I don't recall what the food item was but I put it in the Pyrex dish and under the broiler to brown the top, pulled it out, put it on top of the stove and boom! Exploded all over, a nice chunk cut my big toe pretty good.

I wrote to Pyrex about it because I'd never heard of that happening (and it scared me pretty good), they wrote back and said Pyrex should never be used with that high of heat, and setting it down on the cooler stove top caused the contraction and explosion.

Now, whenever I use Pyrex in the oven or MW, I'm just careful to put it on a trivet or pot holder and not to immerse it in water until it cools down, no more explosions, and I still love Pyrex.

I've used Pampered Chef 1 qt and 2 qt batter bowls exclusively for 13 years. They have been banged around, baked in, microwaved in, and still look great. Love that they have measurements on the sides, lids that close and they can be stacked in the fridge. Actually just used 2 tonight to make scones and croutons!

All of my white corning ware from the 1 cup size up to the 4 litre.

Thanks for all that great info & advice :)

I ended up ordering the 2-bowl set from Pampered Chef since I'm so familiar with them & I love mine.

I also got her the 2.5 quart Pyrex Accents - hope she likes it. I will for sure give her all the info you all posted.

Thank you!

Little late to the party but I love my lady bug mixing bowls. There are rubber feet on the bottom allowing you to tilt the bowl while mixing without the bowl moving. Plus, they're cute as a bug's ear :-)

I bought mine at Pier 1 but I think Target now sells them as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lady Bug Bowls

Oh my!!! I just may have to get those 'cute as a bug's ear' bowls! Plus, I love that Solutions site. Thanks for sharing! *running off to see how much they are and not caring...I must get a set!*
:)

Update on Ladybug bowls:

Solutions doesn't have them right now but I found them on Amazon. Plus, they have these cute Ladybug Prep Bowls that are so darling! (Link below)

Here is a link that might be useful: Ladybug Prep Bowls

I know it's too late since Melaska already made her purchase, but I wanted to clarify the Cooks Illustrated recommendation that she posted and pictured, for anyone else reading this thread. CI recommended the 5-quart version of that Pyrex Accents bowl, not the 2.5 qt. version Melaska pictured. A 2.5 qt. bowl is small for mixing, though it's fine of course for mixing smaller amounts of things, but would not be enough for a layer-cake batter, meatball mix, whipping egg whites, etc. Furthermore, depending on the size of the microwave, the teardrop shape of the bowl may prevent the MW carousel from turning. Also, unfortunately, Pyrex has discontinued the 5-qt size of the bowl that CI recommended.

I too am a fan of the Duralex and Arcoroc (maybe the same company?) glass mixing bowls that others have mentioned. I have had plastic mixing bowls before, but found that they scratched and became rough inside over time, and I wasn't comfortable with being unsure about the BPA content. I don't mind not having rubber or silicon on the bottom of my glass bowls - I'll quote what CI had to say about that: "So, is the no-skid bowl a must-have item? No, the old kitchen trick of coiling a damp kitchen towel around the base of a regular bowl works almost as well. "

Thanks for the clarification, alwaysfixin. I tried to find the 5-quart bowl but couldn't, so just posted the info on the 2.5 quart bowl.

I, too, noticed that no-skid bowl comment by CI. I've subscribed to CI for a very long time & it's my 'go-to' reference (along with Alton Brown, of course) :)

I guess it depends on the silicone and the counter. The towel works, but, in my experience, nothing budges my bowls with the silicone ring. That's actually something I don't like about them. You have to pick them up to turn them. But they're melamine, and lightweight, so maybe it works better with them than the glass ones...