Can You Put Corningware In The Oven?
When it comes to baking and cooking, there are tons of different options out there. You’ve got a variety of pots, pans, bakeware, dishes, and more.
Not only do you have to choose materials but you have to choose styles, brands, and even quality. It can get overwhelming pretty quickly.
Corningware has been around since the 1950s. It was always known for being a mixture of glass and ceramic but the ownership actually changed hands in the 90s and with that ownership change came some product change too.
These dishes are still known for being strong and durable but they may not be the same as the Corningware of old.
Can you put Corningware in the oven? The good news is that Corningware was actually designed to be used in just about any environment. It can go in the oven and it can be used in other ways as well. You just need to know proper care to avoid running into any issues.
In this guide, we will walk you through whether or not Corningware can be used in the oven and how to use it so that you don’t run into any problems in doing so.
It’s pretty simple but you do need to know the basic details so that you don’t accidentally harm your cookware.
Keep reading to learn if Corningware can be used in the oven and more!
What Exactly Is Corningware?
Corningware really has a bit of a unique history. It was actually made when the furnace in the plant malfunctioned. They were using glass. The temperature shot up but it didn’t break the glass.
That mistake led to a material known as pyroceram. It’s a form of ceramic but it’s really strong.
The material handles heat like a pro. Eventually, all of that led to Corningware dishes that came out around 1957. These were different types of ceramic baking dishes that usually had glass lids with them.
One of the cool things that always stood out was the versatility. Corningware could handle the oven, stove, and even the broiler. They always made the dishes with that glass and ceramic mixture that we mentioned above for you.
In 1990, a brand named World Kitchen bought out Corningware. They made some slight changes to the dishes and rather than the glass and ceramic combination, they use ceramic stoneware.
The nice thing about that is the dishes are still durable. They can still handle a lot of action and heat. They have always been known for their style and design.
Most Corningware products are white and have some sort of floral design on them as well. That’s the norm but not always the case.
The thing you should know is that Corningware comes in different styles and the vintage products are slightly different than the current products.
Can My Corningware Go In The Oven?
The good news is that all of the Corningware products, vintage or modern, can go in the oven. Of course, it depends on your products.
You probably don’t want to put a dinner plate in the oven. However, their line includes stoneware and a variety of ovenware.
All of those products that are marked as oven-safe can go in the oven. If you can get your hands on the vintage, it really is the best quality but all of them are great so don’t sweat it if you end up with a current piece.
Corningware is safe for both convection ovens and traditional ovens. They can also be used in the microwave as well.
It’s unclear whether the new dishes are safe for the stovetop so we probably wouldn’t risk that. In addition, you can use the broiler and your Corningware will hold up fine.
With most glass bakeware, you have to be careful about thermal shock but with Corningware, this should never be a problem.
If you are worried about it, just be sure to let your dishes set out of the fridge for 30 minutes or so before you put them in the oven. However, as we mentioned, it shouldn’t be an issue.
What About Vintage Corningware?
With vintage Corningware, the same rules apply. There are actually rumors that your vintage Corningware can be used on the stove so that might give you some added versatility.
These dishes might have changed in the 90s but they are great quality from either era. Both types of dishes are said to be oven-safe up to some incredibly high temperatures, which gives you a lot of room to work with.
With that in mind, they might not really have been safe for the stove but it’s impossible to know for sure without trying it. Try it at your own risk.
The oven is really what these dishes were designed for so if you stick to that, you shouldn’t have any problems.
These dishes, both old and new, were all designed for the heat. They can withstand the heat and they are some of the most durable ovenware that you will ever find on the market most likely.
What About The Glass Lid?
While the dishes themselves are great for high heat and the oven, the lids were not designed for that type of use.
You shouldn’t put your Corningware lids in the oven. You can use them in the microwave but that is the extent of their heat resistance.
The glass lids were primarily designed for storage purposes and to help hold in heat after the oven has finished its job.
They were not designed to actually be used in the oven. They come as part of the set. You will find this is pretty consistent with other brands out there.
However, the difference here is that you have a nice glass lid rather than a flimsy piece of plastic. It just adds to the stylish appeal that Corningware is known for when you think about it.
The glass lid is said to withstand heat of 350°F so you could possibly get away with it if you are cooking at a low temperature.
However, we don’t recommend taking the chance. The last thing you want is a shattered glass lid in the oven and in your food.
What Temperature Can Corningware Sustain?
Here’s the real kicker. Not only can Corningware bakeware handle high heat but it can actually handle extremely high heat.
Where most bakeware will max out at 450°F or less, these dishes are actually said to be able to withstand up to 1,000°F.
You are never going to reach that temperature in the oven so you have plenty of heat resistance to work with.
With that being said, the general recommendation is to keep your Corningware at a temperature of about 450°F or less. The real concern here is just avoiding thermal shock more than anything else.
Corningware can handle extreme temperature changes, which is where 450°F comes in. If you have a cold dish from the fridge and you’re going to the oven, the dish can handle an immediate 450°F change.
Tips And Tricks For Using Corningware
While Corningware has incredibly high resilience to heat and high temperatures, you still want to treat it with care.
This material can handle the highest heat around but you don’t want to mistreat it either. The best thing that you can do is follow general guidelines that you would follow with any other bakeware.
You can wash it in the dishwasher and use it for baking, cooking, heating, and more.
Just try to be mindful of massive temperature changes to be on the safe side. When you pull it from the fridge, let it warm up with your oven instead of taking the temperature change all at once.
Related Questions
We hope that this guide to using Corningware in the oven is helpful for you. There are a few things to know but Corningware is very durable.
Check out these additional questions and answers for some more details as well!
Is Pyrex the same as Corningware?
Both Pyrex and Corningware are baking dishes but they are not the same. Corningware actually has a higher heat threshold.
Is Corningware free of lead?
According to all reports, these are free of lead. To reach certain cooking standards, they should be.
Just be sure you are getting authentic Corningware. You can always have your dishes tested but they should be lead-free.
Can I use Corningware in the toaster oven?
Yes, Corningware can be used in the toaster oven, just like the oven. Just avoid using the glass lid.
As long as it fits in there, you shouldn’t have any problems. These dishes handle high heat, including the direct heat of toaster ovens.
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