Can Pyrex Be Used On A Stovetop? – The Complete Guide

Pyrex is one of the most popular cookware options out there. People know them for their casserole and baking purposes and they are quite versatile.

You can purchase a lot of different types of Pyrex dishes and accessories so it is important to know just what their capabilities and limitations might be. 

Pyrex can certainly stand up to the heat, which is why it makes such a great option for using it in the oven.

Of course, even with that, there are certain things to know and be aware of when you use it in the oven to make sure it doesn’t break or crack. 

Can Pyrex be used on the stovetop? While Pyrex is certainly made for handling heat, it is not designed for the stovetop. Warning and instructions across the board tell us that using Pyrex on the stovetop is something you should never do. 

In this guide, we will talk about whether or not Pyrex can be used on the stovetop. We will talk about why or why not and also discuss best practices for using your Pyrex and caring for your Pyrex.

There is a lot to know and understand but Pyrex is versatile and useful in many ways. 

Stick with us to learn if Pyrex can be used on the stovetop and more! 

Understanding How to Use Pyrex (And How Not To!)

Pyrex cookware has a lot of basic functionality. You can cook, bake, reheat, and even chill the dish but there are definitely some things to be aware of when you do any of these items with your Pyrex. 

The thing you should be most aware of is that Pyrex should never be used on the stovetop. It doesn’t matter if you have a gas cooktop, ceramic cooktop, or something else. Pyrex is not designed for these surfaces.

You could end up with a major problem on your hands if you try to cook with Pyrex on the stovetop. 

Pyrex was really designed for the oven. Of course, there are some things that you should know as there are certain practices for using your Pyrex best in any situation. 

To be fair, this question exists because some of the older Pyrex cookware was actually made to be safe for the stovetop. If you can find old cookware that is stovetop safe, then you would be fine to use it as such. 

However, the majority of Pyrex is considered to be bakeware and these will potentially shatter if you try to use it on the stovetop. If your lovely grandmother remembers using her Pyrex on the stove, this is why.

You can sometimes still find these dishes but they are no longer produced new in their lines of products. Also, for reference, many of them look like pots or pans. 

The traditional bakeware and glassware that is known of Pyrex today cannot and should not be used on the stovetop. 

Proper Use and Care of Pyrex

There are some things to know about your Pyrex. They have more than one line of dishes. Keep in mind that they used to have cookware but the dishes you purchase now from the store will be bakeware or glassware. 

If you want to be sure that you use your Pyrex properly and avoid issues, there are some standards to follow. The first standard is knowing these are not safe for the stove top.

There are some specific tips that you should follow when you use Pyrex in the oven as well. That’s what we’re covering in this part of our guide. 

First of all, when you use Pyrex in the oven, you want to be sure your temperature does not exceed 425 degrees. Pyrex bakeware is designed to be safe in temperatures up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. 

With that in mind, you shouldn’t use the broiler as this makes the heat too strong and intense for the glass to sustain and might shatter your pan.

One thing that most people aren’t aware of is that you shouldn’t put Pyrex in a cold oven. You should always pre-heat your oven and make sure the Pyrex is room temperature. 

The glass is challenged by extreme temperature changes so if it’s been in the fridge or the freezer, you need to let it come up to room temperature before it goes in the oven.

The same is true for the opposite as well. If your pan is still hot from the oven, don’t just toss it in the freezer. 

If your Pyrex is chipped or cracked, this compromises the integrity of the dish so you shouldn’t put it in the oven.

Another thing to consider is that you want your dish to be at least half full. This means covering the bottom of the dish or perhaps adding some liquid to coat the bottom of the dish. You don’t want it to be almost empty or less than half. 

Now, when you think about the best practices for cleaning, you’re not nearly as limited. You can clean your Pyrex in the dishwasher or in the sink with dish soap. It is recommended that you use a non-abrasive cleaner.

You can soak your dishes and then wash them. Again, just be sure you are not posing extreme temperature changes that can potentially harm the dish. 

What Causes Pyrex to Shatter?

If your Pyrex shatters, there is most likely a reason. The most common reason that Pyrex shatters is that strain is placed on the glass. The strain might come in the form of temperature changes or it might come from other issues. 

We will mention that Pyrex is most likely to shatter from 3 things. We covered these in basic form above but just as a reminder, these are the most common causes. 

• Extreme temperature changes (frozen to oven, etc.)
• Dish is not full enough with food or liquid
• Dish was heated while it had a crack or chip, creating excess pressure

Dealing with Shattered Pyrex

It can be incredibly scary when your Pyrex shatters. So what do you do about it? How do you handle that type of situation?

There could be a million different scenarios to consider here but let’s think about what you’re most likely to experience. 

The dish might shatter in your hands, the dish might shatter in the oven, or the dish might shatter sitting on the stove or counter. You most likely will not have pre-warning.

The dish is going to shatter on its own timeframe if it is going to shatter. It just depends on when and how the elements affect it. 

Thankfully, your dish is not likely to shatter if you follow all of the recommended safety tips we mentioned earlier. Of course, there is no guarantee but the dishes are designed to withstand the temperatures and use when handled correctly. 

If your Pyrex does happen to shatter, start by making sure everyone in the area is OK, including yourself.

Check for injuries and glass shards that could have hit a person or impacted skin. There may be some required first aid but hopefully it will not be drastic. 

Never try to salvage the food that was affected or nearby if the Pyrex shattered. That glass could literally be anywhere so it’s not worth salvaging the food.

Tiny shards could be hidden in any of the food or anything that wasn’t covered. 

Before you start to cleanup, you should be sure you are wearing shoes and also put on some protective gloves. This will help prevent you stepping on glass by accident or cutting your hands unexpectedly as well.

Handle all of the glass very carefully and clean all of the surrounding areas as small shards could go anywhere. 

You can use a damp paper towel to try to gather shards that might not be easily visible or easy to clean up. Glass is noteworthy for shredding into tiny shards and slivers that are nearly invisible until you touch them. 

Related Questions

We hope that you find this guide to whether or not Pyrex can be used on a stovetop to be a useful and informative guide. There are certainly some things to know before using Pyrex and most Pyrex dishes are not safe for the stovetop. 

Check out the following question and answer section for some additional details. 

Why Can Old Pyrex be Used on the Stove? 

It’s not necessarily just old Pyrex. The differentiation is Pyrex cookware that was stovetop friendly and Pyrex bakeware or glassware that isn’t.

The cookware line is an older line no longer produced. It was made with borosilicate glass that made it stovetop compatible. 

Can You Put Pyrex on a Hot Plate? 

A hot plate is similar to a stove by design, particularly when used for cooking. If you are using the hot plate for cooking, you should not use Pyrex. If you’re using it as a “keep warm” tool, it might be safe. 

Can Pyrex Be Used in the Microwave?

Pyrex typically can be used in the microwave. Just be sure that your Pyrex dish is half full or more and definitely not mostly empty as this will cause excessive pressure. 

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