In recent days I’ve spent a lot of time browsing social media to pass the long hours at the hospital with a family member. In doing so, I came across a ‘pyrex bashing’ which in turn brought back an old memory. Some years ago, I had prepared a casserole dish ahead using a glass baking dish. When it was time to bake it for serving, I brought it out of the refrigerator and popped it into a cold oven. As the oven came to temperature, I heard a loud pop and cracking sound. Sure enough, the baking dish had cracked and split. This was a baking dish I had used for several years and probably had done the same with it many times. So what happened to my trusted “Pyrex” and why bash Pyrex?
I have no intention of bashing Pyrex or any other brand of glass kitchenware. Rather, I would advocate to be a conscious consumer, know what one has, and use it properly. Pyrex has been a trusted household name for decades and is often used as the word to refer to glass kitchenware and bakeware used for cooking and baking whether it is the Pyrex, Anchor Hocking, Bake King, or any other brand. Pyrex was valued for years for its sturdiness and ability to withstand rapid, dramatic temperature changes that typically shatter normal glassware. With changes in manufacturing, that old-fashioned reliability has changed.
Pyrex (trademarked as PYREX) is a brand introduced by Corning Inc in 1915 for a line of clear, low-thermal-expansion borosilicate glass used for laboratory glassware and kitchenware. It was later expanded to include clear and opal ware products made of soda-lime glass. In 1998, Corning sold the Pyrex brand name to World Kitchen LLC. World Kitchen stopped the manufacture of borosilicate glass and changed to less expensive, tempered soda-lime glass for kitchenware sold in the United States. Tempered soda-lime glass does not handle heat as well as borosilicate glass but does withstand breakage when dropped better. With some caution, tempered soda-lime glass withstands thermal shocks reasonably well. (To be fair, Anchor Hocking and Bake King products are also made from tempered soda-lime glass.)
When it comes to cooking and baking, precision is key. This is where analytical balances and other types of kitchen scales come into play. These instruments provide accurate measurements of ingredients, ensuring that recipes turn out just right. Just like with glass kitchenware, it is important to choose a reliable manufacturer when purchasing laboratory balances and analytical scales. Those in need of such equipment can learn more about the different options available and find a reputable manufacturer by clicking here. By doing so, they can ensure that their instruments will provide accurate readings for years to come.
I have a mix of Pyrex glass kitchenware that has accumulated over the years and the one that cracked was newer. How can you tell whether you have a newer or older form of Pyrex? Here’s what to look for:
PYREX® (all UPPER CASE LETTERS plus, in the USA, a trademark notice comprising a capital R in a circle = low-thermal-expansion borosilicate glass either clear or opaque originally made by Corning Inc.
pyrex® (all lower case letters plus a trademark notice comprising a capital R in a circle) = clear tempered high-thermal-expansion soda-lime glass kitchenware made by World Kitchen.
PYREX (all UPPER CASE LETTERS in an encircled oval with no trademark notice with European country noted) = European license for use on borosilicate glass products manufactured by International Cookware.
So, in short, if glass kitchenware made from borosilicate glass is important to you, look for the trademark in ALL UPPERCASE LETTERS. You will need to scour estate auctions, thrift stores, antique stores, or purchase in Europe to acquire it. I’m glad that I still have some of the PYREX® pieces.
If you are resigned to using the modern-day tempered soda-lime kitchenware, some precautions are necessary. In 2010, Consumer Reports tested some Pyrex and found that taking the newer glass out of a hot oven and placing it on a wet granite countertop yielded poor results with the glass shattering almost instantly. As a result of its investigation, Consumer Reports called on the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) to look into the problem of shattering bakeware.
Further, Consumer Reports issued ten precautions to consumers to minimize the chances of the glassware shattering:
- Always place hot glassware on a dry, cloth potholder or towel.
- Never use glassware for stovetop cooking or under a broiler.
- Always allow the oven to fully preheat before placing the glassware in the oven.
- Always cover the bottom of the dish with liquid before cooking meat or vegetables.
- Don’t add liquid to hot glassware.
- If you’re using the dish in a microwave, do not use browning elements, and avoid overheating oil and butter.
- Do not take dishes directly from the freezer to the oven or vice versa.
- Never place hot glassware directly on a countertop (or smooth top), metal surface, on a damp towel, in the sink, or on a cold or wet surface.
- Inspect your dishes for chips, cracks, and scratches. Discard dishes with such damage.
- To avoid risks associated with glass dishes, consider using metal bakeware for conventional and convection ovens.
As always, it is the consumer’s responsibility to read and save the manufacturer’s instructions for handling the product safely and then follow through. If it’s too late for those instructions, check the label on the glassware for the designations given above to determine the glass content; and if it is an Anchor Hocking or Bake King product, know that it is a tempered soda-lime product. If in doubt, the precautions issued by Consumer Reports will suffice for all.
My husband and I recently were in Chicago for several days at our daughter’s house while she was away on a business trip. Sadly, on our watch a thief stole 3 packages that had been delivered to her front porch while we were out to lunch. Luckily she has a security camera so the whole thing was caught on tape which made it easier to submit a police report but the whole experience was very frustrating, maddening and unnerving.
With chilly nights becoming the norm, many are looking for warmer blankets and throws for cozy companions. If one of those blankets or throws is electric, it should be inspected, regardless of age, before snuggling up for the season to make sure that it is safe. Older blankets that have seen their better days are definitely a hazard but occasionally, a newer blanket or even one fresh out of the bag could have a wiring issue. Reports from 
It is time to put the summer things in storage and one of these things is the first aid kit that I store in our camper. We do not use it often but it is important to have it stocked with useful items. It is easy to find 
‘Tis the season to be scary . . . fa, la, la, la, la, la, la . . .
I have been thinking more about fire prevention week this year than I have for many years. When our children were young, we made a point of checking smoke detectors, looking at escape routes from the bedrooms, and choosing a meeting place for the family outside of the house. Since we became empty nesters, we have focused a bit less on these safety steps. Now that we have five grandchildren that live nearby and often spend the night, I am thinking more about fire safety at home.
Millions of Americans use gas (natural or propane, i.e. LP) to heat their homes, heat their water, and cook their food. Our family is one of them and in addition, a natural gas pipeline crosses our property. While gas is safe, economical, clean-burning, and a versatile fuel when used properly, it is also highly combustible. Thus, a gas leak can be a risk of a fire and explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning. To help ensure that you live safely with gas, everyone in the family should be aware of the signs of a gas leak, never ignore even the slightest indication of one, and know what to do should there be a leak. Because of our proximity to a gas line, our gas company provides information periodically on what to know and what to do. The same precautions apply to propane gas.
appliance, but we know how manuals get misplaced or sometimes really don’t provide much information. Another source is to look online for the EPPC manufacturer and hopefully find care information; however, this may not be possible with some generic EPPC brands. One EPPC manufacturer, InstantPot, provides great
Other suggestions I’ve read include putting the ring in the sun, wiping the ring with a stainless steel soap disc, soaking or steaming in lemon water and baking soda, or purchasing two rings, one for savory and one for sweet. If one does opt for a second sealing ring or needs to replace a ring, be sure to get genuine manufactured parts to ensure the EPPC will work correctly and safely.
Has it been a while since you cleaned out your medicine cabinet or anywhere medicines are stored? Most experts recommend that your medicine cabinet or medicine storage spot be cleaned out annually to discard medications that have expired or could be medically unsafe.
The best way to dispose of most types of unused or expired medicines (both prescription and OTC) is to drop the medicine at a drug take back location. These drop off locations may be a police station, authorized pharmacy, or hospital. There you may find a kiosk. The kiosks provide a safe and convenient way to dispose of unwanted, unused or expired prescriptions, including controlled substances, and over-the-counter medications, ointments and creams, liquids, lotions, pet medications, prescription patches, and vitamins and supplements free and anonymously. To find a drop-off location near by, use the 
