How to Get the Baked-On Stains off Your Pyrex
Updated: Dec. 02, 2019
Are your Pyrex baking dishes looking a little worse for wear? We'll show you how to clean Pyrex to make that glass sparkle.
Few of us can live without our Pyrex dishes. They make sure our baked spaghetti and tuna casserole come out of the oven baked to perfection. But like all glass cookware—beware the grease buildup! Over time Pyrex can become stained with brown and yellow-ish grease stains that are difficult to remove, but not impossible.
Here are four methods that will remove those pesky stains.
Method #1: Baking Soda and Dish Soap
When in doubt, grab the baking soda. Coat the bottom of your Pyrex dish with baking soda and a drizzle of dish soap. Add hot water and let the whole mixture soak for about 15 minutes. Then, grab a plastic or nylon sponge to scrub away the stains. (This is our Test Kitchen’s go-to sponge.) Add more baking powder as you scrub; the abrasive texture will help with stubborn spots.
Method #2: Magic Eraser
Magic Eraser to the rescue. Before putting your eraser to work, soak the Pyrex dish in hot water for about 15 minutes to loosen and soften the stains. Then dump the water out and scrub away the burnt-on food with a damp Magic Eraser like this. Abracadabra!
Don’t miss all the surprising ways to use a Magic Eraser.
Method #3: Dryer Sheet
For this cleaning method, you’ll need to steal a dryer sheet from your laundry room. The conditioning ingredients in an unused dryer sheet can help soften the food buildup on your Pyrex baking dish. Fill the dish with hot water and drop in a dryer sheet. Let it soak for about 15 minutes. Then dump out the water and dryer sheet, and the stains should now be easy to scrub away with a sponge. Wash again with dish soap and water to remove any residue from the dryer sheet.
Method #4: Bar Keeper’s Friend
Bar Keeper’s Friend is an abrasive powder cleaner that works wonders on all sorts of challenging cleaning jobs, including baked-on food stains. Wet your Pyrex dish and sprinkle on Bar Keeper’s Friend; as you scrub the water and cleaner it will create a paste that coats the entire dish. Let the paste soak for about 20 minutes. Then, add a little more water and scrub again.
Editor’s Tip: Bar Keeper’s Friend also works great on removing scuff marks from vintage Pyrex dishes.
Recipes to Make in Your Clean Pyrex
Butterscotch Pecan DessertLight and creamy, this butterscotch dessert never lasts long when I serve it. The fluffy cream cheese layer topped with cool butterscotch pudding is a lip-smacking combination. —Becky Harrison, Albion, Illinois
Chicken and Rice CasseroleEveryone loves this dish—I consider it the best chicken and rice casserole recipe because it's a tasty combination of hearty and crunchy ingredients mixed in a creamy sauce. It's a time-tested classic. —Myrtle Matthews, Marietta, Georgia
See why Grandma's cookware may be worth more than you think.
Nutty Oven-Fried ChickenThe pecans that give this dish its unique nutty flavor are plentiful in the South, and so is chicken. I love to make and serve this simple oven fried chicken dish because the chicken comes out moist, tasty and crispy. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida
Sausage and Pancake CasseroleTrial and error made this pancake casserole recipe one that my family asks for time and time again. It's so easy and very good. —Ethel Sanders, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Cherry Rhubarb CrunchMy husband's grandmother gave me this recipe, along with a bundle of rhubarb, when we were first married. I had never cared for rhubarb, but after trying this dessert, I changed my mind. Now my children dig in, too! —Sharon Wasikowski, Middleville, Michigan
Artichoke ChickenRosemary, mushrooms and artichokes combine to give this chicken a wonderful, savory flavor. I've served this healthy canned vegetable recipe for a large group by doubling the batch. It's always a big hit with everyone—especially my family! —Ruth Stenson, Santa Ana, California
Caramel Pecan Ice Cream DessertMy mother passed this old-time recipe on to me because she knew I'd want to make it. I love desserts—especially this one! —Mary Wright, Morriston, Ontario
Mushroom Shepherd’s PieIt sounds silly, but the one thing I miss most in meatless meals is, well, the meat. That is, except in this mushroom shepherd's pie. It's a hearty vegetarian dish, and I guarantee you won't miss the meat either. —Glen Warren, Keswick, Ontario
Red Roasted PotatoesSome fragrant rosemary, fresh or dried, gives these roasted red potatoes a distinctive and subtle taste. This dish is simple to prepare yet elegant in color and flavor. It's a wonderful addition to any menu. —Margie Wampler, Butler, Pennsylvania
Spicy Breakfast LasagnaIt's fun to cook something new for family and friends—especially when it gets rave reviews. When I took this dish to our breakfast club at work, people said it really woke up their taste buds!
Spanish Rice and ChickenMy mother has always been an avid cook, and my sister, two brothers and I were raised on this Spanish Chicken and Rice dish. When I polled our family to see which recipe I should share, this fresh-tasting, well-seasoned casserole came out on the top of the list. I know you'll enjoy it as much as we do. —Cindy Clark, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Cauliflower au GratinCount on this dish to make new vegetable converts. Whenever I serve it, people ask me for the recipe. Sometimes I’ll substitute broccoli for all or half the cauliflower, and the green veggie tastes just as good! —Jacki Ricci, Ely, Nevada
Chicken and Chiles CasseroleThis casserole makes good use of leftover meat and is very filling. —Lois Keel, Alburquerque, New Mexico
Strawberry Pretzel SaladNeed to bring a dish to pass this weekend? This make-ahead strawberry pretzel salad will disappear quickly at any potluck. —Aldene Belch, Flint, Michigan
Tuna Mushroom CasseroleI love to serve this dressed-up version of a tuna casserole. The green beans add nice texture, color and flavor. The first time I made this dish, my uncle asked for seconds even though tuna casseroles are not usually his favorite.
—Jone Furlong, Santa Rosa, California
Roasted Red Potato SaladI got this roasted potato salad recipe from my sister-in-law and I've made it numerous times at the request of friends and co-workers. It's quick and easy, which is just what I need in my busy life. I learned how to cook from the two best cooks I know—my mom, Arline, and my Grandma Etta. —Ginger Cusano, Sandusky, Ohio
Spiced Pineapple Upside-Down CakeI often bake this beautiful cake in my large cast-iron skillet and turn it out
onto a pizza pan. —Jennifer Sergesketter, Newburgh, Indiana
Lemon Coconut BitesThe tangy lemon flavor of this no-fuss dessert is especially delicious on a warm day. It gives me delightful flashbacks of selling lemonade on the sidewalk as a little girl. —Donna Biddle, Elmira, New York
Zippy Chicken EnchiladasLeftover chicken gets an awesome makeover in this rich and creamy casserole. This colorful dish is loaded with flavor. It's a nice change of pace from beef enchiladas. —Julie Moutray, Wichita, Kansas
Corn Dog CasseroleReminiscent of traditional corn dogs, this fun main dish really hits the spot on fall days. It's perfect for the football parties my husband and I often host. It tastes especially good right from the oven.
-Marcy Suzanne Olipane, Belleville, Illinois
Burrito BakeBack when I was in college, my roommate would frequently make this economical baked burrito casserole. It's so easy to put together, and one serving goes a long way. —Cindee Ness, Horace, North Dakota
Brunch Ham EnchiladasWhen I'm expecting company for brunch, the menu often features this tried-and-true casserole. With ham, eggs and plenty of cheese, the enchiladas are flavorful, hearty and fun. And they're easy to assemble the day before.
—Gail Sykora, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Cream Cheese Sheet CakeThis tender, buttery cream cheese cake with a thin layer of fudge frosting is perfect for a crowd. It's always popular at potlucks and parties. It's not uncommon to see folks going back for second and even third pieces. —Gaye Mann, Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Chicken AmandineWith colorful green beans and pimientos, this attractive casserole is terrific for the holidays. This is true comfort food at its finest. —Kat Woolbright, Wichita Falls, Texas
Chili Mac CasseroleThis cheesy casserole uses several of my family's favorite ingredients, including macaroni, kidney beans, tomatoes and cheese. Just add a leafy salad for a complete meal. —Marlene Wilson, Rolla, North Dakota
Tart Cherry Meringue DessertI've made this cherry dessert for years to serve at baby showers, birthday parties and other special occasions. People really enjoy the tender crust, cherry filling and melt-in-your-mouth meringue. Every time I serve it, someone asks for the recipe. —Kathryn Dawley, Gray, Maine
Creamy Turkey CasseroleI sometimes make turkey just so I have the extras for this casserole! —Mary Jo O'Brien, Hastings, Minnesota
Apricot Upside-Down CakeMy Aunt Anne, who is a great cook, gave me a taste of this golden upside-down cake and I couldn't believe how delicious it was. Apricots give it an elegant twist from traditional pineapple versions. —Ruth Ann Stelfox, Raymond, Alberta
Originally Published: December 02, 2019
