Is It Safe to Use Your Pyrex in the Oven?
Updated: Oct. 28, 2022
You prepped tonight's casserole in your go-to dish, but first, find out if that Pyrex is oven-safe.
Pyrex dishes of all kinds are essential parts of my cooking and baking routines. I use my favorite vintage Pyrex bowls to stir up biscuits and my go-to 13×9 pan to make family-favorite chicken parm sliders.
It wasn’t until the other week when I prepped a small-batch macaroni and cheese in my favorite vintage Pyrex casserole dish that I asked myself, wait, is Pyrex oven-safe—especially my vintage Pyrex?
Is Pyrex Oven-Safe?
Since it came on the scene in 1915, Pyrex was designed to be oven-safe. These glass vessels, which range from casserole dishes to pie plates to loaf pans are all safe for baking.
This being said, you do need to follow one major rule when using Pyrex: Avoid extreme temperature changes. Shifts from one extreme to the other can cause thermal shock to the dish which can cause it to crack or shatter entirely.
Can Pyrex Go from Fridge to Oven?
While a move from the fridge to a 350ºF oven likely won’t cause any damage to your Pyrex dishes, I recommend erring on the side of caution. Avoid extreme temperature changes, and let your prepped enchiladas rest on the counter for 15 to 30 minutes before putting it in the oven. That’s about the time it takes for the oven to preheat.
And another word on preheating: Pyrex recommends only placing their bakeware in an oven that’s already heated. These dishes are designed for the heat of the oven, of course, but the company explains that pans “can break when exposed to the direct heat element while the oven is preheating.”
Can Pyrex Go from Freezer to Oven?
Let me answer this one with an emphatic no! If the Great Lasagna Disaster of 1999 taught me anything, it’s that an ice-cold Pyrex pan cannot go into a hot oven.
What’s the Great Lasagna Disaster, you ask? As a kid, I was instructed to defrost a homemade lasagna and put it in the oven for dinner. However, I completely forgot about that make-ahead dish in the freezer and rushed to stuff it (frost and all) right into a 400ºF oven. In an instant, the whole thing shattered leaving a gooey, cheesy, glass-shard-filled mess all over the bottom of the oven.
In sum: Do not go from extreme cold to extreme heat. If you have a dish that’s frozen in a Pyrex pan, set a reminder on your phone or place a sticky note on your mirror so you don’t forget to defrost your dishes in advance.
Is Vintage Pyrex Oven-Safe?
I know that vintage Pyrex collections are very special. You don’t want to risk ruining one of your most treasured heirloom kitchen items while making a weeknight supper. But rest easy—vintage Pyrex dishes are oven-safe.
As long as you follow the same guidelines above, vintage Pyrex is A-OK to go in the oven and can be used in oven temperatures up to 425ºF (and skip the broiler).
There is one caveat to using your vintage Pyrex, though: Do not use any vintage dishes that are chipped or cracked—in the oven or otherwise. Heating, washing and generally using items with these sorts of flaws can cause the dishes to crack entirely or release more chips of glass. You don’t have to toss these pieces, especially if they’re close to your heart, but use them for display only.
And if you have any scuffs on your old dishes from Gran, here’s how to remove scratches from Pyrex.
Other Tips for Using Pyrex
Now that you know the answer to the question is Pyrex oven-safe?, you may want to brush up on a few other tips for using this kitchen must-have right from Pyrex.
- Don’t place a hot pan in cold water: The thermal shock can cause the pan to crack. Let your pan rest until it’s cool enough to touch before plunging it into the sink. This tip goes for all kinds of cookware, not just Pyrex!
- Don’t place a hot pan on the counter:Â Always place hot Pyrex dishes on a hot pad or trivet. This is to protect the pan from thermal shock and your countertop from any damage.
- Let the dish come to room temperature before freezing:Â If you’ve made a casserole in advance and want to freeze it for later, kudos to you for prepping! Let your pre-made recipe come to room temp before wrapping and freezing.
- Don’t use Pyrex on the stovetop:Â This heat is too extreme for these glass dishes.
The name of the game here is avoiding those extreme temperature variations. With a little care, your Pyrex will last you a long time. Who knows: Maybe my Pyrex casserole dish will be a coveted item in my future grandchildren’s kitchens!
Church Supper Hot Dish
This recipe was in my mother's church cookbook, and now it's in my church cookbook! Apparently is was too good to miss a generation. I often make this dish to take along to potlucks...and it seems that if I don't, someone else will! It's hearty and so tasty! —Norma Turner, Haslett, Michigan
Hot Italian Party Sandwiches
It doesn’t get much easier or more delicious than this hot Italian sandwich recipe. The sandwiches are wonderful as an appetizer for gatherings or a hungry family, and are a fantastic party food that is quick to prepare. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas 
Butterscotch Pecan Dessert
Light 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 
Quick Tater Tots Bake
I like to make this Tater Tot casserole when time before supper is short. If we have unexpected company, I just double the ingredients and use a 13x9-in. pan. I call it my Please Stay Casserole! —Jean Ferguson, Elverta, California 
Prosciutto, Egg and Spinach Strata
This egg spinach strata recipe is one of my favorite things to make for Mother's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas morning! It's a wonderful savory dish that incorporates elements of the cuisine I grew up enjoying. Plus, you can prepare it the night before and just throw it in the oven in the morning. —Danielle Pfanstiehl, Andover, Connecticut Chicken and Rice Casserole
Everyone 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. 
Tomato Cobbler
I make this tomato cobbler recipe during the height of summer, when tomatoes are abundant and super flavorful. The topping is a cross between that of a crisp and a cobbler. It's a delightful way to use up fresh garden produce. —Mohammad Abdullah, Fremont, California Nutty Oven-Fried Chicken
The 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 Casserole
Trial 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 Crunch
My 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
Want more? Check out gifts for the vintage Pyrex lover in your life. 
Creamy Beef Lasagna
This creamy beef lasagna is a stick-to-your-ribs entree, thanks to its Stroganoff-like filling. My family loves the delicious taste, and I appreciate that it's inexpensive to fix. —Jane Frawley, Charles Town, West Virginia 
Special Seafood Casserole
I first sampled this casserole at a baby shower and founds myself going back for more! 
Gooey Butter Cake
A friend gave me a quick version of this gooey butter cake recipe using a cake mix, but I prefer baking from scratch, so I came up with my own. My family can't get enough! The middle will sink a little; this is normal. This dessert is delicious served warm or cold. —Cheri Foster, Vail, Arizona 
Appetizer Tomato Cheese Bread
I found this recipe a few years ago in a dairy cookbook, and it has become a family favorite. My husband, Wayne, and our two children are mostly meat-and-potato eaters, but I don't hear any complaints when I make this bread! —Penney Kester, Springville, New York 
Pineapple Sheet Cake
This sheet cake is perfect for serving to a crowd. It keeps so well that you can easily prepare it a day ahead and it will stay moist. I often bring it to church potlucks, and I have yet to take much of it home. —Kim Miller Spiek, Sarasota, Florida Artichoke Chicken
Rosemary, 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 
Ham, Broccoli and Orzo Casserole
A kid-pleaser and the perfect comfort food, this gooey orzo casserole is a complete meal in one. For an extra homey touch, I make mine in my favorite hand-me-down casserole dish from my Grandma Laverne. —Heather Arndt Anderson, Portland, Oregon 
Scalloped Pineapple Casserole
My family can't get enough of this sweet and satisfying side dish. This casserole disappears quickly whenever I prepare it.—Judy Howle, Columbus, Mississippi Caramel Pecan Ice Cream Dessert
My 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 
Grandma's Poultry Dressing
Every family seems to have their own favorite dressing recipe that becomes a tradition, and this is ours. It came from Grandma, who passed it down to my mother. Now our children have carried it into their kitchens. This is truly a good old-fashioned recipe. —Norma Howland, Joliet, Illinois Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie
It 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 Potatoes
Some 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 
Homemade Confetti Cake
This is a moist and fluffy vanilla cake with lots of sprinkles and a whipped vanilla buttercream. It's almost impossible not to feel happy when you see the fun pop of rainbow confetti! —Courtney Rich, Highland, UT Spicy Breakfast Lasagna
It'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 Chicken
My 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 
Holiday Potato Bake
I have made this at Thanksgiving and Christmas for the past several years; my family requests this dish all the time, even when it's not a holiday! Happy, cherished family memories. —Vickie West, Long Beach, California 
Cherry Plum Slab Pie with Walnut Streusel
I love to make desserts with fruit all summer! If you use store-bought crust, I recommend stacking your two pie crusts on top of each other and then rolling them to the correct size. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah Cauliflower au Gratin
Count 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 
Broadway Brownie Bars
I named these dessert bars for Broadway because they're a hit every time I serve them. I especially like to make them as a gift for anyone with a sweet tooth! —Anne Frederick, New Hartford, New York 
Chicken Divan
This tasty chicken divan recipe was given to me by a friend years ago, and it's been a family favorite ever since. My daughters enjoy making this dish in their own homes and get the same enthusiastic compliments I always do! —Mary Pat Lucia, North East, Pennsylvania 
Carrot Sheet Cake
We sold pieces of this to-die-for carrot cake at an art show. Before long, we sold all 10 cakes we had made! —Dottie Cosgrove South El Monte, California 
Sunday Brunch Casserole
My father was a chef, and this was one of his favorite recipes. He served it in the hotels where he worked as well as at home. Whenever it's served today in my home, it never fails to bring back fond memories of a table laden with food and encircled with family and friends enjoying the aromas, tastes and laughter. —Roy Lyon, Coupeville, Washington Chicken and Chiles Casserole
This casserole makes good use of leftover meat and is very filling. —Lois Keel, Alburquerque, New Mexico 
Baked Spaghetti
Every time that I make this cheesy baked spaghetti, I get requests for the recipe. It puts a different spin on pasta and is great for any meal. The leftovers, if there are any, also freeze well for a quick dinner later in the week. —Ruth Koberna, Brecksville, Ohio 
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Need to bring a dish to pass this weekend? This make-ahead strawberry pretzel salad will disappear quickly at any potluck. —Aldene Belch, Flint, Michigan 
Chicken & Dumpling Casserole
This classic, savory casserole is one of my husband's favorites. He loves the fluffy dumplings with plenty of gravy. The basil adds just the right flavor and makes the whole house smell so good while this dish bakes. —Sue Mackey, Jackson, Wisconsin Tuna Mushroom Casserole
I 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 
Cajun Pork Sandwiches
This recipe's simple spice rub gives pork tenderloin an irresistible flavor. You'll watch in delight as these tasty open-faced sandwiches disappear from the buffet table! —Mae Kruse, Monee, Illinois Spiced Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
I often bake this beautiful cake in my large cast-iron skillet and turn it out
onto a pizza pan. —Jennifer Sergesketter, Newburgh, Indiana 
Grandmother's Corn Pudding
My grandmother always served this pudding for holidays and family reunions. Everyone loves it. Corn pudding is a popular side dish on Maryland's eastern shore. —Susan Brown Langenstein, Salisbury, Maryland 
Ham and Swiss Casserole
When I prepare this noodle casserole for church gatherings, it's always a hit. It can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd. —Doris Barb, El Dorado, Kansas Lemon Coconut Bites
The 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 Enchiladas
Leftover 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 
Rhubarb Custard Bars
Once I tried these rich, gooey bars, I just had to have the recipe so I could make them for my family and friends. The shortbreadlike crust and the rhubarb and custard layers inspire people to find rhubarb that they can use to fix a batch for themselves. —Shari Roach, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Corn Dog Casserole
Reminiscent 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 Bake
Back 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
Crouton Tomato Casserole
This old-fashioned side uses lots of delicious tomatoes and seasonings that give it an Italian twist. Every time I serve it, someone asks for the recipe. —Norma Nelson, Punta Gorda, Florida 
Brunch Ham Enchiladas
When 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
Four-Cheese Spinach Lasagna
This rich cheesy lasagna has become one of my specialties. It's packed with fresh-tasting vegetables like spinach, carrots, red pepper and broccoli. I'm never afraid to serve the colorful casserole to guests, since it's always a huge success.
—Kimberly Kneisly, Englewood, Ohio 
Turkey Lattice Pie
With its pretty lattice crust, this cheesy baked dish looks as good as it tastes. It's easy to make, too, since it uses ready-to-go crescent roll dough. —Lorraine Naig, Emmetsburg, Iowa Cream Cheese Sheet Cake
This 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 Amandine
With 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
Apple Pan Goody
I found the recipe for this unique casserole years ago and adapted it to my family's taste. Dotted with dried cranberries, the tender apple bake is sweetened with brown sugar and a little cinnamon. We enjoy it on breakfast buffets, but it also makes a fun side dish, particularly with a pork entree. —Jeanne Bredemeyer, Orient, New York 
Veggie Noodle Ham Casserole
This saucy main dish is really quite versatile. Without the ham, it can be a vegetarian entree or a hearty side dish.—Judy Moody, Wheatley, Ontario
Chili Mac Casserole
This 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 Dessert
I'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 Casserole
I sometimes make turkey just so I have the extras for this casserole! —Mary Jo O'Brien, Hastings, Minnesota Apricot Upside-Down Cake
My 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 
Cabbage Roll Casserole
I layer cabbage with tomato sauce and ground beef lasagna-style to create a hearty casserole that tastes like cabbage rolls but without all the work. —Doreen Martin, Kitimat, British Columbia 
Peanut Butter Pudding Dessert
Here's a fun layered dessert that will appeal to all ages. If you want it even nuttier, you can use chunky peanut butter, and if you're not a fan of cashews, substitute your favorite nut. This peanut butter lasagna is one of my favorite pudding desserts. —Barbara Schindler, Napoleon, Ohio
