Grandma's favorite cookware is hotter than ever! Vintage CorningWare dishes can sell for thousands of dollars. Whether you're holding onto heirloom pieces or looking to start a collection, here's the scoop on this hot item.
How to Know If Your Vintage CorningWare Is Worth Thousands
Published on Jan. 03, 2025
In the 1950s, CorningWare dishes were a beloved kitchen staple. The ceramic casserole dishes, often white with a pattern of blue cornflowers, were kitchen workhorses, capable of going from freezer to oven to tabletop without breaking a sweat (or breaking, period). My own grandma served up hundreds of casseroles in her orange-patterned dish. After decades of popularity, however, CorningWare fell out of fashion. The company changed hands and eventually began to use new materials.
In a plot twist, retro kitchen items are trending again. Pieces of vintage CorningWare have sold for as much as $10,000! Here’s everything you need to know about classic CorningWare, and how to spot the true vintage pieces.
A Quick History of CorningWare
Though CorningWare seems old-fashioned today, it seemed futuristic in 1957 when introduced by the Corning Glass Company. Ceramic dishes strong enough to go from the freezer to the oven without shattering—incredible! They could even go on the stovetop. The cutting-edge material, a glass-ceramic hybrid called Pyroceram, was first used to make the nose cones of missiles. Talk about durable!
For decades, the company made heirloom-quality ceramic cookware. Like Pyrex, vintage CorningWare was decorated with distinctive patterns, such as the blue Cornflower, Shadow Iris, Pastel Bouquet and Spice O’ Life.
In 2000, Corning Glass Company—the same responsible for classic Pyrex dishes—changed hands, and CorningWare was reinvented as glazed stoneware baking dishes. In 2006, the classic cornflower pattern was reintroduced, and in 2008, a French factory began to recreate the ultra-durable Pyroceram ceramic dishes.
What’s the difference between old and new CorningWare?
The most important thing to check before using your CorningWare is whether it’s ceramic or glazed stoneware. Ceramic dishes can handle dramatic temperature shifts, while stoneware should be used only for baking. It will crack if brought straight from the freezer to the oven.
There’s another difference, too. Old CorningWare pieces were sometimes made with arsenic, while new French-produced ceramic pieces are manufactured without arsenic. Vintage CorningWare is still safe to use as long as it’s not cracked or chipped.
How can I tell if CorningWare is vintage?
Since many classic patterns are reproduced today, it can be tricky to spot the truly old stuff. There are two things you can look out for. Vintage CorningWare is often printed with a flame logo. It will also be labeled as Made in the USA.
Is vintage CorningWare valuable?
Vintage CorningWare is in hot demand. Some collectors are in it for the cash. Rare patterns and colors have sold for up to $10,000! More common pieces don’t come close to those numbers but are still coveted for their extreme durability. Although every dish made before 1999 is considered vintage, older pieces (from the 1970s and earlier) are the most valuable.
Where do I find vintage CorningWare?
Since CorningWare was mass-produced for many years, it’s fairly easy to find. Antique shops are a good bet, and you might get lucky at a yard sale or thrift store. CorningWare casserole dishes are a great thing to hunt for at Goodwill, too. For specific patterns or dishes, try searching on eBay or Etsy. Don’t expect deals online, where prices are listed as high as $23,000—a splurge we doubt would be grandma-approved.
