Pyrex is a brand name for a type of glassware that's made to withstand heat. You can use Pyrex in an oven, but not on a stovetop burner.
Pyrex—the brand name for a particular type of glassware—is heat-resistant enough to withstand the heat of an oven.
However, Pyrex is not heat-proof.
As such, it's best used as an oven dish and can be used on a stovetop only when you've set your burner to a low temperature (say, 200°F).
Pyrex, however, is not made to withstand the direct heat of a stovetop burner.
Pyrex is heat-resistant, but not heat-proof. It’s made from borosilicate glass, which can withstand high temperatures without breaking or shattering. However, even borosilicate glass isn’t indestructible—it can still break if it's exposed to high temperatures for a long period of time.
Pyrex dishes and pans are dishwasher safe, but you should never run them through the dishwasher on high heat or in the microwave (except for some specific Pyrex products). The manufacturer warns that using your Pyrex dish or pan in this manner will void its warranty and result in cracks or chips over time, which might make it unsafe for cooking food on the stovetop burner.
Pyrex cookware can also be used in a microwave oven.
- You can use Pyrex cookware in a microwave oven.
- You can use Pyrex cookware in an oven.
- You can use Pyrex cookware on the stovetop.
- It's OK to put Pyrex cookware in the freezer.
- And don't forget that it's also safe to put it into a refrigerator and clean it with dishwashing liquid and water inside the dishwasher!
Some older Pyrex bowls, plates and other glassware pieces have lead in them, which can contaminate foods that are microwaved in them.
The older Pyrex products that you have may contain leaded glass. Leaded glass is different from the newer non-leaded varieties and it can leach into food when it is microwaved.
Lead can be toxic to humans, because it's an inorganic metal that your body absorbs through the digestive system and then distributes into other tissues throughout your body. Lead poisoning causes serious health problems like damage to the brain and nervous system, as well as high blood pressure and anemia.
Contemporary Pyrex products are lead-free and are safe to put in the microwave.
However, not all glassware is created equal. If you have a vintage Pyrex serving dish, it's probably not a good idea to put it on your stovetop or in the oven without first checking that the label says that it's oven-safe.
As for whether Pyrex glassware (the newer stuff) can be used on a stovetop: no! It might seem like common sense that you shouldn't put an empty glass pan onto a burner, but some people get confused about this because they think that since their Pyrex dish has handles, it must be okay for stovetop use—but the handle isn't part of what makes something oven-safe. A handle might be attached with silicone glue or epoxy instead of melting into place during manufacturing, so there's no guarantee that it won't melt under high heat (and neither would any other part of your lid).
A Pyrex dish can be used on a stovetop, but only if it’s not touching the burner. If you want to use Pyrex cookware on your stovetop, make sure that it has handles so you can lift it off the burner before turning up the heat.
