What is Corningware?

History of CorningWare

Corning, known for innovation in specialty glass and ceramics for 160 years, first developed Pyrex for baking in glass early in the 20th century. After production of Pyrex for nearly half a century, the development of Pyroceram in 1957 led to CorningWare production in 1959. Pyrex was the original glass cookware from Corning. Corning used the Pyroceram composition for the original white CorningWare; Pyroceram was a glass-ceramic innovation allowing oven and stove top use. After nearly 40 years of production, Corning sold CorningWare and its consumer products division to World Kitchen LLC. World Kitchen developed the French White line of bakeware and changed the formula for CorningWare from glass-ceramic to a ceramic bakeware. World Kitchen has since reintroduced the original blue cornflower line made with the original Pyroceram composition that can be used on the stove top.

Original CorningWare was made of Pyroceram, a glass-ceramic bakeware usable on the cooktop over direct flame. CorningWare was nearly unbreakable, and warranted for several years of use. French White CorningWare is a ceramic product not as durable as the glass-ceramic cookware originally used by Corning. SimplyLite is a lightweight glass product that looks like CorningWare, made for World Kitchen, but is 50 percent lighter and less durable than original CorningWare products. World Kitchen reports that the change was made to meet the evolving taste of the homemaker and increased microwave use.

French White is the choice for brides, reports CorningWare.com. French White is practical ovenware that doubles as a serving dish, but it is the newer ceramic product and not the older glass-ceramic composition. French White design is identified by the vertical fluted edges. Use and care instructions for French White warn not to use this ceramic product on the stove top, in the broiler, with a microwave browning element or in a toaster oven.

CorningWare has returned to glass composition. SimplyLite is composed of Vitrelle glass that is microwave and oven safe, but you cannot use it on the stove top. Vitrelle glass is a laminated glass product used for Corelle dinnerware lines. The SimplyLite line has the square CorningWare shape with rounded corners. It is dishwasher safe and stackable, with lids. Instructions warn not to use SimplyLite to pop corn or cook convenience foods with browning features, not to allow fast temperature changes, and not to place in the oven before the oven completes preheating. Do not heat empty or nearly-empty SimplyLite cook ware in the microwave oven. SimplyLite comes with glass or plastic lids. The plastic lids can be used in the microwave, but not in the conventional oven.