Is Pyrex Dishwasher Safe? What You Need to Know

Pyrex manufactures great tableware and cookware. In fact, Pyrex is known for being durable, easy to clean, and safe for children. That said, Pyrex produces a lot of cookware and tableware that range from bowls and plates to baking sheets and measuring cups. Pyrex also uses different materials like ceramic, plastic, and glass. So, before loading your dishwasher with Pyrex it’s important to know whether or not it’s dishwasher safe.

Luckily, there are a few quick ways to determine if Pyrex is dishwasher safe.

We’re going to take you through everything you need to know about Pyrex. We’ll cover the materials Pyrex uses, vintage Pyrex, and even where to place Pyrex in the dishwasher. Read on to learn if Pyrex is dishwasher safe.

What Is Pyrex?

Pyrex was introduced to the market in the early 1900s. In 1915, Corning Incorporated (Corning inc.) began producing glassware for kitchen and laboratory use. What makes Pyrex unique is that it can handle high temperatures without expanding and cracking. While Pyrex glass can expand when exposed to rapid temperature change (cold to hot), it was more durable than other types of glass during the early 20th century. Pyrex became popular because it could handle the hot temperatures found in laboratories and ovens.

Today, Pyrex can mean one of two things. First and foremost, there is a Pyrex trademark for manufacturing baking products for use in kitchens. Some examples include baking sheets, trays, and deep glass dishes; it’s a type of soda-lime glass. The Pyrex name is also licensed by Instant Brands, which produces soda-lime glass for use in kitchens. Ultimately, both uses of the Pyrex branding share similar qualities and use cases. You might also come across the two types being separated by the casing of the text.

To simplify; Pyrex can refer to the type of glass something is made with or a company that manufactures tempered glass, plastic, and ceramic products for use in kitchens.

What Does Pyrex Make?

Pyrex makes tableware, cookware, and storage containers for kitchens. The company also specializes in unique designs. For example, Pyrex has a product line that features a Harry Potter theme. Pyrex also has child-friendly products that consist of BPA-free plastic. Some of these products like the Hello Kitty line are designed specifically for children.

Some examples of the types of Pyrex products are listed below:

Pie plates
Baking dishes
Mixing bowls
Measuring cups
Plastic lids
Glass storage containers
Plastic storage containers
Silicone products
Bowls

You can also come across vintage Pyrex from the 20th century at many garage sales and even in museums.

Is All Pyrex Dishwasher Safe?

No, not all Pyrex is dishwasher safe. While most Pyrex products are dishwasher safe, vintage Pyrex and some Pyrex plastics are not dishwasher safe. Vintage Pyrex will tarnish in the dishwasher and some Pyrex plastics will melt when exposed to high temperatures. To determine if Pyrex is dishwasher safe the best method is to check for the dishwasher-safe symbol. It’s typically found on the bottom of tableware and cookware.

How Long Does Pyrex Last?

Pyrex is known for its durability and most Pyrex products last for 10+ years. It’s for this reason that vintage Pyrex exists. Some vintage Pyrex products originated in the 1940s and some are still in use today. When it comes to modern Pyrex, however, it does not always last as long. For example, Plastic Pyrex is not as durable as glass or ceramic Pyrex.

Is Pyrex Dishwasher Safe?

Most types of Pyrex are dishwasher safe.

Pyrex bowls, lids, and cookware can handle the heat produced by dishwashers but you should always check for the dishwasher-safe symbol.

Typically, Pyrex that’s made from the same material follows the same rules. For example, a glass Pyrex bowl and a glass Pyrex Measuring cup are both dishwasher safe. This applies to ceramic but not always Pyrex plastic.

Is Pyrex Glassware Dishwasher Safe?

Pyrex glassware is typically dishwasher safe. Most glassware produced by Pyrex is tempered, so it can handle high temperatures. However, Pyrex recommends against placing Pyrex glassware next to heating elements. If possible, Pyrex glassware should be placed in an elevated location within the dishwasher.

Additionally, Pyrex glassware should not be exposed to rapid temperature changes because this can cause the glass to shatter. So, don’t take frozen glassware and place it in the oven or dishwasher to avoid damage.

Is Pyrex Ceramic Dishwasher Safe?

Pyrex ceramic products are dishwasher safe. While ceramic can appear to be less durable than plastic or glass, modern ceramic can handle the heat produced by dishwashers. However, vintage Pyrex made from ceramic should not be placed in the dishwasher. Vintage Pyrex has complex colors and patterns that can fade in the dishwasher, which reduces the value of the Pyrex product.

Is Pyrex Plastic Dishwasher Safe?

Pyrex makes a few plastic products for storage. You’ll usually come across Pyrex plastic storage containers and lids, which are portable and useful for food storage. Most Pyrex plastic products are dishwasher safe but you need to check for the dishwasher-safe symbol. If the Pyrex plastic does not include the dishwasher-safe symbol it shouldn’t be placed in the dishwasher.

Overall, we recommend hand-washing Pyrex plastic containers and placing plastic lids on the top rack of the dishwasher.

Is Pyrex Silicone Dishwasher Safe?

Silicone is a more environmentally friendly choice when it comes to plastic. Compared to traditional plastic, silicone is more flexible. Because of silicone’s flexibility, it’s similar to rubber and doesn’t feel as smooth to touch. Recently, Pyrex has started to manufacture silicone-based products for storage and travel.

These Pyrex products are typically dishwasher safe and can handle the expansion that occurs when they’re exposed to hot temperatures. Always check the Pyrex product for the dishwasher-safe symbol because some silicone products are not reusable.

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How to Load Pyrex in the Dishwasher

Pyrex manufactures bowls, plates, lids, and other types of tableware. Therefore, it’s important to know where things like bowls and plates go in the dishwasher. Unfortunately, loading the dishwasher wrong can lead to damaged Pyrex cookware and tableware.

Pyrex Dishes

We’ll begin with Pyrex dishes. Pyrex doesn’t make dishes for tableware but the company does make deep dishes for baking. These dishes are usually made from glass but some are made with ceramic instead. Most Pyrex dishes are dishwasher safe as long as they’re placed on the

Pyrex Bowls

Pyrex bowls are another common product that Pyrex makes dishwasher safe. When it comes to loading Pyrex bowls in the dishwasher, though, placement is key. If they’re placed on the top shelf the bowl can fill with too much water and crack. For this reason, Pyrex bowls should be placed on the bottom rack of dishwashers. Keep in mind that where Pyrex bowls are placed in the dishwasher can also depend on the dishwasher you’re using. For example, some GE dishwashers have special settings for bowls to be placed safely on the top shelf.

Pyrex Measuring Tools

Pyrex produced many measuring tools for cooking and baking. These tools include Pyrex measuring cups and bowls with recommended filling lines. Most Pyrex measuring tools are dishwasher safe and made from tempered glass. Tempered glass Pyrex products like Pyrex measuring cups should be placed on the top rack of the dishwasher. Doing so keeps the measuring cup at a safe distance from the heating element to prevent damage, shattering, or cracking.

Pyrex Baking Trays

Pyrex baking trays and other baking products are larger than bowls, lids, and dishes. Due to the size of the baking trays, we recommend placing Pyrex trays on the bottom rack of the dishwasher. Pyrex baking trays are designed for use in ovens, so they can handle high temperatures produced by heating elements in dishwashers. This dishwasher placement applies to glass and ceramic Pyrex baking trays and sheets.

Pyrex Lids

Pyrex makes a few types of lids but their most common lid design uses plastic material. Depending on the Pyrex lid, it may or may not be dishwasher safe. So, make sure you check the lid for the dishwasher-safe symbol. Plastic is known for fading, so if the symbol has faded or you can’t find one on the Pyrex lid we recommend against placing it in the dishwasher.

Is Vintage Pyrex Dishwasher Safe?

No, vintage Pyrex is not dishwasher safe. While it can be placed in the dishwasher, vintage Pyrex is old and less durable than modern Pyrex cookware and tableware. Furthermore, vintage Pyrex is typically painted and has a unique appearance. Because of this appearance and the additional detail, placing vintage Pyrex in the dishwasher can damage the unique design and decrease its value.

What is Vintage Pyrex?

Pyrex has been around for over a century, so there are bowls and casserole dishes that date back to the 1940s. Pyrex tableware and cookware from the mid-1900s is often considered vintage Pyrex, especially if it contains unique colors or patterns. In fact, some vintage Pyrex pieces are worth thousands of dollars.

Vintage Pyrex is Pyrex that contains unique colors and patterns. Typically, vintage Pyrex has pastel-based colors like yellow, bright blue, and even pink. Vintage Pyrex is also known for having unique patterns like people holding hands or flowers imprinted on the rim of bowls. To determine if your Pyrex is vintage you have to examine it and look for these colors and patterns.

How to Clean Vintage Pyrex

When cleaning vintage Pyrex you need to be careful. Applying too much pressure can damage the bowls or plates and you should never place vintage Pyrex in the dishwasher. While vintage Pyrex takes more time to clean than modern Pyrex, it can be done in a few steps but the steps vary depending on how dirty the Pyrex is.

Light Grime

For vintage Pyrex that has light grime, you don’t need many tools and the cleaning process is simple. Use water that’s warm and soapy and apply a small amount of dish soap to a non-abrasive sponge. From there, gently scrub the light grime until the vintage Pyrex is clean.

Baked On Grease

Baked on grease can cause problems for vintage Pyrex because dishwashers are the best place to remove them. Unfortunately, you can’t place vintage Pyrex in the dishwasher. To remove baked grease we recommend soaking the vintage Pyrex in warm water for at least 30 minutes. Then, use warm soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge to scrub the remaining grease. Baked on grease is challenging to clean, so you might have to clean them a few times before they become clean.

Using Bar Keeper’s Friend (BFK)

Bar Keeper’s Friend (BFK) is one of the best cleaning products for vintage Pyrex because it doesn’t damage the paint. If there’s still caked-on grease after you’ve soaked your vintage Pyrex we recommend using BFK with a toothpick or razor blade. When using these tools just avoid applying too much pressure or you can damage the Pyrex.

Wrapping Up

Pyrex comes in many shapes, materials, and sizes. There’s even vintage Pyrex that needs a lot of care and maintenance to protect its unique designs. While knowing which types of Pyrex can go in the dishwasher seems overwhelming, all you have to do is take some time to evaluate the Pyrex product.

Look for the dishwasher-safe symbol and make sure you load the dishwasher properly (lids on the top rack, bowls on the bottom rack). Moreover, if your Pyrex has unique painted designs we recommend avoiding the dishwasher to prevent damage. You can also use the materials Pyrex is made out of as a reference. Tempered glass and ceramic are typically dishwasher safe but plastic can melt when exposed to high heat.