Monday, April 29, 2019

A to Z April Challenge: Y is for Yellow Pyrex


This is a continuation of LAST APRIL’s challenge about HEIRLOOMS. When my sister and I cleaned out our parents’ home, we had to make many decisions about what to do with all the stuff. Which things are truly “valuable” and which have only sentiment in their favor? Should we sell it, keep it, or throw it away? To help ensure a future for our family’s heirlooms, I plan to leave a booklet for my daughters telling the stories of what they will inherit one day. (Not TOO soon, I hope!)


is for Yellow Pyrex.

A square bowl, a small casserole dish, and 4 small bowls comprise my little collection of vintage Pyrex. As far as I know, these pieces were originally my mother’s although they certainly could have belonged to my grandmother and I have just forgotten.

The casserole dish is small, so it is perfect for the two of us but not so much for company. Baked beans or a meatloaf typically get baked in this dish. A salad, coleslaw, or cubes of watermelon fit nicely in the square bowl.



I must confess that I usually think of Pyrex as just ordinary, everyday kitchenware, rather low-end. But it cleans up easily and performs like a champ. No wonder many households today probably have some old Pyrex in the cupboard. The fact that it holds up so well and lasts so long makes it easy to find in thrift stores and antique shops.

The history of Pyrex is quite interesting beginning as glass for railroad lanterns. Who knew? The development of colored opal glass grew out of a need for strong crack-proof cookware for soldiers in World War II.

Pyrex came only in clear glass for many years until the 1940s when color was introduced. Apparently Pyrex collectors pay close attention to the color because the various shades of blue or yellow or green are clues to the age and collection.

I thought my yellows were all the same, but clearly the soup/cereal/ice cream bowls are a much lighter shade while the square bowl and casserole are bright.

Wendy
© 2019, Wendy Mathias. All rights reserved.

9 comments:

  1. There are still a couple of pieces of the old solid color Pyrex at my parent's house - a yellow one like your square one. I apparently skipped out with one little red one from her set. I still have the green and white with flowers bowls from when we got married in 1975 - although I dropped the biggest one getting out of the car on my way to a pot luck. That was the end of that as well as the broccoli salad it contained. My grandmother had a clear glass Pyrex tea pot. I've always wanted to find one like it.

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    1. I don't know if I'd be more sad over the loss of the BIG Pyrex bowl or the broccoli salad. I think I have that same set of green and white Pyrex bowls. My middle size went to a shut-in and never came back. Grr ~

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  2. That was interesting about the history behind Pyrex. I have 3 mixing bowls in various sizes that were Pyrex from hubby's parents. The yellow is like the yellow of yours, then there is a green and a blue one. I've sold some others that we had for a fair market price before we moved 5 years ago.

    betty

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    1. When I researched, I saw lots of different kinds of Pyrex sets. They are timeless in their design and very sturdy, so I'm not surprised that you got a good price for them.

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  3. Nice collection of so very usable Pyrex pieces. Pyrex has a long and interesting history with some sets selling in the hundreds. I've suffered from pyrexia for years, so most of my collection is quite used, and will keep on keeping on. Only cure is to get rid of it all. Not happening here! I have a red square bowl...love it!
    Sue at CollectInTexas Gal

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    1. Pyrex is good stuff - no need to get rid of it because there is always a way to use it.

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  4. My mother-in-law had a big yellow bowl that she used for macaroni salad. When we cleaned out her things, that was the one thing one of the brothers wanted.

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    1. I wonder if he puts macaroni salad in it.

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  5. I have Pyrex too in my kitchen, they survived to everything! (nearly...)

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