When you think of a staple kitchen brand synonymous with longevity and quality like Pyrex, you probably don't think of explosions. However, we recently saw a video on TikTok (of course) that was pretty surprising, and wanted to know more. Why are these dishes shattering? Is there a difference between "PYREX" and "pyrex" — and if so what is it? How do you make sure the one in the cabinet isn't going to leave shards of glass in your lasagna during baking? Let's dig into some answers.
What Is Pyrex?
First of all, let's start from the beginning. Three basic types of glassware are typically found in most home kitchens: soda-lime, tempered, and borosilicate. Borosilicate glass includes boron trioxide, which has a low thermal expansion. This suggests unlike normal glass, it won't break when exposed to major temperature shifts such as taking a dish from a fridge to an oven. This is thanks to boron trioxide, the element that makes glass resistant to major temperature changes. Pyrex is a sub-group of borosilicate.
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Soda-lime glass is the most common glass type in kitchens since it's used for most drinkware from juice cups to jars. Untreated soda-lime glass is more susceptible to breaking from extreme temperature changes. This shock expands the glass at different rates, resulting in cracks and fissures.
Tempered glass is just soda-lime glass that's been heat-treated to make it more durable. During that heat-tempering process, the exterior of the glass is force-cooled so that it solidifies quickly, leaving the center to cool more slowly. As the inside cools, it pulls at the stiff, compressed outer layer, which puts the center of the glass in tension.
Are "PYREX" and "pyrex" the Same?
Both trademarks were historically used interchangeably in the marketing of kitchenware products made up of both borosilicate and soda-lime glass. However, now Corning has licensed out the use of their PYREX (upper case lettering) and pyrex (lower case lettering) logos to other companies.
Lowercase pyrex is now mostly used for kitchenware sold in the United States, South America, and Asia. In Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, uppercase PYREX is still available.
So Which One Explodes?
Pyrex used to be made of the more heat-resistant borosilicate glass, which is more resistant to breakage when subjected to extreme shifts in temperature. Pyrex eventually switched to tempered glass most likely because boron is toxic and expensive to dispose of. Although tempered glass can better withstand thermal shock than regular soda-lime glass can, it's not as resilient as borosilicate. This is what causes the shattering reaction people are talking about. Watch out for those casseroles.
And What Does This Mean?
If the logo is in upper case lettering, PYREX, it's most likely made of borosilicate, and thus safer. The lowercase lettering is most likely made of soda-lime glass, so take extra care after any high-heat cooking. Most glassware products will include warnings so make sure to read about proper handling, cleaning, and storage.
Laboratory glassware is an essential tool for many scientific experiments and research studies. Different types of glass materials are used to manufacture laboratory glassware, each with its own unique properties and characteristics. In this report, we will discuss the differences and similarities between Bellco, Borcam, Borosil, Duran, Endural, Glassco, Heatex, Kimble, Kimax, Marinex, MG, Pyrex, Refmex, Schott, Simax, Supertek, Suprax, TN LAB, Borosilicate and other glass materials commonly used in laboratory glassware.
Borosilicate glass is a type of glass that is made from a mixture of silica, boron, and other elements. It is known for its excellent chemical resistance, low thermal expansion, and high thermal stability. Borosilicate glass is often used in laboratory glassware such as burettes, micropipettes, and thermometers. It is also used in other applications such as scientific instruments, lighting, and cookware.
Pyrex is a brand name for a type of borosilicate glass developed by Corning Glass Works in 1915. This type of glass is known for its excellent thermal stability and resistance to thermal shock. Pyrex is often used to make laboratory glassware such as beakers, flasks, and test tubes. It is also used in cookware and kitchenware because of its ability to withstand high temperatures and thermal shock.
Bellco, Borcam, Borosil, Duran, Endural, Glassco, Heatex, Kimble, Kimax, Marinex, MG, Pyrex, Refmex, Schott, Simax, Supertek, Suprax, and TN LAB are all brand names for borosilicate glass. These brands are manufactured by different companies and may have slight variations in composition and properties. However, all of these brands are known for their excellent chemical resistance, low thermal expansion, and high thermal stability, making them suitable for laboratory glassware.
Soda-lime glass is a type of glass that is made from a mixture of silica, soda, lime, and other elements. It is a common type of glass that is used in many applications, including laboratory glassware. Soda-lime glass is known for its low cost and availability, but it is less durable than borosilicate glass and is not as resistant to thermal shock.
Another type of glass commonly used in laboratory glassware is quartz glass. Quartz glass is made from silica and has excellent chemical resistance, high thermal stability, and good optical properties. It is often used in laboratory glassware such as microscope slides and cuvettes.
In summary, borosilicate glass, Pyrex and other brand names such as Bellco, Borcam, Borosil, Duran, Endural, Glassco, Heatex, Kimble, Kimax, Marinex, MG, Refmex, Schott, Simax, Supertek, Suprax, and TN LAB are common types of glass materials used in laboratory glassware. All of these glass materials have unique properties and characteristics that make them suitable for specific applications. Pyrex and borosilicate glass are known for their excellent thermal stability and resistance to thermal shock, making them suitable for laboratory glassware used in high temperature experiments. Soda-lime glass is less durable and resistant to thermal shock but is commonly used due to its low cost and availability. Quartz glass is known for its excellent chemical resistance, high thermal stability, and good optical properties and is used in special applications such as microscope slides and cuvettes.
TN LAB glassware and labware is manufactured using only Borosilicate 3.3 glass, the highest quality glass available.