More than nostalgic kitchenware—vintage Pyrex differs from new Pyrex in materials, care and use. Here's how to tell if your dish is truly vintage.
How to Tell If Your Pyrex Is Real Vintage Pyrex
Updated on Dec. 16, 2024
Cooks old and new love to collect vintage Pyrex. The colorful glassware pulls double duty as durable cookware and vibrant kitchen decor. Since modern Pyrex often uses vintage-inspired patterns and colors, it can be tricky to tell the difference between old and new. Here’s the easy way to tell if a piece is true vintage or modern Pyrex.
What’s the difference between old and new Pyrex?
Vintage Pyrex has fans for practical reasons: It’s tougher than modern Pyrex.
All Pyrex cookware, old and new, is made from tempered glass, which stands up well to high and low temperatures. You can bake casseroles in the oven or pop a meal in the freezer. Tempered glass is durable, but if cracked, it breaks into larger pieces than ordinary glass, making it safer (and easier to clean up).
In the U.S., modern Pyrex cookware is made from a type of tempered glass called soda lime glass, which isn’t nearly as durable as the glass used in older pieces called borosilicate. Incredibly tough, borosilicate has one especially notable superpower: the ability to endure sudden shifts in temperature. Vintage Pyrex can go straight from freezer to oven, while modern Pyrex must be brought at least to refrigerator temperature beforehand. Vintage Pyrex can also handle the rising, shifting temperature of a preheating oven, while modern Pyrex glass should only go into a stable, preheated oven.
Don’t discount modern Pyrex, though. If your cookware breaks, check your model number to use the company’s generous warranty.
How can you tell if a piece is real vintage Pyrex?
The secret is simple—check the logo. If the brand name is in all capital letters, it’s vintage Pyrex. If it’s all lowercase, it’s modern.
Where do I find vintage Pyrex?
Everywhere! Fun, collectible vintage Pyrex is easy to find at almost any antique store, but you’ll pay a higher price. Scout thrift stores, Goodwill or garage sales for the best deals. If a piece looks a bit worn, it may still be worth grabbing because you can easily remove scratches from Pyrex. And if you’re looking for a particular pattern, search on eBay or Etsy.
