Saturday 11 September 2010

Pyrex pretty

I'm always on the lookout for vintage Pyrex. There's something so lovely about the translucency of the casseroles and covered dishes- it's very like milk-glass. And the coloured finishes and patterning are so pretty. They're like dressing-table trinket boxes you put in the oven!



Seen here is a Snowflake Blue divided casserole found today at the Brotherhood of St Laurence Opshop on Glenhuntly Road, Caulfield, for just $3. I've seen similar dishes in other opshops for $10 and upwards so I was very pleased. When I get my Pyrex pieces home I give them a gentle bicarb-soda scrub to remove baked on residue then rinse with clear water- they come up beautifully.





Besides being lovely to look at, this retro cookware is very practical. If you make a large bake or casserole, the leftovers can simply remain in the dish and get covered with the lid to go straight into the fridge. You don't have to fuss with gladwrap or get tupperware-type containers dirty. The flat covers enable safe stacking of two or more dishes, or other refrigerator contents can go on top.

The Pyrex Love blog showcases the extensive collection owned by Linda and Bryan, and offers a taxonomy of the different colours and patterns fossickers may find in opshops. I'm warning you, collecting these dishes is addictive!

7 comments:

Ky said...

That's a great buy! Isn't it a rush when you find something you really love and want for such a fantastic buy? Love it!

Kate Moore said...

I am a big fan of the serve and store principle that Pyrex dishes afford the home cook.

Tui said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gina E. said...

I have a dozen Pyrex items in my kitchen, but not from opshops! I've had them for God only knows how many years, and they are as good as new, even though they get a lot of use. That is a lovely design on this one; it is more modern than my original blue on white.

EmilyKate said...

Ky, I'm such a dag, i held my breath when I spotted it, and let it out in a rush when I saw the price. I'm a keen collector, but a real pennypinching one!
katiecrackernuts, I am a devotee of any kitchen item that cuts down on the amount of washing I have to do!
Gina E, I'm jealous of your dozens!! I have about ten pyrex pieces now, I like this latest one the best because of the pattern. My other pieces are mainly mixing bowls and a few pieplates.

Gina E. said...

LOL Emilykate - to me they are just cooking utensils! If you are in Melbourne, we can meet up and do a deal if you like. You buy me an equivalent size casserole dish for my Pyrex ones, and you can have them for your collection!

RobynJ said...

Thank you for the bicarb scrub hint. Works a treat.