With delicious meals comes leftovers, and with leftovers comes the need for food storage! Pyrex is my go-to storage container, perfect for storing and reheating food.
I’ve gotten the question before: is Pyrex microwave safe? The answer is yes! You can microwave glass Pyrex containers and lids without worries.
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Is Pyrex Microwave Safe?
Yes! This borosilicate glass has great thermal shock resistance, making it a popular choice for people to use for cooking, storing, and reheating food.
Since Pyrex is microwave safe, it’s highly unlikely for it to cause any problems when you use it to heat or reheat food.
But keep in mind that you should always follow the precautions listed in the user guide or manual that accompanied the product.
If you don’t have a hard copy to consult, you can usually find the necessary information on the manufacturer’s website.
What is Pyrex?
Pyrex is a brand of glassware that has been manufactured since 1915. This glassware comes in different forms, including large and small mixing bowls, measuring cups, storage containers, baking dishes, and more.
What makes Pyrex special and effective is that it is made from tempered glass, meaning it’s been treated with extreme heat to increase its strength. Not all glassware is tempered, though, which is why not all glass products are safe to be heated up in the kitchen.
Are All Pyrex Bowls Microwave Safe?
All newer Pyrex bowls, regardless of size or shape, are microwave safe. The Pyrex that is sold in stores today is typically clear, but for many years, Pyrex was sold in colored varieties.
Many people treat vintage Pyrex as family heirlooms, passing pieces down from generation to generation. Depending on when and how they were made, these older pieces might not be suitable for the microwave.
If you have doubts about certain Pyrex items being microwaveable, I recommend checking the bottom of the item to see if there is a microwave-safe symbol or note.
Though Pyrex is known to be safe by design, the most important part of using Pyrex safely is making sure that the glassware doesn’t undergo extreme or rapid temperature changes.
Always make sure that any leftovers microwaved in Pyrex containers are fully cooled before you stick them in the fridge, and avoid placing freezing cold Pyrex in the microwave or on other hot surfaces.
When Did Pyrex Become Microwave Safe?
Pyrex was officially marked as microwave safe in the 1980s. Those of you wondering “is Pyrex microwave safe?” will be thrilled to know that Pyrex was also finally recognized as oven-safe around the same time.
Are Pyrex Lids Microwave Safe
Yes! Not only is Pyrex microwave safe –– so are the lids that go with it! Pyrex lids are heat resistant and BPA free, so they’re safe and suitable to be microwaved.
Microwaving Pyrex with the lids on can be a helpful hack to prevent splattering, and it’s an easy way to steam veggies without needing plastic wrap.
How Long Can You Microwave Pyrex?
Before Pyrex was made widely available, the product went through over 1,000 hours of testing to ensure its quality and safety. Given that it passed all of this extensive testing, it’s pretty reasonable to trust that Pyrex was made to withstand heat for at least a few minutes in the microwave.
While there is no hard rule that says how long Pyrex can be microwaved, it makes sense to assume that Pyrex can last for a good few minutes in the microwave.
Can You Microwave Pyrex Out of the Fridge?
Yes, it’s safe to microwave cold Pyrex straight out of the fridge.
This makes Pyrex a great choice for storing leftovers that you’ll want to reheat later. You can store a big batch of leftovers in a large Pyrex container, or in smaller Pyrex containers if you only plan to reheat a little bit of something at once.
If possible, using a lower heat setting is the safest way to microwave Pyrex.
Can You Microwave Pyrex Straight From The Freezer?
When it comes to Pyrex that’s been in the freezer, it’s best to let the container and its contents thaw a bit before sticking it in the microwave — especially a high-heat microwave.
A general rule of thumb is to avoid rapid temperature changes, as these can lead to thermal shock, ultimately resulting in cracked or broken glassware.
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