When the clear-glass ovenware debuted in 1915, it was considered a boon to kitchens everywhere because now chefs (and housewives) could keep an eye on their food while it was cooking. It’s been popular ever since, even after the 1998 switch from borosilicate to the cheaper and even more thermal resistant tempered glass.
In 1915, the glass was sold to Corning Glassware and branded under the new name “Pyrex” which was then used to create all sorts of kitchenware. Pyrex was originally made out of borosilicate glass, which was created to use in science labs because it didn’t expand or contract with heat. Pyrex hunting and collecting is fun and easy, if you know what to look out for. (Collectors, whether they’re into Pyrex or Star Wars collectibles, are a lot like hipsters: territorial over their “thing,” whatever it is, and always in search of that next cool piece to add to their collection. the more obscure the better).īut don’t let the rabid Pyrex junkies scare you off from this throwback hobby. They don’t want demand driving the value of Pyrex up. This sudden surge in popularity makes some Pyrex collectors wary. One thing’s certain: whether you’ve been collecting Pyrex for years or are new to the game, you’ll find that (like anything midcentury modern), the demand outweighs the supply. Pyrex aficionado Ashley Jennette said she felt a special thrill whenever she walked into a thrift shop and saw a piece of Pyrex “in the wild.” PyrexHellcat’s collection, appropriately displayed in a stylish midcentury hutch. ( Vintage Jadeite and Fire King have similar followings). For her, Pyrex is a way of expressing her unique style.įor still others, the fun of Pyrex is in the thrill of the hunt.
Her Pyrex collection is just for show, and she changes her displays with the seasons. PyrexHellcat says she got into the hobby by way of the whole 1950s-muscle car-pinup scene. On the other end of the Pyrex-collecting spectrum is a young, twenty-something Pyrex enthusiast who calls herself PyrexHellcat. Her vintage Pyrex collection is spread out all over her house because she incorporates her pieces into daily use (known to insiders as “Pyrex in action”). Pyrex lover Sylvia Schanche says she inherited pieces from her mother and grandmother and likes using pieces she remembers as a kid growing up in the 60s and 70s. Many collectors love Pyrex simply because it reminds them of childhood. Why not? Part of Pyrex’s popularity is due to the nostalgia factor. You can often find better deals at an estate sale than you’ll find online. While estate sales aren’t the only places to find vintage Pyrex, they’re a pretty good way to start your search, especially as the Baby Boomers begin to let go of their collections.
You can’t hang around estate sales for very long without eventually running into a piece of Pyrex for example, a vintage Gooseberry 473 (if you want to get technical).