Wordful Wednesday

Bamboozled by an exploding Pyrex dish

Nothing's worse than being betrayed by an old friend.
So, do you use Pyrex anyone?
Pyrex is everywhere, right?
I have had another mishap in my kitchen this past week.
This time with my beloved Pyrex.

I was baking my beautiful children Lemon Chicken last Friday evening, mostly because they refuse to eat the Best Curry Ever that I was making for my husband and I, and it is super easy. The sauce reduced beautifully, to absolutely nothing actually, and it was burning the bottom of my dish. And for all time I'll remember it as the greatest sauce that wasn't. The lovely Pyrex dish that the chicken was baking in had no problem with exposure to the direct heat of the elements(the oven), it did, however, have a BIG problem with the glass of water that I grabbed from the counter and poured in the bottom. About 60 seconds later the dish exploded into a thousand tiny pieces, and my glorious sauce dribbled away between the burners. The chicken and lemons sizzling on the bottom of the oven, deflated and sad, with bits and shards of glass poking in and all around them.

The funniest part of this story is that EVERY. SINGLE. TIME I use Pyrex in front of my MIL, she tells me a story about how Pyrex will explode if you put your dish in water when it is still hot. I have heard this story NO.LESS than 100 times. While I was pouring the room temperature water in my beloved Pyrex, I heard this story in my head on fast play. I quickly dismissed it and kept pouring. Silly Silly Me! I should listen to her more often!

Pyrex is vulnerable to sudden drops in temperature, known in the industry as downshock. Who Knew? Downshock results from adding cold liquid to a hot Pyrex dish or from placing a hot dish directly on a cold or wet surface. It is considered safe, however, to transfer a Pyrex dish directly from the refrigerator or freezer to a hot oven, provided it has been properly preheated.
The exact opposite - I just don't get it - seriously - I don't!

Needless to say I will treat Pyrex with respect and caution going forward.

So what's a tiara wearing momma to do? Of course, listen to your MIL AND follow the safety instructions included with every device. But evidence suggests that sometimes things just happen. Your truck might catch fire. Your toilet might turn into a fountain. Your Pyrex baking dish might erupt in your face.

Oh, and the kiddies ate hot dogs that night for dinner and my curry was delicious and safe on top of the stove.

The numerous ways of mistreating Pyrex:

NEVER USE ON TOP OF STOVE, under a broiler, in a toaster oven, or place over oven vent or pilot light.
• AVOID SEVERE TEMPERATURE CHANGES.
• DO NOT add liquid to hot dish, place hot dish or glass cover in sink, immerse in water or place on cold or wet surfaces. Handle hot ovenware and glass covers with dry potholders.
• DO NOT use in microwave to hold or support popcorn bags, microwave convenience foods with special browning wrappers, etc.
• DO NOT use to pop corn, caramelize sugar, or deep fat fry.
• DO NOT overheat oil or butter in microwave. Use minimum amount of cooking time.
• DO NOT use or repair any item that is chipped, cracked, or noticeably scratched.