Caring for your vintage pyrex glassware
If you treat your Pyrex collectible glassware with the same care and respect that you’d bestow upon any fragile items, you’re already most of the way there. Most of the following tips are all common sense, but it’s helpful to read through the list quickly:
1. Keep your Pyrex glassware safely stored when not in use. Although it’s rather nice to display a selection of bowls and dishes out on the dinner table, it’s probably best to keep just a limited amount outside. The rest should be safely stored in sturdy cupboards or lower shelves that have doors. One alternative is a glass faced curio type case so that you can store your Pyrex and show it off as well. If you must store your collectibles outside, look into some sort of anchoring material such as non-drying putty to help secure them.
2. Keep young hands and pets away from glassware. This is a definite given. Not only does it keep your collectibles safe, but it also keeps your loved ones safe from the dangers of broken glass.
3. Clean your Pyrex regularly. Dust can buildup quickly on any items kept outside. This is especially true for things like bowls where you’re not apt to look inside as much. Also, a surprisingly amount of airborne grease and food particles can settle on your Pyrex, especially if your kitchen vent hood is not functioning. For this type of light dirt and dust, you’re probably best off simply using warm, soapy water and a gentle sponge instead of something stronger.
Long Term storage of Pyrex
If you’re like us and get bit BAD by the Pyrex bug, the time will come when there is not enough physical shelf or cabinet space to store all of your pieces! In this case, you’ll probably want to store the pieces that you don’t use or display as much safely away in boxes or those plastic compartments they sell.
1. Be careful with stackable items. In particular, the mixing and cinderella bowl sets are extremely susceptible to damage from each other if packed incorrectly. I’ve seen a lot of people on eBay photograph their bowls in an “upside-down” fashion, with the largest bowl on the bottom and the smaller bowls just stack up on top of each other. NEVER DO THIS. Don’t even do it for a picture. You definitely risk scratches this way, especially for the more delicate or solid colored patterns. If you’re going to stack them for display, use clear stacking rings that they sell at specialty hobby stores. Or, I believe you may be able to get away with cross-sections of PVC pipe that have been cut and then smoothed out. Maybe we’ll try get a tutorial up on that…
The best way to store them in boxes is with some sort of layers of thick paper between the individual bowls. I’ve seen some people use cardboard cutouts. Just make sure the outsides of the bowls don’t touch.
2. Store lids separately. For casseroles you’ll want to make sure to keep your lids and bases together, but don’t store them with the lid ON the base. If they are moved around in the boxes or if the boxes fall, they’re at a higher risk for damage. You can wrap the lid and base individually several times with some sort of paper.
3. Store boxes in low-traffic areas. That’s common sense of course. If possible, you might want to try not to store boxes on higher shelves, even if secured. I’d try keep them closer to the ground if possible. If you can’t get away from moving the boxes frequently (i.e. you’re storing Pyrex pieces that you are selling every so often) you might want to take some extra precautions in packing. Large bubble wrap or some sort of foam can help significantly, but can get rather expensive for so many items.
