Some shoppers have had incidents of glass bakeware shattering within the oven or when it was positioned on the counter to chill. Although the variety of reported incidents is small in comparison with the tens of millions of glass bakeware offered within the U.S. and Canada, there definitely is trigger for concern and shoppers ought to take steps to attenuate the chance.
Why Glass Oven Bakeware Can Shatter
Oven-rated heat-resistant glass bakeware was first launched to the market within the 1900s within the U.S. with the invention of Pyrex pie plates. It was so common that the market shortly expanded to different kinds of reasonably priced heat-resistant bakeware and it grew to become the homemaker’s favourite dish for oven baking or refrigerated desserts.
There are principally two main glass bakeware producers within the U.S. – Anchor Hocking and World Kitchen. One of many authentic components used within the manufacture of glass bakeware is borosilicate.
In accordance with the Anchor Hocking web site, the change to soda lime (from borosilicate) was made about thirty years in the past in an effort to make their bakeware safer. World Kitchen additionally adopted swimsuit, however surprisingly, some European producers continued to make use of borosilicate of their bakeware.
With security being the rationale for the change in recipe, producers wished their bakeware to interrupt in a much less hazardous manner, ought to it break in any respect. And sure, the chance has all the time been there – in any case – it is glass, tempered or not. Glassware made with borosilicate tends to shatter and scatter sharp shards of glass, the place soda lime glass breaks in bigger, duller items.
In accordance with Anchor Hocking, soda lime glass can also be extra immune to breakage when it comes into contact with arduous surfaces or sharp utensils. So the change in supplies was justified for security causes and each producers stand by claims that their bakeware is protected to make use of.
Client Studies Testing
Client Studies carried out a 12-month investigation that included testing of U.S. and European bakeware, in addition to gathering data from producers, specialists, and shoppers. You’ll be able to learn the complete report, however briefly, bakeware manufactured within the U.S. was extra susceptible to shattering than these made in different nations, below sure situations.
Their findings left room for concern they usually urged the Client Safety Security Fee (CPSC) to look into the protection of glass bakeware, particularly given the change from borosilicate to soda lime of their building. To get the complete testing particulars, learn the Client Studies Article.
Is Glass Bakeware Secure to Use?
In accordance with the U.S. producers, they really feel their merchandise are protected to make use of, however it’s a must to resolve if it is definitely worth the danger. It’s very comprehensible that tempered glass merchandise can and do break sometimes, particularly if the glass ought to weaken for any cause.
The danger was current when the primary glass Pyrex pie plate was made utilizing borosilicate; it simply was not a difficulty. However with the best care, you possibly can reduce the chance and perceive that sure situations could make it extra inclined to shattering.
Observe that with the very best of care, a heat-resistant glass bowl or bakeware might nonetheless break or shatter – there’s completely no assure that it will not. If you happen to really feel uneasy utilizing your glass bakeware within the oven, preserve it for non-baked desserts and use steel bakeware for every part else.
Reduce the Dangers of Glass Bakeware Shattering
New bakeware comes with directions to be used and care they usually do range with manufacturers. Sadly, we frequently discard this label and it is quickly forgotten. Listed below are some normal suggestions for protected use of glass bakeware and comply with hyperlinks for particular directions for Anchor Hocking or World Kitchen Pyrex model merchandise.
- Keep away from adjustments in temperature; no going from freezer to oven, or from oven to sink.
- Don’t add liquid to sizzling glassware.
- No increased warmth than 350 F
- Don’t place sizzling bakeware on chilly or moist surfaces, or countertop, stovetop; place as a substitute on a towel, chopping board, or cooling rack.
- Don’t use on stovetop, below a broiler or in a toaster oven.
- Permit pans to chill fully earlier than immersing them in water.
- Use care to not bump it, poke or scratch it with utensils.
- Permit the oven to preheat earlier than including the bakeware.