Customer Reviews

CorningWare 10-pc. Bakeware Set - French White

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

UPDATE June 27, 2008:

I don't know if anyone from World Kitchen has read these reviews, particularly the irony of observing Corning Ware's 50th anniversary, but just in time for the 4th of July, you'll be able to buy CorningWare bakeware made in, of all unlikely places, CORNING, New York, USA!

While it won't go under the broiler or on the stove like good ol' Pyroceram, CorningWare's new SimplyLite bakeware is made from Vitrelle, the same glass and ceramic composite used in Corelle Livingware dishes.

Dare we hope for the return of original Pyroceram?

Original review:


Mother is lucky.

Her Corning Ware is the real thing made in the USA from a space-age scientific miracle: Corning Pyroceram. Today's "CorningWare" is a stoneware imposter imported from overseas by World Kitchen who licenses the registered trademark "CorningWare" from Corning Incorporated.

At the CorningWare website, World Kitchen attempts to explain away the change:

"The original CorningWare® bakeware which was first introduced in 1958, was made of a glass-ceramic material that could be used on the stove, in the oven and under the broiler. After World Kitchen acquired the brand in the late 1990's, CorningWare products were switched to ceramic stoneware production. Introduced later that year was the French White collection, which has been an all-time best seller among brides-to-be.

The stoneware transition was made, in part, to ensure that the brand adapted to the evolving tastes of consumers who today put a premium on color and design. In addition, with the advent of the microwave, the thermal benefits of the original material diminished in importance for home cooks."

Aside from significant cost savings for World Kitchen, they conveniently overlook the differences, which are like the Jetsons and the Flintstones. Pyroceram is a pure white vitreous material with a glass-smooth finish. It is 100% impervious to food acids and staining. You can melt some butter in a Corning Ware Pyroceram casserole on the stove, stir in the ingredients for a cheese sauce, fold in some cooked elbow macaroni and then freeze the whole thing until you're ready to bake it, straight from the freezer. If the top isn't as brown as you like, you can put it under the broiler until it's just right.

"CorningWare" stoneware is no better than the cookware Target and Wal-Mart sell under their own labels. It has an off-white finish and a dull pebbled surface that can hold onto stains. It's also thicker, heavier and, according to many who've bought it, far more prone to failure over time, especially if you use it as freezer-to-oven-to-tableware. World Kitchen knows this, and that's why the warranty against thermal failure on "CorningWare" stoneware is a measly ONE YEAR, compared to the whopping TEN YEAR warranty on Pyroceram. If you use it on the stove or under the broiler, you will void the warranty and the dish may crack or shatter from thermal shock.

Ironic, isn't it? Mom's Corning Ware propelled her 1960s kitchen into the Space Age while today's "CorningWare" stoneware sends your 21st Century kitchen back to the Stone Age.

Corning Ware used to be made in the USA of an incredibly durable and beautiful glass-ceramic material which could be used even under the broiler and on the rangetop. It was versatile and practical, guaranteed for ten years, and a must-have for every kitchen. Recently, when I went to buy some for my daughter-in-law (who refused to give mine back!), I discovered to my dismay that while it superficially looks almost the same (just a little duller), it is now made in China of stoneware, and is of vastly inferior quality and utility. No more broiler or rangetop use, and the material and finish are ordinary at best. I am now in the process of scouring stores for any pieces left which are made of the old material. The new ones do not deserve shelf space.

Although it's true, this is a great looking product, I am highly disappointed in the corningware set. I have only used this set occasionally in the past year. However, tonight after 10 minutes in a 375 degree oven, the medium oval dish cracked completely in half - not just cracked, but completely broken in two(dripping the contents all over the bottom of the stove!). Of course, their "warranty" is only good for one year! Give me a break! If you are lucky enough to get a package with all the pieces intact (see the other reviews), the products still can't withstand a normal oven temperature. DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT! If their products were that good, they would be able to offer a warranty that protects against defects for longer than 1 year!

Disappointed. Although it cooks/bakes well and is attractive, it is not easy to grasp and hold. It is very difficult to transfer as a hot item from the oven. There are no side grips or handles to hold to support the pieces. It is too clummsy with handling, especially if both the lid and bowl are hot. I would not purchase it again nor give it as a gift. The price was reasonable, and although it was received with a broken bowl, it was replaced without any hassle and to full satisfaction. I am comparing this to a set of corning ware that I have had since 1968, and the old set is the best for my personal use.

These dishes, first of all, are just beautiful. The white looks so wonderful on the table and the presentation is just fabulous. That said, be prepared to buy and buy and buy these if you like the looks of them. They break horribly easily and the cleanup, well, we just won't go there. I've had mine for 10 years and now I'm down to just two of the serving pieces. They break very easily in the oven, in the cabinet, you name it, it's gone. If you're looking for a better one, go for the Le Creuset La Poterie line, or just grab a Longaberger one. They're definitely worth it because you'll just have to keep buying these to keep them looking good and in one piece. I hate trying to clean these after using them so I just don't use them anymore for anything but to mix items. That way, nothing gets baked on them and I am not breaking nails scouring off the mess. I definitely recommend getting something else.

I do love this bakeware for ease of use and cleaning. I have not had any trouble with breaking or food sticking to them....not even potatoes au gratin. They are pretty as well as practical. The only change I would make would be to put the handles back on the sides like the older Corning Ware that my mom used to have. I still have one of her pieces and it is much easier to get out of the oven while hot.

Unfortunately the beautiful durable glass-ceramic that we all came to love is no longer. The trademark Corningware is now used on Stoneware made outside the USA (Thailand etc.). The Corningware currently being marketed can not be used under the broiler or on the stove top. The broken shipments reported here should indicate what can be expected of this product during use. This is a very sad day for life long fans of real Corningware!

I don't have this exact set. Mine actually is a 12 piece set that came with 2 plastic storage lids.

One of the things I like about this set is that it is nice enough to go from the oven to your table. You don't have to put your food in a serving dish.

The pans are easy to clean, too. If there is something that is caked on or baked on, I just let it set in warm, soapy water until everything comes off.

I bought this, that says its oven safe... and the first day I put it up to the task... it breaks!
how is that? my food ended with shattered glass... everywhere..
So now I just use it to serve cold dishes on the table... its totally useless...
Thats it :)

I thought a lot of the reviews here were exaggerated about shipping and broken merchandise . . . until my set arrived with two broken items. Also, despite what the web site says, there are stickers on every item saying none of them should be used on the stovetop or under a broiler. Very disappointing from my favorite store.