Customer Reviews

CorningWare SimplyLite 6-Piece Bakeware Set

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The new SimplyLite dishes deliver what they promise. They are considerably lighter than the traditional CorningWare sold in the past. The French White ones are more attractive than these but also more difficult to remove from a hot oven as they have no handles. Neither do these, but they do have a sort of lip around the edge that makes removal easier. At that point you can place them in the cradles which do have handles. Please note that the cradles are not oven safe. The primary reason they didn't score higher is that the glass lids are heavy--heavier than the dishes, in fact. Worse yet, the heavy lids do not fit securely onto the dishes and will easily slide off unless the dish and cradle are carried in a perfectly level, horizontal way.

These corning ware sets are much lighter weight than the
traditional ones. I got a set for my mother in law who
can't lift very well anymore. My set and hers have different
serving holders, mine are a little clunky, it would be
easy for the dish to come out if you didn't hold the
handles just right. Overall though they seem durable
are easy to wash and are handy to have around.

Corning Ware used to make pyroceramic cookware, originally in a squarish shape similar to these, but later in the "French White" style. Those pyroceramic pieces could be used for anything from freezing to broiler to stovetop with little chance of breakage due to limited thermal expansion. When the line was bought by World Kitchen, the squarish pieces were discontinued, and the French White pieces were replaced by much inferior stoneware that looked similar but didn't have the same capabilities.

These new pieces are not the traditional pyroceramic either, and don't have quite the same capabilities. However, they are lighter and easier to clean than stoneware, and are microwave safe. They are basically slightly thicker pieces of Corelle ware in a squarish shape. They are okay for refrigerator and oven use, but not under the broiler or on the stovetop.

The square shape of the dishes is convenient, and the 3/4 inch lip on two opposite sides makes handling easy. The metal carriers work well when the dishes are hot, though they are less convenient to clean than the elegant old French White carriers because of the cross pieces, feet, and handles. The glass tops don't fit all that well, and can slide off with a tilt of as little as 10 degrees or so - as opposed to about 35 degrees for my old French White pieces - so you have to be careful to keep them very level while carrying them. The 1.5 quart piece and lid nests conveniently inside the 2.5 quart piece and lid, even with the carriers, so the pieces don't take a lot of storage space.

If what you want is the old, all purpose, pyroceramic pieces like your mother or grandmother had, you may want to check auction sites for the real thing. As of this date, pyroceramic pieces are also available at the manufacturer's web site at about twice the price of these pieces, though that may be a temporary offer. However, if you already have what you need for broiling or stovetop use, and just need some pieces for refrigerator storage and table service, this set is adequate and inexpensive.

This set was a gift for my sister on Christmas morning, and the larger dish made an appearance for dinner later that evening. Now I'm sold on it too, and the next set I purchase will be mine! I've been a fan of Corning's French White bakeware for years. But the SimplyLite line has the great advantages of being much lighter, and easier to grip (especially when just out of the oven!). The carrier racks are a nice bonus. Highly recommended!