There are many things that you can collect. Some of them are things that you will display on a shelf or in a cabinet and never use. Then there are the useful collectables. Vintage Pyrex dishes come under this category. They are fun, affordable and most of all useable.

They come in an almost limitless variety of colors, shapes and sizes and they are easy to store and fun to use. The first thing you need to know before you start your collection is that all vintage Pyrex dishes are not dishwasher or microwave safe. There was a point when there was metal in the paint on the outside of the dishes, it is quite a surprise when you start to see the sparks flying, There are other dishes that have a fragile paint job on them that will peel off or fade if it is washed in the dish washer. If you have clear dishes then you can use them in both but otherwise be careful with them.

One great way to start a vintage Pyrex dish collection is to go with a set of mixing bowls. They come in four standard sizes and the set will have a red, a blue, a green and a yellow bowl. They are not always in the same combination. It is fun to find variations. These bowls are great for salads and serving dishes, As tastes and times changed so did the colors. There are some that are all the same two colors, pink and while and aqua blue and white and then in the seventies we had olive green and gold which were very popular and some of the missing bowls have a pour spout.

There are very small little bowls that can be white milk glass or clear glass and they stack nicely in the cupboard and are useful for melting small amounts of butter or chocolate in the microwave. Yes these are safe. There are also some that have gold iridescent exterior which are beautiful and much more easily damaged.

Before you buy any pieces make sure they are in pristine condition. Run your hands all over the piece looking for chips, cracks and irregularities. These pieces are not very expensive but still they should be perfect. A set of mixing bowls can run $60 and up for the four pieces in excellent condition. If they aren't, wait and find another set, they are quite readily available and you should not settle for anything less than perfect.

You can start a vintage Pyrex collection for just a couple of dollars. There are many ways to manage your collection. Are you going to go just with bowls, just baking dishes or casseroles, just one color or style or are you going to have it all? Only you and the amount of space you have available can determine where you want this collection to take you.

Vintage Pyrex is fun to collect and you won't have trouble adding to your collection. And when it comes time to cook and serve your meals, you can use them too.

Learn more about this author, Belle Starr.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Guide to collecting vintage Pyrex dishes?
We want to hear your view. Write now!