The safest way to move Pyrex from the fridge to the oven allow the Pyrex dish to warm up slightly before placing it in. This will make sure that the Pyrex will not suffer from thermal shock and break when it heats up in the oven. Preheat the oven first and make sure it is up to temperature before you put your dish in the oven.
Pyrex is thermal shock resistant but the less stress it is put under by changes in temperature the more likely you will be to avoid it shattering.
Pyrex from freezer to fridge – Key Hacks
The best way to move Pyrex from the freezer to the oven is to place it in the fridge to come to fridge temperature. Once it has reached fridge temperature, place the Pyrex dish out on the bench for a short period of time to warm up slightly. This will reduce the temperature change for the Pyrex when placed in the oven.
Pyrex from fridge to oven – Key Hacks
Check out these easy tips to safely move your Pyrex from your fridge to the oven.
Pre-heating the oven for Pyrex
It is important to always preheat your oven before placing the Pyrex dish inside. This will avoid the direct and high heat that is transferred when the oven is heating up.
Most ovens will blast very hot air, way above the set temperature to rapidly heat it up as desired. This rapid heating will place your Pyrex under extreme stress and may cause it to break.
When transferring your Pyrex from your fridge, bench and then to the oven always wait until the oven has pre-heated and reached the desired temperature before placing it in.
Check out this great video showing how to bake sourdough bread in a Pyrex dish.
Allow Pyrex to adjust in temperature
When allowing frozen or fridge temperature food time to come to room temperature it is important not to allow it to sit on the bench for longer than 1-2 hours as a maximum. The food should then be reheated in the oven to a hot, steaming temperature or until cooked through.
On very hot days, the time spent on the bench should be even shorter. You just want a small shift in temperature closer to room rather than fridge.
Frozen pie crusts in Pyrex dishes
The most common reason to move a cold Pyrex dish from the fridge to the oven is when making pie crusts. To protect your Pyrex however, the transition from the fridge to the bench is very important.
Do not be tempted to place your Pyrex straight from the fridge or freezer to the oven as it could easily shatter.
Do not put an extremely cold, frozen Pyrex dish from the freezer or fridge straight into the oven. This sudden change in temperature could cause the dish to break. If you want to cook a pie crust which has cooled in the fridge, place it in a short time on your bench to warm up slightly.
Pre-heat the oven while you allow the dish to come up closer to room temperature before placing it in your oven.
How to defrost food in Pyrex in the fridge
The best way to defrost food in Pyrex is to take it out of the freezer a day before you would like to use it. Simply place the Pyrex dish in your refrigerator around 24 hours before, and this will allow the food to safely come to refrigerator temperature (0-4 degrees Celsius or at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit).
Transfer the Pyrex dish to your bench to warm up slightly before placing it in a pre-heated oven. This will provide the safest transition for your Pyrex dish from the fridge to the oven.
Reheating food in Pyrex in the oven
One of the best tips is to make sure that your Pyrex dish is close to room temperature before you place it in the oven. While you do not want to leave any food sitting on your bench for too long, a short period of time will protect your Pyrex from thermal shock from extreme temperature changes.
It is best to follow these 3 steps when reheating food in Pyrex.
- Transfer your food to the Pyrex dish.
- Place the dish in the fridge if you are defrosting frozen food and allow it to reach fridge temperature.
- Place the Pyrex dish on your bench for a short time to come closer to room temperature.
- Reheat the Pyrex dish in a preheated oven or in the microwave. Remember to remove the plastic lid if using the oven or opening it at one corner if using the microwave.
Do not put plastic Pyrex lids in the oven, for more on this check out my previous article: Are Pyrex lids oven safe?
Use small Pyrex containers for individual meals, these are great for taking to work and re-heat quickly for a meal on the go.
To get the most out of your fridge space Pyrex dishes are perfect as they will stack on top of each other neatly. Add labels to the side of your Pyrex dishes to make it easy to see what you have in each container and when it when into the fridge or freezer.
How to prevent Pyrex shattering
To reduce the risk of your Pyrex dish shattering avoid any extreme changes in temperature. This means it is best not to place a frozen Pyrex dish straight from the freezer or fridge into the oven or microwave. This sudden change in temperature can put extra stress on the glass and it may shatter or break.
The best way to avoid this is to defrost your food in the refrigerator a day before you need it. You can then allow the container to get to room temperature before re-heating in the oven or microwave.
Pyrex dishes are microwave safe, but keep in mind that you want to avoid sudden extreme changes in temperature.
Reheating lasagna in Pyrex in the oven
Lasagna is a meal that is great to make in a double batch. You can make your lasagna directly in the Pyrex dish and freeze it uncooked. Make sure the lasagna mix is cool before placing in the freezer. Label it with the name and date.
To reheat a frozen lasagna, take it out and place it in your fridge 24 hours before you want to eat it. Place it on the bench for a short period of time (30 mins approximately) to allow it to come closer to room temperature. It can then be placed in a pre-heated oven to cook.
Remember to remove the plastic lid before placing in the oven otherwise it will melt.
Can Pyrex go from fridge to oven? | Summary
Pyrex can go from the fridge to the oven if it is given some time to come closer to room temperature. Minimizing the temperature change will protect the Pyrex and reduced the chance it could crack due to thermal shock. Pyrex is a tough product so
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.