What’s better than Pyrex? Retro Pyrex!

Tupperware fetishes aside, I don’t really like plastic. I hate its all too tempting disposability – especially now that the possibility of recycling much of it lends it a flimsy appearance of sustainability. The developing concern that some plastics can cause health issues when used as food storage doesn’t help either. So while it costs a bucket more and takes up more room, I’ve been slowly transferring over to Pyrex for storing and reheating cooked food. The best advantage apart from durability and hopefully less toxicity, is that it just way more convenient than plastic because it can go from the fridge straight to the oven and better than aluminium because happily be microwaved without creating fireworks. And it doesn’t look like you’re slumming it if you serve it directly.

I didn’t really think there was anything better than Pyrex but my poorly repressed consumerism will always find something new (even if it is technically old) to lust after. This morning, I saw this beautiful set of retro Pyrex at Betty’s Kitchen (via Queering Domesticity).

According to her Kitchen:

Betty uses this great Pyrex refrigerator dish set, which was manufactured starting in 1949. In three colors and three sizes it always has a purpose. This is called the Primary Color set – solid red, blue and yellow dishes with clear glass covers.

Sizes: Yellow – 503-B – 9-1/2 by 7 inches; 2-5/8 inches tall. Cover 503-C

Blue – 502-B – 6-3/4 by 4-1/4 inches; 2-3/4 inches tall. Cover 502-C

2 Red – 501-B – 4-1/4 by 3-3/8 inches; 2-3/4 inches tall. Cover 510-C

Unlike the current generation of Pyrex that have plastic (and no doubt more air tight) lids, these had glass lids which look like they could be used as side serving/cooking dishes.

It would be cool if Pyrex got on the retro bandwagon and just reissued some of their past lines. Companies really don’t do that often enough.