CORELLE dishes, Corning Ware & VISIONS cookware
NEW: Blue Cornflower is BACK. Visions is BACK.
Corning Pyroceram Casserole dishes are being produced again (2012).
All black Corelle Coordinates dishes are being produced.
Corelle Types
Vive ~ Contours ~Square ~ Livingware ~ Impressions
and
Thicker: Infinia Luxe Ultra Pro
Some details .. CORELLE. The above names distinguish general style (coupe, rim) categories as well as Thickness and Diameters. No pattern name has ever been printed on the back of any Corelle. It will say Corelle by Corning microwaveable No Broiler or Stovetop, Made in USA. Some pieces are stamped Corner Stone or Vitrelle 2. The original box will have Corelle's style name on it. There are differences:
Livingware is the most familiar type of Corelle. It is functional; stylish, has versatility, is strong yet lightweight. All styles (Simply Natural, Classic Elegance, Casual Whimsy, Sleek Modern) can be found in it.
Vive is a line inspired by trends in home decor. Plates have wide rims and sets come with a large stoneware Mug instead of a cup and saucer. Patterns in the VIVE line include Flo; Pewter; Berries & Leaves; Nouveau; Rola; Martini.
Contours line type is unique. It has a deep coupe shape with a smooth flat edge on one side of the plate and with a wavy / curvy wall. The plattes are a generous 10 3/4 inch diameter. Curious? Search eBay for the 3 pattern names in the Contours line: Tranquil; Edgy; Simplicity. The flat edge is wide enough to hold it. Perfect for entertaining!
Square type Corelle has rounded corners and a round center so as to hold food easier than other makers square plates. Some patterns are available in either square or round shape such as Shadow Iris. -> If the back is marked Vitrelle 2, it is certainly 70% thicker than regular Impressions Corelle.
Varying thickness have names Infinia, Luxe and Ultra. "Pro" was produced exclusively for Target stores and is 30% to 70% thicker than regular Corelle. If you are familiar with regular Livingware Corelle and hold a Pro 70% thicker plate you will immediately know it is that much heavier. (Note- I have seen Ultra Thin Corelle boxed sets at big box stores). A few retired Ultra thick patterns are Sketch, Blanc, City Line, Damascus, Eggshell, Dots, Holly, Sangria, Rusticana, Views. Some square shaped plate sets were also made in the thicker Ultra line. Vintage Corelle Coordinates with swirled rims are "Ultra".
White and all black Corelle Coordinates sold currently new are available in thin Corelle. White Corelle Coordinates are white swirled, thick Corelle. Black will be stunning with all of the patterns with black in them ~ Lyrics, Classic Cafe Black, City Block and many more.
The only benefit I can see to having the thicker Vitrelle (glass lamination process) is that the thicker it is the more break and chip resistant it could be. Because Corelle seems to last a lifetime already, it's just a matter of personal preference.
There are some size differences in Corelle also. Livingware dinner plates are the Corelle standard 10 1/4 in. Ultra etc. and pro usually being just a bit larger. "Sketch" square dinner plate measures 10 1/2 inches. Round 10 3/4 in, plates include these patterns: retired Damascus; Ivory; Ocean Dance; Spring Impressions and Starflowers.
To stack close together your Corelle must be the same shape. da. There are shape of plate differences in the rim styles. Coupe style all stack together nicely. Besides the obvious square vs. round, the round plate patterns can have differing sloped sides. If you don't plan to mix styles together it won't matter, right? Abundance is flat with short Coupe edges. Damascus and other wide Rim plates have wide rim edges and smaller center for food. So the plates themselves could be larger than regular Corelle, yet the actual food section is smaller. Swirled rims are halfway between coupe (no definite rim) and Rim style in my opinion. The only thing this seems to affect is if you are mixing and matching Corelle and want all to stack together perfectly.
Don't know the PATTERN name of your set? Corelle never puts the name of a pattern on the back. Wouldn't be nice if they did? For those discontinued / retired patterns and matching Corning Ware pieces eBay is a good resource. You can search "white corelle swirl blue rose" and certainly find Blue Velvet dishes! And "beige hearts corelle" is Forever Yours! The 'Corelle .com' site has retired pattern pictures with names. eBay sellers are savvy with names and the sites that identify them too. The 'Microwave For One' site is a good source to ID the name of those plates in your cupboard you would like to add to. --> I recommend you explore the Corelle Corner site for in depth info. about Corelle/Centura/Corning pieces and patterns.
Corning Ware ~ cookware material and rocket nosecones are just about indestructible. Just about indestructible material for last forever baking dishes! Retired for many years, it is NOW BEING PRODUCED AGAIN. Pyroceream 2 L and 3 L baking dishes with lids are being produced in the rounded square shape just like Mom and Grandma has. 2.1 qt or 2 L and the 3.2 qt or 3 L pots are available brand new in All White or with the original blue Cornflower emblem.
What is it? Is it collectible? Why? Vintage and Current Info and a few pics..
Spice O' Life was produced second to Blue Cornflower
Corningware Ceramic Glass
What is it? How to clean it? Corning Ware kitchen glass are cook pots, skillets and oven bake and broil pans. The three blue cornflower emblem is the hallmark you know. Corelle is dinnerware plates and bowls. The look and feel of fine china is Chip and Break Resistant with warranty for 3 to 5 years when purchased new. Corelle is produced still today with new patterns every year for every decor. Corning Ware cookware with patterns are found in re-sales. It's collectible by pattern too.
TIPS: Dishwasher safe, but be wary of detergents with a Lemon additive. It will bleach any dishes pattern. To clean cooking, coffee stains or rust spots from any color of Corning, stoneware, or Corelle: use a non-abrasive glass cleaner such as Bar Keepers Friend or your glass stove-top cleaner. Corning Wares and Corelle are Microwave safe.
Since 1958, made in the U.S.A., Corning Ware has well known for it's hallmark 3 blue Cornflowers on white. Surveyed homemakers preferred a wheat pattern, but it couldn't be ready in time for production. As a testament to pattern and Corning durability take another look at those vintage pots. Those Cornflowers are still bright blue and the Corning is still bright white!
That famous emblem was not discontinued until the '80's but in 2012 is being produced again in limited casserole sizes in the original Pyroceram material. Perfect time to get the casserole dishes your Mom won't give up yet. Cornflower Blue Casserole
"VISIONS" is tough, colored glass cookware that Corningware perfected. For the brown, search for Amber Visions. For pink, search Cranberry Visions on eBay. They made pots, pans, Dutch Ovens, skillets, you name it! Teflon dark non-stick coating was produced for a while to some retired Visions (more later) amber and cranberry glass cooking pots and skillets, but misuse with metal utensils has left most of those marred and not safe to use. If you find one at a garage or tag sale: hold the piece up to the light to find scratches before buying. If it's scratched, leave it. It's kind of fun to see the food inside, and I haven't noticed any problem with glass being a problem to cook with vs. stainless steel. These Visions pots and pans, even casserole dishes are very durable. Pots and lids are being produced once again by Corningware, but bargains are still better on eBay for the used condition. Always look for the Used in excellent, gently used condition and compare prices.
The old Corning factory in Corning New York is gone, but cooking products with the Corning name are still manufactured. The original Pyroceream (earliest material) has make a comeback to an outlet near you. "Simply Lite" is currently produced. It is 50% Lighter than original pieces and is 100% Corningware material. The great original Pyroceream (missile cone tough) and Corningware vintage pieces are still in demand and found on eBay and thirft stores. Don't be afraid to purchase these vintage pieces. You can clean extremely well in your dishwasher or steralize any pots or dishes by pouring boiling water over them. Any baked on food in crevices like under a handle can be cleaned away with Bar Keepers Friend and a toothpick! In my opinion no kitchen ware products have been produced that could rival it's durability, versatility and asthetic appeal.
Vintage Centura ~ Pyroceram ~ Rangetoppers'Centura' Dinnerware is pre-Corelle. It rivals fine china for beauty, but use it everyday for durability and beauty. The plates are thick compared to the common 'Winter Frost White' Corelle or even Ultra Corelle. But Centura dishes (clearly marked on the back) are not for microwave use. A few patterns: White with real platimum or gold band trim are still glossy with minimal wear showing and chip free. Vintage Pyroceram is quite heavy, was made for restaurant use and Rangetoppers (clearly marked) pots and cannot be used in your microwave. The uncommonly found Rangetoppers plainly have a metal bottom so you would know not to try cooking in the micro.
New Casual Collections ~ Colours ~ Traditions
We always want the newest and Corning / Pyrex is willing to will that desire. Only a few shapes in actual Corning material can be found labeled Lite Corning. Bright blue, terra cotta and green CASUAL COLLECTIONS and COLOURS baking pots are new and not Vitrelle ceramic glass. They are glazed Stoneware. New pots in a CREATIONS line are sleek, less boxy than vintage shapes, hoping to appeal to sophisticated consumers and come in black/onyx, white, sapphire. TRADITIONS is a new line also. Off white with a French scallop rim in bakeware and dinnerware. It appears to be stoneware dinnerware, not light weight like Corelle. A cross between ethnic Asian and traditional is a new bakeware/stoneware ryku. Raku is basically matte black outside and red inside. It also came with black and dark blue matched with black. Stoneware will be marked on the new box.
There were experimental patterns produced on Corning Ware. It's fun to discover the various emblems. I have a blue leaf emblem on a 4 Qt Dutch Oven. I have a promotional Nativity scene on a 1 Qt Pan. Some promotional only patterns are collectible, by me at least, such as Filigree. It is a pretty band in a silver tone on Casseroles and Coffee Makers. There were emblems made just for Sears and Montgomery Wards too. Vintage Corning Ware cooking pots/casseroles/skillets may be All White, all beige or decorated with these floral and shapes patterns:
Indian Summer-detailed floral in fall colors
Meadow-pastel yellow, pink & greens. This is sometimes mistaken for Wildflower. The colors are different. This is the retired Meadow. There is a newer 'Meadow' pattern!
April-sunny yellow & happy ~ Designer Casseroles 1976-1977 coordinated with Corelle LivingwareCorelle dinnerware sometimes included Cups made of the Pyroceram material such as this Strawberry Sundae Cup with its Corelle Saucer:
Corelle sets may come with Stoneware or Porcelain Mugs. Still found on eBay: hook style corelle glass Cups -- from back in the '60s Crazy Daisy aka Spring Blossom & Butterfly Gold. (Crazy Daisy was a nickname that stuck on Spring Blossom, a rim ring of tiny green flowers).
** Microwave Browning Skillets ~ various sizes and shapes with a shadow on the Underneath side, and footed.
You need to place in the microwave without food and pre-heat them for NO MORE than 2 minutes, then put the food on the skillet, put back in microwave and cook it. It will brown on the bottom. Flip the food part way through cooking to brown both sides. Remember the shaded side IS NOT where you put the food.
Cornflower on Corning Ware pie plate
Add to your vintage collection from eBay, or replace broken Pyrex lids easily. You may even be surprised to discover pieces in this original pattern that you didn't even know existed all this time! Still produced is the French White ... a classic for bake dishes. For a few months before the Original Corning plant was sold, they produced a new pattern of green ivy on French White Corning Ware. It is a rare early Callaway pattern later used on Corelle and Corelle Coordinates. Uncommon, sophisticated Black French Corning Ware. It was manufactured for just a short time for sophisticated tastes but never caught on. I love it. It goes great with my Black Winding Gate & Lyrics Corelle.
^ 'Callaway' pattern on French White oval casserole dish
"Classic Black" aka black French. As you know, French White is still produced, available everywhere.
If you're buying on eBay remember it is sturdy/ heavy so be prepared to pay for the weight when it's shipped. The brilliant white (or black shown above) is all the way through, so you can keep it shining and clean forever. . . Or beige all the way through. Forever Yours, Abundance (current pattern) were and are beige or sand color Corning Ware and Corelle.
Corelle plate,Forever Yours and Corning Casserole,Abundance
If the previously owned Corning or Corelle you obtain is not so bright? Gray utensil marks? You can bring the white or beige back! Keep reading...
Corelle Dinnerware is "Break and Chip Resistant" guaranteed for 3 to 5 years when purchased new. It is opaque like fine china without the easily chipped problem. Dropped cups and plates simply aren't doomed to breaks and chips. Produced in patterns from "Abundance" to "Zenith"...You can often find the matching pattern in casseroles Dutch Ovens and tea pots, etc. Because they don't scratch easily, Corelle patterns from long ago can still be found in excellent condition on eBay.
Corelle Corning material, Fiesta or Red Hot Chili Peppers
Never set your Corelle on a heated stovetop. It will shatter. Heat items on Corelle in the Microwave without any problems. It's great for that!
WHO is buying Corelle? Every wise one that doesn't want heavy plates that take up too much space in the cupboard... People with children that don't want to spend years eating off melamine plastic ... all people looking for a replacement for lost pieces of favorite patterns or grandma's pattern.
WHY: Twelve Corelle plates stack up only 2 inches high. They are thin. What's the beauty of being thin if you are a plate? You are also light weight, but Chip and Break Resistant. Take out heavy dishes and fill your cupboard with Corelle. You will have lots more cupboard space!
White Corelle Patterns
Nice white plates are classic dinnerware. Corning has not missed this fact and has manufactured several all white dinnerware in several variations. Some with swirled rim, some fluted in a "French White" style. Corelle Winter Frost White is the fundamental original still being sold new. Currently produced also is the French White dinnerware with fluted rim plates. Blanc is round rim style; Windward White has swirls on two sides; Pure White is square; Scandia White is not heavy, a kind of modern French White look; Eggshell is round. There are more as Corning continues to seek the new.
So WHEN do you want light weight dinnerware? When you want a fine china feeling dinnerware but would never buy fine porcelain china that chips and breaks easily. When you get dizzy from carrying six or eight heavy place settings to another room; When you want to keep 16 plates in one stack that is easy and convenient.
Buying on eBay? Before you add to or begin your Corelle collection,
ask these questions:
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Are the edges and the surface smooth? Shiny all over? Used Corelle will have faint light scratches that don't detract for it's beauty or use, but you want the original shine. (Some gray utensil marks can be cleaned right off with the same cleaner I sell in my store). Has each piece been inspected for chips? Corelle that has been knocked around will have rough edges and even a chip, though chipping is unusual. Don't buy it.
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Are there any pattern scratches? It's not easy to scratch it, but an over zealous steak knife could on a center of plate pattern. Corelle's pattern is the most vulnerable place for wear. Any rust spots? Don't be afraid to purchase these. These are more common and are usually on the bottom of plates. They can be removed easily with that Bar Keepers Friend Cleaner Polisher. The rust dots may come from old dishwasher racks that have lost the plastic coating. Gray (utensil) marks? No problem! After years of use, many utensil marks on the top of plates can be cleaned away with the same glass cleaner.
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Does the color of the pattern appear faded? Corelle is Fade resistant, but will succomb eventually to lemon additives in detergents. Unless you are using all white, I'd advise against ever buying dish soaps with lemon.
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Buying & Selling Collectible Corelle PATTERNS: If the patterns you like aren't currently popular, lucky you! Research eBay completed Corelle to note which patterns regularly are sought and which seldom move. Replacement pieces are valuable to select buyers. Popular patterns may be seasonal.
JAY Imports made exact pattern match counter and tabletop accessories that are highly collectible [canisters, salt & pepper shakers, napkin holder, etc.]. Look for the "Jay" stamp on the bottom if you want good quality and an exact pattern match up. GEMCO was also authorized to make syrup pitchers and more coordinating pieces. Corelle Coordinates are pieces that are not Corelle material, but made by Corning.
Even reversible plastic foam Placemats can be purchased. Just love a Corelle pattern? Zap a placemat onto your refrigerator with fridge magnets. If it's a rim pattern, it's a frame for a photo there. If it has a center pattern, it's decorative as is!
There are hundreds of Corelle patterns. Some people stay with one pattern forever. Others, like me, like to change out patterns seasonally. All patterns can be seen on several Corelle pattern sites, retired and active patterns both. Amazingly you can actually find sets in boxes never used from years ago. NEW Corelle patterns arrive every year. Christmas patterns aren't produced often. You can collect Christmas or winter time patterns on eBay. A few names to search are Winter Holly, Sponge Santa, Christmas Joy, Calloway Holiday, Winter Snowflake, Gingerbread Man, & Winter Harmony.
Corning Ware rare Gift Sets were produced for short periods.
Some patterns you may want to display only such as the wonderfully detailed and collectible is
"Renaissance" village etching is a rare find in percolators, sauce pots and baking tray:
Renaissance
For Corningware bake dishes, read the box to know if you are purchasing Corningware or Stoneware
* "VISIONS"
is ceramic glass
for stovetops and bakeware & microwave ovens
by Corning Ware
Glass in Amber and Cranberry colors is marked VISIONS. The light Amber color Visions blends nicely with most kitchen decor. It leaks no toxins into food and doesn't absorb food color or odor. The glass top ranges are perfect for it! "VISIONS" all glass is most commonly found in beautiful Amber color glass pots and pans for freezer, oven, rangetop use was manufactured in many sizes and shapes.
Each piece is clearly stamped VISION, usually on a handle. Do not accept a scratched non stick Teflon surface or chipped or cracked pieces. Dull glass will shine again with the gritty glass cleaners used for ceramic stovetops. A few pieces in amber have vertical sculptured sides that was to keep food from sticking easily. It's a rare find.
Durable and classic in it simplicity.. and who doesn't like to see under the lid! Perfect for any rangetop use whether you use smooth glass cook top, gas flame or electric coils.
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