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Can You Broil Pyrex? (All You Need to Know)

Broiling is a fast and easy method of cooking but it requires special attention to the materials you’re using. You’ll have to be careful with what kind of pan you’re putting inside a broiler.

Users often find themselves concerned over whether they can broil in a pyrex pan, whether pyrex glass is broiler-safe, if not then what material they should opt for. We’re here to address those concerns.

Can you broil pyrex?

You cannot use a pyrex in a broiler. Pyrex glasses can withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, but when placed inside a broiler it will be exposed to temperatures between 500 to 550 degrees Fahrenheit. So, pyrex is likely to crack or blow up in a broiler.

Can you broil in a pyrex pan?

A broiler is much too hot for pyrex pans, so you cannot broil in a pyrex pan. Pyrex is a high heat resistant glass that is typically used in ovenware. It can even be used for grilling.

But broiling requires much too high temperatures, generally ranging from 500 to 550 degrees Fahrenheit. Pyrex pans cannot withstand such heat and are likely to sustain damage or even blow up.

Pyrex pans are meant for baking. An ideal temperature for such pans is 450 degrees Fahrenheit. So you should be careful not to put a Pyrex pan inside a broiler.

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Can you broil glass pyrex?

You cannot broil glass pyrex. Broiling is done in relatively high temperatures. You can select between low, medium, and high-temperature settings in a broiler.

The low temperature usually ranges from 400 degrees to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re going for medium broiling, the temperature will range from 450 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. However, most broiling is done at high temperatures, between 500 to 550 degrees Fahrenheit. 

On the other hand, glass pyrex has a limit of 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It cannot withstand a temperature above it.

Is it ok to broil in pyrex? Are they broiler safe?

A broiler is a type of oven that is designed to provide high and direct heat to the pan. It’s crafted to place the pans as close to the heat source as possible so that your food cooks quickly and achieves a fine char and texture.

It provides heat both from the top and the bottom, unlike a grill. It exposes one part of the pan to high heat- usually the top, making it convenient to cook stubborn fibers rather quickly. This is what makes a broiler so unique.

Pyrex cannot withstand such a high temperature. They are likely to sustain damage when broiled. Your pyrex pan may break, sustain tear, or even blow up when put inside a broiler as they are not broiler safe.

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How hot does a broiler actually get?

Broilers cook with direct heat, instead of indirect heat. Due to the direct flames, it’s often difficult to measure the exact temperature of the broiler. But generally speaking, most broilers have a limit of 550 degrees Fahrenheit.

This also varies based on the rack you’re using in a broiler. The top rack often gets the highest temperature, which is something around 550 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature is likely to drop by 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit with each rack.

What is the maximum temperature for Pyrex?

The maximum temperature that a pyrex can withstand is approximately 500 degrees Fahrenheit. But it can do so for a very short time.

So if you’re planning to prepare a dish on the pyrex glassware, cooking it at 500 degrees might not be a good idea as it’s going to take some time.

Their ideal temperature lies under 450 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use it in a conventional oven or a convection oven. But make sure to keep the temperature in check. The glassware will work perfectly fine as long as you don’t go beyond that temperature.

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What happens if you broil pyrex?

Broilers work under direct flames. The heat source is placed right above the pan, which allows the food to cook faster. It also offers fine texture and nice chars on your food.

Even if you’re using a strong, sturdy, and enforced pyrex pan, broiling it will damage the pan. It cannot withstand the temperature. Broiling will leave glass pyrex heavily damaged.

And the food that you’re broiling will also be ruined along with the pan.  If you’re willing to cook something on pyrex, make sure to regulate the temperature. Glass pyrex will break, crack, or sustain damage when broiled.

How can you tell if Pyrex is broiler-safe? How to keep them safe in a broiler?

There is no such thing as broiler safe Pyrex. Instead here are a few things that you can do to keep pyrex safe in a broiler.

Place the pan in the second rack or below:

In a broiler, the heat source is placed at the top. The temperature can go as high as 550 degrees Fahrenheit, and it has the highest impact on the top rack. The temperature decreases by at least 50 to 75 degrees in each rack.

So if you’re using a pyrex pan, do not place it on the top rack. It will result in blowing up pretty fast. Instead, opt for the second or third rack.

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Follow quick recipes:

Your pyrex pan will be exposed to significantly high temperatures as soon as it enters a broiler. So the best way to keep it safe is to cook for the shortest possible time. Avoid recipes that require the pan to be inside the broiler for too long.

Use the low-temperature setting:

Most broiler ovens come with a feature that allows temperature adjustment. You can set it at a low temperature, which ranges from 400 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

You should still be careful with the time, as the direct heat source may cause damage to the pyrex.

How do you stop Pyrex from exploding?

Pyrex glasses are prone to shatter, crack, and blow up. But with a few careful steps, you can prevent your pyrex pan from exploding. Here’s what you can do: 

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Don’t use pan directly on top of heat source:

Pyrex pans are typically more sensitive to heat. They are likely to shatter when they are exposed to high heat directly. So make sure that you don’t place the pyrex pan directly on top of the eye of a stove.

Instead, place a metal piece on the stove and place the pyrex pan on top of it. This will help avoid direct contact with heat and keep your pan from exploding.

Avoid cooking dry dishes:

You should always add a small amount of liquid prior to cooking in a pyrex pan. Make sure it’s enough to cover the bottom of your dish.

If you add cool liquid, later on, there may be uneven heat distribution in the pan. This may result in expansion and contraction at different spots of the pan at different rates. And that is a recipe for blowing up. 

Adding liquid before the pan heats up helps because you’re not subjecting the hot pyrex glass to cool liquid. So there will remain no chance to blow up.

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Avoid cooking dishes that need high heat:

This is an essential way to keep your pyrex pan from exploding. Pyrex glass is very sturdy and durable, but it is still glass. They cannot withstand high heat for a long time.

So if you’re cooking something that needs to be at a high temperature over a long period, avoid using a pyrex pan. This includes cooking directly on a stovetop, broiling at high heat, grilling, and such. Otherwise, it will blow up.

Can you broil steak in a pyrex dish?

You cannot broil steak in a pyrex dish. It’s among the most common mistakes that people make with pyrex glass, but cooking steak in such a pan may backfire. It could break or crack under the high heat of a broiler; the pan may even blow up.

Instead, you should opt for a sturdy and strong metal pan for broiling steak. This will help you achieve much better results, without causing any damage to the pan. 

Can Pyrex blow up in the microwave?

Pyrex is typically safe for microwaves. However, there are some conditions attached to it.

Refrain from using a cold pyrex pan in a high-temperature microwave. It may cause some part of the pyrex glass to expand and contract rapidly at different rates, which may eventually lead to blowing up. Pyrex is not designed to withstand much stress.

So put hot water into the cold pyrex before putting it into a high heat oven. Pyrex glass is an excellent heat conductor. However, uneven heat transfer may cause damage to it.

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What pans are safe for broiling?

Broiling is done in high temperatures, not all materials can withstand such heat. So, you need to be careful in choosing a pan that’s safe for broiling.

You’ll find many pans that come with the label “safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit” or “broiler-safe”; opt for those pans when you’re broiling.

However, make sure to never broil with a pan with a nonstick coating. The coating will be damaged and may release toxic elements into your food.

Here are some of the safest broiling pans:

  • Stainless steel pans
  • Aluminum pans
  • Cast iron pans
  • Enameled cast iron pans

Final Thoughts:

It is quite clear that you cannot broil pyrex. It can potentially destroy the pan as well as the food you’re preparing. Broiling requires very high temperatures and exposes the pyrex glass to a direct heat source. It is not designed to withstand such heat and may end up being shattered.