Corelle is a durable dinnerware and is one of the top brands which is used by most of us in our daily routine. It is made from glass and made tougher by special treatment. Corelle dishware is ultra-light and ultra-durable that was introduced in the 1970s.
Are you confused about whether or not it is microwave-safe. The answer to this is that Yes, Corelle is microwave-safe and is heat-safe up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. It is recommended to heat Corelle dishes for the minimum possible amount of time in the microwave.
Vitrelle is the main component in Corelle which is a glass laminate and has three glass layers bonded thermally.
For using Corelle dishware in the microwave, certain instructions should be followed to avoid any risk or hazards:
- There should not be exposure of the Corelle products to direct heat sources like microwave browning elements, pilot lights, stovetop or open flames.
- When you need to heat a small amount of food in the microwave, do not use a large Corelle dish as in this case, the Corelle dish may become hot and can crack or break.
- Never heat an empty Corelle vessel, bowl, plate or dish in a microwave as this can also lead to cracking or breaking of the vessel.
- Avoid placing a cold Corelle dish immediately from the refrigerator to the microwave. This is because Corelle is sensitive to extreme temperature change and when a dish goes from cold to hot too quickly, it may crack or break. Therefore, after taking the dish from the refrigerator, let it sit for a few minutes until it is too cold to touch and then microwave it.
By taking these precautions, Corelle dishes are safe to use and have a large range of patterns that match your style. Since these are thin and stack perfectly, they save valuable space in the kitchen cabinets.
Does Corelle get hot in the microwave?
Yes, Corelle gets hot in the microwave. It is normal for any dish to become hot when heated in the microwave but, the Corelle dishes may heat quicker as compared to other dishes especially when an empty Corelle plate or bowl is microwaved.
A dish can shatter if it heats too quickly. Therefore, before serving a meal, if you want to warm a plate, use an oven or a microwave with some precautions.
When an empty Corelle dish is heated in a microwave, it may shatter. The same thing can happen if there is too little food in the plates and bowls and are heated in the microwave.
While using Corelle in the microwave, it is advised to ensure that the dish is at least half full. You can also heat the dish at low power for 30 seconds intervals so that there is no overheating of the dish.
Use a small-sized Corelle tea or bread plate to heat one serving of desserts or appetizers in the microwave.
Is old Corelle microwave safe?
Yes, old Corelle is microwave safe and can be used to heat food in it with all the precautions mentioned above. But if the old dishes have some metal in their painted designs, they cannot be used in the microwave.
Corelle dates back to the 70s and is a long-lived line of dinnerware. The Corelle dishware produced before 2005 is known as vintage Corelle and is meant for decorative purposes only as the paints used in them have Lead which poses a high level of lead hazard to the user.
To detect vintage Corelle, the following points can be considered:
- There may be rough and raised patterns or decorations.
- The paint may leach off in older Corelle dishes.
- While rubbing the fingers over the dishware, you may feel the decorations.
- The design wears out or fades easily.
- It may get mixed with the food.
Therefore, Corelle dishes made after 2005 are safe to be used in the microwave as these are lead-free.
Corelle vs porcelain
Comparison between Corelle and Porcelain
| Corelle | Porcelain |
| It is a brand of glassware and dishware made up of 3 layers of Vitrelle tempered glass. | Porcelain is ceramic dishware made up of Kaolin clay, Silica, Feldspar, and Quartz fired at a temperature of 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| These are thin and lightweight. | These are not so lightweight like Corelle. |
| They are mostly white and translucent. | These are mainly sparkling white color and opaque. |
| These do not crack, chip, or break easily under pressure or change of temperature. | Any sudden temperature change can lead to its breakage. |
| These are microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe. | Most of them have metal accents made up of metal and so should not be used in the dishwasher. |
Corelle vs melamine
Both Corelle and melamine dishware are used in our daily routine. A comparison between them is mentioned below.
| Corelle | Melamine |
| It is made up of triple-layer vitrelle tempered glass. | It is made up of hard resin and is hard plastic. |
| Highly durable but not as light as melamine. | It is lightweight and durable. |
| It can be safely used in a microwave, oven, and dishwasher. | It cannot be used in a microwave or oven. |
| Since it does not contain any metal and is microwave-safe, hot foods can be served in it. | Hot foods cannot be served in melamine dishware as plastic can leach into the meal. |
| It is a little expensive as compared to melamine. | The melamine dinnerware is affordable. |
Corelle vs CorningWare
The main difference between Corelle and CorningWare is that the former is a line of dishes and bowls whereas the latter one is the cookware.
Both of these are oven-safe, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe. CorningWare is made up of ceramic and glass whereas Corelle is made up of 3 layers of vitrelle tempered glass.
Corelle and CorningWare are resistant to pressure and heat and are durable however, the thermal properties of these two are quite different.
The designs on the Corelle and CorningWare dishes are often similar.
Conclusion
Based on the information provided above, it can be said that Corelle dinnerware is microwave-safe. There is no paint or additional metal in the manufacturing of Corelle dishware and therefore, there is no risk of the impact of metal in the microwave.
As a safety precaution, it is advised not to use old Corelle dishes that have begun to crack or chip.
Corelle dishware can be used for generations when used and stored in the right way.