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Corningware, CORELLE, VISIONS
What is it? Is it collectible? Why is it so great anyway?Vintage and Current Info and a few pics too!
VISIONS CorningWare, Spice O' Life
Corningware Ceramic Glass
What is it? How to clean it? So many patterns! Corning Ware kitchen glass are cook pots, skillets and oven bake pans. Corelle is dinnerware with the look and feel of fine china, but is Chip and Break Resistant for 3 years when purchased new. Corelle is produced still today and in varying thickness. Vintage Corning Ware will outlive all of us. It's collectible too. Both are Dishwasher safe, but don't use lemon additive detergents because they will bleach the pattern. To clean coffee stains 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 American made in the U.S.A. Corning Ware has well known for it's hallmark 3 blue Cornflowers on white. Corning had surveyed homemakers who preferred a wheat pattern. That wheat pattern 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.
Teflon was added to some retired Visions*(more later) amber and cranberry glass pots and skillets, but misuse with metal utensils has left most of those marred and not safe to use. Hold the piece up to the light before buying to find scratches not evident before buying.
The old Corning factory in Corning New York is gone, but cooking products with the Corning name are manufactured. The original Pyroceream may even make a comeback to an outlet near you. Canada was blessed with the original formula for Pyroceream cooking pots 2008. Simply Lite is easier to find. It is 50% Lighter than original pieces and 100% Corningware. Those great original Pyroceream (missile cone tough) and Corningware vintage pieces are still in demand and found on eBay and thirft stores. In my opinion no kitchen ware products have been produced that could rival it's durability, versatility and asthetic appeal. Original CorningWare was produced until 1999.
Centura ~ Pyroceram ~ RangetoppersCentura Dinnerware is pre-Corelle. It rivals fine china for beauty, but use it everyday for durability and beauty. The plates are thicker than regular Corelle or Ultra Corelle, stack as nicely as current Corelle, not taking up much cupboard space; break and chip resistant too. Centura dishes are not for microwave use, A few patterns: White with real platimum or gold band trim and are still glossy and chip free. Amazing stuff but not for the microwave! Vintage Pyroceram was made for restaurant use and Rangetoppers, so marked, CorningWare and cannot be used in your microwave. They plainly have a metal bottom.
Infinia ~ Luxe ~ Ultra ~ Pro
These help identify the thickness if you happen to know how the original box was labeled. Corelle Dinnerware that is 70% heavier than regular Corelle was produced with the names Infinia or Luxe added on the box. "Luxe" became "Ultra" in 2003. It's a half inch diameter larger as well as thicker. Pro is 30% thicker than regular dinnerware.
Just a few retired Ultra patterns are Blanc, City Line, Damascus, Eggshell, Dots, Holly, Sangria, Rusticana, Views. Newest popular square shaped dinnerware now available Corelle is often, not always, Ultra.
Some current Ultra patterns you may find in sets are Cherry Blossom, Rivage, Scandia White, Sketch. There is a Rivage that is not Ultra and a round Ultra pattern, Tempo. Older patterns with the swirl rim are also thicker than "regular" Corelle. Think of the regular Corelle as the Winter Frost White coupe style plates readily available for purchase at the large box stores.
Another option for thickness is the Pro line. These patterns are sold exclusively at Target stores. Dishes are 30% thicker than regular Corelle. Elegance, Harmony and Rivage are 3 recently released.
Casual Collections ~ Colours ~ Traditions
Bright blue, terra cotta and green CASUAL COLLECTIONS and COLOURS baking pots are new and not Vitrelle ceramic glass. They are glazed stoneware. Bright colors are outside and white inside. 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.
Some Retired Patterns by Date
Some people would rather replace a Corelle piece than purchase a new set at the discount stores. eBay is great for finding these pieces. The Corning .com site History will show you a pic of most vintage and currant patterns to help you identify your own pattern name. EBay sellers are familiar with pattern name and the sites that identify them too.
If you want to identify your pattern by picture, visit the Corelle site or the Microwave For One site for pattern photos.
Vintage Corning Ware may be All White or decorated with these patterns, some that coordinate with Corelle Livingware dinnerware:
Indian Summer-detailed floral in fall colors
Meadow-pastel yellow pink & greens
April-sunny yellow & happy ~ Designer Casseroles 1976-1977 coordinated with Corelle LivingwareCorelle, CorningWare and Pyrex pieces share some pattern emblems:
Some of the Corelle emblems/patterns you may discover are Abundance, Blue Dusk, Blue Velvet, Callaway, Casual Elegance, Classic Black French, City Block, Country Cornflower, Country Festival, English Breakfast, English Meadow, Floral Bouquet, Forever Yours, Floral Wisp, French White, Fresh Cut, Friendship, Fruit Basket, Garden Harvest, Indian Summer, Jardin, Lyrics, Nature's Bounty, Oceanview, Pastel Bouquet, Peach Floral, Peony, Renaissance, Rosemarie, Shadow Iris, Silk and Roses, Sinflowers, Sunsations, Summer Blush, Symphony, Tuscan Vine, Wildflower.** Microwave Browning Skillets ~ Found in various sizes and shapes with a shadow on the underneath side, and feet.
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.Collectible Casserole shape with short feet, featuring a Colonial house (made exclusively for sale at Sears) microwave symbol, Fish and Poultry (for Norelco) and blue field flowers (for Sears); Medallion (for Shell oil); Black starburst, Black trefoil and Platinum filigree were early compliments to Blue Cornflower emblem. Why? Durable to the Max. The brilliant white color and a few sand colored pieces, is not on the surface. The white is solid and the pattern is in it.
You can use a cleanser I offer in my store to scrub any cooked on or burned on marks to bring back that beautiful white so that it shines like new. It's so tough because it was created to be the nose cone material for rockets!
Cornflower on 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. Hard to find and fairly rare is the sophisticated Black French Corning Ware. It was manufactured for just a short time for sophisticated tastes but never caught on. Any other pattern produced on French White is Extremely rare. I have only seen English Garden, a CORELLE pattern seldom.
French White Callaway and Classic Black French
Rare Collectible pieces
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 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 made in beige Corning.
Forever Yours and Abundance
If the 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 years when purchased new. It is opaque like fine china without the easy breaking 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. I always have some inventory in various Corelle or Corning Ware: Step Up 2 the Plate store.
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 plastic...replacements for lost pieces of favorite patterns.
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. Current Scandia White is no heavy, a kind of modern French White look.
So WHEN do you want light weight dinnerware? If you were born before 1950. When you get dizzy from carrying six or eight settings to another room! When you want to keep 16 plates in one stack that is easy and convenient. When those joints start to ache! When lifting plates out of the dishwasher is painful?
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. Some 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 any place.
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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 Cleaner Polisher. I don't know how they get onto the Corelle!
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Gray (utensil) marks? No problem! After years of use, any 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? Lemon additives to detergents will bleach Corelle patterns a bit eventually. It will bleach any china. Unless you are using all white, I'd advise against ever buying dish soaps with lemon. You cannot return a pattern's color after it has been bleached off.
Buying & Selling Collectible Corelle PATTERNS: Not all patterns are sought after retirement. 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 for years and years. 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. A new to is CAMILLIA. It reminds me very much of Hummingbird, long retired. It's a botanical all over pattern.
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
Christmas Corelle Patterns from country styles, sophisticated to just fun Ginerbread man rim~ it's all out there and so fun to chase down on eBay.
WHERE: eBay, my store ( STEP UP 2 the PLATE-Not all discount box stores carry every current Corelle pattern). Corning Ware baking is pretty much only available in French White and a few colors, but the new items are stoneware, not Corning vintage pieces.
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* "VISIONS"
is ceramic glass for stovetop and bakeware
by Corning Ware
Amber and cranberry color VISION ware are found in re-sales. The light Amber color Visions blends nicely with most kitchen decor. It leaks no toxins into food. The glass top ranges are perfect for it! "VISIONS" all glass 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 sculptured sides that was to keep food from sticking easily. It's rare now.
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 cook top, gass or electric. Use in the Microwave and Dishwasher too. As a timesaver it saves pots to clean because you can take it from the oven or stove to the table to the refrigerator or freezer then back to the stove or oven, all in one pot.
We are very particular about the condition of Corelle and Corning/Visions offered at Step Up 2 the Plate ebay store. We do have store pages that explain exactly what we mean by Like New, Excellent, Very Good, and Good for both china/crystal and books. We are always adding Corning Ware and kitchen items to current total inventory of over 250 listings. Seek serendipity now: Step Up 2 the Plate e-store
Please vote if this was at all helpful. Contact me if you have a question about Corelle, CorningWare or Visions.
** the Microwave For One site has Corning and other brand patterns by pictures. They even have more patterns than the official Corelle site History lists!
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