dangerous corelle dishes

[rodeosweetheart]

I had a set of white Corelle dishes and for the second time in a year, one exploded (this one was placed on a rug and shattered into long ribbonlike shards. The other was dropped in the tub while using it to bath the dog.

I thought the first time was a fluke. I googled it and came up with this horrifying thread on a consumer safety board about the dangers of these dishes. I wouldn't have believed these stories if I had not scene the bowl shatter today.

Some of the people in the thread had bowls explode when placed on a counter, when sitting on a dish drainer, and while sitting in the cabinet. One man was permanently scarred in his face and had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital to have the shards removed from his eyes.

Please take a look at this thread if you own these dishes:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/corelle-dishes.html

Mine are now out in the garbage can, all of them. I will never buy these again. Thank God the dogs were not injured.

[iris lilies]

dudette, corelle is a tool of the devil, didnt you know? ;)

iris, lover of porcelain, china, and other traditional dinnerware.

[rodeosweetheart]

Amen to that, IL. Guess I will have to start using my vintage mid century Mod Churchill, vintage 8o'sDansk, vintage Jadeite, and vintage Fiesta. Such a sacrifice.

[JaneV2.0]

Fortunately, I've always hated the stuff. Give me bulletproof stoneware.
But thanks for the warning!

[razz]

Oh dear, i have so much Corelle but of an older vintage so hope that it lasts well. I had no idea that Corning had sold out the line of dishes. It is hard to know what to replace it with. Would not the same problem occur with other makes of dishes. I like the vintage dishes idea mentioned already.

[Miss Cellane]

Oh dear, i have so much Corelle but of an older vintage so hope that it lasts well. I had no idea that Corning had sold out the line of dishes. It is hard to know what to replace it with. Would not the same problem occur with other makes of dishes. I like the vintage dishes idea mentioned already.

The problem most likely will not occur with other dishes, because Corelle is basically glass. Most other dishes are stoneware or china/porcelain. Yes, they can break and the pieces will have sharp edges, but it's different than glass breaking.

[iris lilies]

Years ago I had a great interaction with the Corning Museum of Glass in NY. They contacted my library to borrow old issues of some ancient glass manufacturer's periodical so that they could microfilm it. They are, apparently, the makers of Corelle!

Knowing how much we wished to get rid of titles like this, I offered the entire periodical run to them saying "hey, you can keep the entire thing. How's about that?!!!" They were very very happy with that offer. It underscores how important the collection at my library was--lots of ancient items that were unique, or at least not held widely.

Thank you for reading my random, unrelated thought of the day.:~)

[Sloeginfizz]

I've never owned any Corelle but we had the glass part of a Glasslock container explode on us for no reason. It was just sitting on the kitchen island at room temp. It wasn't like it had been heated or frozen or anything that might cause thermal shock. We weren't hurt but I found glass shards all the way on the other side of the room, fifteen feet away.

[ctg492]

I have all Corelle for years and even got two complete sets with homes we bought. I have had one or two break over the years like was mentioned. But overall they are very durable. Stoneware is so heavy.

[CathyA]

Very strange! Has there ever been any explanation for the ones that exploded for no reason?
I have a couple small corelle dishes....about 4 of them. I accidentally dropped one once and was amazed at the way it totally shattered.
Other than that, I've been using the same Pfaltzgraff Yorktown Stoneware dishes for about 40 years now......the same ones.

[razz]

From the reviews in the link, it appears that once Corning sold the the quality changed and the problems arose. My mother had Corelle for years as have I but I believe these are made by Corning not the new company.

[rodeosweetheart]

IL, we used to live in Steuben County and had many happy visits to the Corning Glass Museum. It is a wonderful place. They would blow the Steuben Glass in front of you. And yes, Razz, I think the problem seems to be related to when Corning sold the line to another company. It was around this time that they moved production to China, at least that is what I was told at the Museum. Supposedly, there may have been a changeover from borsolica (sp) glass to cheaper soda lime glass?
The exploding glass seems to be a problem with the new line? At least this what I heard, never heard of the problem with the old products.

The changeover to China production was occurring in late nineties early 2000's.

One of the several comment threads on the exploding glass problem had an explanation about the different molecular structures at different levels of the product, different cooling levels?

But the propulsive force of the blast for some of these was amazing, and some were not subject to any heat change. ONe person had a piece embed in eye and required stitches and were awaiting replacement of lens as eye developed a traumatic cataract.

the Museum is amazing--displays glass from ancient times to my favorite, the 20's pyrex.

Supposedly the lab glass is still made with the old borsalica (sp).

[kib]

I don't know where I ever got the idea that corelle was indestructible. I still find it to be sturdier than glass, but it shatters and chips like what it is, thin glass. I do love my corelle even with its inherent explosiveness, but I think as I replace my dishes, i may go with something else. What I really love love love is my old blue flower corningware, which basically IS indestructible unless you deliberately throw it on a tile floor; I can't pass up a piece of that at thrift stores!

[rodeosweetheart]

I don't know where I ever got the idea that corelle was indestructible. I still find it to be sturdier than glass, but it shatters and chips like what it is, thin glass. I do love my corelle even with its inherent explosiveness, but I think as I replace my dishes, i may go with something else. What I really love love love is my old blue flower corningware, which basically IS indestructible unless you deliberately throw it on a tile floor; I can't pass up a piece of that at thrift stores!

I do love those old Corning baking dishes, too!
I don't think it shatters like glass, though. I have never had a glass sitting in a cabinet just explode.

There is something more going on. There is something propulsive about it, unlike a regular drinking glass. And the shards are not like those of when a glass shatters--they are curved and stringlike.

I tried to copy some of the images online--I have one but it is on my old camera, as I complained to Corning last year about how dangerous this was. Here is a link to someone else's photo:

http://wovenflame.blogspot.com/2006/05/corelle-shrapnel.html

People are reporting the shards flying 12-14 feet, into other rooms.

I have NEVER had a glass break like that...

I went into Woven Flame blogspot and read the thread--really interesting, and just like my experience-- she writes

"Even after what was left of the plate was laying scattered about my home, it continued to pop and ping and crack into smaller pieces!" ( did not experience that.)



"I was glad I was the only person within the line of trajectory. I was hit in the hands, forearms, neck and face by many of the tiny shards. I felt like I had been handling Fiberglas insulation. Some of the deeper scratches actually bled."
I did experience that, my arms and legs have been itching and hurting where I was struck, and I thought, it's just like you handled fiberglass. Sort of hurts and itches.

[Float On]

Years ago I had a great interaction with the Corning Museum of Glass in NY. They contacted my library to borrow old issues of some ancient glass manufacturer's periodical so that they could microfilm it. They are, apparently, the makers of Corelle!

Knowing how much we wished to get rid of titles like this, I offered the entire periodical run to them saying "hey, you can keep the entire thing. How's about that?!!!" They were very very happy with that offer. It underscores how important the collection at my library was--lots of ancient items that were unique, or at least not held widely.

Thank you for reading my random, unrelated thought of the day.:~)

We would spend days in the library at Corning Museum. It's a wonderful place and wonderful staff. We'd go up once a year for meetings or classes.

[pinkytoe]

Wow, I never thought I would have to be afraid of my dishes. I only have a handful left but they get a lot of use. The thought of shards in my eye though might send them away.

[Float On]

I've never owned corelle plates but have had a few friends post their experience with exploding dishware.

[rodeosweetheart]

I've never owned corelle plates but have had a few friends post their experience with exploding dishware.

I threw ALL of mine out yesterday. If you read Woven Flame's blogspot, you will really be nervous to keep them.

In one photo, it was apparent the pieces had traveled across two rooms.

Jeesh. Oh well, I can go add 20 items to the "what did I throw out today" thread!

[rodeosweetheart]

Part of the reason I posted was that I was putting the bowl down for my terrier to lick. Both dogs were standing right there, and both dogs' eyes were right there in range.

This used to be my go to dishes or the dogs and cat, due to it being "unbreakable." Agh.

[Float On]

Part of the reason I posted was that I was putting the bowl down for my terrier to lick. Both dogs were standing right there, and both dogs' eyes were right there in range.

This used to be my go to dishes or the dogs and cat, due to it being "unbreakable." Agh.

Scary!!

[sweetana3]

Appears to be those made later in the production life after purchase by the new company. We have had Corelle since it was begun (mom had it earlier) and only once or twice broke a piece by dropping and it did not shatter.

Now I have white dishes from Cuisanart I think and they are fine. Hubby has only broken one so far.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I have Correlle. Can't stoneware and China have lead in it? (although it would be labeled in Cali probably due to prop 65 - but again I can actually recall SEEING those labels on some stoneware!). Isn't glass much less likely to have anything that will leech out? (actually be entirely non-reactive). I choose glass for that reason originally mostly (it's also very easy to clean).

I guess one could replace it with plain clear colored glass dishes? But since I have no problems with my Correlle ...

[rodeosweetheart]

I have Correlle. Can't stoneware and China have lead in it? (although it would be labeled in Cali probably due to prop 65 - but again I can actually recall SEEING those labels on some stoneware!). Isn't glass much less likely to have anything that will leech out? (actually be entirely non-reactive). I choose glass for that reason originally mostly (it's also very easy to clean).

I guess one could replace it with plain clear colored glass dishes? But since I have no problems with my Correlle ...

That's a good question, about the lead. I don't know about the lead issue with stoneware.

[freshstart]

Other than that, I've been using the same Pfaltzgraff Yorktown Stoneware dishes for about 40 years now......the same ones.

I had these! My mom collected them, had probably every piece it seemed (we had an outlet) and gave them to me. They weren't my style, I like modern styles but kept them for years out of sentiment to childhood and that they were hers. When we moved here, my mom, the hoarder, talked me into giving them away. I actually wish I hadn't, they are still sentimental to me.

Now, because they are old and not well, guess what we have? Corelle, so my mom can lift it. Ugh, I hate Corelle. The Corning Museum seemed to be the only tourist attraction on the long drive to my college, I have been there more times than necessary. But going once, it is interesting.

I wonder why there hasn't been a massive recall? I've heard stories like this before.

[Float On]

That's a good question, about the lead. I don't know about the lead issue with stoneware.

I don't know either but I had a friend who got these little test strips and she went around testing a lot of the dishes at wal-mart and Target and most that she posted about had some amount of lead in them. She was on a really big anti-Made-In-China kick. I had to quit reading her blog, she pretty much was afraid of everything.

[rodeosweetheart]

I just read the commentary on the Woven Flame blog site. Other people wrote in, here were a couple of comments:

"My Corelle salad bowl spontaneously exploded in front of me when I was 3/4 through my salad. It threw shards for several feet. The explosion was loud. I was amazed at how tiny and sharp the pieces were. Everything was at room temperature for hours. I have no explanation."

and this:

"But felt I needed to share this. Just this weekend, my daughter was sitting at the table with her friends. Her half eaten dinner had been sitting in front of her for over a half hour and was at room temperature. No one touched the table or the plate, but the plate exploded right in front of them. For the most part, it shattered in place with only a portion of the shards hitting the kids. Although, one of them was talking and got a chunk of it in his mouth! I see that this unusual occurrence has indeed happened to others. Hard to believe!"

andfinally:

" just had the exact same incidnet happen to me at Walmart. It has to be the new units. The noise was so loud I was defend for 2hrs and the shrapnel hit the ceiling and bounced down on several heads, several isles. was amazing. Ive dropped glass before and i habve broken corell but this new stuff is beyond dangerous.

The plates MUST have air pockets in them because they litterally explode. people came running from all over. hands were cut. nerves were shot."

So it's not just dropping them. Ok, I promise, no more exploding dish stories, everyone has been duly warned, and I have done my civic "dish duty"!

[freshstart]

great, I'll probably lose my good eye over dinner with the 'rents, lmao!

[ApatheticNoMore]

Well I'm kind of numb to it because I have heard of Pyrex pans exploding as well (and I think Anchor Hocking as well), but this was usually AFTER temperature changes (like for instance baking with them, which is what people do with them! Or moving them from a hot oven), not just using them for salad. So since then I've only used Anchor Hocking and Pyrex for cold applications (for salad yes). You can find stories of these explosions on the internet as well.

Here's a few, but they are all over the internet:

https://food.thefuntimesguide.com/2010/09/exploding_pyrex.php
https://kuby2u.wordpress.com/2010/12/06/pyrex-and-anchor-hocking-exploding/

A company called Simax makes glassware that is Borosilicate glass, so it should be more resilient to temperature change as should the old Corning. I don't own any Simax, so I vouch for nothing there, but it was interesting enough to add to my wishlist for someday maybe.

And I'm not going to change out Correlle until I've done a lot of research and I know WHAT IS SAFE? If stoneware may have lead then it's not safe either (there is a reason afterall, I don't currently use it, and it was after research on the potential danger of a lot of dishes and cookware (sigh :( )). Sure Correlle's plain white lightweight simplicity is actually deeply appealing to me now, but I'm not doing white and glass dishes only for the ascetic aesthetics. So I don't want to jump from the exploding glass pan into the lead stoneware fire as it were, but would rather stop and think about it and what good dishware would really be. Clear glass may be the best option, I don't know.

[Tenngal]

I love my old Corelle dishes dishes. No problems with shattering. Guess they have changed the manufacturing process.
I am glad you put this on, I was considering buying a set of the white ones a couple of weeks ago. I really like the weight and
the easy of cleaning.

[rodeosweetheart]

Well I'm kind of numb to it because I have heard of Pyrex pans exploding as well (and I think Anchor Hocking as well), but this was usually AFTER temperature changes (like for instance baking with them, which is what people do with them! Or moving them from a hot oven), not just using them for salad. So since then I've only used Anchor Hocking and Pyrex for cold applications (for salad yes). You can find stories of these explosions on the internet as well.

Here's a few, but they are all over the internet:

https://food.thefuntimesguide.com/2010/09/exploding_pyrex.php
https://kuby2u.wordpress.com/2010/12/06/pyrex-and-anchor-hocking-exploding/

A company called Simax makes glassware that is Borosilicate glass, so it should be more resilient to temperature change as should the old Corning. I don't own any Simax, so I vouch for nothing there, but it was interesting enough to add to my wishlist for someday maybe.

And I'm not going to change out Correlle until I've done a lot of research and I know WHAT IS SAFE? If stoneware may have lead then it's not safe either (there is a reason afterall, I don't currently use it, and it was after research on the potential danger of a lot of dishes and cookware (sigh :( )). Sure Correlle's plain white lightweight simplicity is actually deeply appealing to me now, but I'm not doing white and glass dishes only for the ascetic aesthetics. So I don't want to jump from the exploding glass pan into the lead stoneware fire as it were, but would rather stop and think about it and what good dishware would really be. Clear glass may be the best option, I don't know.

I just thew out a new Fiesta ware box that the place setting came in. It says it is "Lead-free" if that helps, and still made in US.

[Teacher Terry]

I am on my 4th set of Correlle not because they break but because I get tired of the pattern and give them away. The old ones would sometimes crack down the middle while sitting in the cupboard or shatter if dropped but never explode. I really like what I have now and bought 4 sets so I have plenty of dishes. Mine are maybe 10 years old. Ugh!

[ApatheticNoMore]

I think the problem seems to be related to when Corning sold the line to another company. It was around this time that they moved production to China, at least that is what I was told at the Museum.

only I don't think new Correlle are made in China. Check the bottom, check the Correlle website, they are made in the U.S.A. China gets blamed too much (although no I don't want their pet food, or to breath their air), for what might be inherent properties of glass or at least what might be inherent properties of the Correlle registered TM Vitrelle glass.


Supposedly, there may have been a changeover from borsolica (sp) glass to cheaper soda lime glass?

I don't think Correlle was ever made with Borosilicate, now I have heard rumors Pyrex was (which also is still made in the U.S. I believe), but I don't think it has been since the 1930s or something, so I don't think it was when most people were using it (50s maybe?), although Borosilicate glass products exist as I mentioned. Can Borosilicate shatter? I have no idea. Not as easily from *thermal shock* as other glass though. There's actually an ISO standard for Borosilicate for chemical resistance and resistance to thermal shock.

[rodeosweetheart]

Interesting, that the dishes are made in US, APN! I read on Wikipedia the following about the types of glass:

There have been a considerable number of reports of one of World Kitchens products licensed under the name "Pyrex" exploding when in use.[3] The company licenses the name from Corning who was the previous manufacturer of Pyrex and who made that product from a different and more expensive material called borosilicate glass. Corning manufactured Pyrex with borosilicate glass from 1915 and switched to soda-lime glass in the 1940s. World Kitchens products sold in the USA under the name "Pyrex" are not made from borosilicate glass but rather the less expensive Soda-lime glass. The Soda-lime glass is said to develop micro-fissures and can break when exposed to wide temperature changes, although it is more resistant to breakage when dropped as opposed to borosilicate glass. Pyrex is made in America and is claimed to be used in 90 million American households.[4] As of December 2013 the disclaimer referred to here no longer exists since about May 2013. Indeed www.pyrexware.com redirects to http://www.worldkitchen.com/pyrex/ where there is a modified PR release, citing further responses to the negative comments of Consumer Reports and the American Ceramic Society.[5]

However, the Corning and the pyrex lines are not the same as the Corelle lines. So it's not clear to me what kind of glass is used in Corelle.

I actually had bought some of my Corelle from the Museum factory outlet store and they were seconds--I liked the color; they were between the white and the off-white. So mine was made in US, yeah. I was told at the Museum in around 2000 that production was going to move to China, but it sounds like that only happened with some of the stoneware?

In the glass museum, there is a great historical display about the development of pyrex and these wonderful toy sets from the 1920's, along with the car windshields they developed--you know, that break in a weblike design as chunks. That was considered a great safety development.

[JaneV2.0]

Tableware has been lead-free in this country for years, but I wouldn't worry anyway unless you routinely store acidic foods in it. Generations of us have eaten from lead-glazed plates without notable problems.

[kib]

I just looked under mine. The older ones say Corelle - by Corning. The newer ones say Corelle Vitrelle, or simply Corelle. So at least it's easy to tell which ones are more likely to be ok.

[Lainey]

Thanks for the info and link to the consumer site. I'm surprised there hasn't been any product liability lawsuits on this, or maybe there has and they are quietly settled so it doesn't get publicized.

Unfortunately for me I just bought a set of white Corelle dishes last year because, like others, I also like that they are lightweight. I found the stonewear so heavy to move around and it also seemed to chip easily.
Guess I have to get myself a tin plate like prisoners or campers used to have?