What's Old Is Turning Out To Be Healthier Than The New.

 There's been a recent discovery lately that many of our new, fandangled cooking products are suddenly all laden with micro plastics (click here to read about microplastics in our kitchens). From plastic cutting boards to plastic coffee makers, the cutting and the hot water drips cause these micro plastics to seep into our foods. Many of the health side effects of this can be cancer, heart disease, and cell damage. Click here for more info.

We all remember the dangers teflon caused (click here for more info). Turns out simple stainless steel, copper or ironware, which humans have been using for centuries (especially ironware) are safer to use than the newer cooking ware coming out today. Who knew? Obviously, not me!

Since I am a cancer survivor, I am very well interested and versed in keeping myself free of toxins and micro plastics for fear of a cancer recurrence. I have been an avid collector of Pyrex, Corelle, Corning, Farberware and CorningWare because many of these products were manufactured long before micro toxins ever became a household word. Granted, some of these vintage products were first made with lead. That's why before I buy any of these products I use my handy swab lead detector (under $14 on Amazon). Click here to get the swabs directly from Amazon. It used to be that a weekly visit to any Goodwill store or Thrift shop would bestow upon me many, many Corning or Pyrex treasures. Not any more. The public has caught on that Pyrex and Corning products (after testing) are very safe to use. Plus they are strong, sturdy and will last and last and last.

" CorningWare was created accidentally, when a piece of photosensitive glass was placed into a furnace and the heat was accidentally cranked up to 900 degrees instead of the intended 600. The end result was an opaque, milky white piece of glass. When the operator, S. Donald Stookey, removed the piece with tongs, it slipped to the floor… and did not shatter. Thus was birthed the most amazing, versatile kitchenware in history.

They called this new material “Pyroceram” and its first use was not in casserole dishes but for nosecones for ballistic missiles, due to its heat-resistance. But its usefulness in the kitchen was soon recognized; this stuff can go in the freezer, in the microwave, in the oven, and on the stove top – yes, you can cook with it right on a burner. It can go from the freezer directly into a hot oven without exploding. It is dishwasher safe, and the patterns do not fade or flake off (with some exceptions for later patterns.) It is nearly indestructible, which is why so much of it is still around today." Click here for full article.

As you can see, I have a wide and varied collection of 1970s and 1980s Corning dinnerware (from salad bowls, casserole baking platters, coffee cups, dinner plates, glass storage containers etc). My main goal is to get the solid white (timeless) imprint but flowers and color circles work just fine too. I have a large collection of bakeware, which I keep in my cupboards. I also have a collection of Corning dutch ovens which I proudly display above my cabinets. Click here for a medley of Pyrex storage containers with lids, from Amazon, as pictured below in my fridge.

If you want to call me a Corning/Pyrex nut, go right ahead. I love the stuff!!

I just recently traded in my plastic (toxic) drip coffeepot for a brand new Farberware 8 cup electric percolator ($64 at Amazon).  Made of 100% stainless steel, Farberware (still in business) has been brewing a great, SAFE cup of coffee for generations. As an added bonus, to me, the new percolator takes up less counter space! Click here to order directly from Amazon.

Twenty five years ago I replaced my RevereWare cooking pots with All-Clad stainless steel (via Wolfgang Puck). They're still going strong, showing no decline in productivity PLUS they are very safe to cook with. Recently, I just found out that my RevereWare (which I purchased in 1974) is worth hundred and hundreds of dollars now. I only have one original smallish pot, which I use specifically to cook my oatmeal in. It's worth $100 alone! I also collect Corning cooking utensils (such as this potato masher), cast iron cookware (frying pan, egg pan, pancake pan and roasting pan) as well as the occasionally used, stainless steel wok.

For more reading info, check out 'Your Mom's Old CorningWare Could Be Worth Thousands Of Dollars' click here. "With the 1970s retro revival in interior decorating comes classic cookware to have on display and these little numbers are fast becoming collectable, with some netting as much as $10,000 at auction."

This CorningWare set is making a comeback (click here). Many vintage pieces are worth $7,000 or more.

TikTok loves Pyrex. Here's where to find it. Click here. 'Despite all the ridicule about boomers, the traditional values instilled in them by the generation that raised them might not be as outdated as we’d like to believe. For this discussion, I’m specifically talking about vintage Pyrex, the retro kitchenware that’s suddenly making a comeback. The brand was known for its durable glassware that could go from oven to table to freezer and was also quite fashionable for the time. Adorned with trippy florals and vibrant colors, Pyrex was very common in the midcentury, but with resurgence of mid-century modern(or “mid mod”) styles, Pyrex is now cool again.'

I use my CorningWare and Pyrex for health reasons. Not for its financial value. To me, good health, free from toxins, microplastics and carcinogenics are worth more to me than selling my collection at some auction. If you happen to come upon well priced Corelle, Pyrex, Corningware or even Farberware buy it for your health. Not your pocketbook. Health is wealth! Don't ever forget that.

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