From it's inception in the late 50s until Corning, Inc. sold its kitchenware division, Corningware meant pyroceram. This is just crockery. You can get real pyroceram on ebay. I understand it is still sold new in Asia.

I wanted to give this NO stars but Amazon would not accept no stars.

I love Corning ware and was very disappointed in the 16 piece set that I just purchased. The first package wasn't ever delivered to my home. Upon checking the UPS website on the afternoon of the scheduled delivery, I found that the package was damaged. I called Amazon and another package was shipped immediately. When we opened it, we found one casserole dish was missing from the package. Again, I called Amazon and was told I would be charged for another shipment but once my shipment arrived, I would be given a credit. I complained because this was the 3rd package sent out. The 3rd package arrived yesterday. I was not charged. I took the original to the post office and when I returned opened the new package. BIG MISTAKE. One of the casserole dishes has bumps on it. I could have changed out and shipped back the defective one but I thought the 3rd time would be a charm. I called yet again and was given a $3 and change credit. The rep divided the number of pieces into the price. I explained in vain that lids are a lot cheaper than a casserole dish and I didn't find this enough. This morning I found another credit issued. I would return the set and ask for my money back but it was purchased with gift cards so that is the only refund I can get. My husband told me to notify family who gives gift cards not to buy them anymore because they would be wasted and go unused. One would think with 2 returned packages that someone at Amazon would have opened the box before shipping and made sure the package was intact and that the merchandise was perfect.

I will not be buying from Amazon again.

Corningware now uses the good name and reputation the company built up over the years to hawk an incredibly inferior product compared to it's former production line. It is worth much less but sells for the same prices the original did. This is a disappointing trend I have observed over time in a wide range of products from yogurt to furniture. Go to the dollar store and save yourself some money if you don't care about quality. Unfortunately, young people looking to furbish their homes for the first time will have no clue what I am talking about and rate this product higher than it deserves. The casserole I bought for $10 exploded the first time I used it. I heard a loud pop and when I checked, a piece of the side had blown out. Go figure, I guess people only care about short range profiteering nowadays.

This set is simply just stoneware with the Corningware name. Back about 10 years ago, Corning was bought by another company and they discontinued making any rangetop cookware. Corningware used to be very versatile - you could use it on the rangetop, broiler, oven, dishwasher, and microwave. It was made out of Pyroceram (a heavy duty glass like material), and was resistant to breakage and chipping. This new line that they have out may look like the old line of bakeware, but it is anything but. It is made of stoneware and cannot be used on the stovetop or broiler. It chips and breaks easily and is a poor substitute for the great line of cookware they used to have.

Sadly, this product is nothing more than a set of average run-of-the-mill ceramic ramikens. The "original" CorningWare from the 60's and 70's could go *directly* from the fridge to the stovetop; If you were to try that with this new stuff it will shatter into a million pieces. (Which, in fact, is also exactly what the manufacturer will tell you.)

If you are looking for serving dishes, these may be all you need. --But, if you are looking for your mother's indestructible go-to casserole's/leftovers/side-dish/serve-n-save/little-blue-flower wonder-bowls; go to eBay. They quit making the "real" stuff some time in the late 80's.

Sad, isn't it?