Pyrex dishes stuck

[Sally]

I have two pyrex type baking dishes that were nested and then got stuck together. I put them in the refrigerator to make them cool and maybe come apart - that didn't work. Warm soapy water didn't work. Anyone have any other suggestions???? or shall I just put them in the garbage. Thanks for any help.

[sappy]

Can you pour any water into the bottom bowl? If that or soaking in warm water doesn't work I would toss them. They aren't that pricey to replace and they shatter once damaged.

[Rolf]

Heat the bottom one and cool the top one.
Or try running very hot water over just the outer one. Just don't heat them both together.

[campasano]

Did you try putting them into your dishwasher with detergent and HOT water cycle?
What have you got to lose.

Mike

[wood-n-things]

I'd try what Rolf said. Wear safety glasses, just in case one decides to give way. Very remote chance but still you only get one pair of eyes.

[Wood Dog]

Try Pam spray, or something equivilent......WD40 if you have nothing in the cooking family. Give it a few seconds for capillary action to occur.
Safety glasses like others said.

[wood-n-things]

Dear Mary: I inadvertently placed a glass mixing bowl in another bowl of a similar size that was still damp. Now I can't get them apart. Do you have any ideas how to get these two bowls apart? -- Sarma R., e-mail

Dear Sarma: Gather the kids around because you have the perfect opportunity to show them how to use science in everyday life -- specifically the way that heat causes things to expand and cold makes them contract.

First, fill the inner bowl with cold water. Now fill your kitchen sink (or a larger bowl that is big enough to accommodate the glass bowls) with hot water. Float the stuck bowls in the hot water, and press down so that as much of the outer bowl is submerged as possible without getting any hot water between the bowls. This should release the seal between the bowls.

Make sure the two temperatures are not too extreme, or the bowls could break -- unless you are dealing with Pyrex or similar types of bowls that have been tempered and will not break under extreme temperature changes.



If the above does not work..
Have you considered writing or calling Pyrex? They may have a good solution.

[jim_mex]

Hi Sally - These sort of problems happen all the time in my line of work. Usually it takes a bit of confidence to separate the two but by grasping firmly the top bowl a sharp downward rap with a wooden block on the edge of the lower bowl where the two seem to be sticking usually works. To make things easier try the WD 40 treatment suggested by Gloria (WD) first before the sharp rap

If you feel faint hearted at going this route I'd recommend you give Mike's suggestion a try. The problem with Pyrex though is that it has an extremely low expansion with heat - practically zero - so the hot/cold treatment doesn't always work.

Gloves and glasses recommended whatever you try!

[KarlB]

If the handles are on top of each other maybe try using two wooden (oak) wedges on each side. Interlock the two wedges (the skinny sides into each other) and gently tap on the thicker edges evenly on both sides.

Regardless of what you try, wear safety glasses and perhaps place a towel over the dish in case of breakage.

Karl

[stephenD]

Shoot, just use it as a double boiler. If it thinks you want it that way it will separate.

[Forester21]

Did any of the suggestions work?
T

[daveW]

had a similar problem a few years back (my wife did..)......ended up placing them "ON EDGE" only 1/2 the way into a batch of hot water took only seconds to free themselves up......What was on the surface to cause the sticking in the first place........?......most "well used pyrex generally have enough scratches on the surface to act as a capilary action for water to seep between them.........would NOT suggest oil of any type as it COULD creat a suction that could creat more of a problem

[Sally]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I do not know how to type a bit then place a picture then type some more and another picture. So the pictures will be all at the end.
Jim - there is no way I could bring myself to whack those dishes. Very faint of heart - big time.
First I put ice cubes in the top dish and boiling water in the bottom dish - twice. Then broke my wooden spoon trying to pry them apart.
2. I do not have a dishwasher - I live in the dark ages.
3. Then I sprayed the whole outside of the top dish with WD40 - let that settle then broke a wooden mixer trying to pry them apart.
The whole time wearing gloves, safety glasses and spreading a towel between the bowls and myself.
So I gave it a good try and now they go into the recycle bin. Thank you all very much.
Now for the surprise I gleaned from Jim's post. WD is a woman - Gloria. I was sure WD was a man. So Gloria I hope that wasn't a secret but it's fun knowing the secret if it was a secret. Totally fun!! Sweeeeeet!!

[wood-n-things]

2 dissimilar shapes too. Who would have thunk it. When you toss them into the recycle bin they will of course pop apart. Glad no injuries came out of it.

[jim_mex]

When you toss them into the recycle bin they will of course pop apart.

Lol Mike! - That's funny - but I totally agree with you pal!

Strangely enough yesterday I had a similar problem with a load of porcelain salad bowls that had just come out of the glost kiln on the factory. The person responsible for discharging then had tried to gain some time by stacking half a dozen of them inside each other without placing an interleaving piece of paper and as I was went over to inspect them a diminutive slip of a lady spotted me, came over to the stack, pulled out a small wooden block from her work smock and gave the stack a really sharp rap. They all fell apart instantly. With a big smile she just glanced up at me and walked away. I guess its easy when you know how!!! - LOL!