Which Came First, The Trefoil or the Variant? - The Trefoil Collection (Pre & Post P-series)

I have posted about the Trefoil pattern before, but I think it's time to break the entire collection out. Not just the standard 1 3/4 quart & 2 1/2 quart Saucepans, Electromatic Skillet and the 3 percolators in the pattern that we are all most familiar with....

I mean the whole kit and kaboodle. 

Meaning the "Standard" Trefoil and all it's variants. (for there are 2)

Made available in 1960 to catch a "higher class" consumer, Trefoil hit the market smack dab in the middle of the Pre P-series era (1958-1961).  Thus, older pieces have the blurry blue ink print found on 2nd generation Corning Ware, which means they were paired with Fin handle lids,

while others are stamped with the standard P-series model # of the 3rd generation, meaning they deserve knob handle lids. (1 3/4 quart is the only "P-series" cookware piece I currently have)

The P-139 and P-136 Stove Top percolators (1963-1965) seem to have only been available in the "standard" pattern, but the Electromatic Percolator (P-13-EP) predates the Stove top models by 3 years. (being available in 1960 along with the Electromatic Skillet)  It is possible that it is available in the variant pattern.

Speaking of Electromatic Skillets, the Trefoil Electromatic Skillet predates the Cornflower model by 1 year.  Trefoil patterned Electromatics were available in 1960 while the Cornflower patterned version was not made available until 1961.  It seems that ALL three variants were available at some point in Electromatic Skillet form.  Since the Electromatic Immersible Warming Tray was not on the market until 1964, it is possible that a Trefoil pattern was never produced since the pattern was discontinued shortly after in 1965.

The "Scroll" variant (right), was only available on the Electromatic Skillet.  (Note: that though the booklet has the "Standard" pattern and the box states "Trefoil" the skillet that came out of it, is a "Scroll" pattern one)

The variant on the left, however, appears to have been around from the very beginning because of this piece...

The 10 inch Skillet with the Pyroceram lid.  (which isn't available in the "standard" pattern)

It has the "Blurry Blue Ink" dating it to 1960-1961, along with the odd sized 1 1/2 quart and a 1 quart size that have been found in this same variant.

That being said, it appears that the only cookware available in the "standard" pattern, was the 1 3/4 quart, 2 1/2 quart, 11 inch Electromatic Skillet and, of course, percolators.

Where is your Corning Ware??
~~

Mysteries Of Corning Ware - Corning Holiday Design P-93-B

I have discovered another Corning Ware mystery.   I don't make it a habit of collecting the "Holiday Season" designs, except when the year is significant such as the year I was born (1969) or the year I graduated from High School (1987) or some such other year of significance in my life.  But when I saw what the model # was, and what the shape was, I had to have it.  For I have never seen this particular piece before, nor have I read any information about this piece in either of the "codecies" (AKA: books) used by we Corning Ware collectors. 

Behold... The 2 1/2 quart round (and handled) saucepan

 Otherwise known as the mysterious P-93-B.

Due to the nature of the design, I can confidently state that it was produced in 1965.  (Just call me Capt. Obvious?)  but other than that, I can tell nothing. 

I have searched the internet and found absolutely nothing.  I am not even sure that it originally came with this lid.  Then again, since the Buffet Servers were released in the previous year...  if Corning was "testing" a new shape, chances are they simply used a lid that was already in production.  (Corning was very good at not "reinventing" the wheel)

I have no idea if this was produced outside of the "Holiday" pattern or not.  So there may or may not be a Wheat or Cornflower piece as well.  Black Trefoil was discontinued in 1965 so I doubt there would be a piece in that particular pattern. (then again, stranger things have happened)

Your guess is as good as mine.  I have looked for P-94, P-92, P-91, P-90 (in case there were other sizes) but all to no avail.  

If anyone has any information regarding this particular model and whether it was produced in any other pattern or if it is simply a special piece for the holidays, I would appreciate it.

Where is your Corning Ware??
~~

In The Beginning - Corning Ware 1st Generation BPE (Before P# Era - 1958-1959)

So I have been photographing various chunks of my Corning Ware collection over the last couple of months.  This was for a 2 fold reason.   Firstly, I really didn't have anyplace that I could spread it all out and photograph everything all at once and second, well... there is only so much room for a photo on a blog post and I would have to stand back so far to get it all in that you probably would not be able to see much of anything except a bunch of little blue cornflower shaped dots.

Be that as it may, I decided that I was going about this the wrong way.  I should have been organizing my collection by Era and/or generations.  You see, there are several "Generations" of Corning Ware and those generations can be grouped together into Eras.  To make matters even more confusing, some of the patterns within generations can be broken down into "Editions"... Such as the Floral Bouquet pattern.  This is further complicated by the fact that there are separate "series" runs that occur for a short time within a generation that are retired, but then resurface again later...   So lets just start at the beginning...

In the first Era (AKA: Fin Lid Era), which encompasses 1958 - 1961, there were actually 2 generations of Corning Ware.... an embossed bottom generation and a blurry blue ink generation...   but today I am going to concentrate on Generation 1 (numero uno) from 1958 thru 1959.

In the beginning of the beginning there were no P, B, W, N, A, C, S, DC, F, G, U or L model numbers..   You see, Corning was unsure how well their cookware would be received by the American housewife, so they made a limited number of pieces for the initial release in the fall of 1958 to test the waters.....  These would be the 1 quart, 1 1/2 quart and 1 3/4 quart saucepan with fin lids (similar to the Pyrex FlameWare design) along with the 10 inch skillet topped with the infamous pyroceram lid adorn with more cornflowers.  With only 4 pieces, it was pretty easy to keep track of what was what, so no model numbers were really needed at this point. That does not mean that there WEREN'T model numbers.   They existed, but were only found on product order forms, not the dishes themselves.

Corning Ware was such a hot seller that, by Christmas, retailers were screaming for more.  So, in spring of 1959 Corning unveiled 2 additional skillets (9 inch and 7 inch with fin lids), a larger 2 1/2 quart Saucepan and the famed 8 cup & 6 cup pyroceram lipped percolators (which would later be referred to as P-108 and P-106).

All these pieces, percolators aside, have an embossed stamp on the bottom stating either "Corning Ware" with a volume measurement or, in the case of the skillets, width in inches. (7 inch skillet-top, 1 3/4 quart saucepan-bottom)

or simply "Corning Pyroceram" with no other identifying marks.  (bottom of 2 1/2 quart)

There ARE alpha-numeric characters embossed on the pieces as well, as is evident above with the A-19, D 16 and B-34, but these are by no means model numbers... they are glass mold numbers used for quality control purposes.  The model numbers we all know and love would not be applied to pieces until the second Era of Corning Ware in 1962 (3rd Generation) with the the P & W series followed shortly in 1964 by the B-series (and the C-series for Centura coordinated casseroles)

As mentioned before, they existed for ordering purposes, but were not present on dishes or lids.  While the dishes are the same as later, marked pieces, the official fin lid numbers are a little different.   There are only 2 lid sizes and the Pyroceram lid for the 10 inch skillet. 

The 7 inch fin lid is a P-11-C and fits the 1 quart, 1 1/2 quart and 1 3/4 quart saucepans as well as the 7 inch skillet.  The 9 inch fin lid is a P-2 1/2-C  and fits the 2 1/2 quart saucepan and 9 inch skillet.  The pyroceram lid is known as a P-10-C.  The later glass replacement lid was originally released as a P-10-C-1, but after the pyroceram lid was discontinued all together, the model number of the glass lid was changed to P-10-C.


So there you have it....   The 1st Generation of the 1st Era of Corning Ware.

Where is your Corning Ware??
~~

3 from Pre-"P" - My Black Trefoil Collection

I suppose that it is only fitting that a pattern like Black Trefoil (3) actually came in 3 variations.   Trefoil is sort of a strange pattern though, as it was released in the "Pre" P-series era.  You see, originally (1958-spring 1961), Corningware didn't have model numbers.  During 1958-59 the information was embossed on the bottom center of the dish, but in 1960 Corning began using blue ink to print the dish size in quarts (or inches in the case of skillets) along with "Corning Ware Pyroceram" and "Made in the U.S.A".

Black Trefoil was originally released in 1960...  It's intention was to appeal to the "upper class" that might look down upon the humble little Blue Cornflower.   P-series model numbers weren't introduced until the Fall of 1961, along with the knob handled lids.  Thus, every piece of Black Trefoil produced before Fall 1961 had a Fin lid (like mine), and all pieces produced after (with P-series model number printed in black) had knob handles lids.

Now I am not sure which pattern variant came first or if they all came out at the same time, but the most well known is this one (shown on the 2 1/2 quart below)

which is known to exist in 1 3/4 quart (P-1 3/4-B) and 2 1/2 quart (P-2 1/2-B) Saucepans as well as the Electromatic Skillet (P-12-ES with an P-22-ES dish -- AKA: the SK-10) and several Percolators in both Stove Top (P-136 & P-139) and Electromatic (P-13-EP) versions.  (Please note that the 1st Generation Electromatic Percolators had different model numbers depending on the printed pattern.  The 10 cup Electromatic Percolator in Cornflower is P-23-EP while the Trefoil was P-13-EP.....   Also note that though the Back Trefoil Range Top models are identical in form to the P-116 and P-119, they were assigned different model numbers none the less.)

I have succeeded in getting my hands on the "Scroll" variant, but I have only seen this one on the Electromatic Skillet (SK-10) and not on ANY other sized piece.

Next to my "Standard" Trefoil 1 3/4 quart (cause it's printed in blue on the bottom) is my most recently acquired Black Trefoil variant...

Up until this piece, I had only seen the SK-10 skillet with this design... But even more surprising is the size of the piece.....

Yes, it really is a "1 1/2 quart" and not the more standard and well known 1 3/4 quart seen in the Main Pattern...   Thus, this one takes a Fin lid as well, like all the others.  Since this is the only piece I have seen, I cannot say as to whether the design carried over into the model number era beyond being applied to the Electromatic Skillet. 

I do not believe there is a Fin lid for the Electromatic Skillet as they were released in the fall of 1961, in the post Fin Handle Lid era... 

Where is your Corning Ware??
~~

Steamy! - The Arcoflam "Nouveau" Steamer Insert

This site is technically about Corning Ware and it's use and care, however, every once in awhile something comes along outside of the sphere of the Corning world that begs to be made known.  Thus is the case with my post on Princess House Nouveau pieces by ARC (Arcoflam).  Tough in truth, they may or may not actually be Corning Ware under a different name.  This still remains unclear.  But the piece that I recently found is most definitely clear and though made by ARC and not Corning, Inc. it has the advantage of functioning with some Corning Ware pieces.  Thus I introduce to you.....

The Acroflam (Nouveau) glass Steamer Insert.

I already have the Microwave Plus steamer (M-225) with the accompanying plastic steamer basket, but in all honesty, I use that as a display piece.  It's not just because I don't cook food in the Nuke-U-Lator...  cause the whole thing is stove top safe as well.  I would never cook my food in plastic.  It sort of defeats the purpose of using Corning Ware in the first place.

Originally designed, I believe, to fit the 2 3/4 saucepan or the 8 inch skillet (neither of which are in my possession, as of yet)  from the Princess House Nouveau line of cookware.  The best part, honestly, is that this steamer assures that your food never touches metal or plastic.  It's made of Boro-Silicate glass, just like the original Pyrex formula.  (World Kitchen now makes tempered Soda lime glass under the Pyrex name)

The lid for these is marked with "France" and "20cm", that is all.  The knob on the lid is plastic, which is kind of a bummer, but it assures that there is something cool to grab a hold of when the steaming is done.

The current models, cause they still make them for the "Pyroflam" sold on the European market, have a arched glass handle....

I like this design a little better, but truthfully... If it's a choice between $4.99 as the Good Will or $55 + shipping off eBay... I'll deal with a plastic handle.

Now you may be asking yourself, "What good is this steamer if you don't have Princess House Nouveau pieces?"   Well let me tell ya....  I have a couple pieces of Nouveau, and I would like to get a couple more, BUT, I have discovered that this steamer fits on several pieces of vintage Corning Ware.  I was more than just a little excited about that.  Let's begin with the French... after all, this piece was made in France, so I think it's only fitting.

It will work on the F-8-B, which is the French White 8 inch Quiche baker.  Sadly, the 8-inch size was released well after the Bisque and Bleu era and wasn't included in the Classic Black line up, so it's only available in the basic French White.

It will also fit on the F-1-B, being the French White 2 1/2 quart Souffle baker.  This piece IS available in Bisque as well as Bleu, however, this size was not included in the Classic Black.

So if you are looking for an excuse to utilize your French White on the stove top, this steamer gives you an excellent opportunity to try it's chops.

The final piece, that I have found to work with the steamer, is the N-2 1/2-B or 2 1/2 quart "Rangetopper".  (these are the pieces with the Aluminum applied to the bottom or embedded within the bottom)

I am not sure if it works with the 2 1/2 quart saucepan from the S-series "Range top" line. (these are shaped exactly like Visions cookware and do not have aluminum bottoms)  I do not own any of these pieces because they were released well after the Wheat pattern was discontinued and I have yet to see one in Cornflower.  I am pretty sure I never will, simply because they were released in the late 80s and I believe Cornflower and Spice of Life had been discontinued.  They are, however, available in Peony, Shadow Iris, Peach Floral & Country Cornflower... at least, those are the ones I have seen.

And there you have it, a lovely cross-pollination of Arcoflam and Corning Ware, working together to create a delicious meal.

I love this stuff.... 

Where is your Corning Ware/Arcoflam??
~~

Update:  4/29/2014 - I dug through a box in the garage and resurrected that Microwave Plus Steamer..   The Princess House Arcoflam Steamer fits perfectly in the M-225.... Almost like they were made for each other. 

I am quite pleased... Needless to say, the M-225 isn't going back into the box in the garage...  though the other parts will remain there in. 

Cream Soup in Corningware - Gingered Carrot & Chestnut Soup

When it is cold and rainy, I can think of nothing more tasty than a good soup. "Soup" an entire universe of possibilities.  Which, honestly, is what makes soup so great.  There is something out there for everybody.  From Lentil soup to Vichyssoise, Chicken Noodle to Hot and Sour, Beef & Barley to Tomato, Cock-a-leekie to Tom Kha.   Soup runs the gamut of flavor and texture.

This soup is of the rich and creamy variety.  Chestnuts and Carrots seasoned with just the right amount of Ginger to bring about the warming glowing feeling.  I LOVE ginger and carrots together.  The addition of Chestnuts lends body to the soup while the Creme Fraiche or Sour Cream not only enriches the soup, but provides a nice counterpoint to the sweetness of the carrot, bringing everything back into balance.

A bowl of enlightenment on a cloudy day.

Gingered Carrot & Chestnut Soup

2 TB unsalted Butter
1 lb Carrots, peeled and chopped
1 medium Onion, chopped
2 TB freshly grated Ginger root
Salt to Taste
White Pepper to Taste
4 cups Chicken Stock
1 cup Chestnuts, roasted & peeled
1/3 cup Creme Fraiche or 1/4 cup light Sour Cream
Carrot Shavings & Flat Leaf Parsley to Garnish

Corningware 2 1/2 quart Saucepan (P-2 1/2-B with P-9-C lid)

Melt Butter in a 2 1/2 quart Saucepan (P-2 1/2-B) set over medium flame.

Once melted, add the Carrot, Onion and Ginger.

Saute until everything  begins to soften.

Add Chicken Stock....

and roasted Chestnuts.

Bring to a boil, then reduce the flame to low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

Remove the pot from the flame and allow to cool for 10 minutes.

Working in batches, ladle the hot soup into the blender.

Cover with the lid, making sure you have removed the center piece.

Cover with a towel, and blend until smooth.

Repeat with the remaining soup until everything is well blended and smooth.

Wash the 2 1/2 quart Saucepan (P-2 1/2-B), then add the pureed soup back to the pot.

Place over low flame and reheat for at least 10 minutes.

Stir in 1/3 cup Creme Fraiche, or 1/4 cup Light Sour Cream (your choice).

Serve with carrot shavings and a little Flat Leaf Parsley.

Where is your Corningware??
~~