The 411 on the C-311 - Centura & Pyrocream Tableware Mugs

I don't talk about Centura and Pyroceram Tableware as much as I probably should.  It IS, after all, a form of Pyroceram, just like Corning Ware.  But I usually hang with the Cook n' Serve items that were made of the actual Corning Ware formula, instead of the Centura Pyroceram items that are not safe for microwave use.  I think this has something to do with the Ion Exchange strengthening process that Centura goes through.

Be that as it may, today I would like to ramble along on the subject of the 10/11oz mug model number C-311-some number (depending on the pattern or color).  They were listed as both sizes in marketing materials, depending on whether it was the 60s or the 70s and were manufactured between 1964 and, at least, 1980 maybe slightly longer.

They were available in white, of course,

but also in Avocado Green, Gold, Yellow and Brown.

(The same colors as were used for the Coordinates - Alas, no blue)
 

 Corning Ware patterns jumped over to these mugs as well (Sorry, No Blue Cornflower).

Spice o' Life,

Country Festival,

and Wildflower

Then there is the Centura pattern known as "Game Birds".  It is unclear if all of the birds were available on the mugs or not.  The only one I currently own is the Ruffed Grouse.

There is also the set of 4 flying game birds, that are unrelated to the Centura Dinnerware pattern.  These particular prints seem to have been extremely popular with several companies over the years and the same patterns will crop up on miscellaneous items like Teapots, Tea cups, Plates and bowls all made by different manufacturers out of different materials.

The set consists of the Flying Ring-Necked Pheasants and Flying Mallard Ducks...

as well as the Flying Canada Geese... (which I don't have, but I have a sidekick with the pattern as well as a Hall Teapot)

and Flying Quail (Which I also don't own, but I have a Crown Staffordshire Enligh Bone China Teacup in the same pattern)
 

Not related to the above set, is the bird dog retrieving a mallard mug... I am not sure if there are more bird dog mugs or not.

Completely unrelated to any game birds or dogs is the set of 4 Golfer mugs.

Then there is the mug from the children's Goldilocks & the 3 Bears set. (there is also a standard cup as well as the C-311)

There are also a bunch of miscellaneous promotional prints as well.  Though how many there are, is unknown at this time, but here are just a couple of the designs.

Where is your Corning Ware??
~~

Tea... Apparently, it's For The Birds - Corning Ware Game Birds

Very little is known about this "pattern", if one can actually call it that, since it's really a set of 4 patterns.  It appears to have been very popular.  So popular, in fact, that many companies were using these "game bird" transfer patterns.  Not just similar ones, but the exact SAME ones.  This menagerie of Canada Geese, Mallard Ducks, Partridge and Ring Necked Pheasants can be found on many completely unrelated items from Hall China, Crown Staffordshire Bone Chine and, of course, Corning Ware.  (or I would not be writing this post)

Crown Staffordshire English Bone China teacups flanking a Hall Teapot (New York shape)

Schumann Arzberg Coffee Mug

I suppose it is not at all surprising that Corning Ware would follow this game bird trend as well.  What IS surprising, however, is the time span between these items that show up with these bird prints.

The TK-2 - Cookmates flat ground bottomed version of the P-57 Deluxe Teakettle...  Produced at some point between 1968 and 1973.

Featuring the Canada Geese and Partridge.

and  matching lid.

The P-23-EP and P-80-EP Electromatic Percolators also feature a very similar design of flying mallard ducks without the cattails in the background.

The P-104 Teapot. 

 An classic exercise in over-achievement, since it contains all 4 prints on 1 piece..

Though the 6 cup P-104 teapot was produced from 1960 - 1987, the mark on this teapot is extremely telling.
It's a Block Mark from the early 80s.  Seven years after the last possible production point for the TK-2.

This piece is also adorn with the later brushed steel lid. (also from the 80s)


There is also a Centura 10 oz Coffee mug (production date unknown)

This particular one in my collection features the Mallard Ducks, but all 4 patterns were available (see decorative plates below)

Then there are the Corning Ware Pyroceram Decorative plates...

And last but not least.... the original Sidekick (P-140) which was known as the PL003 in it's previous life of airline service.

(this one was made for United Airlines)

There are several other items, not in my personal collection, that I know exist.......

The B-10-B  Corning Ware Round 10 inch skillet (featured the partridge) Sorry, I do not have a photo of this one

The P-80-EP Electromatic Percolator - Ducks

The E-1210 Electromatic Percolator - Pheasants

Related Patterns

Though not from the above set of 4 game bird prints, but still in the same venue, there is the ever elusive P-32 Hibachi setup.. Yep, there was a Corning Ware Hibachi, featuring Mallard ducks.... (this piece is a P-2 1/2-B size with grill, ash screen and grill with a modified wood handled cradle - there was also a wooden tray, originally)

and the D-33 Chaffing Dish (P-2 1/2-B with an all White P-17 and a fancy metal legged alcohol burning stand that is very similar to the black plastic legged candle warmer stands)

as well as the 1st generation Electromatic Percolator (P-23-EP) which appears to be the reverse of the hibachi pattern.  Apparently on print is migrating North and the other is migrating South. 

Then there was this set that I found on Flickr.  Featuring the P-2 1/2-B, from the Hibachi set up, a P-16 skillet with running pheasants and swimming ducks on a P-19 broiling/serving platter.

There is also a strange P-2 1/2-B with a different set of flying ducks.  I believe these are Green Winged Teals, as opposed to the more commonly used Mallards...

This is by no means all of these mysterious game bird piece that are out there, cause lord knows there are bound to be more popping out of the woodwork in the future.  This is merely an attempt to record the ones that have been found so far.

Where is your Corning Ware??
~~

Mid-Centura Modern - My Centura Covered Casserole Collection

From the creative mind of Jerry Wright, the original Centura saucepan collection SCREAMS mid-Century Modern design.

Available in 1 quart, 1 1/2 quart and 2 quart, these saucepans/casseroles were designed to accompany the Centura dinnerware line (originally only available in coupe style, with no rim) and released in the fall of 1962 along with the dinnerware. They have their own special handle (601-H)....  Which is a slightly modified version of what was already being used on the traditional "square" Corningware.

The saucepans themselves are made of the "CorningWare" pyroceram formulation, however, the lids are made of some form of ceramic material that is neither Centura nor Corningware.  Sadly, this line was discontinued in 1967 to make way for "Buffet Server" styled Centura serveware (B-series).

Where is your Centura by Corning??
~~

Electro-Magic Custard - Corning Ware Electromatic Skillet Custard

I have been wanting to give this recipe a try for awhile now, but it kept getting moved to the back burner for one reason or another.   Located inside the Corning Ware Electromatics "Use and Care Manual" are several recipes.

One of which just happens to be a custard recipe cooked IN the Electromatic Skillet.  I thought it sounded like something interesting to try.  Traditionally, I have always baked my custard in 4 oz French White Ramekins utilizing a French White Roaster as a water bath and a piece of aluminum foil to keep the tops from "crusting" too much.  The Electromatic recipe, while almost a dead ringer for the one I make in the oven, utilizes the heat of the skillet and a very small amount of water to kind of "Steam" the custard.  I found the premise rather fascinating and in need of execution.

The consensus?  It worked rather well and it was quicker than baking, which usually takes about 25-30 minutes.  Granted, I used Centura Custard cups, because they are 6 oz and the perfect depth to fit in the skillet.  They are not only thinner than standard ceramic ramekins, but the walls are also thinner than the Pyroceram French White ramekins I normally use for baked Custard.

My 4 oz French White ramekins are too shallow and wide to get 6 of them into the skillet.  The other nice thing about the Centura Custard cups (some are marked as Pyroceram Tableware) is that they fit perfectly on the Centura saucers, just like a tea/coffee cup would.  This makes serving a little more elegant.

Electromatic Skillet Custard

2 cups Whole Milk
2 large Eggs
1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
1/4 tsp Salt
1/8 tsp Freshly Grated Nutmeg
3/4 cup Water (the recipe calls for 1/2 cup, but it's not quite enough)

Corningware Electromatic Skillet Hot Plate Base and SK-10 Skillet of your choice, with P-12-C lid
CorningWare P-55/P-64 Sauce Maker (1 quart)
4 Centura (Pyroceram) 6 oz Custard Cups (these were made of the Suprema "Pyroceram" formula as well)
optional - Pyrex Opal 443 Bowl

Pour the Milk into the P-55/P-64 Saucemaker and place over medium-low flame, heating until a film begins to develop on top.

Place the SK-10 on the Electomatic Hot Plate Base and begin preheating the skillet to 250F degrees.

In a medium bowl (a Pyrex Opal 443 works nice for this) combine 3 Eggs with the Sugar & Salt.

Whisk well to combine.

When the milk is hot, begin slowly pouring it into the Egg/Sugar Mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.

Strain the custard through a fine mesh strainer and back into the P-55/P-64 Saucemaker (this will make pouring in the custard cups easier and remove any accidentally cooked bits of egg)

Divide the custard between the four 6oz Custard Cups.

Sprinkle with freshly grated Nutmeg.

Place them in the preheated Electromatic Skillet.

Pour in the water.

Cover and Cook for 13-15 minutes, or until a knife inserted halfway between the center and the rim comes out clean (you want the very center to still be a little jiggly)

Remove the Custard Cups from the Skillet and allow to cool for 20 minutes before refrigerating.

Serve with Coffee...  Though some fresh berries are always nice too...

Aaaaaaaaah... I love Custard!

Where is your Corning Ware??
~~