Cracking the Cradle Code - Corning Ware Cradles

It was recently brought to my attention that I have not really discussed Corning Ware cradles.  To date, I have only touched on adding rubber feet to the bottoms of the Platinum cradles and run through the chrome cradles used for French White pieces, but that is about it.  So, I am going to attempt to clear up any potential confusion in translating the model numbers on the bottoms of some of the cradles.  Because the original Wire Cradles from the 1st & 2nd generation are not marked with model numbers, I will be skipping those and stating with the Platinum Cradles and the later A series cradles.

Platinum Cradles

Platinum cradle model numbers are located on the underside of the cross pieces.  "Corning Ware" is embossed on one side while the model number is embossed on the other.  

Sizes are as follows:

P-11-M-1

P-1-B, P-1 1/2-B & P-1 3/4-B Saucepans 

P-2 1/2-M-1 &

P-11-2 1/2-M-1

P-2 1/2-B Saucepan 

P-7-M-1

P-7-B Skillet 

P-9-M-1

P-9-B Skillet 

P-10-M-1

P-10-B Skillet 

P-16-M-1

P-16-B Chicken Fryer

P-119-W 

P-119 & P-116 Stove top Percolators

Candle Warmer cradles were usually sold as sets with their corresponding dish ( Party Buffet and Royal Buffet) however, they were available separately a well.  These cradles made their debut with the Trefoil pattern in 1960 and remained in production through 1971, at least, since they were used with the 1971 gift line (Nature's Bounty)

P-1 3/4-W

P-1 3/4-B to create Party Buffet P-20

P-2 1/2-W

P-2 1/2-B to create Royal Buffet P-40

P-8

8 hour candles for use in Candle Warmer Cradles

There is a single woodgrain on plastic cradle used specifically for the 1st Edition Floral Bouquet Gift Line.  This cradle/trivet was available for the 1 1/2 quart and 1 3/4 quart (though the 1 3/4 quart was also available with the Candle Warmer cradle above)

P-11-T

P-1 1/2-B & P-1 3/4-B Saucepans

With the advent of the A-series, Corning released a new cradle style called the "New Dimensions".  Made of a thick black plastic resembling Bakelite...  These cradles were reversible thus one cradle could hold 2 or 3 different sized pieces.  

The cradle sizes are as follows:

A-1-M

A-1-B & A-1 1/2-B Saucepans

A-2-M

A-2-B & A-3-B Saucepans & A-8-B Skillet

A-10-M

A-10-B Skillet, A-5-B Dutch Oven & A-84-B Sauce Pot

Corning also released some wood cradles in the mid-late 70s labeled as "Wooden Accessory". 

These are clearly marked with their intended saucepan/skillet usage.

Sizes available were as follows:

A-1-T

A-1-B, A-1 1/2-B Saucepans

A-2-T

A-2-B & A-3-B Saucepans & A-8-B Skillet

 

A-10-T

A-10-B Skillet, A-5-B Dutch Oven & A-84-B Sauce Pot

 

A-100-T

P-81-B, P-82-B, P-83-B & P-89-B Menuette/Duette Pans
All Beverage Servers

There is another set of cradles that, though unmarked like the wire ones, should be mentioned, simply because they are often ignored.  The Buffet Server cradles.  

S-1 

(front left)

B-1 & B-1 3/4 Saucepans

S-2 

(back left)

 B-2 1/2 Saucepan & B-8 Skillet

S-3 

(back right)

 B-4 Sauce pot & B-10 Skillet

CW-1 

(front right)

 for use with S-1 & S-2

Where is your Corning Ware??

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Corningware Goes Platinum - Platinum Cradles/Trivets

If you have been following Corningware411 for a while, you have probably seen them.  They occasionally show up in pictures here and there, or sneak into the background.  Sometimes they even get passing references in the comments.  They are not "Corningware" per se, nor are they Suprema, Centura or Vitrelle.  They are the unsung heroes of the Corningware world.  A table service necessity that not only protects your table, and the bottom of your Corningware, but has a retro appeal at the same time.

I am speaking of the Platinum Cradles (AKA Trivets).

Personally, though I have several other iterations of these "cradle/trivets", such as the wire ones which come in gold or chrome with either white plastic or Teak handles, I find myself always reaching for my Platinum ones.  There is something just clean and simple about the design;  there is an elegance to it, yet it has that retro mid-century flair that I absolutely love.

My only issue with these cradles is that they have a tendency to scratch wooden table tops if they slide.  They really didn't polish the bottoms of the feet all that well.  Then again, when these were released, more people probably had those awesome Crushed Ice Formica tables tops with the wicked cool Chrome trim.  It probably wasn't so much an issue back the.  Alas, I have a wooden table and I would much prefer not to scratch the heck out of it.  (I already did it once, thank goodness for Old English)

Luckily, thanks to a suggestion from my mother, I have found a solution to the issue.  That is, aside from just not sliding them across the table.  (Cause you KNOW, that someone at some point is gonna slide one eventually and nick up the table again)

Thus, my solution....  Screw protectors.  Yep, go down to the local hardware store (or hardware section of the nearest big box) and purchase screw protectors.

You may need more than 1 size though.  I found that some cradles (P-11-M and P-10-M-1) needed to have the 1/4 inch size. (which only came in white at my hardware store)

While the other ones (P-2 1/2-M-1 and P-7-M-1) needed the smaller #10 protectors. (which only came in black, I think I would have preferred white)

It doesn't seem to have any relation to the size of the cradle, as to which size of protectors you will need either.  The P-11-M is smaller than the P-2 1/2-M-1, but the P-11-M has thicker feet on it. 

Now, not only is my Corningware safely cradled for table service, my table is also safe from hot pots AND scratches.

All is right with the world again.

Where is your Corningware??
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