Visions of Flowers - Visions by Corning in Floral Patterns?

Normally, I do not cover Visions by Corning from the 80's & 90's.   I don't collect it, and I definitely am not a fan of cooking in it.  Visions, though a glass ceramic like Corning Ware, is actually a different formula known as Calexium.  While I will admit that it is kind of neat to watch your food cooking through the Amber and Cranberry hues of this cookware, Calexium tends to be stickier on the stove than Corning Ware, even if you keep the heat on the low side.  It is because of this that so many of the pans began showing up in the 90's with a teflon coating.  Which is another reason that I don't collect or use Visions... I refuse to have anything to do with teflon coatings.

That being said, a couple of interesting things have surfaced recently that I thought I should bring to people's attention.   After all, even though I do not collect Visions myself, that does not mean that others do not, and it IS a Corning glass ceramic product.  On top of that, I have covered Princess House Nouveau by Arcoflam, Pyrosil Ware and Pyroflam from Europe as well as Anchor Hocking's short lived glass ceramic cookware and, to a much lesser extent, Narumi's Neoceram, so it's ONLY fair to touch on Visions cookware as well.

Most people know that the amber colored Visions hit the market in the 1980s, but the story actually begins 2 decades earlier...... 

It was in the 1960s...   Corning Ware was already being produced and was a highly successful product.  The white cookware with the Blue Cornflower was gracing stove tops all over the country.  Corning Ware is made of what was dubbed as "Pyroceram", by Corning Glass Works.  It is opaque white because of the Titanium Dioxide that is used as a nucleation point for the crystal growth that changes it from an amorphous glass into a crystalline ceramic product.   Even though Corning Ware was a resounding success, it didn't stop Corning Glass Works from researching into new and even more inventive glass ceramic products.

Thus a new form of glass ceramics was developed.... It was translucent, even after it had been through the crystallization process.  Corning decided not to produce cookware from this new "Calexium" formulain the U.S., because they did not want to cut into the sales of their current "Corning Ware" product.  Thus, "Visions" would have to wait.

In the late 70s, when Corning Ware sales began to slump, Corning was already producing this "Calexium" cookware in France, so they decided to do a market test for this new translucent amber material.   Thus, in 1981, pieces were imported into the U.S. and market tested by Imoco in Irving, TX (the same people that would later market Corning Ware's Autumn Meadow pattern in 1984-85) and LeClair in Clinton, NJ.

By 1983, it was decided to actually bring "Visions" to the general marketplace.   Thus began the commercials showing a metal metal pan melting in a Visions pot set over high flame.   Tough stuff that. (I wonder if they had a problem with the metal sticking to the bottom of the pan?) 

ANYWAY.....   Visions was an instant success... EVERYONE had to have it.  Even the Martinsburg, WV plant was retooled to keep up with the demand.  But the issues with sticking began to surface after a few years.   By 1989, Visions would have it's bottom surface coated with Teflon.

1989 also brought about the Visions "Sculptured" line.  It appears that these pieces, which included a large roaster shaped like the F-14 in French White, did not sport any Teflon coatings.

1992 saw the release of a new color... Cranberry.    This stimulated sales slightly, but Visions was ultimately doomed in the U.S.  (Though it is still being made in France and available at the Outlet stores)

Even the Versa-Pots in 1994 that were released to promote healthy cooking, didn't stimulate the sales that Corning Consumer Products Division was hoping for...  

What has stimulated this post, however, are some interesting pieces that have recently shown up on eBay. 

Evidently, there were "patterns" on some of the Visions pieces and sold under the "Deco" line.... It is unclear, at this point, just how many patterns were produced in the Visions "Deco" cookware, but to date, they only appear on Amber Visions, not Cranberry.   This leads me to believe that they all predate 1992.

Calla Lily (1988 - From Box)

Unknown Floral Pattern on V-2.5

Where is your Visions??
~~

"Visions" of Risotto - Baby Greens and Chevre Risotto

SO, I found this interesting White Corningware pot at the Goodwill awhile back.  It is marked as a "Visions H 12" (with no hyphen) even though it is white.  It had no lid, so I had no idea whether this was a goof at the Martinsville plant (who produced Visions in the U.S.) or if it was made this way on purpose.

I decided to drag it home anyway and started poking around on the Internet to see what I could find out about it.  Evidently, this is the Visions Chicken Fryer.  I still cannot explain why it is white, for there are Amber and Cranberry Chicken Fryers too.  In fact, the lids for the Amber and Cranberry Chicken Fryers (V-12-C) will fit this white model as well.  It's all very strange and weird, but I don't judge. Besides, I know there is a clear V-12 lid out there, somewhere.

The only conclusion I can draw, at this point, is that Visions made a white model of their Chicken Fryer to accompany the Rangetop line from the 80s. (as opposed to the Rangetoppers line from the late 70s)  The Rangetop line is better known as the S-series round saucepans that have "built in" pyroceram handles attached to their sides and no aluminum on their bottoms.   

After my research I began wondering what I was going to use it for, since I don't fry chicken.  I already have perfectly serviceable pieces of Corningware and didn't really NEED another one, unless it could serve a special purpose beyond what my Cornflower or Wheat pieces were capable of.  I was just about to sell it on eBay or something when it hit me......  with the higher sides (significantly higher than those of the P-series "skillets") this would be perfect as a saute pan.   I have always wondered.... for all the lines that Corningware produced, they really only produced Skillets and Sauce Pans (OK, and Bakeware) which have different dimensions than Saute, Chef or Windsor style pans.

And thus it was, armed with my new Corningware "Saute" pan, I embarked upon one of my favorite dishes....   Risotto.

Historically I have made my Risotto in my 10 inch Pyroceram Skillet (with Pyroceram Lid), but I have discovered that this mysterious white "Visions" Chicken fryer is the best possible pot for making Risotto.  (I am sure that a Visions Amber or Cranberry would work just as well)  It's dimensions are perfect for providing just the right amount of surface area for the liquid evaporate at the perfect rate.  As an added bonus, the waffle bottom ensures there will be absolutely no stickage AND it provides a secondary surface for gently abrading the rice grains to release to perfect amount of amylopectin into the stock, thus creating a perfectly creamy sauce to envelope the perfectly al dente rice grains.

Did I mention that this pot is "Perfect"?  LOVE IT!!!!

There is something about making Risotto in Corningware that I must caution you on.  Corningware holds onto heat like cast iron.  Because of this, and especially with Risotto, you will need to remove the dish from the stove just before the rice would be considered "al dente", in other words, you want it to be a little under-done.  It will continue to cook for a good 3-5 minutes while it is in the "resting" phase and be perfect afterwards.  Remember.... Squishy Risotto defeats the whole purpose.

I have gotten hooked on the "Power Greens" mixes that have been available in the stores lately, but this is just as delicious with ALL Baby Spinach or ALL Arugula... (though you may want to give those a rough chop first)  I just think the mixture of Spinach, Chard and Kale, makes it a little more interesting.

Baby Greens and Chevre Risotto

2 TB Olive Oil
1 Shallot, minced
1 cup Arborio Rice
1/2 cup Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or other White Wine
3 - 3 1/2 cups Chicken Stock
5 oz Power Greens (Baby Kale, Baby Chard, Baby Spinach, etc)
4 oz Chevre or Montrachet, crumbled

Corningware "Visions" V-12 Chicken Fryer or Corningware 10 inch Skillet (P-10)
Corningware 6 cup Teapot (P-104)

Begin by pouring the Chicken Stock into your 6 cup Teapot (P-104) and setting it over Medium-Low flame. (It needs to come to a simmer)

So while you are waiting, go ahead and crumble up the Chevre and set it aside. (It's easier to crumble when it's cold)

Place Olive Oil in the V-12 Chicken Fryer and set it over Medium flame.

Once the Oil is hot, toss in the Shallots, sauteing until softened.

Add the Rice and saute until it begins to smell nutty.  (about 5 minutes)

Add the Wine and stir until it has evaporated down slightly and a sauce begins to form.

Pour in a little bit of Chicken Stock, and continue stirring.

Continue in this way until you have used about 1/2 of the Chicken Stock.

Add the Greens to the pot and stir until they have wilted down and mixed in with the rice.

You probably won't need to add any stock for a few minutes, as the greens wilt down, they will release liquid into the risotto.

Continue adding stock and stirring until the rice is only a little bit toothy. (yes, you will have to check it with a spoon - cooking times always vary from 16-20 minutes as does the amount of stock needed)

Remove the V-12 Chicken Fryer from the stove and add the crumbled Chevre.

Cover with a Dish towel and allow the Risotto to rest for 3-5 minutes.

Stir everything together to achieve creamy deliciousness.

Serve......

Delicious!!

Where is your Corningware??
~~

The A-B-Cs of Vintage Corning Ware - Corning Ware Model Numbers

Do you know your A B Cs?  

A - is for post 1972 Corning Ware, when they straightened the sides and widened the handles (the lids have larger knobs too) Later, the stamp would be embossed under the handle.

B - is for Buffet Servers which sometimes have Centura Lids on them... Merry Mushroom pattern was also marked with a B- as were some of the Spice o' Life pieces (These are round with detachable handles)

C - is for the Centura casserole/saucepan line, both round and square shapes, in plain white and patterns like Summerhill, Lynnwood, April Tulip, Evening Song, Shangri-La and Laurel.  

However, these items were discontinued in 1977.  As a result ..........

C - was re-used for the Classic Elegance line in the mid 80's.  The design is similar to French White, but without the vertical ribbing. These are printed with designs like Mille Fleur (below left), Jardin, Deco (below right) and Sticks.

CW- is for the French White II line (mid 90s) which is designed similar to French White, but with flared sides. The pieces themselves are unmarked, however their lids give away their series designation.

DC - is for the Designer Casseroles from the late 70's which look similar to the French White line, minus the vertical ribbing.  The 4 known designs are April, Blue Heather, Indian Summer and Meadow. 

DO - is for the Cookmates flat ground bottom Dutch Oven made prior to 1972, when the KA prefix was added.  Thus these have P series lugs.  Usually found in white, these were sold with the "Counter that Cooks".

F - is for the French White line that appeared in 1978 and includes French White, French Bleu, Classic Black and French Bisque. 

G -  is for the original series letter given to the "Everyday Gourmet" line "French White".  This letter designation was changed to the "F" series for French White shortly after the release. 

H - is for Bake & Broil platters from the Casual Elegance Line (L-series), I think.  I have only seen one (the H-15, below) and I bought the piece for my mother cause it was the "Vineyard" design.  (She likes grape stuff)

I - is for the Australian exclusive casserole dishes. Of which there were two sizes; a 1 1/2 and a 2 1/2 quart marked as I-1 & I-2 respectively.  They seem to have only been available in Cornflower, Spice O' Life and Wildflower.

JCP - is for the JC Penney exclusive khaki colored candlewicking design from around 1970.  Only known pieces at this time are 1 quart (JCP-1B) and 2 1/2 cup Petite pan (JCP-43B). No further information is available at this time.
 

K - is for Cookmates.... See KA, below.

KA- is for Cookmates made for the "Counter that Cooks" made after 1972.  These pieces have flat ground bottoms like the SKs for the Electromatic Skillet and the SP, DO, SMs for "Counter that Cooks".  These are usually in all white and have A series lugs.  Pieces are sometimes marked with a K only, as in the case of the Teapot & Kettle.  The K or KA is usually followed by a second 2 letter abbreviation...  TP for the Teapot, TK for the Tea Kettle, SK for Skillet, SP for Saucepan or DO for Dutch Oven

L - is for the flared rimmed Casual Elegance Line from the mid 90s with the embossed decorations on the flared rims. (ie. White Flora, Calypso & Vineyard)  These also have strange looking handles on their lids.

M - is for Microwave cookware.  Such as the M-68 dual spout sauce pot. (Which I believe may have been the replacement for the original "Saucemaker" as well)  It is unclear how many different pieces exist with only an M designation, as they were further broken down into MCs, MRs, and MWs depending on the intended function.

MC - is for Microwave Casserole dishes and includes grill pans (that are not microwave browners) as well as the Fast Food containers.

MR - is for specialty Microwave Racks...  I know of only the MR-1, MR-2 & MR-3.

MW - is for Microwave Browners.  These are specially designed pieces with tin oxide applied to the bottom.  These pieces are preheated in the microwave so the tin oxide can heat up and brown your food while you finish nuking it.  While pieces, like griddles and platters had their own designations (MW-1, MW-2), some pieces, like skillets, were prefixed with MW.  For instance, an A-10 "10 inch skillet", that had the Tin Oxide added to the bottom to convert it into a  browner became...  MW-A-10.

N - is for Rangetopper Saucepans & Skillets (from mid-70's to early 80s) with the Aluminum fused bottom (sometimes encased in pyroceram too)

P - is for the Original Corningware that ran from the 1962 through 1971; though some pieces stayed P- models all the way through 1999 like the Menuettes, Petites & Grab-its.

PP - is for the Cookmates Petite Pans with the flat ground bottoms.  Dates of manufacture unknown as the petite pans did not change after 1972, but much later in the 90s when the tops of the lugs were flattened.

S - is for the round saucepans (shaped like Visions) that are also known as Corning "Rangetop" (not Rangetoppers) from the mid to late 80's with pyroceram handles (instead of the detachable one) This change was made after Visions hit the market and the Visions style built in handle met with public approval. All of these are marked in liters instead of quarts. Though the name of the line is similar the S series does not have an aluminum clad bottom.  Known pieces are S-81, S-1.5, S-2.5 saucepans and the S-10 skillet.

SK - is for the Original Electromatic Skillets pans and Cookmates with P series lugs and a flat ground bottom.  (SK-10) with no K or KA Cookmate designation.  Made prior to 1972 when the KA prefix was added

SM - is for Cookmates Saucemakers with flat ground bottoms.  These were made prior to 1972 when the KA prefix was added to the Cookmate line.  I do not know if they were manufactured after 1972.

SP - is for Cookmates Saucepans with flat ground bottoms made prior to 1972 when the KA prefix was added, thus they have small P series lugs. 

TP - is for Cookmates Teapot.  Though usually prefixed with a K.

TK - is for Cookmates Tea Kettle with the flat ground bottom.

U - if for the mystery that just recently surfaced on the Corningware Facebook group... No idea, but they are out there.  I saw a U-5 on eBay.  The U appears to stand for "Unclad" rangetopper (meaning they contain no aluminum.  Pieces range from the U-1-B, U-1 1/2-B, U-2 1/2-B and U-5-B.  All of which look exactly like the N-series rangetoppers, minus the aluminum cladding on the bottom.  To date, neither the 8 or 10 inch skillets have appeared in the U-series.  The U-1 1/2-B was used as an employee Christmas piece in 1983.

V - is for Visions cookware in both Amber and Cranberry, though I know of at least 1 piece of White Visions; the "Chicken Fryer" with the waffle bottom. (V-12)

W - is for the infamous Wheat pattern on the P series Corningware pieces.  Intended as the original design for Corningware, since market research test pieces had been well received, haste to bring the product to marked forced the Cornflower design to be used instead.  It appears to have been revisited later; being manufactured between 1962 and 1970.  Thought to be an exclusive of the Bon Marche in Seattle, WA.  It may have been sold by other "discounter" stores such as Fred Meyer (also in the Pacific NW).

XYZ - are for the ones that you eXamine and ask yourself whY you cannot find a mark on them.  They are more than likely Generation Zed.  French White II falls into this category, as there are no actual model numbers on the modified French White design released in the late 90's just as Corning Consumer Products was sold to Borden, Inc. which later reorganized into World Kitchen, LLC (and more recently into "Corelle Brands") began peddling stoneware facsimiles of the original French White. Some of the smaller original style French White ramekins fall into this category as well..... The 4oz and 7oz sizes are an excellent example.

Now you know your Corning Ware A B Cs, next time won't you sing with me......

Where is your Corning Ware??
~~