How to Straighten Bent Frying Pans

Bent frying pans can ruin foods.

Bent frying pans can be a problem. They don’t cook foods properly and can result in food that is burnt in areas, uncooked in others, and at the very least are not appealing to look at. Straightening the pan, as long as it isn’t cast iron, can be a simple matter that takes a few minutes of time but is ultimately worth the effort. It is less expensive to straighten a frying pan than to buy a new one.

Things You'll Need

• Hammer

Instructions

1. Set the pan on the ground or another hard surface so that it is flat against the ground. Make sure the bent area is upward and the area that should remain flat is against the ground.

2. Use a foot or arm to press against the frying pan. Add gradual weight until the pan starts to bend and straighten. Make sure the weight is consistent and evenly distributed so that the pan straightens and doesn’t end up with too many bumps.

3. Use a hammer and tap the frying pan to work out any bumps or areas that are less smooth. The pan should still be against the ground so that it becomes straight and even. The hammer should fix the remaining bumps so that the frying pan is as straight as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• This method will not work with heavy materials like cast iron. Cast iron does not bend easily and will therefore not bend easily back into place. If a cast iron pan is bent, it will need to be replaced.