# Why is my Circulon pan warping?

>  Quick Answer   Warping is almost always caused by rapid temperature changes  placing a hot pan in cold water or a cold pan on a very hot burner Always allo

Source: https://support.circulon.com/en_us/why-is-my-circulon-pan-warping-HJ71mUn1fl

Last updated: 2026-05-22T16:46:15.257Z

**⚡ Quick Answer**  Warping is almost always caused by rapid temperature changes — placing a hot pan in cold water, or a cold pan on a very hot burner. Always allow pans to cool gradually before washing, and heat them up gradually from cold.

Warping occurs when metal expands or contracts unevenly due to a sudden temperature change. Even high-quality aluminum and stainless steel can warp under thermal shock. The most common scenarios:

*   Plunging a hot pan directly into cold water or running cold water over a hot pan
    
*   Placing a cold pan directly on a high-heat burner without gradual warm-up
    
*   Using a burner significantly larger than the pan base, which heats the edges faster than the center
    

A warped pan will rock on a flat cooktop surface and not make full contact with the heating element, leading to uneven cooking. On induction cooktops, a warped pan may not be detected by the induction sensor at all.

Prevention is straightforward: always let pans cool on the stovetop or a trivet before washing. Heat pans gradually starting from low or medium heat. Use a burner that matches the pan size.

**💡 Pro Tips**

*   Never cool a hot pan under running water — always let it cool naturally first
    
*   Minor warping from one incident may be unavoidable; consistent thermal shock over time causes permanent warping
    
*   If your pan warped under normal use conditions within the warranty period, contact Circulon to file a warranty claim
    

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