How to Store Your Cookware Properly: 3 Common Mistakes to Avoid

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You can be a careful cook and still store your cookware the wrong way. Some seemingly harmless habits can quietly damage pots and pans, shorten their lifespan, and even make them unsafe to use. Organization experts have shared three common — and surprisingly harmful — storage mistakes.

Mistake 1: Storing cookware in the oven

Many people keep pans and pots inside the oven to save space, but experts warn this habit can backfire. Each time the oven heats up, it exposes cookware to high temperatures that can destroy nonstick coatings, warp the base, and damage handles. Even occasional oven use with cookware inside gradually wears it down.

Mistake 2: Using the drawer under the oven

That lower drawer might look like the perfect spot for extra pots, but in most oven models, it’s meant to keep food warm. The heat that radiates from below can still affect stored cookware, causing tiny cracks, deformation, and the release of harmful fumes from nonstick surfaces.

Mistake 3: Stacking pans and pots

Stacking one pan on top of another is a space-saver, but it’s also a sure way to scratch and wear out coatings. Nonstick and ceramic cookware are especially vulnerable. If stacking is unavoidable, experts recommend placing soft liners — like fabric pads or silicone sheets — between each piece to protect the surface.

How to store cookware properly

  • Vertically, on racks or stands.
  • On hooks or wall-mounted rails.
  • In cabinets, stacked with soft dividers.
  • In dedicated organizers designed for lids and pans.

By following these simple storage tips, you can extend the life of your cookware and keep nonstick coatings in top condition. A little organization goes a long way toward saving money and keeping your kitchen essentials looking like new.