Break returned cooking vessels (4)
I believe the answer is:
snap
'break' is the definition.
(I know that snap is a type of break)
'returned cooking vessels' is the wordplay.
'returned' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'cooking vessels' becomes 'pans'.
'pans' in reverse letter order is 'SNAP'.
(Other definitions for snap that I've seen before include "Unpremeditated - bite" , "Break; liveliness" , "Break sharply like dried twig" , "Break - children's card game" , "Be irritable at the card game" .)