Crossword Genius

Nuts damage cookware (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

crackpots

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'nuts' is the definition.
(I know this)

'damage cookware' is the wordplay.
'damage' becomes 'crack' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'cookware' becomes 'pots' (I've seen this in another clue).
'crack'+'pots'='CRACKPOTS'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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