For its remarkable economic benefits, social and environmental benefits, the recycling of carbon-containing refractories have drawn more attention of researchers. The research development on recycling of carbon-contenting refractories, the techniques of hydration and purification were introduced. The problems of quality and cost, the lack of products with high additional values, the lack of scale and systemic in recycling researches were pointed out, which exist in the process of recycling. The development direction of high-efficiency and comprehensive utilization of spent carbon-contenting refractories was introduced.