The Fissler brand offers cookware in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials. Each collection responds to the specific needs and expectations of its users. Which parts of the cookware should you pay attention to when making your selection? Here are some suggestions!
When selecting a cookware, attention should be paid to all four elements that determine the properties of the cookware: the pot body, the base, the lid and the handles. Each of these elements should have certain characteristics which determine the quality of the pots use, their durability and quality.
Pot body
A good pot should be made of a durable, high quality material. Stainless steel performs perfectly in this role. Among the many types of steel, 18/10 stainless steel (alloy containing 18% chromium, 10% nickel and 72% steel) is the most popular and best performing as a pot body builder. 18/10 stainless steel is easy to clean, has bacteriostatic properties, is dishwasher-safe and is almost completely rust-resistant (except in highly saline or acidic environments).
An additional feature to look out for when purchasing cookware is the shape of the body. Gently tapered bodies, such as those of the Fissler Solea Collection, allow you to save space by stacking the cookware in contrast to the classic cylindrical shape.
Another feature that characterises good pots is the careful combination of the base of the pot with its bowl. Inside the pot, the bowl should be rounded where the walls meet the bottom - this makes it easier to pick the food being prepared out of the pot and to clean it later. Such a rounded shape makes it more difficult to join the bottom to the bowl accurately. The base of good cookware is attached to the pot with a lot of force, which makes it adhere to the bowl without leaving any empty spaces. This results in excellent heat distribution and prevents corrosion. Fissler pots are manufactured using a technology that ensures that the base and the bowl are carefully connected.
Pot base
High-quality pot bases are made of stainless steel, while the type of base depends on whether the pot is intended for induction cookers. Also of significance is the aluminium core sealed in the steel shell. Aluminium acts as an effective heat conductor. However, making a base out of pure aluminium, uncoated and exposed to the elements would result in its rapid oxidation and leaching in the dishwasher (the start of such a process is indicated by the appearance of white blemishes, i.e. traces of alumina).
Thick bases with an aluminium core ensure optimum heat absorption, distribution and retention. When heated, the base should touch the hob with its entire surface (this is particularly important for electric and induction cooktops), which is why Fissler bases are designed to take their ideal shape only after they have been heated - before they are heated, they are slightly concave.
Perfect adherence of the base is a guarantee of time and energy savings. Before buying a pot for use on an induction hob, you should also check whether the base is suitable for induction hobs. Each type of Fissler saucepan base is described in such a way as to give you a clear answer as to whether it will work with your induction cooker. If there is any doubt, you can test the properties of the base with a magnet. Ferromagnetic metals are attracted to magnets - such are suitable for use with induction cookers.
Lid and handles
The tightly closing lid keeps the heat and moisture inside the pot, preventing loss of flavour and energy. Glass lids allow you to see the contents of the pot without having to lift them, which contributes to saving heat - i.e. cooking more economically. Some lids are additionally concave or have a small hollow in the middle. This is to condense the steam and direct it (in the form of water) back onto the cooking food. Cooking under these conditions makes the prepared food juicier and retains more flavour. Lids with concave profiles can be found in the Pro Collection and Solea collections , among others.
The handles are mainly made from two types of material - stainless steel and plastic. It is important that the handles are securely attached to the pot body, fit snugly in the hand and do not become excessively hot during cooking. Stainless steel handles also allow the cookware to be used for baking in the oven and make the cookware dishwasher safe. Plastic handles are not suitable for use in the oven, as they can only withstand temperatures up to 80°C. Dishes with plastic handles can be washed in the dishwasher, but the plastic parts will fade over time. For this reason, dishes with plastic handles should only be washed in the dishwasher occasionally.
Practical solutions
In addition to the most important, basic features mentioned above, pots can be equipped with additional features which make cooking easier. The pot series offered by Fissler are equipped with a number of such features.
One convenience feature is the integrated lid holders which allow lids to be hung on the rim of the pot or hooked onto the handle. This solution keeps the hand, which would be occupied holding the lid in place with an ordinary lid, free. This makes both seasoning and stirring food easier.
In addition, the system is designed in such a way that any condensation which forms on the lid flows back into the pot, which helps to preserve flavour and prevents it from dirtying the worktop and stovetop. The integrated lid-holding system is featured in the Fissler Intensa series, among others.
The draining function in some Fissler pots allows the water to be drained off while the pot is still covered with the lid. This makes it possible to use the cooker without additional accessories, such as a colander. The wide, curved rim is another design feature. This prevents drips from dripping onto the worktop or the cooker when pouring liquids or pouring sauce. In addition, inside some Fissler pots you will also find a measuring cup for convenient measuring of liquids.
Key features of the Fissler cookware collections
Below we summarise the distinguishing features of the individual Fissler steel pot collections. We hope that this will be a useful guide when making the right choice.
Pots with a thick CookStar base for excellent heat distribution, energy savings and the ability to cook on any type of cooker, including induction cookers:
Solea
- easy to drain with the practical lid
- insulated steel handles that do not get hot during cooking
- can be used in the oven
- lid can be hung on the rim
- scale on the inside of the pot
- drip rim
- tapered shape for storing one pot inside another.
Original Pro Collection
- design and construction inspired by professional cookware
- heavy lid with drip hole for healthy cooking
- insulated steel handles that don't get hot while cooking
- ovenproof
- scale inside the pot
- wide range of highly specialised cookware.
Luno
- black-coloured non-stick coating Protectal Plus
- contoured lids that allow condensation to return to the pot, moistening the food
- insulated steel handles that do not get hot during cooking
- suitable for use in the oven
- capacity scale inside the pot.
Pots with SuperThermic bottoms for good heat distribution, fast heating and the ability to cook on any type of cooker, including induction:
- classic look
- glass lids
- insulated steel side handles that do not get hot when cooking
- suitable for use in the oven
- drip-proof rim.
Family Line
- classic look
- non-insulated steel handles
- suitable for use in the oven
- drip-proof edge.
Paris
- classic look
- glass lids
- large, comfortable steel handles that do not get hot during cooking
- wide rim for drip-free pouring of liquids
- flat, tightly closing glass lid to prevent the heat from escaping and to maintain aroma.
