CuliStack received the iF Design Award in 2026 for the stackable cookware system. An international distinction awarded annually to products with exceptional functional design. Here you can read what the award means, how the selection process works, and why CuliStack was honored.
What is the iF Design Award?
The iF Design Award is one of the three largest international design awards, alongside the Red Dot Award and the Good Design Award. The award has existed since 1953 and is organized by the iF International Forum Design in Hannover, Germany.
In 2026, nearly 11,000 entries from 70 countries were evaluated by an independent jury of 130 designers, professors, and industrial design experts. The jury considers functionality, ergonomics, material choice, design, and sustainability.
Brands awarded in previous years include Apple, Philips, Bosch, Bang & Olufsen, and BMW.
Why CuliStack was honored
The jury evaluated the complete CuliStack system: the stackable pans, the detachable ClickGrip handle, the glass and domed lids, and the modular structure that allows all components to work together.
The recognition specifically addressed solving a well-known kitchen problem: pans that are not designed to be stored compactly. CuliStack tackles this with a fundamental design principle where each part logically works with the next.
The story behind the design
The CuliStack system originated in 2022 in an attic room with a simple question: why don’t pans nest inside each other? Hundreds of sketches, prototypes, and cooking sessions later, a complete cooking system was created.
Four years later, more than 100,000 sets have been sold in the Netherlands and Germany, and the design has been internationally recognized.
The awarded system
The iF Award goes to the entire CuliStack range, not a single product. Components included in the award:
- Pan sets in four sizes (One, Essential, Pro, Ultimate)
- Individual pans: frying pan, wok pan, sauté pan, sauce pan, Dutch Oven
- ClickGrip handle that clicks onto any pan with one motion
- Glass and domed lids that fit multiple pan sizes
- Induction protector and NoTouch kitchen utensils
View the full range or the complete pan sets.
What this means for customers
A design award is not a guarantee that a product is perfect. However, it is an independent confirmation that the design is thoughtful and functional. For those buying cookware, this is a reliable indicator alongside price, materials, and warranty.
CuliStack continues to offer a 60-day trial cooking period plus 2 years warranty on all pans, handles, and accessories.
Future
The iF Award is not an endpoint. We continue to develop the system based on feedback from thousands of customers and expand the range. The goal remains the same: cookware that fits in every kitchen, for every cooking style.
Learn more about CuliStack and the founders on the about us page.
