Kitchen, home and fashion glossary
The terms we use on our product pages, explained in one sentence. Hover over the underlined words of any product to see them instantly.
18/10 steel
MaterialsStainless steel with 18% chromium and 10% nickel: the brightest and toughest grade for cutlery and cookware.
Read moreBamboo
MaterialsA very fast-growing plant, harder than many woods. It does not scratch non-stick pans or blunt your knives.
Read moreBlown glass
MaterialsGlass shaped by blowing through a pipe: every piece is slightly different and thinner than pressed glass.
Read moreCarbon steel
MaterialsChromium-free steel that heats up very fast and spreads heat evenly. Season it with oil and it becomes naturally non-stick with use.
Read moreDiffuser base
KitchenMulti-layer base (usually with aluminium inside) that spreads heat evenly so the centre does not burn.
Read moreFlannel
FashionCotton or wool fabric brushed on one or both sides: soft to the touch and very warm.
Read moreForged blade
KitchenBlade hammered hot from a single block of steel: heavier, better balanced and sharper than a stamped blade.
Read moreGlazed ceramic
MaterialsCeramic covered with a vitreous layer that makes it waterproof and gives it colour and shine. Hand-glazed pieces show small unique variations.
Read moreGrill
KitchenTop heating element that browns and gratinates. In a combination microwave it works alone or together with the microwaves.
Read moreInduction
KitchenHob that heats the pan itself through a magnetic field. It only works with ferromagnetic bases: if a magnet sticks to the bottom, it works.
Read moreNon-stick
KitchenCoating that keeps food from sticking, so you cook with very little oil and clean up in seconds.
Read morePFOA
MaterialsPerfluorooctanoic acid: a compound once used to make non-stick coatings and now banned in the EU. “PFOA-free” means the coating does not contain it.
Read moreSilicone
MaterialsFlexible material that withstands −40 to 230 °C. It does not scratch, keeps no smells and cleans in the dishwasher.
Read moreStainless steel
MaterialsChromium steel that does not rust or flavour food. Dishwasher safe and built to last for decades.
Read moreSterling silver
FashionAlloy with 92.5% silver (925 hallmark). The rest, usually copper, gives it the hardness pure silver lacks.
Read moreStoneware
MaterialsCeramic fired above 1,200 °C: it does not absorb liquids, resists knocks and is microwave and dishwasher safe.
Read moreStrapless
FashionNeckline with no straps or sleeves that leaves the shoulders bare; the bodice is held by inner seams and boning.
Read moreThermostat
KitchenControl that keeps the chosen temperature by switching the heating element on and off by itself.
Read moreVegetable-tanned
FashionLeather tanned with tannins from bark and plants instead of chromium: it takes weeks, smells like real leather and gains colour and character with use.
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