Eva Trio:
From kitchen revolution to design icon

Before putting pen to sketchpad, Palsby would carry out a painstaking needs analysis to identify the most suitable materials for various cooking techniques. The conclusion was clear: no single material could cater for every dish. Because no one would dream of boiling an egg in a cast iron pot or cooking potatoes in a copper pan.

Traditionally, only one single, specific metal was used in manufacturing a whole cookware line, but Palsby challenged that convention. He introduced the concept of cookware made of multiple metals, but which conformed to consistent design principles for a unified kitchenware aesthetic.

He based the line on three core materials – copper, aluminium and cast iron – each with their respective properties; hence the name “Trio”.

Not that the entire line was offered in either one or other material; instead, the various materials were carefully chosen for each piece of cookware, depending on their particular advantages and drawbacks.

The cast iron was used for frying pans because of its excellent heat retention, making it ideal for prolonged frying which requires a constant temperature. Copper was chosen for saucepans, a frying pan and sauté pan owing to its excellent heat conduction. Copper reacts instantly to changes in temperature, thus providing full control for the cook. Finally, aluminium was used for the foundation pieces in the Trio line: the pots and pans. This lightweight material conducts heat evenly and rapidly, and is easy to clean, making it ideal for everyday use.

Palsby also realised his vision for cookware with handles that remained cool enough to handle, even during intensive stovetop use. But equally, the handles should be sufficiently heat-safe for both oven and barbecue use. This requirement led him to choose stainless steel, for handles and lids too, as this metal is oven-safe, extremely durable and has low thermal conductivity.

Palsby’s appreciation of the role of the material in cookware became a crucial factor in bringing professional kitchen functionality to ordinary households. His innovative approach basically blazed a trail for how we prepare food in home kitchens.

Palsby understood that the design of kitchenware should cater to the cooking and not the other way around. No ornate decorations or needless embellishments to steal the attention. Everything was to be carefully balanced with functionality in focus.

His approach led to sleek designs characterised by clean, honest lines and no-frills minimalism.

The Eva Trio line’s various elements, which originally comprised 18 pots and pans in either one or the other metal, gained their distinctive hallmarks from a number of consistent, streamlined, and distinctive common features: the cylindrical shapes of the bodies, the flat lids and riveted handles – which combined to give the cookware a sturdiness and timelessness.

To realise the concept of “stay-cool” handles, the rounded pot handles and elongated tubed handles were ingeniously riveted to the metal body so as to minimise the surface area in contact with the cook’s hands. This smart design ensured that hardly any heat was transferred from the pot or pan to the single or dual handles. Equally, the handles were stable to hold and also easy to hang up.

To introduce an extra dimension of usability, Palsby developed a flat plate-style lid, where the handle was not perched on top, but projected out over the side. That way, the lids were stackable for compact kitchen drawer storage. The flat design also made it possible to rest items on top of the lids like another pot to be kept hot, or a plate to be preheated. And with long shafts, the cook could lift the lid to peek at the cooking contents without risking scalds from rising steam.

These practical innovations were only half the story. Because the Trio range was so aesthetically appealing that it paved the way for cookware as serveware. The beautiful exterior made it acceptable to serve meals straight from the pot or pan brought to the table, which would have been unthinkable before.

Unique combinability 

The final and crucial element that cemented the Trio line’s renown in Danish design history was Palsby’s vision of a holistic concept.

The original cookware was designed as a range of coordinated pieces that were combinable and stackable across types and materials. All the elements interacted harmoniously both functionally and aesthetically.

Palsby introduced pots and pans in three standardised diameters. This simple but ingenious concept made the individual items in the line stackable, minimising the storage space required in kitchen cabinets. Although it may seem obvious now, the stackability of the Eva Trio range broke new ground for cookware at that time.

The concept of standardised diameters enabled countless combinations of pots, lids and frying pans. This gave consumers the freedom to personalise their cookware to their cooking habits and preferences, while achieving a unified look in their kitchen.

As the crowning glory, the entire line was coordinated by the lids. Eva Trio is probably the only cookware in the world that is sold without accompanying lids. But there was a wise rationale for this unconventional feature: with standardised diameters, the four different pot lids in the cookware line can be used across the entire product range. And a lid from 1977 fits perfectly on a brand new pot from 2023. This continuity gives consumers the freedom to choose lids to cater for their individual needs and preferences, but also reduces the number of lids needed.

Despite the innovative design, Eva Trio was not an instant bestseller. The interest ran highest among chefs and women’s institutes – but that was set to change. A deciding factor for Eva Trio’s success was the compelling review written by George Kringelbach, culinary editor of the national newspaper Politiken.

Under the plain headline “Great Kitchenware”, Kringelbach wrote:

“Given how much junk and how many ridiculous items are offered for sale as “professional kitchenware”, it almost brings tears to the eyes to finally behold the real deal; a new line of kitchenware based on superlative quality – and superlative logic”.

To round off his glowing review, Kringelbach promised:

“All my pots and pans will be scrapped as soon as I can get hold of their superior equivalents in the “Trio” line. It’s as simple as that”.

Today, Eva Trio is a comprehensive concept covering all aspects of preparing, plating and serving food and refreshments. Ole Palsby’s holistic approach lives on in kitchen tools, kitchenware and dishware with the same combinability across lines and materials: the pot lid fits on the pasta bowl, and the colander fits on the plate, so you need fewer pieces to be able to do more.

Or as Palsby himself put it:

“The concept evolved slowly, branching out like a well-rooted tree. This now has an inner strength because of its unique combinabiity, which makes it inimitable in whole or in part. It’s all one holistic summation”.

Eva Trio is part of the Danish company Eva Solo A/S, which has supplied innovation and exclusive design within home accessories and kitchenware since 1913.