Update: I've just adjusted the rating from one to three stars. I have to "pile warped and misshapen towels" now one more time, dried and then ironed on maximum heat and steam. After ironing the towels were of course perfectly smooth and then have done a good job in the kitchen.
Another washing and drying cycle later the towels were then in a state where you could use them even without ironing. Beautiful they were, of course, with ironing.
My conclusion: I'm assuming that (possibly for more money) are better towels on the market. Completely useless they are not here, however.