If you’ve ever wandered through a kitchenware store and found yourself drooling over the iconic, rainbow-hued Le Creuset pots, only to nearly faint at the $570 price tag, you’re not alone.
For many of us, the dream of owning a piece of this French-Belgian cookware legend has remained just that: a dream. But ALDI, the supermarket chain that’s made a name for itself with wallet-friendly ‘Special Buys’, is about to make that dream more attainable.
ALDI’s new winter cooking collection, debuting on 7 June, is expected to excite home cooks. The star of the show? A $39.99 cast iron bread oven that’s being hailed as a near-perfect ‘dupe’ of Le Creuset’s luxury version, at less than a tenth of the price.
Let’s break down what you’re getting for your hard-earned $40. Like its high-end counterpart, ALDI’s bread oven features a dome-shaped lid that traps and circulates steam, giving your homemade loaves that coveted golden, crispy crust.
The cast iron base, complete with sturdy handles, allows you to move it seamlessly from stovetop to oven to table—and look like a pro while you’re at it.
But what about quality? While Le Creuset is famous for its heirloom-worthy, enamelled cast iron (crafted from some of the world’s finest materials), ALDI’s version isn’t just a pretty face.
It boasts a three-layer enamel coating and is ‘built to last for long-term use’. It’s also compatible with all stovetops—gas, electric, glass ceramic, and induction—and comes in three stylish colours: blue, green, and white.
And it’s not just the bread oven that’s turning heads. ALDI’s cast iron range includes a $26.99 Dutch oven, a $39.99 oval pot, a $34.99 French pan, a $19.99 frypan, a $26.99 roasting dish, and a $19.99 grillpan.
With prices like these, you could kit out your entire kitchen for less than the cost of a single Le Creuset pot.
But does ALDI’s cast iron stack up? According to loyal shoppers, the answer is a resounding yes.
‘My ALDI cast iron pan and pot are amazing, still going strong for a reasonable price,’ one happy customer shared.
Another added, ‘Had my ALDI one for five years, used regularly. No problems at all. Always hand wash—don’t have a dishwasher. No complaints and still looks new.’
And for those who’ve been on the ALDI cast iron train for a while, the love runs deep: ‘I’ve had an ALDI Dutch oven for over 15 years—it’s a beauty.’
Of course, some swear by their Le Creuset, for good reason. ‘I have had my Le Creuset Dutch oven for over 25 years and it’s as good as the day I bought it,’ one fan wrote.
Another added, ‘I’ve had 40 years of daily use from my Le Creuset pans. The ALDI ones don’t compare, but at their price, they can be replaced after a few years if necessary.’
For some, Le Creuset is more than just cookware—it’s a family heirloom in the making.
Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your cast iron, whether it’s ALDI or Le Creuset:
- Always hand wash (dishwashers can be harsh on enamel)
- Avoid sudden temperature changes (do not plunge a hot pot into cold water)
- Use wooden or silicone utensils to protect the coating
Are you tempted to snap up ALDI’s new cast iron range? Or are you a die-hard Le Creuset devotee? Share your thoughts, tips, and favourite recipes in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!
Also read: Kmart’s $59 dupe of a cult styling tool excites shoppers—’ it’s pretty good’
