expired Cast Iron Cookware at Aldi $14.99 - $29.99 from 30th June
This was posted 1 year 11 months 26 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal
My mother purchased some of these last time they were on sale and raves about them. She said they perform as well as the Le Creuset pots she paid over $300 for. Sale Starts Thursday 30th June. Get in early as they often sell out fast. Many people have commented that they go there late on the Wednesday.
Cast Iron Frypan or Griddle Pan $ 14.99
http://www.aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/2827_18292.htm
Suitable for all heat sources
Durable 3 layer enamel coating
Frypan includes white enamel interior
Griddle includes raised grill bars
Available in Red, Blue, Kiwi Green & Midnight
Cast Iron Dutch Oven $ 19.99
http://www.aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/2827_18291.htm
4L Dutch Oven with lid
Suitable for all heat sources
Durable 3 layer enamel coating
Available in Red, Blue, Kiwi Green & Midnight
Cast Iron Roaster $ 19.99
http://www.aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/2827_18290.htm
Suitable for all heat sources
Durable 3 layer enamel coating
Available in Red, Blue, Kiwi Green & Midnight
Size: 32 x 22 x 6cm
Cast Iron French Pan $ 29.99
http://www.aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/2827_18293.htm
3.5L French Pan with lid
Suitable for all heat sources
Durable 3 layer enamel coating
Available in Red, Blue, Kiwi Green & Midnight
+1 voteDescription does say 'suitable for all heat sources' so good chance it will?
I've got an old cast iron roast tray that doesn't (have tested) but I assume compatibility varies from manufacturer-to-manufacturer and model-to-model.
Need to find someone who already owns this particular model and can test with a fridge magnet.
+3 votesgreenpossum on 24/06/2011 - 11:48 ¶You just have to wave the magnet back and forth very fast. :)
+3 votesMy understanding is that all cast iron cookware works on induction cooktops!? Le Creuset stipulates that it does. However, I have a gas cooktop so unfortunately not an expert in the field.
That aside, I can certainly vouch for the Crofton brand at Aldi. I have 6 of the miniature casserole pots that I purchased last year. They stack up just as well as the Le Creuset stoneware ones. I intend to buy a 4L Dutch Oven because my 28cm/6.8L Le Creuset is often that little bit too big…and heavy for that matter…and was stupidly expensive to name yet another con! One could replace the Aldi one every year for the next 15 years for the cost of a Le Creuset of similar size!
+2 votesdarth_static on 24/06/2011 - 11:47 ¶Too bad that they have an enamel coating. I've got a cast iron frypan with no enamel, but I've seasoned it properly, and it's the best non-stick pan I've ever seen.
+2 votes"Cast Iron outshines fancy pans": http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/07/dining/07mini.html
If the handle is plastic, it is only heat resistant in the oven up to a certain temperature. If you want to cook hotter, you might want to consider replacing the handle with a metal one from the hardware.
+1 vote@ jjcf:
I am not asking this to start a flame war, I have both Aldi (Crofton) AND le Creuset cast iron, and I have found the performance to be similar despite the massive price differential. I am wondering if I am missing something…
So, a serious question; What exactly should I be looking for that makes the le Creuset "better"?
- -2 votes
Le Creuset has a 'je ne sait qoui' quality, that makes it just better. The enamel doesn't bubble or stain, or chip, if used properly. The handle will not melt. They have a Lifetime guarantee.
The cheaper brands are all made in China: inferior quality enamel finish, & lead- need I say more?
- +5 votes
Thanks for taking the time to answer "gamgo5", I appreciate it.
As far as I can see, the emamel on both of them is in a similar condition after quite frequent use and hasn't bubbled or stained, or chiped. So I wouldn't say the Aldi has "inferior" quality enamel. The handles on both of them are similar (and except for the lids) are made of cast iron so they not going to melt unless the entire pot melts. And even cheap no-name cookware ofers long guarantees such as "25 years" or "lifetime". You will actually find cast iron is made in quite a few countries in Asia, not ALL of the cheap stuff is made in China! Of course le Creuset also offer Chinese-made items too, so they obviously don't think all Chinese-made products are automatically and inherently "bad".
Whilst I am not sure if Aldi cookware uses lead or not I am aware that newer le Creuset products claim to be lead free (some still use cadmium however). So the main issue may revolve around the use of lead, but I am not convinced this is an issue in itself - lead is used in many "food" items (as is cadmium) and as long as it is combined/treated properly it doesn't normally present a risk. High quality glass/crystal often uses lead for example. Many chemical elements are dangerous on their own but safe if combined with other elements in the correct way (eg; an extreme example would be Chlorine which is a poisonous gas and Sodium which is highly reactive and dangerous - put them together in the right way and you have relatively safe common "salt").
The first and main difference you highlight is that is le Creuset is "just better" - that sounds way too much like the marketing for "Monster Cable" to me - if the main difference is that it just makes you "feel nice" I can accept that and I respect you for having the honesty to say it - it just isn't the kind of difference I was hoping for :(
The lead discussion is interesting, but I want some differences cooking wise that are more scientific and/or performance based to justify the price difference and make me "feel nice".
Thanks again for taking the time to answer. :)
bendertiger on 24/06/2011 - 18:50 ¶People who are 504? I'm wondering if 'ravers' are still as popular as ever…never got into the rave scene
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+2 votesbluesuby09 on 26/06/2011 - 08:59 ¶I got a Le Creuset oval pan a few years ago when Myer were practically giving them away @ $60 providing you liked the colour yellow and happened to be there to snap up one of the 2 on offer. The Aldi ones are just as good despite not having the je ne sait quoi. Cast iron will last a lifetime if looked after-I'm a mother so I just know these things!
BTW- Saw these at a junk store for $39 and Kmart had them last week for $29 so Aldi at $19 is pretty good,- greenpossum on 26/06/2011 - 09:04 ¶
je ne sait quoi
Mm, I hope your French teacher doesn't read this. It's je ne sais quoi
OldGuyFromTheMuppets on 26/06/2011 - 21:12 ¶I'd prefer non-enameled pans. $13 on ebay with about $15 deliver.
That'll do.
- +1 vote
Rarely ever re-stock, usually just put out what they have.
Not sure which store you went to, but my wife got a few last night at Chadstone after Prahran said they would not put them out before closing. Mum went to Prahran this monring and said it was bedlam, so not surprised they sold out quickly.
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Do they work with induction cooktops ?