Can a £20 casserole dish from Aldi really match Le Creuset's iconic £300 luxury pot? We reveal the results in our head to head review | Retrui News | Retrui
Can a £20 casserole dish from Aldi really match Le Creuset's iconic £300 luxury pot? We reveal the results in our head to head review
SOURCE:Daily Mail
I've got my hands on both brands and have reviewed them side by side. This is how Aldi's much talked about Crofton dish compares with a Le Creuset classic.
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There are certain brands that carry strong kitchen credibility and Le Creuset is undoubtedly one of them. Spot a casserole dish in a friend’s home and you can assume they take their cooking seriously.
I'm a huge fan of Le Creuset cookware, from frying pans to side dishes, it's sleek and elegant designs are highly sought after and one of the most popular gifts at foodie weddings.
But when Aldi released its Crofton cast iron casserole dish at a fraction of the price, I did wonder if reputation alone is what we are really paying for.
Unlike Le Creuset dishes, which can be bought all year round, Aldi’s cast iron casseroles aren’t currently in store. However, they do tend to pop up semi-regularly throughout the year - though you have to be quick to get your hands on one.
I’ve been lucky enough to get my hands on both, so I cooked with them, side by side. Similar design, similar recipes, very different price points. Here is how Aldi’s much talked about Crofton dish compares with a Le Creuset classic.
Design
Le Creuset’s cookware is unmistakably elegant without trying too hard, with gently curved sides, sturdy handles and a finish that has been well considered. It is the kind of pot you would happily place as a centrepiece.
Both dishes have similar style and sized handles
Aldi’s Crofton dish follows a similar design and feel. The shape is strikingly similar and the enamel finish gives it that classic look. While some details aren’t quite as refined as Le Creuset, it still very much looks the part and far from its £20 price point when sitting on the hob.
Le Creuset's lid
Aldi's Crofton lid
Verdict: It’s a tie here, it’s hard to tell them apart just from looking at them and both offer that classic country home quality.
Size and colour choice
I’ve been testing the 22cm versions of both dishes. This size isn’t the largest on offer from either brand but it’s a practical and versatile size for smaller households or larger size dishes. It’s a size that earns its place in the cupboard for regular use rather than being reserved for special occasions.
Aside from the 22cm version, Le Creuset offers a wide variety of size options from 20cm to 28cm. It also has a vast range of colours, from modern neutrals to its iconic bold statement reds and blues.
Aldi’s Crofton range tends to be more limited, with sizes and colours changing depending on the season and availability. Most recently, it re-released its round casserole dish in the popular volcanic orange colour in 22cm and 26cm sizes
Verdict: Le Creuset wins here, its consistent colour and size choice can’t be beat.
Build quality
Pick up the Le Creuset dish and you’re reminded of why the brand is so highly regarded. The cast iron is sturdy, the enamel is smooth to the touch and the lid fits neatly, locking in heat and moisture. Le Creuset is well known for having some of the lightest cast iron on the market without compromising on quality and it really shows.
Aldi's Crofton pot really surprised me with its good build quality
To my surprise, the Aldi Crofton dish is also very sturdy and well made for its price. The finish is slightly less polished and the lid fit is not quite as tight but it certainly doesn’t flimsy or poorly constructed. During my time spent with it, it held up well but it is significantly heavier than the Le Creuset pot, which could be an issue if you’re worried about mobility.
Verdict: Le Creuset wins here, but Aldi’s offering seriously impressed for the price
Cooking performance and cleaning
I cooked similar meals in both dishes and honestly didn’t notice a huge difference. The Le Creuset heated evenly and retained warmth and moisture well. The lid was tightly fitted and I didn’t feel the need to constantly check up on my food to see if the top was drying out.
The Crofton dish also performed really well. It browned meat perfectly, maintained steady heat and handled long cooking times without issue. While the lid didn't feel quite as well fitted, I didn’t experience any drying out issues.
Aldi's pot stained more easily than the Le Creuset
Both pots can be used on all hob types, including induction, making them perfect for searing and slow cooking all in one dish.
When it came to cleaning, the enamelled interior on both made them very easy to clean. However, I did notice some stubborn staining after cooking certain foods in the Crofton dish, which didn’t happen with the Le Creuset.
Verdict: It’s a tie for everyday home cooking but Le Creuset cleans up better
Longevity
One of the strongest arguments for choosing a Le Creuset casserole dish is its longevity. Many owners happily use the same dish for decades, confident it can withstand years of cooking with minimal wear. Le Creuset also offers a 100 year guarantee on its cast iron enamelled pots, meaning the brand is confident that its cookware will essentially last a lifetime and then some
The Crofton dish has not yet earned that reputation. While it coped well with regular use during testing, it is unlikely to be viewed as a lifetime piece in the same way and doesn’t come with a long guarantee like Le Creuset. Some users have also reported staining and chipping over prolonged use but nothing that would render the pot unusable.
Verdict: Le Creuset wins for proven durability but Aldi’s pot is well built
Availability
Le Creuset dishes are widely available throughout the year, both in store and online across various retailers like John Lewis. Finding a specific size or colour isn’t difficult and often you’ll find them modestly discounted during sales periods.
The Crofton dish is only sold in Aldi stores and only during limited Special by events. When it appears, it often sells out quickly, meaning shoppers need to be alert and a little lucky to get their hands on one.
Verdict on availability: Le Creuset wins for convenience.
Price
This is where Aldi makes its strongest case. A 22cm Le Creuset dish will set you back £285 with the largest 28cm version costing £385, this makes any Le Creuset a considered investment.
Meanwhile, the Aldi Crofton dish, priced at £20 for the 26cm version, is remarkably accessible. For many households, it offers the chance to enjoy cast iron cooking without a significant financial commitment while still offering 80% of the quality and results you’d get from Le Creuset.
Verdict: Aldi wins decisively.
Budget Le Creuset alternatives
Not been able to get your hands on Aldi's Crofton dish? Here are some other budget alternatives to consider.
Final verdict
After cooking with both, it’s clear why Le Creuset remains so highly regarded as a treasured kitchen staple. It delivers consistency, durability and provides a sense of occasion that few brands can match.
Both brands have a unique selling point - one being the name, the other, the price.
However, Aldi’s Crofton dish really does prove that you don’t need to spend a small fortune to achieve excellent results in the kitchen. While the Le Creuset dish does offer a high quality, lightweight cast iron experience, much of its cost comes from the prestige and heritage of the brand, rather than it offering hundreds more in quality and performance.
For those seeking a long term investment, Le Creuset still leads the way. But for everyday cooking and impressive value, the Aldi option makes a very convincing case.