One of the most significant lessons I’ve learned during my culinary journey is that sometimes you’re just using the wrong tools. For years, I felt like no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t cook rice properly, get restaurant-worthy pancakes, or make fluffy scrambled eggs without food sticking to the pan. A few years after I graduated college, I upgraded my starter kitchen set to more quality cookware and I realized that my skill was only part of the problem. The previous pans heated unevenly and had low-quality finishes that led to more meal time disasters than I care to admit.
My confidence grew quickly with new cookware, but replacing pots and pans can be a costly investment. Focusing on individual pieces over time is often more manageable, and allows you to find great deals in unexpected places.
Enter Aldi: Known for its music-free stores and customer-managed cart system, which not only benefit the company but helps to lower the prices for consumers. Its Crofton cookware and bakeware is a favorite among fans and often offers seriously good look-alikes of popular brands, such as Le Creuset and Williams Sonoma, without the hefty price tag.
This week, Aldi is bringing back a popular piece from its Crofton line—and it’s one of the biggest values we’ve seen in a while. But you’ll have to act fast, because this limited-time item won’t last long.
Aldi’s Crofton 12-Quart Porcelain Enamel Stockpot
Allrecipes / Aldi
Aldi’s Crofton 12-Quart Porcelain Enamel Stockpots are back on shelves as part of this week’s Aldi Finds. If you don’t already own a stockpot (or simply need an upgrade) there’s no better time than now. Le Creuset’s similarly sized stockpots sell for around $130 and even budget-friendly brands, such as Rachael Ray, cost nearly double the price of this Aldi version. The Crofton stockpots are available in two colors: a matte cream and blue gradient.
Stockpots have a wide range of uses and once you take one home, you’ll quickly realize why they are so valuable. The depth makes it easy to boil corn on the cob without cutting it down to size, and bulk-portions of pasta have never been easier. Stockpots are also ideal for canning, which will come in handy once your garden is in full swing.
In addition, you’ll find stockpots really shine during extended cook times. When simmering split pea soup or ragu for hours, it’s essential to use a heavy-duty pot that can keep a constant temperature and have a snug-fitting lid to control evaporation. This is particularly important when making homemade bone broth, as it’s not uncommon to simmer for 12 or more hours.
Beyond soup, stockpots are excellent for seafood boils and cabbage rolls. Plus, the massive pots easily fit a large steamer basket, so you can effortlessly make steamed vegetables and lobster tails for a crowd.
Aldi’s Crofton 12-Quart Porcelain Enamel Stockpots won’t last long, so be sure to pick one up this week, starting Oct. 15. And, while you’re there, don’t miss out on our other favorite Aldi Finds for fall.
