Aldi shoppers divided over $35 dupe of $250 kitchen item: 'Chucked mine out'

It’s no secret that budget-conscious Aussies love Aldi. The discount supermarket’s wide variety of products at affordable price points sets it apart from other chains — particularly when its homebrand counterparts are often a direct match in quality at a fraction of the price.

Everyday groceries aside, Aldi is also known for its rotating offering of appliances, skincare, makeup, tech products and other gadgets crowned as cost-effective dupes for more expensive name-brand alternatives. You can even buy a TV at the supermarket!

Another recent example is the store’s Crofton stainless steel cookware products, which have been praised by shoppers as affordable dupes to the popular HexClad brand famously used by Gordon Ramsay.

Aldi fans praise affordable non-stick pan dupe

In the Aldi Fans Australia Facebook group, one member posted a photo of their recently purchased Crofton frying pan and described it as “virtually identical” to its HexClad counterpart. It comes with a honeycomb pattern, stainless steel body and non-stick coating.

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“Saw this in the store today and I couldn’t leave it behind,” she wrote. “A very expensive pan brand which is endorsed by Gordon Ramsay looks virtually identical, with this being 1/8 of the cost. If it’s as good it’s the deal of a lifetime!”

It’s worth noting that a 30cm stainless steel pan from HexClad will set you back an eye-watering $250, while the Aldi pan costs just $35. But is it actually of comparable quality?

“I have one, it’s so good I’ve told everyone to grab one,” one commenter wrote.

“This is better than all my Tefal fry pans,” another chimed in.

“I’ve had a similar Crofton fry pan and skillet for over six years and they’re still in great condition,” a third group member said.

“I’ve found these pans superior and cheaper,” said another.

Aldi’s Crofton brand has also gone viral previously for its cast iron Dutch ovens, pans and griddles that serve as (not so subtle) dupes for the French Le Creuset cookware range.

Shoppers share complaints about Crofton frying pan

But although the price point is certainly alluring, some shoppers have warned against these cheap alternatives if you want your cookware to go the distance.

“It’s usually quite cheap … does the job but not long lasting,” another consumer warned.

“It won’t be the same as HexClad,” a third member said.

“I chucked mine out the other day,” a fellow disgruntled customer wrote. “Lost its ability to be non-stick.”

Some shoppers also warned consumers of the toxic chemicals that can be consumed from cooking with aluminium coated non-stick pots and pans. HexClad pans are also made with aluminium, however it is actually sandwiched between two layers of high-grade stainless steel to ensure the aluminium is never directly in contact with your food.

“I’ve found Crofton to be quite poor quality,” another Aldi fan added in the comments section.

Top tips for non-stick pan longevity

To this point, others argued that their experiences with the pans had actually been quite positive — that is, if you’re ensuring not to put them through the dishwasher which would dull their non-stick properties.

On that note, another customer said, “high heat and dishwasher is the quickest way to ruin non-stick cookware due to the harsh chemicals in the dishwashing powder and tablets”.

“Do not use spray-on oil as it leaves a thin film on the pan and will eventually destroy the non-stick coating,” someone else chimed in on the subject of preserving non-stick pans.

“Just gentle hand wash when the pan is cool,” a third person said.

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At $35, it’s definitely worth testing out the affordable cookware dupe, particularly in the prevailing cost of living crisis. Just make sure to care for your pans to ensure you get as much use out of them as possible.

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