The women in my family love to feed people. Growing up with a Polish mom, I learned that nothing brings people together quite like food prepared with love—and plenty of it. We abided by the idea that if a small pot could feed a hungry family, a big pot could feed a happy neighborhood.
There were always people popping in for coffee unannounced, casually stopping by for dinner, or being the grateful recipients of some of mom’s homemade preserves or carrot cake. She would stay up until the wee hours of the night several times a summer, preserving her famous blueberry and raspberry jams. During those stints, every flat surface in our kitchen disappeared under jars waiting to be filled with the gallons of berries she’d picked and processed herself.
Although my jams will always pale in comparison to what my mom made, I love carrying on this tradition as a way to honor her and create new memories with my kids. Last year, I upgraded my stockpot with this gem from ALDI, and I knew Mom would be proud.
So, I was excited to see that ALDI’s gorgeous 12-quart porcelain enamel stockpot is back in stock—and it’s still selling for just $19.99. Even more noteworthy is that this kitchen overachiever is a budget-friendly lookalike of the Le Creuset stockpot that sell for $250. Whether you can and preserve or not, guaranteed it’ll be the smartest kitchen investment you make this season.
ALDI Crofton Porcelain Enamel Stockpot
- Price: $19.99 for a 12-quart pot
- Why I Love It: The incredibly versatile and sturdy pot can do so much more than make stock. I use it for everything from canning and preserving jams to boiling large batches of pasta to sous vide cooking. The uses are truly endless!
Simply Recipes / Aldi
Why I Can’t Live Without ALDI’s Crofton Porcelain Enamel Stockpot
The moment I bought this pot, I knew it would become a long-term kitchen staple. Its colorful, sophisticated, porcelain enamel exterior isn’t just pretty; it’s practical. Unlike my old aluminum pot that showed every scratch and dent, this one has maintained its charm through countless cooking sprees.
This year’s colorways of a misty, Casper-like blue or white with a jovial lemon tree pattern are fresh and trendy while still maintaining a classic charm that suits the aesthetics of a modern, high-rise apartment or a rural farmhouse.
The weight of the pot and the exceptional heat distribution give it a quality feel that belies its modest price tag. Whether I’m simmering a delicate stock or bringing gallons of water to a rolling boil for pasta, the heat spreads evenly and consistently.
I love that the 12-quart capacity is big enough for what I call “serious” cooking, like entertaining or meal prepping, yet it still fits into my kitchen cabinet. Plus, the sturdy handles make transferring a full pot from stove to table (or counter) manageable, even for someone who’s inherited her mother’s achy thumbs.
How I Use My ALDI Stockpot
Since writing about this pot last year, I’ve discovered even more ways to put this mainstay to work. Yes, it’s still my go-to for traditional uses—simmering chicken bones into golden stock, cooking mountains of corn-on-the-cob, steaming seafood, processing jars of jam, making chili and pasta for a crowd, and boiling enormous batches of pierogi for family gatherings—but I’ve expanded its repertoire considerably.
This winter, I discovered it makes an ideal vessel for large batches of popcorn. Its spacious interior makes room for a lot of popping action, which is perfect when guests (especially kids) are over. They love watching the popcorn magic unfold.
During the holidays, I put it into service as an emergency, impromptu beverage cooler, filling it with ice and bottles of local wine. After Christmas, I made turkey soup with the carcass (without having to break it down much!). I’ve even used it once for sous vide cooking. It’s the perfect depth to accommodate my immersion circulator. And as my husband will attest, the 24-hour sous vide short ribs might be the most impressive thing I’ve ever cooked (thanks to this pot).
At $19.99, this ALDI find isn’t just a pot — it’s a nudge to create community, core memories, and culinary adventures that my mom would have enthusiastically approved of. Like the family recipes passed down through generations, some kitchen tools become part of the story. And this pot will continue to tell many.
About ALDI Finds
This product is an ALDI find, which are limited-time and inventory items that the store rotates onto its shelves every week. They come and go quickly—and sometimes return. Keep an eye out, but it’s possible your local ALDI may have sold out or no longer carry the product.
To learn more about our approach to product recommendations, see HERE.
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