Australian consumer experts from CHOICE have praised a $29 cast iron casserole pot from Kmart that rivals high-end French versions costing upwards of $529.
Despite a huge $500 price difference, the budget buy performed ‘comparatively well’ when the experts put market-leading cast iron pots to the test.
‘Kmart’s cast iron casserole pot was up there with big-name brands such as Le Creuset, Chasseur and Staub when we tested casserole pots and Dutch ovens,’ the experts claimed.
The cheaper version scored a stellar 95 per cent in the bolognese sauce test.
‘We use this to assess the Dutch oven’s ability to slow cook while maintaining low temperature for a long period of time and its ability to brown meat evenly,’ they said.
Australian consumer experts from CHOICE have praised a $29 cast iron casserole pot from Kmart (left) that rivals high-end French brand Le Creuset (right) costing upwards of $529
The four-litre pot can be cooked on all types of heat sources – and it’s lower in price than expensive brands – including world-famous Le Creuset.
Choice’s kitchen expert Fiona Mair offered her review after giving her Kmart dutch oven a ‘good workout’ over the past five years.
‘I have noticed that after a year [it] did lose the smooth interior coating which helps to prevent sticking of food such as rice or pasta. If I’m cooking a soup or casserole I have to stir it constantly, even on a simmer, to ensure it doesn’t stick,’ she explained.
Fiona said over time, the staining becomes more obvious, making it trickier to clean.
But despite the downside, she said the budget pots are cheap enough to replace every few years – and they are recyclable.
Shoppers have been raving about the budget pot online, with one saying: ‘I’ve used it nearly every day. For deep frying, pan frying, stews and even cooked a lovely risotto. Totally worth every cent. And so cheap.’
A second shopper added: ‘Beautiful colour. Looks great in the kitchen. It’s a little heavy, but it can also be used in the oven and suitable for gas. I’m very happy to purchase what I was looking for at such a reasonable price.’
One home cook who owned a Le Creuset pot was stunned after she made a ‘fluffy and crusty’ sourdough in a $29 casserole pot from Kmart (pictured)
The four-litre pot can be cooked on all types of heat sources – and it’s lower in price than expensive brands – including world-famous Le Creuset (stock image)
After an ‘unfortunate accident’, one home cook decided to buy the Kmart version after her Le Creuset cast iron casserole pot was thrown out.
‘I was pretty skeptical when I saw this $29 Kmart dupe, but it cooks wonderfully. Today I made an incredibly fluffy and crusty sourdough. For five percent the price of the Le Creuset, it’s a worthwhile investment,’ she said.
And another person wrote: ‘Bought this beautiful cast iron pot to make sourdough bread with outstanding results but have also used it for casseroles. It’s an asset in the kitchen – producing great results, is easy to clean and a lovely colour and shape.’
One shopper weighed in after owning both Kmart and Le Creuset pots.
‘Both get used frequently, both hand-washed. The cheap Kmart one was chipped around the base, lid and rim within a few uses. It does the job but it’s nowhere near the same quality as a Le Creuset – it’s still perfect after 12 years.’
And if money is no object, the consumer experts explained why the Le Creuset or casserole dish is worth investing in.
‘A high-end dutch oven can last you 20 years or more before it shows signs of wear and tear, even becoming a family heirloom,’ they said.
‘Products from brands such as Le Creuset usually come with lifetime guarantees, so you can always replace if you have issues.’
Last year, CHOICE named a $16 frying pan from Kmart as one of the best that money can buy after it out-performed expensive brands (Kmart’s frying pan pictured)
Last year, Choice named a $16 frying pan from Kmart as one of the best that money can buy after it out-performed expensive brands.
The 24cm Anko frypan delivered better in areas including performance, ease of use and durability than other popular brands whose frying pans cost hundreds of dollars.
‘It’s a lightweight, well-balanced pan that’s easy to clean,’ Choice’s kitchen expert Chantelle Dart said.
‘In our tests, it scored well for evenness of heating and durability. Even though it’s only $16, it’s comparable with other brands that are significantly more expensive.’