If you spot the ALDI Crofton Cast Iron Bread Dome in-store, grab it. At just $24.99, it’s hard to pass up.
Sure, it might not be perfect, but for the price, this thing is impressive. I’ve been testing it side-by-side with my pricier Krustic bread oven, and the results are in.
Spoiler alert: it holds its own.
My Honest Opinion on the Bread Dome
When I finally got my hands on one (after weeks of it being sold out everywhere), I was curious if it would live up to the hype.
For the price, I wasn’t expecting miracles. But after using it, I’m pleasantly surprised.
Does it perform like my $120 Krustic? Not exactly. But is it a total steal for $24.99? Absolutely.
Related: Krustic Bread Dome Review: Worth It for Sourdough Bakers?
If you’re into sourdough, you know the struggle of finding good bakeware without breaking the bank. ALDI’s bread dome is budget-friendly but still delivers pretty decent results.
You Might Like: Sourdough Discounts
The Bread Dome Hype
Bread domes have been a hot topic in the sourdough community.
They mimic a brick-oven bake by trapping heat and steam, which is key for a crispy crust and soft crumb. The idea is the dome shape helps distribute heat evenly around the dough.
Unlike a regular Dutch oven, a bread dome also helps prevent the bottom of your loaf from burning – one of my favorite perks.
With my regular Le Creuset Dutch ovens, the crust often gets too dark, especially on the bottom.
Related: The 30 Best Gift Ideas for Sourdough Bakers
ALDI Crofton Cast Iron Bread Dome: What You Need to Know
While ALDI’s bread dome is mainly known for its low price, it does have nice features like its durable cast iron material and multifunctional use. That said, there are some potential drawbacks, like the 482°F maximum temperature and the white interior.
- Built to Last: The ALDI bread dome is made of cast iron with a porcelain enamel coating, both inside and out. This makes it durable and resistant to scratches or stains. That said, I’ve seen a few reports of nicks and scratches, so it may not be as durable as we think.
- Color Options: It comes in two colors – white and green – although good luck finding both in stock. When I bought mine, I didn’t have a choice of color since they were selling out so fast.
- Interior Color: One thing worth noting is the ALDI dome has a white porcelain enamel interior, while other brands like the Krustic and Le Creuset have black interiors. Some bakers believe darker interiors can absorb and retain heat better, potentially affecting the bake.
- Size and Weight: The ALDI Crofton dome is 9 inches in diameter and weighs 10.2 lbs. For comparison, my Krustic is a bit bigger, and heavier too, at 12.6 lbs. In bread baking, a heavier vessel is generally considered better for heat retention and baking consistency. According to Tom from The Sourdough Journey, heavier vessels tend to perform better overall, which might explain some of the differences I noticed during my bake-off.
- Stovetop and Multifunctional Use: The dome is oven-safe up to 482°F, which can be a drawback if you like to preheat your oven to 500°F. That said, you can use the base on the stovetop, under the broiler (careful of the temp), or in the freezer. And for busy moms like me, the fact that it’s dishwasher-safe makes me very happy.
- Price: The price is honestly the standout feature. The Krustic is $144.99 (that’s with my discount code REBEKAH15), while Le Creuset’s version runs closer to $300. The ALDI version coming in at $24.99 is what caused all the buzz in the first place. It’s a fraction of the cost, which makes it perfect for beginners or those on a budget.
Related: 12 Simple Sourdough Scoring Designs for Boules (Round Loaves)
ALDI vs. Krustic: The Bread Dome Bake-Off
To see how the ALDI Crofton Cast Iron Bread Dome stacks up, I put it to the test with a side-by-side bake against my Krustic.
I used the same recipe, shaped the dough the same way, and baked them at the same time to make it a fair comparison.
- The Rise: Halfway through the bake, I noticed the loaf in the ALDI dome wasn’t rising quite as much as the one in the Krustic. The difference wasn’t huge, but it was noticeable. That difference became very noticeable by the end of the bake. I’ve heard from other bakers that they had similar experiences, with their ALDI loaves having trouble rising. Some think it might be a seal issue with the lid not trapping steam as efficiently. It could also be the weight—heavier vessels tend to trap steam better, leading to a stronger rise.
- The Crust: The crust on the ALDI loaf came out nice, but it wasn’t as golden or crisp as the Krustic loaf. This could be due to the differences in the interior color—black interiors (like Krustic’s) tend to absorb more heat, which could contribute to the darker crust. But honestly, the difference wasn’t huge, and the ALDI dome still did a good job overall.
- The Crumb: The biggest difference was in the crumb. The Krustic loaf had bigger air pockets and that wild, airy texture many of us love in sourdough. The ALDI loaf was slightly denser, with a more uniform crumb (some people prefer that as it’s better for sandwiches!). That said, both loaves had a nice chewiness and were light—so unless you’re really picky, the ALDI dome still delivers a perfectly good loaf.
Note: I did this same test a second time and the results were more or less the same.
Is It Worth the Price?
Let’s be real—the ALDI Crofton Cast Iron Bread Dome is an absolute bargain at $24.99.
It doesn’t quite perform at the level of the Krustic, but it comes pretty close. For beginner bakers or anyone on a budget, this bread dome is a fantastic option.
The rise was less impressive, and the crust wasn’t as golden, but for the price, I really can’t complain.
If you’re not ready to splurge on a $120 or $300 bread dome, this is a great way to dip your toes into the world of sourdough baking without breaking the bank.
So, if you happen to find one at your local ALDI, don’t hesitate. Snag it!
