Ikea's Sleek New Enameled Cast Iron Pot Rivals a Le Creuset Style That's Over 8x the Price
A high-quality cast-iron Dutch oven is arguably one of the most important tools in the kitchen. You can cook just about anything in it—roasts, stews, soups, casseroles, short ribs, pasta dishes, fresh bread, and the list goes on. The best thing about it is being able to start cooking on the stove and then transfer it to the oven to finish. It's the ultimate braising apparatus, if you ask me.
While many popular Dutch ovens are over-the-top expensive, there are dupes out there that rival the big names. Ikea is selling the Vardagen Enameled Cast-Iron Pot, which cooks just like the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron Oval Dutch Oven, but it's only a fraction of the price. Ikea's retails for $49.99, while the similar Le Creuset sells for $465 at Williams Sonoma. While I love a classic Le Creuset, I can't always justify the cost when there are great-quality copycats out there.
The Ikea version comes in a dark grey-blue exterior and light beige interior, entirely coated in enamel, making it nonstick. It spreads heat evenly throughout the pan and retains heat for an extended period, making it ideal for slow cooking. Due to its material, it's compatible with all cooking surfaces, including gas, electric, ceramic and induction cooktops; it's also oven-safe.
Vardagen Enameled Cast Iron Pot, $49.99 at Ikea
Ikea recommends handwashing both the pot and the matching enamel cast-iron handled lid. This extra care will help the pot last a lifetime while protecting the enamel coating. Ikea also suggests avoiding exposure to great variations in temperature, which means allowing the pot to heat up with the cooktop rather than placing a cold pot on an already-hot surface.
Not only is this pot highly rated, but it also comes with a 15-year warranty, offering users peace of mind. The pot is 5.3 quarts and measures four inches by 11 inches by nine inches, weighing 12 pounds 15 ounces. It is suitable for braising a large roast or baking a loaf of sourdough bread.
Ikea's Vardagen line also offers the 5.3-quart pot and a 6.9-quart enameled cast-iron pot in matte black, a taller, slimmer enameled cast-iron pot in matte black, a collection of carbon steel frying pans, woks and roasting pans, a series of cast-iron frying pans, baking sheets, mixing bowls, drinking glasses, dinnerware and cooking tools and accessories.
The Vardagen enameled cast-iron pot can be purchased for in-store pickup; however, delivery to your home is limited to large orders. If you're interested and have an Ikea near you, now is the time to snatch one of these pots or pieces from the rest of the collection, as the upcoming holiday season has goods flying off the shelves.
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