I can't stop recommending this lightweight casserole dish to friends - and it looks just like Le Creuset
Cheaper and lighter, what's not to love?


We're huge lovers of Le Creuset on the Ideal Home desk, but aside from the price being a little out of budget, the weight of the best cast iron cookware can also be a bit of a pain.
Luckily, we've found the ultimate solution. Tefal's cast iron-style Air Stewpot has the same classic look that Le Creuset offers but is incredibly lightweight, making it even easier to lift and clean.
I've spent months using this pan and raving to anyone who will listen about my 'really light pot', so it's only fair to share the secret. If a cast iron pot is a little out of your budget or you don't love the weight of them, you'll want to know about this Tefal pot.
Whether you want to use it on the hob or in the oven, this pot can do it all. It has a clever condensation lid for moist cooking and an on-trend gold knob.
Le Creuset's Cerise collection is timeless and this 24cm pot will be a great size for family cooking or hosting for guests. If silver is more your theme, then this knob will match your kitchen perfectly.
Why I love the Tefal Air Stewpot
Le Creuset's collection of cast iron pots and pans are famous in their own right. They've become somewhat of a status symbol for your kitchen and a timeless investment that you'll have for years and pass down to future generations. Le Creuset makes the perfect wedding gift or special purchase for yourself because the price is on the higher side.
While I love how durable Le Creuset pots are, sometimes an investment purchase is not on the horizon. Aldi and Lidl often release similar pots in on-trend pastel shades for less than £20, but none have the magnetic pull of Tefal's ultra-light version.
Unlike traditional cast iron pots and pans, the Tefal Air Stewpot is made from cast aluminium, making it three times lighter than standard cast iron pots.
It has a ceramic non-stick coating on the inside that makes it really easy to cook with - I have fallen victim to burning food on the bottom of my Le Creuset pot whereas my Tefal pot hasn't had the same fate. It makes it no hassle to clean too - any food or sauce comes gliding straight off.
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
As a household, our Le Creuset pots were used frequently for cooking hearty winter meals like spaghetti bolognese or curry, but since the Tefal Stewpot came into the fold, the weightier cast iron pots have remained at the back of the cupboard. If that doesn't speak volumes, I don't know what will.
It would be rude not to mention how good the Stewpot looks, too. It's available in two colours, black and red, which is a long way from Le Creuset's rainbow of shades.
However, the red is an absolute classic shade that looks at home in my neutral kitchen. It also features a gold handle which adds an on-trend touch to the traditional colours.
With the pull of the lightweight feature, I'm happy to sacrifice less colour options. But if you'd rather have more choice, here are a few more of Ideal Home's favourite cast-iron pots to choose from.
John Lewis' range of cast iron dishes rivals the look of Le Creuset but for a much lower price - it makes an ideal gift.
Once you see feel how lightweight it is, you won't go back to a cast iron pot - trust me.

After starting out her journey at Future as a Features Editor on Top Ten Reviews, Holly is now a Content Editor at Ideal Home, writing about the very best kitchen and bathroom designs and buys. At Top Ten Reviews, she focussed on TikTok viral cleaning hacks as well as how to take care of investment purchases such as lawn mowers, washing machines and vacuum cleaners. Prior to this, Holly was apart of the editorial team at Howdens which sparked her interest in interior design, and more specifically, kitchens (Shaker is her favourite!).
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
-
‘Städdag’ is the Swedish cleaning method I’ve been using to clean my home for months — this is why I’ll never clean any other way
The Scandinavians (and now me) swear by it
By Lauren Bradbury
-
Dunelm has just launched a heatwave-busting bed sheet that's only £9 – it will help eliminate hot and sweaty nights during the heatwave
Too hot and sweaty at night? Your bed sheets could be the problem, and Dunelm has a solution
By Amy Lockwood
-
The one-year decluttering method is the key to clearing garden clutter this bank holiday – experts say it’s one of the simplest approaches
Banish garden clutter with this simple and effective method
By Kezia Reynolds
-
Dunelm has just launched a heatwave-busting bed sheet that's only £9 – it will help eliminate hot and sweaty nights during the heatwave
Too hot and sweaty at night? Your bed sheets could be the problem, and Dunelm has a solution
By Amy Lockwood
-
Is your porch missing something to sit on? These 7 porch seating ideas will solve that issue for you in style
These are the top porch seating ideas to make your space more functional and stylish at the same time
By Sara Hesikova
-
I failed my no-buy month because of this Primark tableware collection - it looks so much more expensive than it is
My tablescape has never looked better - without taking a hit to my budget
By Holly Cockburn
-
Kilner's butter churner is back in stock – here's why it sold out in the first place
Make your own butter by hand with this fun addition to your kitchen gadget collection
By Molly Cleary
-
I won't gatekeep – Magimix's new small kitchen-friendly mini chopper is my secret to delicious lazy dinners
My homemade pesto pasta has never been better
By Holly Cockburn
-
'I've now bought 3 different colours' – my favourite affordable linen bedding is currently half-price, and the 5-star reviews speak for themselves
The half-price linen bedding that owners can't stop raving about
By Amy Lockwood
-
Want to cook like Jamie Oliver? This is the top-rated casserole he uses from his own collection all the time on Instagram
Jamie's collaboration with Tefal has led to this casserole dish getting the best user reviews I've ever seen
By Molly Cleary
-
I’ve found a stunning £40 buy that rivals Le Creuset at Wilko - this casserole dish is a dead ringer for one of the most summery colourways
You just can't beat finding a great Le Creuset alternative
By Kezia Reynolds