The Aldi Storage Gem You Can Use All Over the House (That Smells Amazing!)
If you’re new to The Kitchn, welcome — and beware that we’re big Aldi fans around here. Not only does the German discount superstore offer budget-friendly (and delicious) groceries and special seasonal products that debut monthly, but it’s also home to incredible reusable storage finds, like glasses in tiramisu packaging, and ceramic bowls in frozen meals. The latest addition to the list of Aldi hidden storage gems is just as spectacular as the rest — and it’s no wonder they’ve gained a cult following.
Newly returned to stores this season is the highly anticipated Huntington Home Rustic Carved Wood Candle that goes for $19.99. Not only does it come in two enchanting scents — spiced cinnamon pumpkin (perfect for fall!) and tobacco leaf and oak — but the 10-wick, 32-ounce candle also comes in a stunning wooden bowl that runs about 15 inches by 5 inches. Once you’ve melted all of the smoky sweetness up (which should last you a good while), you’ll want to reuse the bowl for storage all over the house.
In a post on the Aldi Aisle of Shame Community Facebook group, one Aldi shopper asked other users what she should do with her wooden bowl now that the candle is spent (after she added and went through another set of wicks). The responses, per usual, were absolute gold.
Commenters noted how incredible the candles smell (even when they aren’t lit) and shared how they reused the long bowls in their homes: as flower pots (or a succulent garden if you drill holes in the bottom) or a table centerpiece, or for storing toiletries, above-toilet scented accouterments, trinkets, rocks and stones, wine corks, sand and seashells, tea-light candles (or battery-operated candles), or seasonal displays. Clearly these just scratch the surface of ideas for upcycling the bowl. One Aldi shopper shared a photo of how she reused her rustic candle, and it’s giving us all the fall kitchen decor inspo we’ve been craving.
If that doesn’t have you running to your nearest Aldi, we don’t know what will. To top it off, several commenters noted that they bought as many as they could find, knowing they’ll sell out — a few of them saying they bought as many as six candles at a time. Take this as your sign to stock up if you see them in your store!
In case you’re having trouble getting rid of all of the wax, try popping it in the freezer and, once it’s frozen, cut and pop the solid wax out of the holder. (You can also reuse the chunks of wax in a new candle or in a wax warmer.)
If there’s one thing we know about Aldi’s seasonal finds, it’s that they tend to go on super sale at the end of the season, so keep your eyes peeled for a clearance price in a few weeks. If you don’t live near an Aldi, this Amazon option is similar to Aldi’s, but for just a few dollars more.
Buy: Large Wood Dough Bowl Candle, $31.99 (normally $33.99)