10 Quirky Aldi Finds You Didn’t Know You Need This Summer

Forget food. When it comes to stocking up on odd-but-affordable merchandise you didn't even realize you wanted or needed, you can find it at Aldi. Known as Aldi Finds, these nonfood items grace the middle aisle of the grocer’s 2,381 stores. Aldi Finds have a cultlike following among the discount chain's hard-core shoppers and run the gamut from the practical to the quirky. After all, who doesn’t need a rotating condiment tray or a gnome candle?

Aldi Finds are cheap, roll out on Wednesdays and are available while supplies last. There’s something for everyone, including these 10 items for summer.

1. Pineapple Slicer

Price: $5

Pineapples are in season, but cutting them can get dicey. With all those spikes and that hard skin, it takes a learning curve to master. Plus, if you are one of the more than 53 million Americans with arthritis, slicing pineapple by hand can be nearly impossible. This dishwasher-safe pineapple slicer may be the answer. It has an ergonomic nonslip-grip handle and comes in pink, blue and green. Aldi says it “peels, cores, and slices fresh pineapple effortlessly.”

2. Gnome Candle 

Price: $9

Gnomes have been placed in gardens since the late 16th century in hopes of bringing good luck. The 12-ounce gnome candle protecting the aisles of Aldi may bring good scents to your room. It’s available in four varieties: Strawberry Sugar, Honeycomb Truffle, Fresh Citrus and Passionfruit Popsicle. 

3. Reversible Porch Sign

Price: $10

Backyard barbecues and lemonade stands are staples of summer, and so is decorating. That’s made easy with this reversible porch sign. The 47-inch sign celebrates Fourth of July on one side and summertime on the other. You can lean it against a wall or hang it with the included jute rope. 

4. Griddle Tool Kit

Price: $8

What better way to kick off the summer season than with a clean grill? This four-piece, dishwasher-safe griddle tool kit includes two large spatulas, one scraper and a bottle. Soft-grip handles with large holes make these tools suitable for older adults and easy to store.

5. Summer Sandals

Price: $7–$15

Sneakers and sandals aren’t usually found in the aisle of a grocery store but at Aldi it is. The men’s trekking sandals, which cost $15, are available in olive and khaki. The pull tab at the back makes them easy to put on. 

Meanwhile, the women’s styles are made for comfort, with padded insoles. Jute trim adds a fashionable touch to these sandals, which come in green stripes, pink and blue.