Hawkins Stainless Steel 5.0 Litre Pressure Cooker

I got this pressure cooker because pressure cooking improves food quality in seeds and grains by making the toxic proteins in these foods called lectins much easier to digest and therefor much less toxic to the digestive system. I looked at a lot of different types of pressure cookers including the electric ones. I choose this one over an electric pressure cooker because it can be used even if the power goes out. That can be an issue where I live. I like that this cooker is made by a company that has been making pressure cookers for many years, and does not ship the work away to China, but continues to make the pressure cookers it sells in it's own facilities in India as it has always done. The design of this cooker is quite unique, and it is intended by the manufacturers to last for a long time. Also, the manufacturer supplies spare parts if they are needed. This is definitely a good sign! The cooker comes with lots of instructions. It is important to follow them, pressure cookers are dangerous. I like the safety features that this one provides. I feel as though the cooker could not actually explode as some kinds can do if they run dry (they could at least, when I was a kid). There is a safety on this one that will have to be replaced if you ever get the cooker over pressure. So, it would be a big hassle if you ever did force it into action, but at least it will be safe. so, I think it is better just to read the instructions and treat this item with the respect that a pressure cooker deserves. When i was a kid we always used one, it was a big heavy aluminum item that I am sure most people my age will recall. I never though about using a pressure cooker after learning about the dangers of aluminum in your body. I didn't know anyone was making stainless steel cookers. That is one of the reasons I bought this particular model -- it is all stainless steel - so you will know that your food is not contaminated by aluminum. The only draw back of this particular model is the fact that you can not plunge it into cold water when cooking is over to bring down the pressure. This is because the base is made from 3 layers of different metal ( a thick heavy base of aluminum is sandwiched between the innermost and outermost layer of stainless steel) . Plunging the pot into cold water to hasten the pressure drop would put too much stress on the dis-similar metals and would result in damage to the base. Also, I am afraid that it would be unwise to apply too, too much heat to the cooker when bringing it up to pressure, lest this also should lead to stress on the cooker's base. So, I heat the cooker at slightly below full flame on my gas stove. It heats up very quickly anyways. so that isn't a problem. When cooking is done I let the pot sit for a few minutes, off of the cooking ring, and if I am in a hurry I let some steam out by lifting the weight with a fork. Mostly, it is not an issue. When cooking is done, usually not everything is finished in the kitchen. so, I really don't mind that you can't hurry the cooling off as much as you might if you could use cold water. It takes a little while to become familiar with the way the cooker responds to your own particular stove, so you have to pay good attention to it when first using it. And, since it is a pressure cooker, and therefor inherently dangerous, you can never leave it alone anyways (you really should not) lest it run dry - that is when things get very dangerous - but maybe not in this case with the meltable safety valve. I'm not clear on this point. But, like I said before, if you put this pressure cooker under the type of conditions that will cause the safety valve to melt, you will have to replace that part, and it will be a hassle, so that is one reason, at least to keep a good eye on your pressure cooker when it is being used. I would recommend this pressure cooker to anyone. I really like it, and have enjoyed using it immensely. Unfortunately this pot does not come with inner containers as the next size up does (8 liters?) I have the 6 liter model. However, I happen to have a small stainless pot that fits inside just right, so when I cook up a smaller amount of rice or oatmeal I put the grain in the small pot with the required water to cook it properly, place this small pot on the steaming rack that comes with the pressure cooker and then add the necessary water to provide the pressure cooker's steam to the bottom of the pot. This works perfectly and makes fabulous grains and beans and porridge. If you were cooking for more than one or two people I think I would recommend getting a larger size pot than the 6 liter size. Over all I am extremely pleased with this pressure cooker.

Very good and eficient

This is a good pressure cooker. Stainless steel, good design, beautiful cook book and attention to parts. I've been using pressure cookers for 30 years. It started with Macrobiotics and oooking rice and soy bean. You need a pressure cooker for that. It is efficient. You can cook a whole chicken in 50 min. A bachelors delight. It is the best way to cook fish. Ok I like this cooing process. This is a modern way of cooking but it comes with the price of replacing parts as needed: escape valves, gaskets, pressure caps, etc. It is not just a pot with a lid. If the company goes out of business your cooker is just a boat anchor if you cant get needed parts. The book that comes with this cooker lists the parts for the various model sizes. I bought a 8 liter and a 5 liter. the two use different gaskets and other parts. I was looking at buying a 3 liter but it uses different parts yet. I don't know if I want to have 10 years of parts for each of the 3 models. i'm thinking about it. but do think in terms of getting a supply of parts. Maybe 5-10 gaskets, replacement handles, and escape valves. The lids on both of my models are different. there is some efficiency in being able to interchange lids. I'd get a 4 liter first and look at the parts that all the different sizes use. Aeternum stopped making the best oooker in the world. Emal cookers are gone. ZEB i can't find. I have parts for all. but this is a new vibrant company, for me, that I will cheer for. if you buy one it wont last for ever. if you buy more than one they will last longer. There are many sizes that are appropriate for different purposes. Bigger meals, individual fast cooks, etc. Maybe you will want to get more than one. 1 more thing. What do the parts cost. Some cookers are inexpensive to maintain, such as the Aeternum and this oooker. others are very high. if the common parts you need are complicated and frequently dont work you'll stop using cooker. the parts for this oooker are relatively cheap. but this is a market that changes rapidly so stock up a little on parts.

I expected better from Hawkins, but this pressure cooker was a letdown. The build feels lighter than advertised, and the lid mechanism is not smooth—closing and opening is more difficult than it should be. Cooking time also seems longer compared to my older cooker, and food sometimes sticks despite claims of stainless steel durability. For the price, I don’t think it’s worth it.

This unit is priced high. Without any other brands that can compete in the stainless steel 15 PSI category there is no other choice. I own the 2 liter model. It works on induction ranges according to the manual. I don't use one. I use gas. I wanted something to cook individual meals. It works fine for that but I'm not perfect at using it yet. Beans come out as expected and that is what I need. I like to make one pot meals so when I add rice to the mixture after the beans are done I haven't quite gotten the time right. I'm still overcooking the rice. In time I'll get it. One thing I don't like about this cooker is that the small ones can't be used on high heat. The manual says not to go higher than medium for the 2 liter and smaller units. This means it takes longer for it to be pressurized. Another thing is that some moisture and steam escape from the pressure release tube. The weight is attached to the top of that tube. The tube goes from the inside of the pot and is attached by a nut on the top of the lid but no nut on the inside of the lid. Where the handle makes contact with the center of the lid steam and liquid leak out. I can't make this tighter. This is not due to over filling. It is just a place where pressure leaks out a bit. I only expect pressure to escape through the tube when it is enough to lift the weight. I wanted to use this pressure cooker to save energy. At home it doesn't matter much because I've got an infinite amount of fuel coming through the gas pipeline. On camping trips using fuel efficiently is important. Pressure cookers need less energy to completely cook meals than conventional pots. At home I start the pot on medium as instructed. As soon as the pressure is released for the first time (which takes about 12 minutes with just over half of it full of liquid and food) I just put the burner dial to low and let it finish. I don't need to watch it to be sure the little weight continues to sway as I did with a different brand. When the time is up I turn off the burner. Sometimes I let it sit to naturally release the pressure and at other times I release the pressure by lifting the weight using a fork. It depends on the food cooking requirements. I have not owned this unit very long. I don't use it daily. I do use it regularly. So far it is meeting my expectations as a one pot meal tool. If you like pressure cookers and don't want to be forced to use a huge one, then I recommend this stainless steel 2 liter 15 psi pressure cooker. 2021 It still works. I have mastered it. For perfect rice without using oil, use one cup of rice, two cups of water, spices, and whatever else you want. Add a tiny bit more water to account for the other things added. Heat it until the pressure weight pops up. Then turn off the heat and let it sit for thirty minutes. your rice will be fully cooked. If you use too much water the rice will be sticky. Some oil could be used if that is your preference. This works for electric or gas stoves. I haven't used it on an induction stove.

I discovered Hawkins brand while travelling to India, and I don't look back. I've recently got this one as it's the optimum size for my needs now, and what can I say, Hawkins is Hawkins- one of the oldest and biggest manufacturers in India not without a reason. I can't talk about their other products (futura, contura) as to me stainless steel is the best choice for pressure cooker and the only one I use. What I like most about indian stainless steel pressure cookers are: 1- they last; Indian people are very frugal and resourceful and quality and durability is highly important. If product doesn't deliver, no one buys it and business is over... along with that goes point No 2- spare/repair parts are standard and easy to get, cheap (usually under $5) and can be effortlessly replaced. Even plastic handle if melted by fire on gas range, can be unscrewed and replaced! 3. best of all, the pot literally signalize when the food is ready by count of the whistles. To simplify the rule on average (not iron rule, but something to get one started): fresh vegetables (1 whistle and turn it off); small dry grain after being dipped in water for hours like lentils or pea (same as veg), big dry grains like chickpeas, beans after being soaked in water (2-3 whistles), meat (3-5 whistles). Now generally speaking, depending on desired consistency of prepared food after required count of whistles, one gets: mushy: pot stays closed till pressure goes away by itself; more hard- open immediately (level anything under the pressure cap and let pressure go completely even if it lasts full 1 min- don't touch with hand as steam will blow in all directions). To make it work, one also needs to know which size of cooker will actually fit the needs as overfilling it, will result in small disaster- juices together with steam will burst through the pressure cap as well as top lid, spreading and staining everything around, not mentioning that this will also effect the pressure cap and block the inner valve. Filling not more than HALF of the pot regardless of its size, is the optimal and safe approach to build up good pressure, great taste and avoid mess or need for spare parts. Pot is very sturdy, easy to clean, locks securely and dishes are simply delish and juicy ( make sure that the rubber is all over down the lid and once closed, hidden under the rim completely and not visible; while cooking steam should not go through any other part of cooker, but the "whistle"). Nice addition to this buy is simple indian cookbook, ready to get you hooked on "deshi food" :) ~~~ *FPN: ^ size ca: 8"W (16" with hand) x 8"H, ^^ weight: 6lbs, ^^^ dishwasher safe (I wash rubber and pressure cap in hand), ^^^^ works on all ranges: gas, induction, electric and ceramic, ^^^^^ material: stainless steel 18Cr-8Ni ^^^^^^ made in India.

Hawkins I think makes the best pressure cookers and unlike some Chinese brands you can easily order parts for them. The replacement gasket is inexpensive about one quarter of the cost of gaskets for other makes. The company is in India and specializes in pressure cookers. I have used Hawkins pressure cookers for years as I live in Panama where they are commonly sold. However I couldn't find a stainless steel one here in Panama so I ordered one from Amazon. I ordered the 8 liter one. It is really nice and heavy. Very well made. I ordered from Amazon resale supposedly used but actually brand new. I think it is better to order one on the large side as it never hurts in a pressure cooker to have extra headroom especially with something like beans that tend to foam up while cooking. I am very happy with my new pressure cooker. If you want one order it soon before Trump's tariffs raise prices.

Great product