Pigeon by Stovekraft 12 Litre Pressure Cooker Review

Pros & Cons

Detailed Review

First Impressions

When this 12-litre beast arrived at my door, my first thought was – yeh toh bahut bada hai! The box itself was massive, and lifting the cooker out made me realise this isn’t your everyday pressure cooker. The aluminium body feels sturdy enough for the price point, though I noticed some minor finishing inconsistencies around the handles. The gasket came pre-fitted, which was convenient, and Pigeon has included a spare rubber gasket in the box – a thoughtful touch that many brands skip.

How I Tested This

I put this cooker through a proper Indian kitchen trial over three weeks. First up was cooking rajma for 8 people – the cooker handled 1 kg of soaked kidney beans with room to spare. The real test came during a family gathering when I made mutton curry for 15 people. I also used it for batch cooking dal for the entire week, preparing large quantities of biryani rice, and even making gajar ka halwa for Diwali prep. My mother-in-law, the ultimate pressure cooker critic, supervised the khichdi test on our Prestige gas stove.

Performance

The cooker takes about 8-10 minutes to build pressure on a standard gas burner, which is expected given its size. Once it hits pressure, the whistle is loud and clear – no ambiguity there. I got consistent results with rice and dal, though I noticed it takes slightly longer than my 5-litre Hawkins for smaller quantities. The outer lid design means you need to wait for pressure to release completely before opening – no shortcuts here. On the positive side, the wide mouth makes cleaning relatively easy, and I could fit my whole hand inside for scrubbing.

Build Quality Concerns

Here’s where I need to be honest. After about 15 uses, I noticed the handles getting slightly loose. Nothing dangerous, but I had to tighten them with a screwdriver. Several Amazon reviewers have mentioned similar issues. The aluminium is also prone to discolouration if you’re cooking acidic foods like tomato-based gravies frequently. My cooker already has some darkening inside.

Value for Money

At under ₹2,500 for a 12-litre capacity, you won’t find many alternatives. Prestige and Hawkins charge nearly double for similar sizes. For hostel messes, catering businesses, or joint families cooking for 10+ people daily, this makes financial sense. But if you’re a nuclear family of 4, this is overkill – stick to a 5-litre instead.

Weight and Storage

This cooker weighs around 2.5 kg empty. Filled with food and water, you’re looking at lifting 8-10 kg. My wife refuses to handle it, and I don’t blame her. Storage is another challenge – it won’t fit in standard kitchen cabinets. Ours lives on the floor of our utility area.

Score Breakdown

Key Specifications

Our Verdict