Hawkins Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker 3 Litres Review: The Honest Truth

Pros & Cons

Detailed Review

First Impressions

When the Hawkins Stainless Steel cooker arrived, the first thing I noticed was the weight. At around 1.8 kg, it feels noticeably heavier than my old aluminium Prestige. The finish is clean, mirror-like, and honestly looks quite premium sitting on my gas stove. The handles are sturdy bakelite, and the lid mechanism has that classic Hawkins precision I remember from my mom’s kitchen growing up.

How I Tested This

I’ve been using this cooker daily for about six weeks now in my Bangalore apartment. My typical week involves making dal tadka (3-4 whistles), rajma (6-7 whistles), and the occasional chicken curry. I also tested it with rice for a family of three – works perfectly with 2 cups. One specific test I did was cooking chole from scratch using dried chickpeas soaked overnight. The cooker handled 5 whistles without any drama, and the chickpeas came out beautifully soft.

I also deliberately tested it on both my regular gas stove and my Prestige induction cooktop. The induction compatibility is a huge plus – it heats up evenly and the flat base sits perfectly stable.

Performance

The cooking is noticeably faster than my previous aluminium cooker, which surprised me. I’m getting consistent results with dal in about 3 whistles where I used to need 4. The steam regulation is excellent – no sudden spurts or scary hissing. The gasket seals properly every time, and I haven’t had a single instance of food burning at the bottom.

One thing I appreciate is how easy it is to clean. Stainless steel doesn’t stain like aluminium does with tomato-based gravies. A simple scrub with Scotch-Brite and it looks new again.

Build Quality & Safety

Hawkins has been making cookers since before I was born, and it shows. The safety valve works as expected, and the pressure indicator is easy to read. The lid locks with a satisfying click. I’ve seen some Amazon reviews complaining about the handles getting hot – yes, they do get warm after prolonged cooking, so keep a cloth handy. That’s standard for most cookers though.

Value for Money

At nearly ₹3,000, this is definitely more expensive than aluminium alternatives. But here’s my take – stainless steel doesn’t react with acidic foods, lasts significantly longer, and looks better over time. My grandmother’s steel cooker lasted 25+ years. If you cook daily and plan to keep this for a decade, the per-year cost actually makes sense.

Flipkart and Amazon reviews largely echo my experience – most complaints are about delivery dents rather than product quality. Just inspect on arrival.

Score Breakdown

Key Specifications

Our Verdict