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.

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.

The safety valve bursted twice with only used 2-3 times, I feel it’s safety hazard & dangerous to use. We have been using pressure cooker for more than 30+ years never any such thing happened. We had tried to reach out to the seller to return the item & have heard back from them that they don't take returns after certain time, I would have asked for a replacement, but with the experience I had with the customer service I would look for my Money and SUGGEST NEVER TO BUY FROM THIS SELLER EVER.We bought this and used it first time and to our surprise it’s safety valve busted. We thought that may be it was just one of those things that can be faulty we got a new one from Hawkins OEM and replaced the valve. To our utter surprise, the safety valve busted again. I feel it’s directive & can hurt someone, Basically I feel safety Concerns using this. We had been using Hawkins pressure cooker for over 10+ Years & never had such issue"

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.