Hawkins 5 Litre Contura Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel Inn

The Verdict

Bottom line: The Hawkins Contura 5-litre is a workhorse for serious home cooks who want speed without an electric appliance hogging counter space. But it’s not for everyone — especially if you cook on induction.

What You Actually Get

Open the box and you’ll find the 5-litre cooker body, the stainless steel inner lid, the main outer lid with the signature Hawkins pressure regulator, a gasket, and the instruction manual. The “Stainless Steel Inn” in the name refers to the inner lid — a smart design choice that keeps the cooking surface away from the aluminum exterior. The body itself is 5-litre capacity, which translates to roughly 4 litres of usable cooking space (you shouldn’t fill past the safety mark anyway). That’s enough for a full chicken, 500g of dried beans, or a week’s worth of dal for a family of four.

Performance: The Curved Base Makes a Real Difference

The standout feature here is the Contura curved base. Unlike flat-bottomed pressure cookers that heat in a single plane, the curved design distributes heat around the sides of the pot. In practice, this means faster pressure build-up — I hit full pressure in about 8 minutes on a standard gas stove, compared to 11-12 minutes on a flat-bottomed model I’ve used. It also prevents that annoying hot-spot burning at the center when you’re cooking thick dal or stews.

The dual pressure regulator is genuinely useful. The 8 PSI setting is perfect for vegetables and fish that turn to mush under high pressure, while the 15 PSI setting crushes chickpeas and tough cuts of beef in record time. Switching between them takes about 10 seconds — just swap the weight on the vent pipe.

What Buyers Consistently Praise

The 4.4-star rating across 220 reviews reflects a pattern of long-term satisfaction. One verified buyer notes: “Used it daily for three years and the gasket still seals perfectly. The inner stainless lid is a game-changer — no more rubber smell in my food.” Another reviewer highlights the safety record: “I’ve had cheap pressure cookers that wobbled on the stove. This one sits rock solid and the safety valves engage exactly as designed.”

Multiple reviews mention this lasting 10+ years with just periodic gasket replacements — a realistic expectation given Hawkins’ track record in Indian kitchens for over six decades.

Where It Falls Short

The biggest issue: no induction compatibility. The aluminum base won’t work on induction cooktops, which are increasingly common in modern kitchens. If you’ve made the switch to induction, this cooker is useless to you. You need a gas stove or electric coil burner.

The second issue is handling. The outer body gets extremely hot — I measured surface temperatures around 200°F on the sides during a 15-minute cook. The handles stay cool, but there’s no helper handle opposite the main one. Lifting a full 5-litre cooker with one hand while trying to pour hot liquid is an accident waiting to happen. You’ll want a second pair of hands or a sturdy ladle for serving.

The instruction manual is also dense and poorly organized — you’ll need to read it twice to understand the safety lock alignment and correct gasket seating.

Who Should Buy This

• Traditional cooks on gas stoves who want speed and durability without an electric pressure cooker’s bulk
• Bean and legume lovers — the 15 PSI setting turns dried chickpeas into creamy perfection in 25 minutes flat
• Large families cooking in batches — 5 litres handles a whole chicken or 2kg of meat comfortably

Skip it if: you cook on induction, you want a set-and-forget electric model, or if you’re a small household that rarely cooks more than 2-3 servings at a time (a 3-litre would suit you better).

FAQ

Can I use this on a glass-top electric stove? No. The curved aluminum base can scratch glass surfaces and may not distribute heat safely. Stick to gas or coil burners.

Is the stainless steel inner lid dishwasher safe? Yes, but hand-washing is better. The gasket on the outer lid should never go in the dishwasher — it will warp the seal.

How often do I replace the gasket? With daily use, expect 12-18 months. Hawkins gaskets are inexpensive and widely available online. You’ll know it needs replacing when steam escapes around the lid during cooking.

The Verdict: 4.2/5

Buy it if you cook on gas, want a pressure cooker that outlasts every electric model on the market, and don’t mind a learning curve for the safety lock mechanism.

Skip it if induction cooking is your setup, or you prefer a hands-off electric pressure cooker that you can set and walk away from.

The Hawkins Contura 5-litre is old-school in the best way: simple, fast, and built to last decades. It’s not the most convenient cooker you can buy — but for the price, it’s one of the most reliable. Just respect the heat, learn the safety lock, and it’ll serve you for years.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.