Some products earn their reputation not through novelty or clever design, but through decades of doing exactly what they promise — day after day, meal after meal. The Hawkins Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker HSS50 is that product. Built from 18Cr/8Ni AISI 304 food-grade stainless steel for both the body and the lid, it is the kind of cooker that stays bright and hygienic for years without any special care, never pits or corrodes regardless of what you cook in it, and simply gets better with familiarity. For families of 5 to 7 persons, it is a workhorse that handles everything from daily dal to large festive preparations with equal reliability.
The extra-thick sandwich bottom — constructed with a 4.1mm aluminium core bonded between two layers of stainless steel — spreads heat quickly and evenly across the entire base. No hot spots, no burning at the bottom, no food sticking while the rest remains undercooked. The base is engineered to stay permanently flat and never bulge outward from repeated high-heat use — a problem that plagues thinner-bottomed cookers over time. One feature that sets the HSS50 apart from many stainless steel pressure cookers is that it is explicitly safe for light and deep frying before pressure cooking, letting you brown onions, sear meat, or fry spices in the same vessel before sealing the lid — fewer dishes, less cleanup.
The AISI 430 magnetic stainless steel external base makes this cooker compatible with all cooktops including induction — gas, electric, halogen, ceramic, and induction — without any adapter. Hawkins' trusted pressure-locked inner lid cannot be opened while there is pressure inside the cooker, functioning much like a jetliner door — the pressure itself holds it sealed. The improved pressure regulator maintains optimum cooking pressure automatically and helps save fuel. Made in India, the HSS50 is backed by Hawkins' 5-year guarantee against defects in material and workmanship.
Both the body and the lid are made from AISI 304 grade, 18/8 stainless steel — 18% chromium and 8% nickel — which gives it superior resistance to corrosion from the acids found in fruits, meats, milk, and vegetables. It stays bright, does not pit, and remains extremely hygienic after years of daily pressure cooking. No seasoning, coating, or special maintenance required.
The base is constructed with a 4.1mm thick aluminium core sandwiched between two stainless steel layers. Aluminium spreads heat rapidly and evenly across the full base, eliminating hot spots and preventing food from burning at the bottom. The base is engineered to remain permanently flat — it will not bulge or warp under repeated high-heat use.
A key advantage of the HSS50 over many pressure cookers is that it can be used safely for both light and deep frying before the lid is added for pressure cooking. This means you can brown your onions, fry whole spices, sear meat, or prepare a proper tadka in the same cooker before sealing and pressure cooking — saving time, effort, and washing up.
The inner lid locks inside the cooker body under Hawkins' pressure-locked safety system. Once pressure builds inside, the lid is held sealed by the internal pressure — it physically cannot be opened or removed until the pressure safely drops. Hawkins compares this mechanism to a jetliner door — the more pressure inside, the more securely it is held closed.
The external base incorporates an AISI 430 magnetic stainless steel plate that makes the cooker fully induction compatible. The same cooker works on all domestic gas, electric, halogen, ceramic, and induction stovetops without modification or adapters.
The improved pressure regulator (vent weight) maintains cooking pressure at optimum levels automatically throughout the cooking cycle, saving fuel compared to older regulator designs. The familiar whistle signals when full pressure is reached, allowing accurate timing of recipes.
The cooker is fitted with Bakelite handles — a heat-resistant material that stays cool to the touch even when the cooker body is at full cooking temperature. The handle bracket uses a projection-welded attachment for a firm, permanent fix that will not loosen with regular use.
At 5 litres capacity, the HSS50 is well-suited for cooking for 5 to 7 persons — generous enough for full family meals including large batches of dal, rice, meat curries, biryani, rajma, and chana, with room to spare for liquid-heavy dishes.
The HSS50 comes with: 1 pressure cooker body with grid, 1 lid, 1 rubber gasket, 1 vent weight, 1 guarantee card, 1 Hawkins cookbook, and 1 service centre directory.
The Hawkins HSS50 is guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship for 5 years from the date of first purchase, as stated by Hawkins Cookers Limited.
Both are 5-litre stainless steel induction-compatible pressure cookers with AISI 304 bodies and 5-year guarantees. The key difference is the body shape — the HSS50 has a traditional straight-sided cylindrical design, while the SSC50 has Hawkins' curved Contura handi shape for easier stirring. The HSS50 also explicitly states it is safe for frying before pressure cooking, and features a 4.1mm aluminium core in the sandwich bottom. Choose the HSS50 for classic functionality; choose the SSC50 for the ergonomic Contura shape.
Yes. The Hawkins HSS50 is explicitly designed and rated as safe for light and deep frying before the lid is added for pressure cooking. You can use it open as a regular cooking pot for frying, sautéing, and browning, then seal the lid when ready for pressure cooking.
The body and lid are made from AISI 304 grade, 18Cr/8Ni stainless steel — containing 18% chromium and 8% nickel. This grade is specifically chosen for its superior resistance to the acids in everyday food ingredients including fruits, tomatoes, meats, and milk, and for its strength and durability over long-term daily use.
Yes. The external base uses an AISI 430 magnetic stainless steel plate that makes it fully compatible with induction cooktops. It also works on all gas, electric, halogen, and ceramic stovetops without any adapter.
The extra-thick sandwich base is engineered with sufficient structural thickness and material properties to resist the thermal expansion and contraction stress that causes thinner bases to deform over time. The aluminium core also conducts heat away from any single point quickly, further reducing stress concentration at the base.
The Hawkins HSS50 is backed by a 5-year guarantee against defects in material and workmanship from the date of first purchase, provided by Hawkins Cookers Limited.
The inner lid drops inside the cooker body and is held in place by the internal pressure — the greater the pressure inside, the more firmly the lid is sealed. It functions like a jetliner door. The lid cannot be physically opened or lifted while there is pressure inside the cooker, making it one of the safest pressure cooker lid mechanisms available.
Yes. The 5-litre capacity handles cooking for 5 to 7 persons comfortably. It is well-suited for large batches of dal, rice, meat curries, and one-pot meals. The ability to fry in the same vessel before pressure cooking also makes it particularly efficient for Indian preparations that start with a masala base.
Wash with warm soapy water and a soft sponge after each use. The AISI 304 stainless steel requires no seasoning, oiling, or special treatment — it stays bright with regular washing. Remove and clean the gasket and vent weight separately after every use. Inspect the gasket periodically and replace it every 12–18 months under regular daily use.
Yes. The box includes a grid (trivet/separator) that allows you to cook multiple items simultaneously in the same cooker using separate containers — for example, rice in a small vessel and dal in the main body at the same time, saving gas and time for complete Indian meals.