Futura Stewpot Hard Anodised Steel Lid 8.5Ltr AST85 by Hawkins

Futura Hard Anodised Cook-n-Serve Stewpot 8.5 Litre 28 cm with Stainless Steel Lid (AST85) – Modern Patila/Degchi for Rice, Dal, Curries, Halwa & Desserts – Cook, Serve & Present at the Table

About This Product

The stewpot — known variously as a patila, degchi, or tope in different Indian kitchen traditions — is one of the most fundamentally useful vessels in the kitchen. Deep, wide-mouthed, and even-heating, it is the vessel of choice for cooking rice in bulk, simmering a large dal, making sooji halwa or ras malai for a gathering, or slow-cooking a curry that needs the depth of a taller vessel. The Futura Hard Anodised Cook-n-Serve Stewpot 8.5 Litre (AST85) is a modern, premium interpretation of this traditional vessel. Its 4.06mm heavy-gauge hard anodised body provides the even heat, thermal retention, and non-reactive surface that traditional uncoated handmade patilas offered at their best — while the clean, matte black Futura hard anodised finish and the AISI 304 18/8 stainless steel lid give it the polished, elegant appearance needed to move directly from the cooktop to the dining table without needing to transfer food into a serving dish. Cook in it. Serve in it. Present it at the table.

The 4.06mm thickness throughout the body and base of the AST85 is what makes it cook differently from a thin-walled everyday pot. The heavy gauge provides significant thermal mass — once the stewpot reaches cooking temperature, it retains that heat steadily and distributes it evenly across the wide 28 cm base and up through the deep sides. For cooking rice, this even, retained heat means each grain receives consistent heat from all sides, resulting in fully cooked, separate, fluffy rice rather than overcooked bottom layers with undercooked grain above. For desserts like firni, ras malai, and sooji halwa where even heat without any hotspots is essential to prevent burning and ensure smooth texture, the thick-walled AST85 provides the stable, gentle heat that these preparations demand. The hard anodised surface is non-toxic, non-reactive, and non-staining — completely safe for the milk-based ingredients of Indian desserts, the acidic ingredients of curries, and the everyday cooking of dal and rice.

The stewpot's short, sturdy plastic handles are permanently riveted to the body and designed for the specific carrying action of a deep, heavy pot — a short, stable grip close to the vessel's centre of gravity that provides balance and control when lifting and carrying a fully loaded 8.5-litre stewpot to the table. The AISI 304 18/8 stainless steel lid with its stay-cool plastic knob provides a strong, splatter-stopping cover during cooking — stainless steel's natural hygienic properties ensuring the lid remains completely food-safe and easy to clean. At 28 cm diameter and 8.5 litres, the AST85 is sized for the cooking volumes of a medium-to-large Indian family or for festive cooking preparations — a vessel that serves both as a daily cooking tool and as an elegant, presentable serving piece at the dining table.

Key Features

Cook-n-Serve Design – From Cooktop to Table in the Same Vessel

The defining purpose of the AST85 is its cook-n-serve identity. The hard anodised body's elegant black finish, the polished stainless steel lid, and the overall proportional design of the stewpot make it presentable enough to bring directly to the dining table as a serving vessel. Food stays hotter longer in the thick-walled vessel than it would in a thin serving bowl, reducing the need to reheat before serving. One vessel from fire to table means less washing up and a more considered presentation.

4.06mm Heavy-Gauge Hard Anodised Body – Even Heat, Long Heat Retention

The 4.06mm thick hard anodised aluminium body provides the thermal mass for even, stable cooking. Heat spreads uniformly from the base across the full 28 cm diameter and upward through the deep side walls — eliminating the hotspots that cause burning at the base while the upper portions of a large preparation remain undercooked. The thick walls also retain heat for a long time after the flame is turned off — food stays hot for serving well after cooking is complete.

Hard Anodised Surface – Non-Toxic, Non-Reactive, Stays Looking New

The hard anodised surface is non-toxic, non-reactive with food, and non-staining. It handles all types of cooking safely — from milk-based desserts where even a trace of metallic reaction would be noticeable, to acidic curries and chutneys, to neutral everyday rice and dal. The surface does not pit, tarnish, or corrode with daily use, and the dark black hard anodised finish stays looking new for years with normal care.

AISI 304 18/8 Stainless Steel Lid – Hygienic, Splatter-Stopping Coverage

The lid is made from AISI 304 18/8 food-grade stainless steel — the premium non-reactive grade used in professional kitchen equipment. It is strong enough to stop hot food from splattering during vigorous simmering, hygienic and easy to clean, and durable enough to maintain its appearance through years of daily use. The stay-cool plastic knob allows safe lifting of the lid during and after cooking without risk of burns.

8.5-Litre Capacity, 28cm Diameter – Medium-Large Family & Festive Scale

At 8.5 litres and 28 cm diameter, the AST85 handles cooking volumes for a medium-to-large family and for festive preparations. Cooking rice for 6–8 persons, a large dal preparation, a full batch of sooji halwa for a gathering, or a large quantity of kheer or ras malai — the 8.5-litre stewpot holds these preparations comfortably with room to stir and serve.

Short, Sturdy Riveted Plastic Handles – Balanced Carrying at Full Load

The two short plastic handles are permanently riveted to the body and positioned close to the vessel for a stable, balanced grip — specifically designed for the carrying action of a deep, heavy stewpot. Short handles keep the centre of gravity low and stable when lifting and carrying a full 8.5-litre vessel. The plastic material stays cool during cooking, and the riveted attachment ensures the handles never loosen under the mechanical stress of heavy-load carrying over years of daily use.

Metal Ladles Can Be Used – Hard Anodised Surface Tolerates Metal

The hard anodised surface of the AST85 is compatible with metal ladles and serving spoons. The surface is harder than stainless steel and tolerates metal utensil contact without degrading. Traditional Indian kitchen tools — jhara, large serving spoons, metal ladles — can be used freely for stirring, serving, and scooping directly from the AST85.

Excellent for Rice, Dal, Curries, Halwa, Ras Malai & Firni

The AST85 is specifically suited for the full range of Indian preparations that benefit from a deep, wide, even-heating vessel: rice cooking, dal, large curries, sooji halwa, ras malai, firni, kheer, vegetable pilau, fish curry, and mutton biryani. The combination of thermal mass, non-reactive surface, and cook-n-serve identity makes it a versatile, all-occasion vessel for both everyday and special cooking.

Elegant Design – Hard Anodised Matte Black Finish

The matte, deep black hard anodised finish of the AST85 gives it a clean, modern aesthetic that looks refined at the dining table alongside serving crockery. Unlike polished aluminium that dulls and discolours with age, the hard anodised finish maintains its consistent appearance year after year — making the AST85 as presentable on year three as it was when new.

Warranty Information

The Futura Hard Anodised Cook-n-Serve Stewpot 8.5 Litre (AST85) is backed by a 5-year guarantee from the date of purchase from Hawkins Cookers Limited.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between a stewpot and a kadhai in Indian cooking?

A kadhai is a wide, shallow-to-medium-depth vessel with curved sides, primarily designed for frying, sautéing, and making gravies where the wide surface area is an advantage. A stewpot (patila/degchi) like the AST85 is a deeper vessel with straighter sides, designed for cooking larger volumes of liquid-heavy preparations — rice, dal, soups, kheer, and halwa — where depth and volume are the priority over surface area. The deeper form also makes it better for boiling, simmering, and the dum cooking of preparations that benefit from steam trapped in a tall vessel.

2. Can I use the AST85 on an induction cooktop?

No. The hard anodised aluminium body is not magnetic and therefore not induction-compatible. The AST85 is suitable for gas, kerosene, electric, ceramic, and halogen cooktops. For large-capacity induction cooking, a vessel with an attached AISI 430 magnetic base plate would be needed.

3. Can I use the AST85 as a serving vessel at the dining table?

Yes — this is one of the primary design intentions of the Cook-n-Serve stewpot range. The hard anodised black finish is elegant enough for table presentation. The thick walls retain heat well, keeping food warm during serving. One vessel means one fewer item to wash after the meal. For rice, desserts, and curries where stirring is needed during serving, the short handles provide stable grip at the table.

4. Is the AST85 good for making Indian desserts like sooji halwa, ras malai, and firni?

Yes — the AST85 is specifically recommended for desserts by Hawkins. The 4.06mm thick base and even heat distribution prevent the localised burning and sticking that make milk-based desserts difficult in thin-walled pans. Sooji halwa needs constant stirring over even heat — the AST85's wide base and thick walls provide the ideal cooking surface. Ras malai and firni need gentle, consistent simmering of milk without scorching — the thermal retention of the heavy-gauge AST85 makes this achievable without constant monitoring.

5. How does the AST85 stewpot cook rice better than a regular thin pot?

The 4.06mm thick base and sides of the AST85 retain heat evenly across the entire cooking surface, including up the sides. When cooking rice, this means the water maintains a consistent simmer from base to rim rather than boiling vigorously at the base and gently at the sides. The result is rice that cooks evenly through its full depth — each grain receiving consistent heat — rather than overcooking at the base while the grain above remains firm.

6. Can I put the AST85 in a dishwasher?

No. The Futura Hard Anodised Stewpot is not dishwasher safe. Hand wash with mild dish soap and warm water after each use. The hard anodised surface cleans easily by hand, and the stainless steel lid rinses clean with minimal effort. Allow both to dry fully before reassembling for storage.

7. How many portions of rice can I cook in the 8.5-litre AST85?

With the recommended maximum fill of 2/3 capacity (approximately 5.5–6 litres of usable space), the AST85 can comfortably cook 1 kg of dry rice (which expands to approximately 2.5–3 litres of cooked rice with water) — enough for 8–10 generous portions. For the full 8.5-litre capacity, 1.5 kg of dry rice with proportional water can be cooked, yielding portions for 12–15 persons.

8. What is the warranty on the Futura AST85 Stewpot?

The AST85 carries a 5-year guarantee from the date of purchase from Hawkins Cookers Limited. For warranty service, contact Hawkins at service@hawkinscookers.com or (022) 24 440 807.

9. How is the AST85 different from the Futura Bigboy Biryani Handi ABH12?

Both are large-capacity Futura hard anodised vessels, but they serve different purposes. The ABH12 (Biryani Handi, 12L) has a curved handi body, unique dum biryani lid, and reinforced fibreglass lifting handles — specifically designed for biryani making at scale with the dum technique. The AST85 (Stewpot, 8.5L) has a straight-sided patila/degchi form, stainless steel lid, and short riveted handles — designed for a wider range of everyday and festive cooking including rice, dal, curries, and desserts. The AST85 is more versatile; the ABH12 is purpose-optimised for biryani.

10. What other sizes are available in the Futura Hard Anodised Stewpot range?

The Futura Hard Anodised Stewpot (Cook-n-Serve) range is available in 2 litre, 3 litre, 4 litre, 5 litre, 6 litre, and 8.5 litre (AST85) capacities — all sharing the same hard anodised body, stainless steel lid, stay-cool riveted handles, gas/electric/ceramic/halogen compatibility, and 5-year guarantee. The AST85 is the largest in the range — the right size for medium-to-large families and festive cooking occasions.