Futura Cast Iron Kadhai 3.5 Ltr 26 cm CIK35G

Futura Cast Iron Kadhai 3.5 Litre 26 cm (CIK35G) – Naturally Nonstick, No Coating, Extra-Thick 5mm Base, Pre-Seasoned for Generations of Healthy, Flavourful Indian Cooking

About This Product

Before non-stick coatings existed, before hard anodising was invented, before stainless steel became the default choice for modern cookware — Indian kitchens used cast iron. A karahi made of cast iron, seasoned over years and decades of cooking, was not just a utensil but a kitchen heirloom — passed down through generations, improving with use rather than degrading, cooking food with a depth of flavour that no modern coated pan has ever fully replicated. The Futura Cast Iron Kadhai 3.5 Litre (CIK35G) is that experience, brought to the modern kitchen with the quality standards of Hawkins Cookers Limited behind it. No synthetic coating. No chemicals. Just a high-quality grade of cast iron, pre-seasoned with vegetable oil, with an extra-thick 5mm base that ensures food never burns or sticks, and a build so rugged and durable that — properly cared for — it will serve your kitchen for generations.

What makes cast iron naturally non-stick is not a coating but a condition — a layer of polymerised oil, built up through heat and use, that fills the microscopic pores of the iron surface and creates a naturally smooth, release-friendly cooking surface. The CIK35G comes pre-seasoned with vegetable oil from the factory, which means this layer has been started for you — the kadhai is ready to use from the first day, and improves further with every cooking session. The extra-thick 5mm base is the engineering foundation that makes this possible: thick enough to distribute heat evenly across every centimetre of the 26 cm cooking surface, preventing the hotspots that cause food to stick or burn in thinner pans. High heat is handled effortlessly. Metal ladles can be used without concern. And because there is no synthetic coating to degrade, the kadhai's cooking performance only gets better with time and use — not worse.

The 3.5-litre capacity of the CIK35G makes it a practical choice for family-sized cooking — large enough for a full curry, a generous batch of bhujia or deep-fried snacks, or a festive preparation for 4 to 5 persons. The included heat-proof glass lid with food-grade silicone rim allows covered cooking — trapping steam and flavour inside the kadhai — while maintaining full visibility of the food as it cooks. Compatible with gas stoves, induction cooktops, firewood chulha, ceramic and halogen surfaces, the CIK35G is one of the most universally compatible kadhais available. A piece of cookware that connects the ancient wisdom of cast iron cooking with the practical needs of the contemporary Indian kitchen.

Key Features

No Coating – Naturally Nonstick, Healthy & Chemical-Free Cooking

The CIK35G has absolutely no synthetic coating — no PTFE, PFOA, ceramic, enamel, or any other artificial non-stick layer. Its non-stick property is entirely natural — the result of the iron's seasoned surface, built through cooking with oil over time. This means you are never exposed to chemical compounds from a degrading coating. Your food is cooked in a genuinely clean, chemical-free environment — and the cooking surface improves rather than degrades with every use.

Extra-Thick 5mm Base – Even Heat, No Burning, No Sticking

The 5mm thick base of the CIK35G is the engineering foundation of its cooking performance. Cast iron of this thickness distributes heat so evenly across the full 26 cm cooking surface that hotspots — the localised areas of excessive heat that cause food to stick or burn — are effectively eliminated. Whether you are deep frying, simmering a curry, or making a dry bhuna, food cooks uniformly from edge to edge, and the thick base ensures the oil temperature in a deep fry does not spike or drop unevenly.

High-Quality Grade of Cast Iron – Superior Purity, Hardness & Reduced Porosity

Hawkins uses a high-quality grade of cast iron for the Futura range — one with superior purity, increased hardness, greater corrosion resistance, and reduced porosity compared to ordinary cast iron. This quality of material means better seasoning adhesion, more consistent cooking performance, greater resistance to rust when properly maintained, and an overall longer useful life for the kadhai.

Pre-Seasoned with Vegetable Oil – Ready to Use from Day One

The CIK35G is pre-seasoned at the factory with vegetable oil — meaning the natural non-stick polymerisation process has been initiated before the kadhai reaches your kitchen. You do not need to go through a multi-hour seasoning process before your first use. A simple wash, dry, and light oiling before first use is all that is needed, and the seasoning layer builds naturally and progressively with every subsequent cooking session.

Retains Heat Exceptionally Well – Keeps Food Warm Long After the Flame is Off

Cast iron's thermal mass is unmatched by any lighter material. Once the CIK35G reaches cooking temperature, it retains that heat for significantly longer than aluminium, stainless steel, or non-stick pans. This means you can reduce the flame significantly after the kadhai is hot and still maintain cooking temperature — saving fuel. It also means that food served from the kadhai stays warm for a long time at the table, and that cooking temperatures remain stable when ingredients are added rather than dropping sharply.

Rough & Tough – Fully Compatible with Metal Ladles

The solid cast iron construction of the CIK35G means it is completely undamaged by metal ladles, spatulas, slotted spoons, and serving utensils. There is no coating to scratch or chip, no surface to protect from hard metal contact. You can cook with the full range of traditional Indian kitchen tools — jhara, karchi, heavy spoons — without any concern for the kadhai's surface or your food's safety.

Glass Lid with Food-Grade Silicone Rim – Cook Covered with Full Visibility

The included heat-proof tempered glass lid features a food-grade silicone rim that fits securely on the kadhai rim, creating a seal that traps steam, moisture, and flavour inside during cooking. The glass allows you to monitor your food at a glance without lifting the lid and releasing heat. This is particularly valuable when slow-cooking curries, simmering dals, or making any dish that benefits from covered, steam-retaining heat.

Universal Cooktop Compatibility

The CIK35G works on gas stoves, induction cooktops, firewood or coal chulha, ceramic cooktops, electric cooktops, and halogen stoves — essentially every cooking surface available in Indian households. This universal compatibility reflects cast iron's inherently versatile material properties — it conducts heat from any source and retains it equally effectively.

Improves with Every Use – A Lifetime Investment in Your Kitchen

Unlike any coated pan that peaks on day one and gradually loses performance, the cast iron CIK35G improves with use. Each cooking session deposits another layer of polymerised oil into the surface, deepening the natural non-stick property and enriching the flavour development of subsequent dishes. A well-maintained cast iron kadhai that sees daily use for five, ten, or twenty years is a better cooking vessel than a brand-new one — and a true kitchen heirloom to pass on.

Product Specifications

Care & Seasoning Instructions

Before first use: wash with mild soap and warm water, rinse, dry completely over a flame or in an oven, then apply a thin coat of cooking oil and heat briefly. After every use: wash with warm water (mild soap is fine occasionally), dry completely over heat, and apply a very thin coat of oil before storing. Never soak in water or leave wet — cast iron will rust if moisture is left on the surface. Do not put in a dishwasher. Store in a dry place. If rust appears, scrub with a brush, wash, dry thoroughly, re-season with oil, and the kadhai is restored.

Warranty Information

The Futura Cast Iron Kadhai 3.5 Litre (CIK35G) is backed by a 5-year manufacturer's guarantee from Hawkins Cookers Limited from the date of purchase. For service or warranty claims, contact Hawkins at service@hawkinscookers.com or (022) 24 440 807.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why should I choose cast iron over a non-stick coated kadhai?

Cast iron and non-stick coated kadhais serve different purposes and have different trade-offs. Non-stick coated kadhais are convenient, require minimal oil, and clean easily — but coatings degrade over time, particularly with metal utensils and high heat, and need to be replaced. Cast iron kadhais like the CIK35G have no coating to degrade — they improve with use, tolerate any utensil material and any heat level, and become genuinely better cooks over years of use. If you are cooking dishes that benefit from high heat — deep frying, bhuna, searing meat — cast iron is significantly superior.

2. Is the CIK35G really naturally non-stick? How does it not stick without a coating?

Yes. The natural non-stick property of cast iron comes from seasoning — a layer of polymerised oil that builds up in the microscopic pores of the iron surface through heat and cooking. Each time you cook with oil and heat, another molecular layer of polymerised oil bonds to the surface, gradually building a smooth, food-releasing layer. The CIK35G is pre-seasoned at the factory to start this process — and with regular use and proper maintenance, it becomes increasingly non-stick over time.

3. Does the CIK35G add iron to food? Is that beneficial?

Yes — cooking in cast iron can add small, trace amounts of dietary iron to food, particularly acidic dishes cooked for extended periods. This is widely regarded as a beneficial property of cast iron cookware, especially for individuals who have low dietary iron intake. The amounts are small and naturally food-safe — cast iron has been used for cooking human food for hundreds of years.

4. Is the CIK35G compatible with induction cooktops?

Yes. The Futura CIK35G is induction compatible in addition to gas stoves, firewood, ceramic, electric, and halogen cooktops. Cast iron is inherently magnetic and works on induction cooktops without any special base adapter. It is one of the oldest materials that is universally compatible with every cooking surface type.

5. How do I re-season the kadhai if it starts to rust or lose its non-stick quality?

If rust appears or the non-stick surface degrades: scrub the affected area with a stiff brush or steel wool, wash with warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely over a flame or in an oven. While still warm, apply a very thin, even layer of vegetable or coconut oil to all surfaces using a cloth. Heat the oiled kadhai over medium heat until it smokes slightly, let it cool, and wipe off excess oil. Repeat this seasoning cycle 2–3 times for full restoration. The kadhai is never permanently damaged by rust — it is always restorable.

6. Can I deep fry in the CIK35G? How much oil does it hold?

Yes — the CIK35G is an excellent deep-frying kadhai. Its 3.5-litre capacity, 26 cm diameter, and thick base make it ideal for deep frying pakoras, samosas, poori, mathri, or any Indian fried snack. The thermal mass of cast iron keeps oil temperature stable during frying — when cold ingredients are added, the temperature does not drop as sharply as it would in a thin-based pan, resulting in crispier, better-cooked fried food. Fill with oil to 2/3 capacity (approximately 2–2.5 litres) for safe deep frying.

7. How heavy is the CIK35G and is it difficult to handle?

Cast iron kadhais are inherently heavier than aluminium or non-stick alternatives — this is an unavoidable property of the material's density. The CIK35G at 3.5 litres and 5mm base thickness will be noticeably heavier than equivalent aluminium kadhais. If weight is a significant concern, the Futura Ironman IMK25G (2.5L) uses a slim cast iron design that is lighter while retaining cast iron's cooking benefits. For the CIK35G, using both hands to lift and move the kadhai is recommended, especially when full.

8. What is the warranty on the Futura CIK35G?

The CIK35G carries a 5-year manufacturer's guarantee from Hawkins Cookers Limited from the date of purchase. For warranty service, contact Hawkins at service@hawkinscookers.com or (022) 24 440 807.

9. Can the glass lid of the CIK35G be used in an oven?

The heat-proof tempered glass lid is designed for use on stovetops. Before using it in an oven, check the temperature rating of the lid (typically marked or mentioned in the product manual), as glass lids generally have temperature limits. The cast iron kadhai body itself is oven-safe and can withstand high oven temperatures without concern.

10. What other sizes are available in the Futura Classic Cast Iron Kadhai range?

The Futura Classic Cast Iron Kadhai range includes 1.5 litre (CIK15G), 2 litre (CIK20G), and 3.5 litre (CIK35G) in the traditional pre-seasoned cast iron format. For a modern, lighter-weight cast iron option with nitrided surface, the Futura Ironman range offers 2.5L (IMK25G) and 4L (IMK40G) kadhais. All share the same commitment to chemical-free, naturally non-stick cooking — the classic range through seasoning, the Ironman range through nitriding.