Hawkins Stainless Steel Contura Pressure Cooker 2 Ltr

Hawkins Stainless Steel Contura 2 Litre Pressure Cooker (SSC20) – Curved Handi Body, 6.6mm Thick Sandwich Base, Induction Compatible for Singles, Couples & Small Households

About This Product

The Hawkins Stainless Steel Contura 2 Litre Pressure Cooker (SSC20) is a product that brings together two of the best things in the Hawkins range — the elegant, practical curved Contura body and the premium AISI 304 stainless steel construction — in a compact 2-litre format designed for everyday cooking for 2 to 3 persons. The Contura body is shaped like a traditional Indian handi — with gently rounded, curved sides that make stirring significantly easier than a straight-sided cooker, give you better visibility of your food while cooking, and allow you to remove every last bit from the interior without scraping hard corners. And unlike a curved aluminium Contura, the SSC20 brings all of this in polished, bright stainless steel that never tarnishes, never pits, and stays looking new for years — making it as much a joy to look at on the kitchen shelf as it is to cook with on the stove.

The base of the SSC20 is where its technical credentials become particularly impressive for its size. An extra-thick 6.6 mm sandwich base — thicker even than the 5.81 mm base of the HSS3T Tall and matching the base specifications of the larger SSC range — bonds an aluminium core between two stainless steel layers. This thick base stays permanently flat, never bulges, and distributes heat rapidly and uniformly across the cooking surface, eliminating the hotspots that cause uneven cooking. The outer base layer is AISI 430 grade magnetic stainless steel, which makes the SSC20 fully compatible with induction cooktops as well as gas, electric, ceramic, and halogen stoves. For a 2-litre compact cooker, having a 6.6 mm thick induction-compatible base is a genuinely premium specification — typically found on larger cookers in other ranges.

The body and lid are made from AISI Grade 304 (18/8) non-magnetic food-grade stainless steel — the 18% chromium and 8% nickel composition that provides exceptional resistance to all food acids, permanent non-reactivity with ingredients, and a hygienic cooking surface that stays permanently clean. The inside-fitting pressure-locked lid cannot be opened while pressure remains inside. The cooker comes with a pressure cooking grid — allowing multi-dish simultaneous cooking even in this compact size — along with a cookbook, guarantee card, and service centre directory. Backed by a 5-year guarantee and lifetime free labour, the SSC20 is a small cooker with large-cooker-level quality and engineering — ideal for anyone who refuses to compromise on their kitchenware even in a compact household.

Key Features

Curved Contura Handi Body – Easier Stirring, Better Visibility, Complete Food Removal

The signature feature of the Contura range — the curved, rounded sides of the handi-shaped body — delivers real practical benefits in everyday cooking. A ladle or spatula can reach every part of the interior naturally, without being stopped by sharp corners. Thick dishes like khichdi, dal makhani, or halwa can be stirred smoothly throughout the entire cooking surface. You have better direct visibility of your food. And when the dish is done, every bit of food slides out cleanly — nothing gets caught in hard-to-reach base edges. In a small 2-litre cooker used daily, these ergonomic advantages make a noticeable difference to the cooking experience.

100% AISI Grade 304 (18/8) Stainless Steel Body & Lid – Bright, Hygienic & Corrosion-Proof

Both the body and the lid are made from AISI Grade 304 (18/8) non-magnetic food-grade stainless steel — the premium-grade alloy with 18% chromium and 8% nickel that provides outstanding resistance to all corrosion, oxidation, and food-contact reactivity. The inner surface does not react with acidic ingredients like tomatoes, tamarind, or citrus, does not absorb flavours or odours, and does not rust or tarnish with daily use. The exterior stays bright, does not pit or corrode, and keeps its new appearance for years without any special maintenance.

6.6mm Extra-Thick Sandwich Base – Premium Specification for a Compact Cooker

The SSC20's 6.6 mm thick sandwich base — with an aluminium core bonded between two stainless steel layers — is an exceptionally thick base for a 2-litre pressure cooker. This thickness ensures three things: the base stays permanently flat and never bulges, heat is distributed rapidly and evenly across the full cooking surface eliminating hotspots, and the base has the structural stability needed for light frying before pressure cooking. Most 2-litre cookers use significantly thinner bases — the 6.6 mm specification brings the SSC20 into the performance tier of much larger cookers.

AISI 430 Magnetic Outer Base – Full Induction Compatibility

The outer layer of the sandwich base uses AISI Grade 430 magnetic stainless steel — the grade required for induction cooktop compatibility. The SSC20 works on gas, induction, electric, ceramic, and halogen cooktops — all five major domestic cooking surfaces. For small households and modern kitchens where induction cooking is increasingly common, a compact 2-litre stainless steel Contura that works on every cooktop type is a genuinely versatile everyday tool.

Compact 2-Litre Size – Perfect for 2 to 3 Persons

The 2-litre capacity is ideally sized for singles, couples, newlyweds, and small households of 2–3 persons cooking daily meals. It heats quickly, uses less water, reaches pressure faster, and cooks a complete meal for two in fewer minutes than a larger cooker would need. Its compact footprint — 33 × 18.4 × 16.6 cm — means it tucks neatly into any kitchen cabinet and sits comfortably on any standard cooktop without taking up more space than needed.

Inside-Fitting Pressure-Locked Safety Lid

The SSC20 uses Hawkins' standard inside-fitting lid — it fits from within the cooker body and can only be opened by first lowering it slightly, which is physically impossible while steam pressure remains inside. This inherent, passive pressure-lock mechanism is always active and requires no external latches, special actions, or user knowledge to work safely. It is the same principle used in a modern jetliner door — and just as reliable.

Shielded Safety Valve – Steam Directed Safely Away

The shielded vent weight is positioned to direct all steam release downward and away from the cook during normal pressure regulation. In a compact kitchen where the cooker may be close to other surfaces and utensils, this passive directional steam control provides meaningful protection throughout every cooking session.

Comes with Grid – Multi-Dish Cooking Even in 2 Litres

The SSC20 includes a pressure cooking grid — allowing you to place small individual containers on top of the grid and cook multiple items simultaneously with steam. Even in a 2-litre cooker, this is a practical feature: cook a portion of dal in one container and rice in another during a single cooking cycle, saving both time and gas on a daily basis.

Stay-Cool Handles – Safe & Comfortable Daily Use

The handles are designed to remain cool enough for safe, comfortable gripping during and after cooking. For a small cooker like the SSC20, the handles provide a confident grip for lifting, carrying to the table, and pouring directly into serving bowls — a practical consideration for a compact everyday kitchen tool.

ISI Certified & Made in India

The SSC20 is ISI certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), confirming it meets all applicable Indian quality and safety standards for pressure cookers. It is Made in India by Hawkins Cookers Limited, Mumbai — one of India's most trusted pressure cooker manufacturers since 1959.

Product Specifications

Warranty Information

The Hawkins Stainless Steel Contura 2 Litre Pressure Cooker (SSC20) carries a 5-year guarantee from the date of purchase as provided by Hawkins Cookers Limited. Additionally, Hawkins' service policy ensures that labour charges for all repairs are free throughout the entire working life of the product — not just during the guarantee period. A Guarantee Card is included in the box. For service, refer to the Service Centre Directory provided, or contact the Hawkins Service Department at (022) 24 440 807 or service@hawkinscookers.com.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What makes the Hawkins SSC20 Stainless Steel Contura different from the regular Hawkins Stainless Steel (HSS) range?

The key difference is the body shape. The regular HSS range (HSS3T, HSS3W, HSS40, HSS80) has a straight cylindrical body — conventional pressure cooker shape. The SSC20 Stainless Steel Contura has a curved, rounded Contura/Handi body — like a traditional Indian handi — with gently bowed sides that make stirring easier, improve food visibility, and allow cleaner food removal. Both use AISI 304 body and lid, a thick sandwich base, and AISI 430 induction-compatible outer base. The SSC20 also has a notably thicker 6.6 mm base compared to the HSS3T's 5.81 mm.

2. How does the Stainless Steel Contura (SSC20) compare to the Contura Black (CB20) of the same 2-litre size?

Both the SSC20 and CB20 have the same curved Contura body shape and are 2-litre inner-lid cookers. The differences are in material and induction capability. The CB20 (Contura Black) has a hard anodised aluminium body with stainless steel lid, and is recommended for gas stoves only — it is not induction compatible. The SSC20 (Stainless Steel Contura) has a full AISI 304 stainless steel body and lid with a 6.6 mm sandwich base and AISI 430 induction plate — making it compatible with gas, induction, electric, ceramic, and halogen cooktops. The SSC20 is also more premium in terms of hygiene and long-term appearance.

3. Is the Hawkins SSC20 compatible with induction cooktops?

Yes. The AISI Grade 430 magnetic stainless steel outer base makes the SSC20 fully induction-compatible. It works on gas, induction, electric, ceramic, and halogen cooktops — every major domestic cooking surface. For modern small households and studio apartments where induction cooking is common, the SSC20's full multi-cooktop compatibility is a significant practical advantage over non-induction 2-litre alternatives.

4. Why does the SSC20 have a 6.6mm base if it is only a 2-litre cooker?

The 6.6 mm thick sandwich base is a premium specification applied consistently across the entire Hawkins Stainless Steel Contura range — regardless of capacity. This thickness keeps the base permanently flat, distributes heat evenly across the cooking surface, prevents hotspots, and enables light frying before pressure cooking. Hawkins applies large-cooker-level base specifications to the SSC20 because base quality directly affects daily cooking performance — not just in large cookers, but in compact everyday ones where consistency matters just as much.

5. Is the curved Contura body better than a straight-sided body for Indian cooking?

For many everyday Indian dishes — particularly those that involve stirring, like dal, khichdi, upma, halwa, or meat curries — the curved Contura body is noticeably more practical. The rounded sides allow a ladle to reach all parts of the base in a natural sweeping motion without a jerky change of direction at the corners. You can see and monitor your food better. And when serving, food slides out cleanly without getting trapped in base corners. For dishes that primarily cook in liquid with no stirring needed, the difference is less pronounced — but for the majority of Indian daily cooking, the Contura shape is a genuine improvement in user experience.

6. Who is the Hawkins SSC20 best suited for?

The SSC20 is the ideal everyday pressure cooker for singles, couples, newlyweds, and small households of 2–3 persons who want premium stainless steel construction in a compact, practical size. It is also an excellent secondary cooker in larger households — used for side preparations, small-batch cooking, or quick weekday meals when the main larger cooker is not needed. Anyone who values stainless steel quality, induction compatibility, and the ergonomic advantage of the curved Contura body in a small daily-use format will find the SSC20 a thoroughly satisfying everyday kitchen companion.

7. Does the SSC20 come with a grid for separator cooking?

Yes. The SSC20 comes with a pressure cooking grid included in the box. Even at 2 litres, you can place small individual steel containers on top of the grid and cook multiple items simultaneously — rice in one container, dal in another — during a single cooking cycle. This is a fuel-efficient and time-saving technique for daily meal preparation, made practical even in a compact 2-litre cooker by the grid accessory.

8. How does the SSC20 compare to the Hawkins Miss Mary Handi 5L (MMH50)?

Both the SSC20 and the MMH50 (Miss Mary Handi) feature the curved handi-shaped Contura body for easier stirring and better visibility. The key differences are material and capacity: the MMH50 is made from pure virgin aluminium and holds 5 litres (serving 5–7 persons), while the SSC20 is made from AISI 304 stainless steel and holds 2 litres (serving 2–3 persons). The SSC20 is also induction-compatible; the MMH50 is for gas stoves only. Choose the MMH50 for a larger family; choose the SSC20 for a small household that wants the stainless steel quality and induction flexibility.

9. What is the warranty on the Hawkins SSC20?

The SSC20 carries a 5-year guarantee from the date of purchase from Hawkins Cookers Limited. Labour charges for all repairs are permanently free throughout the product's entire working life — not just during the guarantee period. Replacement parts such as gaskets and vent weights are available at all Hawkins authorised service centres. Contact Hawkins at (022) 24 440 807 or service@hawkinscookers.com.

10. What other sizes are available in the Hawkins Stainless Steel Contura range?

The Hawkins Stainless Steel Contura range includes 1.5 litre (SSC15), 2 litre (SSC20), 3 litre (SSC30), 4 litre (SSC40), and 5 litre (SSC50) capacities. All sizes share the same AISI 304 body and lid, 6.6 mm thick sandwich base, AISI 430 induction-compatible outer base, curved Contura/Handi body, inside-fitting pressure-locked lid, and 5-year guarantee with lifetime free labour. The 2L SSC20 is ideal for 2–3 persons; choose a larger size as your household grows.