The 2-litre pressure cooker occupies a sweet spot that no other size quite fills. It is large enough to cook a complete meal for a couple or a small nuclear family of 2 to 3 persons — a full serving of dal, rice, or sabzi in a single batch — but compact and light enough to heat up in minutes, come to pressure quickly, and wash up without the effort of managing a larger vessel. The Hawkins Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker HSS20 is built for exactly this use. Made from 18/8 AISI 304 food-grade stainless steel with a 5.81mm sandwich bottom and full induction compatibility, it is a complete, uncompromised pressure cooker in a compact, everyday-friendly size — backed by the same build quality and 5-year guarantee as every other cooker in the Hawkins stainless steel range.
The base is the engineering core of the HSS20's cooking performance. A 4.06mm thick aluminium core bonded between two sheets of stainless steel creates a total sandwich thickness of 5.81mm that spreads heat rapidly and evenly across the full 130mm base diameter. No hot spots, no burning at the centre, no food sticking in a small patch while the rest remains undercooked. The base is designed to stay permanently flat and never bulge — a common long-term issue with thinner-bottomed small cookers that are used at high heat daily. An explicitly stated feature of the HSS20 is that it is safe for light and deep frying before the lid is added — fry your masala base, sear a small portion of meat, or make a tadka in the same vessel before sealing for pressure cooking. Fewer vessels in use, less cleanup every day.
The AISI 430 magnetic stainless steel external base makes the HSS20 fully compatible with all cooktops — gas, induction, electric, ceramic, and halogen — without any adapter. Hawkins' trusted pressure-locked inner lid cannot be opened while the cooker is under pressure. The improved pressure regulator saves fuel and prevents frothy foods from sprouting. The shielded safety valve deflects steam downward. The long-lasting gasket resists early wear. Stay-cool handles with a fixed, non-corroding metal pivot stay firm for years. Made in India, backed by a 5-year guarantee with free lifetime labour for repairs.
Both the body and the lid are made from AISI 304 grade, 18Cr/8Ni non-magnetic stainless steel — surgical-grade, food-safe, and completely non-reactive to the acids in tomatoes, tamarind, citrus, and meats. It does not pit, corrode, or discolour, stays permanently bright and hygienic with regular washing, and requires no seasoning or special maintenance.
The base features a 4.06mm thick aluminium core sandwiched between two stainless steel layers for a total base thickness of 5.81mm. The aluminium core spreads heat rapidly and evenly across the full 130mm base diameter, eliminating hot spots and ensuring the entire base heats uniformly. The base is engineered to stay permanently flat and never bulge under repeated high-heat daily use.
The HSS20 is explicitly rated as safe for both light and deep frying before the lid is added. Use it open as a small frying vessel for tadka, browning onions, or searing ingredients, then seal the lid for pressure cooking — the same vessel handles every stage of the dish. This single-vessel efficiency is especially valuable in compact kitchens.
The AISI 430 magnetic stainless steel external base makes the HSS20 fully induction compatible. The same cooker works on gas, induction, electric, ceramic, and halogen stovetops — no adapter, no modification required. Suitable for any kitchen setup present or future.
At 2 litres, the HSS20 is perfectly sized for cooking for 2 to 3 persons — a couple's daily meals, a small nuclear family's side dish, or a single working person's full-portion cooking for the day. It is also ideal as a second cooker in larger households for small quick preparations running alongside the main cooker.
The inner lid seats inside the cooker body and is held sealed by internal pressure during cooking. It cannot be opened or removed while the cooker is pressurised — the pressure itself locks the lid in place like a jetliner door. It releases only after pressure has safely dropped, preventing any possibility of accidental opening under pressure.
The improved pressure regulator controls cooking pressure within a narrow, efficient range — saving fuel per cooking cycle and significantly reducing the sprouting of frothy foods like dal through the vent weight. Easy to insert and remove for routine cleaning after use.
The safety valve is positioned under the lid handle bar, ensuring that when it activates, steam is deflected safely downward. On a compact 2-litre cooker where the cook's hands are naturally closer to the vessel, downward steam deflection is an important daily safety feature.
The gasket does not rub sideways against the cooker body when the lid is opened and closed, significantly extending its service life compared to standard pressure cooker gasket designs. Less friction means longer intervals between replacements.
The stay-cool handles remain safe to grip at full cooking pressure. The pivot is integral to the metal handle itself — not a separate fastener — so it does not loosen or stress the plastic over time, ensuring long-term handle reliability.
The Hawkins HSS20 is guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship for 5 years from the date of first purchase, with free labour for repairs throughout the entire working life of the product. Normal consumable replacement parts — safety valve, gasket, and plastic handles — are not covered under the guarantee.
Both are stainless steel induction-compatible Hawkins pressure cookers with AISI 304 bodies, 5.81mm sandwich bottoms, and 5-year guarantees. The key difference is capacity — the HSS20 is 2 litres and ideal for 2–3 persons, while the HSS15 is 1.5 litres and suited for 1–2 persons. Both share the same 130mm base diameter. Choose the HSS20 for cooking for a couple or small family; choose the HSS15 for strictly single-person cooking.
Yes. The AISI 430 magnetic stainless steel external base makes it fully compatible with induction cooktops. It also works on all gas, electric, ceramic, and halogen stovetops without any adapter.
Yes. The HSS20 is explicitly rated as safe for both light and deep frying without the lid. Use it as an open frying vessel for tadka, browning, or sautéing, then add the lid for pressure cooking — the same vessel handles the complete dish from start to finish.
The 4.06mm aluminium core in the sandwich bottom spreads heat rapidly and evenly across the full 130mm base, eliminating the hot spots that cause food to burn at the centre while remaining undercooked at the edges. In a 2-litre cooker where food volumes are small relative to the base area, even heat distribution is especially critical to prevent burning.
The guarantee covers defects in material and workmanship for 5 years from the date of first purchase. Normal consumable parts — safety valve, gasket, and plastic handles — are not covered. Hawkins provides free labour for all repairs throughout the entire working life of the product, beyond the 5-year period.
Yes — the 2-litre HSS20 is the ideal everyday size for a couple cooking for 2 to 3 persons. It cooks full portions of dal, rice, or sabzi in a single batch without the excess capacity and longer heat-up time of a larger cooker. It is also the popular choice as a secondary cooker in households with 4 or more members.
The inner lid seats inside the cooker body and is held in place by the pressure that builds during cooking. The greater the internal pressure, the more firmly the lid is locked — it cannot be lifted or opened until pressure safely drops to atmospheric level. This eliminates any risk of accidental opening under pressure.
The Hawkins HSS20 comes with: 1 pressure cooker body with grid, 1 stainless steel lid, 1 rubber gasket, 1 vent weight, 1 guarantee card, 1 Hawkins cookbook, and 1 service centre directory.
Wash with warm soapy water and a soft sponge after each use. The AISI 304 stainless steel requires no special care — it stays bright with regular washing and does not rust, pit, or stain. Remove and clean the gasket and vent weight separately after every use. Inspect the gasket periodically and replace when signs of wear appear.
Under regular daily use, the gasket typically needs replacement every 12 to 18 months. The Hawkins gasket lasts longer than standard designs due to minimal steam exposure and its non-rubbing design. Genuine Hawkins replacement gaskets are available at all authorised dealers and Hawkins service centres across India.