The Hawkins Futura, a classic stovetop pressure cooker, is renowned for its simple, effective design and durability. It’s the kind of kitchen workhorse your grandmother probably swore by, and for good reason. This isn’t a gadget packed with confusing electronics; it’s a straightforward tool that gets meals on your table fast. If you’re looking for a reliable hawkins futura pressure cooker that just works, year after year, you’ve come to the right review.
We put this iconic cooker through it’s paces to see if it still holds up in a modern kitchen. From weeknight dals to tender pulled pork, we’ll show you how it performs and whether its timeless design is right for you and your cooking style.
Product Comparison Table: 10 Best Hawkins Futura Pressure Cooker
| Image | Why We Like This Product | Editor’s Rating | |
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Presto 01241 4-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker
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9.5 |
Read Review |
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Hawkins Contura Black Pressure Cooker, 5 Litre, Black (CB50)
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9.3 |
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Hawkins 3.5 Litre Contura Black Pressure Cooker, Hard Anodised…
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9.1 |
Read Review |
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Hawkins 3 Litre Inner Lid Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel…
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9.0 |
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Hawkins 5 Litre Contura Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel Inner…
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8.8 |
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Hawkins Futura 3 Litre Pressure Cooker, Hard Anodised Inner…
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8.6 |
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Hawkins Futura 5 Litre Pressure Cooker, Hard Anodised Inner…
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8.4 |
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HAWKINS Futura 2 Litre Pressure Cooker, Hard Anodised Inner…
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8.3 |
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MAGEFESA Avant 6.2-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker, Compatible with Gas,…
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8.1 |
Read Review |
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Prestige 8-Liter Deluxe Alpha Induction Base Stainless Steel Pressure…
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7.9 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 10 Hawkins Futura Pressure Cooker
Presto 01241 4-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker
The Presto 01241 4-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker is a classic kitchen tool designed for straightforward, efficient cooking. This model is a reliable entry-point into pressure cooking, offering a simple way to prepare meals faster than conventional methods.
Its four-quart capacity is well-suited for small to medium-sized households, making it a practical choice for everyday dishes like soups, stews, grains, and tenderizing tougher cuts of meat.
Constructed from durable, lightweight aluminum, this cooker heats up quickly and evenly. That means you spend less time waiting for things to come to a boil and more time enjoying your meal.
The aluminum build contributes to its affordability and manageability, a good fit if your looking for a no-fuss appliance. The basic design is centered around a locking lid with a simple pressure regulator. This rocker-style regulator jiggles and releases steam to maintain consistent pressure, a visual and auditory cue that the cooking process is working.
Hawkins Contura Black Pressure Cooker, 5 Litre, Black (CB50)
The Hawkins Contura Black Pressure Cooker, 5 Litre (CB50) is a kitchen workhorse designed for everyday family cooking. With its 5-litre capacity, it’s perfectly sized for preparing meals for 5 to 7 people. That means you can cook a full pot of rice, a hearty lentil stew, or a big batch of chicken curry in one go, ensuring there’s plenty for dinner and leftovers for the next day. It simplifies cooking for a family or when you have guests over.
Its construction is where this cooker really stands out. The main body is made from hard anodised aluminium, a process that makes the metal incredibly tough and durable. This material, combined with the stainless steel lid, creates a cooker thats built to last for years. A key feature is the black exterior. This isn’t just for looks; the black body heats faster than traditional silver ones, which means it reaches cooking pressure quicker and can help save on energy over time.
Plus, the hard anodised surface does not react with food, so you can cook acidic ingredients like tomatoes or lemons without worrying about any metallic taste affecting your dishes. Your food’s flavor stays pure. Safety is a major consideration, and the Hawkins Contura has a clever design for peace of mind. It uses an inside-fitting safety lid. This lid physically cannot be opened until the pressure inside the cooker has completely fallen to a safe level.
Hawkins 3.5 Litre Contura Black Pressure Cooker, Hard Anodised Inner Lid Cooker, Handi Cooker, Black (CB35)
The Hawkins 3.5 Litre Contura Black Pressure Cooker is a classic, reliable kitchen tool designed for everyday family cooking. With a 3.5 litre capacity, its perfectly sized for preparing meals for four or five persons, making it a practical centerpiece for daily dinners without leaving excessive leftovers.
Its built to handle the regular demands of a busy kitchen, offering a straightforward way to cook nutritious meals faster than conventional methods.
At its core, this cooker features a hard anodised body paired with a durable stainless steel lid. This combination is key to its performance and longevity. The hard anodised construction is exceptionally tough, resisting scratches and wear far better than ordinary aluminum, so it maintains its quality over years of use.
The stainless steel lid complements this by being easy to clean and resistant to staining, ensuring the cooker looks good on your stove for a long time.
A notable feature of this model is its distinctive black body. This isn’t just about aesthetics; the black coating is designed to absorb heat more efficiently. This means the cooker reaches the required cooking temperature faster, which helps in reducing overall energy consumption.
Hawkins 3 Litre Inner Lid Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel Cooker, Wide Design Pan Cooker, Induction Cooker, Silver (HSS3W)
The Hawkins HSS3W 3 Litre Inner Lid Pressure Cooker is a versatile and durable piece of cookware designed for everyday family cooking. Its 3-litre capacity makes it ideal for 3 or 4 persons, perfect for preparing daily meals like dals, curries, and vegetables without leftovers. The wide design pan shape is a practical feature, giving you more surface area at the base.
This makes browning onions or spices easier and is key for one of its standout abilities: you can safely do light and even deep frying right in the cooker before you start pressure cooking. It means you can follow traditional recipes that start with tadka or frying without needing a separate pan, simplifying your process and reducing cleanup.
Constructed from 18Cr/8Ni AISI 304 food-grade stainless steel for both the body and lid, this cooker is built to last.
This high-quality material stays bright and resists pitting or corrosion over years of use, ensuring an extremely hygienic cooking surface that wont react with your food. The inner lid design is a Hawkins signature, helping to keep nutrients locked in during the pressure cooking cycle. Complementing the sturdy body is an extra-thick sandwich bottom. This layered base is crucial for even heat distribution, preventing hot spots that can burn your food.
Hawkins 5 Litre Contura Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel Inner Lid Cooker, Handi Cooker, Induction Cooker, Silver (SSC50)
The Hawkins 5 Litre Contura Pressure Cooker is a versatile and durable kitchen workhorse designed for everyday family cooking. With its 5-litre capacity, it’s perfectly sized for preparing meals for 5 to 7 people, making it a practical choice for family dinners or when you have a few extra guests. You won’t need to cook in batches, saving you considerable time and effort in the kitchen.
Built to last, this cooker features a 100% stainless steel body and lid.
This construction means it’s highly resistant to rust and staining, and it’s easy to clean after use. The stainless steel inner lid is a specific highlight, contributing to the cooker’s overall hygiene and durability. You can trust that this pot is made from quality materials that won’t degrade over time, which is a key consideration for a frequently used appliance.
Performance is where the Contura really shines. Its base incorporates a 6.6 mm thick sandwich bottom.
This specialized layer is crucial for even heat distribution, especially on induction cooktops, which this cooker is fully compatible with. Because the base stays flat and will not bulge under high heat, it maintains perfect contact with your stove. This translates to cooking that is both quick and remarkably even, eliminating those frustrating hot spots that can burn your food.
The design is thoughtfully crafted for the actual cooking process.
Hawkins Futura 3 Litre Pressure Cooker, Hard Anodised Inner Lid Pressure Cooker, Pan Cooker, Black (FP30)
The Hawkins Futura 3 Litre Pressure Cooker is a compact and reliable kitchen tool designed for everyday cooking. Its 3-litre capacity is ideal for smaller households, couples, or for preparing single dishes like lentils, rice, vegetables, or a small pot of curry. This size makes it managable to store and easy to handle on a daily basis.
One of it’s core strengths is its construction. The inner lid and main body feature a non-corroding hard anodized surface.
This isn’t just about looking good in black; it creates an incredibly durable cooking surface that resists scratches and wear far better than ordinary aluminum. It won’t react with acidic foods, so your tomato-based recipes taste pure and your cooker stays in great shape for years. The long lasting gasket is another key part of this durability.
Made from quality materials, it ensures a tight seal over many, many uses, which is absolutly essential for maintaining proper pressure and cooking efficiency.
Safety is clearly a priority in the Futura’s design. The shielded safety valve helps prevent food particles from clogging the valve, a common issue that can affect operation.
Hawkins Futura 5 Litre Pressure Cooker, Hard Anodised Inner Lid Pressure Cooker, Pan Cooker, Black (FP50)
The Hawkins Futura 5 Litre Pressure Cooker is a kitchen workhorse designed for everyday family cooking. With a capacity ideal for 5 to 7 persons, it handles meals for a medium-sized family or for preparing larger batches to save for later. It’s a versatile piece of cookware that simplifies the process of making everything from lentils and rice to stews and curries.
Its construction is where the Futura really stands out. The hard anodised body and lid are a key feature.
This material is non-reactive with food, meaning it won’t impart any metallic taste to acidic ingredients like tomatoes or lemons. More importantly, it’s incredibly durable and resists tarnishing. This means the cooker maintains its sleek black appearance for years, even with regular use, without the need for special polishing. It’s built to look good on your stove for the long haul.
The base of the cooker is impressively thick at 6.35 mm.
This heavy-gauge base ensures it stays perfectly flat during cooking, which promotes even heat distribution and prevents hot spots that can burn your food. This stability also makes it compatible with virtually any heat source you have at home. Whether you use a gas burner, an electric coil, a ceramic glass top, or a halogen hob, this cooker will perform reliably and safely.
One of the biggest advantages of pressure cooking is speed, and the Hawkins Futura excels here.
HAWKINS Futura 2 Litre Pressure Cooker, Hard Anodised Inner Lid Pressure Cooker, Small Cooker, Black (FP20)
The HAWKINS Futura 2 Litre Pressure Cooker is a compact kitchen workhorse designed for smaller households. If you’re cooking for two or three people, this model hits the sweet spot, making it perfect for couples, singles, or small families.
Its 2-litre capacity is ideal for preparing everyday meals like rice, lentils, steamed vegetables, or a quick curry without the bulk of a larger cooker.
One of it’s standout features is the hard anodised construction of both the inner body and the lid. This isn’t just about looks, though it does stay looking new for a long time. The hard anodised material is non-reactive, meaning it won’t interact with acidic foods like tomatoes or citrus.
Your food cooks in its pure flavor, and you don’t have to worry about the cooker tarnishing or corroding over years of use. It’s built to last.
The foundation of this cooker is seriously sturdy. It has a thick 6.35 mm base that resists warping. This isn’t just about durability; a flat base ensures even heat distribution across the cooking surface. This versatility means you can confidently use it on your gas stove, electric coil, ceramic glass top, or halogen hob without any issues.
MAGEFESA Avant 6.2-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker, Compatible with Gas, Electric & Ceramic Stoves, Stovetop Pressure Canner with Trivet, Red Handle
The MAGEFESA Avant 6.2-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker is a versatile stovetop tool designed for everyday family cooking. It’s built to work on all standard cooktops, including gas, electric, and ceramic stoves, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility. With a 6.2-quart capacity, it provides ample space for preparing soups, stews, grains, and meats for a typical household.
Its dimensions—8.7 inches in diameter and 6.7 inches tall—offer a practical footprint that balances capacity with manageable storage.
Constructed from hard-wearing aluminum, the cooker’s body is made to resist corrosion and maintain its integrity over years of use. The polished exterior isn’t just for looks; it gives the pot a smooth, easy-to-clean finish. The heart of any pressure cooker is its seal, and Magefesa equips the Avant with a medical-grade silicone gasket.
This material is chosen for its durability and safety, ensuring no unwanted flavors or contaminants touch your food. This robust seal is what allows the pot to reach and maintain the high pressure needed for faster, more efficient cooking.
One of the key benefits of using this type of cooker is the way it handles food. The pressurized environment cooks ingredients quickly while trapping steam and flavor inside.
Prestige 8-Liter Deluxe Alpha Induction Base Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker, Small, Silver
The Prestige 8-Liter Deluxe Alpha Induction Base Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker is built for those times when you need to cook for a crowd. With its generous 8-liter capacity, this cooker is perfectly suited for a large family or for hosting parties and gatherings. It allows you to prepare substantial batches of rice, curries, stews, or soups in a single go, saving you time and effort on multiple rounds of cooking.
A key feature of this model is it’s advanced Alpha base, which is fully compatible with induction cooktops. This isn’t just about compatibility; the Alpha base is engineered for excellent heat distribution. It ensures that heat spreads evenly across the bottom of the cooker, which helps in cooking food uniformly and efficiently, reducing the chances of hot spots that could burn your ingredients. This means more consistent results everytime you use it.
Safety and ease of use are clearly prioritized in the design. The durable, cool-touch handles provide a firm and secure grip, making it safer to move the cooker even when it’s full and heavy. You’ll appreciate the unique Pressure Indicator, a simple yet crucial feature that clearly shows when pressure has dropped to a safe level inside. This visual cue takes the guesswork out of knowing when it’s okay to open the lid, preventing any accidental steam releases.
Hawkins Futura Pressure Cooker Buying Guide
The Hawkins Futura pressure cooker are valued for its safety features and durable construction. But with different sizes and models available, how do you pick the right one for your kitchen? This guide walks you through the key factors to consider, helping you make a confident choice that fits your cooking habits.
Size and Capacity
Think about how many people you usually cook for. A smaller 2-liter cooker is perfect for singles or couples, while a 3 or 5-liter model better suits a family. Remember, you should only fill a pressure cooker two-thirds full, so always choose a capacity slightly larger than you think you’ll need. A too-small pot is frustrating, but an oversized one can be awkward to store.
Material and Build
This is where durability comes in. The Futura’s heavy-gauge aluminum body ensures even heat distribution, preventing hot spots that can burn food. It’s also remarkably lightweight compared to stainless steel options, which is a big plus when your handling a full pot. Check that the handle is securely riveted and feels comfortable and secure in your grip.
Safety Mechanisms
Never compromise here. The Futura typically includes a central pressure regulator weight and a secondary safety plug. The regulator controls cooking pressure, while the plug is designed to release steam if pressure gets too high. Always look for these features and ensure thay are easy to clean and maintain. A cooker that gives you peace of mind is worth its weight in gold.
Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance
After a great meal, nobody wants a difficult cleanup. The Futura’s non-stick interior is a huge advantage here, making it simple to wipe clean. Ensure the lid gasket (the rubber ring) is removable for proper washing, as food residue here can affect performance. A well-maintained cooker lasts for years, so easy cleaning isn’t just a convenience—it’s an investment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hawkins Futura Pressure Cooker
What sizes does the Futura come in?
It’s most commonly found in a 3-liter size, which is great for small families. There’s also a larger 5-liter version if you cook bigger batches more often.
Is it easy to use for a beginner?
Yes, it’s designed to be simple. You just lock the lid, place it on the heat, and wait for the pressure indicator to rise. It has clear safety features that make it a good first pressure cooker.
What are the main safety features?
The Futura has a few key ones. There’s a pressure indicator that shows when it’s pressurized. A safety plug releases excess steam automatically. The lid also locks completely until the pressure inside drops to a safe level.
Can I use it on all types of stoves?
You can use it on gas, electric, and halogen stoves. It’s not suitable for induction cooktops unless you buy a separate induction plate to place underneath it.
How do I clean the Hawkins Futura?
The inner pot and lid are seperate and can be washed with warm soapy water. Make sure to clean the safety plug and vent tube regularly to prevent food particles from clogging them.
What’s the difference between this and a regular pot?
It cooks food much faster by using steam pressure. This saves a lot of time and energy, especially for foods like beans, stews, and meats that normally take hours.
Where can I get replacement parts like gaskets?
You can find them at most kitchenware stores or online retailers. It’s a good idea to change the main lid gasket every 12-18 months with regular use to maintain a good seal.
Does it come with a recipe book?
Usually, yes. A basic instruction and recipe manual is included in the box to help you get started with some common dishes.
The Final Call
Quick, efficient cooking defines these reliable pressure cookers, ready to handle your meals. They save you serious time in the kitchen. You get tender, flavorful results without the long wait. It’s a simple way to make your weeknight routine smoother. You can focus on other things while your dinner cooks itself. The safety and ease of use bring real peace of mind.
For a trusted kitchen helper, the hawkins futura pressure cooker stands out. It’s built to last and designed for daily use. You’ll appreciate it’s straightforward functionality. This tool makes preparing hearty stews, perfect rice, or quick lentils incredibly simple. It’s a smart choice for anyone looking to cook better meals with less fuss. Consider adding one to your countertop.