Best Pressure Cooker to Buy in India | 2023 Guide

A best pressure cooker is a must have item in the Indian kitchen, it has to be of top quality as daily use of it is for many purposes. You can use it to cook rice, stews, vegetables, beans, and a lot more. It can also shorten cooking time and save energy.

However, there are a lot of different types of pressure cookers, so it is quite difficult to choose. We’ll be discussing the things you’ll need to know to pick just the right pressure cooker, and even showcase a list of the best ones you can get online in India.

Suggested read: Best Electric Pressure Cookers | Best Rice Cooker

Why you must buy a pressure cooker?

List of Best Stainless Steel Pressure Cookers in India

List of Best Hard Anodized Pressure Cookers

List of Best Aluminium Pressure Cookers

Detailed Review of Top 10 Pressure Cookers at Low Prices

This section has details of each of the different pressure cookers we handpicked earlier. Before going into details, let us segregate these best pressure cookers based on their capacity for ease of reference:

Best 1.5 litre Pressure Cookers at lowest price

Best 2 litre Pressure Cookers at lowest price

Best 3 litre Pressure Cookers at lowest price

Best 5 litre Pressure Cookers at lowest price

Best pressure cooker for induction stove top

Now lets proceed with details of each.

1. Prestige Deluxe stainless Pressure Cooker

Prestige has been synonymous to cookers for Indians since its debut in 1955 and there is no looking back since then. Available in 5.5 litre and 3 litre variants, the body of this cooker is made out of premium quality stainless steel.

The prestige deluxe has a 3 level safety system which consists of a

• Weighted Valve: Which does not go off for minor pressures of the cooker) 
• Controlled Gasket Release: For slow release so that the cooker does not burst open.
• Metallic Safety Plug: This makes sure that the steam pressure that brews within the cooker stays in the cooker and does not come out of it.

As the alpha base is made from aluminum steel, it increases the conductivity of heat, and is better than pure stainless steel that has a lesser heat conduction property.

Cleaning it is also easy as it is also dishwasher safe and it does not develop any stains. So you don’t need to put in any extra effort for maintaining it.

The astounding part is not just that this cooker has a fantastic performance but it offers you a 10 years manufacturer’s warranty.

2. Hawkins Multipurpose Pressure Cooker

Hawkins has been serving premium quality cookers to the Indian middle class since 1959. The Hawkins Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker which comes in (2,3,4,5,6,8 &10) Litres capacity.

This cooker has been tested and certified by the Underwriters Laboratories Inc, the US for its durability and safety. (Certificate No. SA5984).

The Hawkins Pressure-Locked Safety has a unique safety feature to lock in the lid. Unlike normal pressure cookers which burst open when there is too much pressure inside, the Hawkins stays locked. This guarantees greater safety while using it.

This steel pressure cooker not just works on a conventional gas stove, but is designed to work on induction, electric, ceramic and even halogen cooktops. With an extra thick base of 5.8 mm, the cooker is made out of 100% Food-Grade stainless steel.

The base can stay flat, even and not give hot spots in isolated regions like most cookers. Hence you can expect evenly heated and cooked dishes faster than ever. No bulging, No separating. Its curved bottom makes it ideal for not just pressure cooking but also for stirring and frying too.

Typical pressure cookers have a rubber gasket which needs to be replaced every once in a while. The Hawkins comes with a longer lasting gasket which is present inside the cooker. The longevity is due to the fact that it does not frequently get rubbed when opening and closing the cooker.

3. Elgi Ultra Stainless Steel Diet Cooker

Elgi Ultra is a stainless steel cooker that may look like your any other ordinary cooker but it differentiates itself from others with its induction base.

This base aids in heating up the cooker faster by absorbing more heat from the stove and thus helps in reducing the fuel consumption.

Also,the AISI 304 Stainless Steel material has heat resistant bakelite handles. They, inturn, have twin screws this offers a longer life.

Also, the base of the cooker, as mentioned is induction in nature and is made out of high impact bonded base. This makes sure that the cooker does not charr/ burning and does not stick food to the bottom and also makes your job of cleaning it that easy.

Apart from the anti-charing uniform cooking property, the bonded base also aids in super fast in operation. The container makes sure that the food cooked inside stays warm for a very long time as much as 2 hours.

The starch stainer that comes with the cooker aids in the removal of starch from the rice, quinoa or millets or anything that you cook by boiling. Removal of starch from your rice would help in reducing as much as 30 calories in every meal.

4. Butterfly stainless steel Pressure Cooker

Going through many iterations and improvements through time, Butterfly pressure cookers are famous for their elegant design and performance.

Compatible to work both on induction cooktops and regular stoves too, the build of the cooker is unparalleled. The base is like a very thick capsule which helps withstand high heat which avoids burning of food.

This pressure cooker is fast in operation thanks to its very thick and bold base. This base is non stick from the inside and thus does not encourage any burning as such.

It is also equipped with a special uni-lock mechanism. Lock once fear not of the cooker opening by mistake or due to the excessive pressure.

The gasket vent comes with a safety valve for removing excessive pressure if the main pressure valve fails to work at time due to blockage thus assuring you of greater safety.

Detailed Review of Best Hard Anodized Pressure Cookers

5. Prestige Deluxe plus Hard Anodized Outer Lid Pressure Cooker

Prestige Deluxe plus hard Anodized outer lid pressure cooker designed with the flat base, and comes with induction base so it’s easily compatible to use on ovens, Induction cook tops and gas stoves as well.

The strength of anodisation makes it scratch resistant, stain resistant and stick resistant. As the cooker comes with the thick base it helps to cook uniformly and also helps to retain the nutrition value of food items.

• Precision Weight Value: This is the safety feature which releases the pressure above 1 kg/ cm2, to make time saving and cooking safe for you.
• Controlled Gasket Release System: CGRS will release the steam from the cook top if there is any blockage of the vent tube. This is the 2nd level safety feature provided in prestige pressure cooker.
• Double Screw Durable Handles: The handles are designed such a way that you can use the cooker comfortably. The sturdy flame guard handles provide extra grip and make your usage comfortable and durable.
• Pressure Indicator: To make the cooker convenient for use the visual indication of pressure level helps in indicating the correct time to open the cooker lid.

6. Hawkins Contura Hard Anodised Aluminium Pressure Cooker

Hawkins is an Indian Company, based in Mumbai and manufactures pressure cooker and cookware. They market their products with the brand names of Hawkins, Futura, Contura, Hevibase , Big Boy and ventura.

If you are looking for a pressure cooker which uses less water to prepare your meal, by preserving the nutritious value of the food then Hawkins contura hard anodised aluminium pressure cooker is the best option.

This cooker is designed with broad opening and designed with curved body which makes stirring easy, it comes with black hard anodised aluminium and featuring with food grade stainless steel

The durable black finish given by 60 microns makes the pressure cooker absorb heat faster by making it more energy efficient.

7. Pigeon by Stovekraft Pressure Cooker

Stove Kraft Limited the leading manufacturer of Kitchen appliances and Cookware, under its flagship brands Pigeon.

This cooker is designed with a hard anodised body and a stainless steel lid, which adds perfection to any kitchen. It is in handi shaped and specially designed for traditional Indian cuisines.

This pressure cooker is metal spoon friendly to ensure your product looks new it comes with features like scratch resistant, stain resistant and stick resistant. It has induction base and can work on any type of heat source. 

Detailed Review of Best Aluminum Pressure Cookers

8. Hawkins – J31 Miss Mary Aluminum Pressure Cooker

This Hawkins Miss Mary pressure cooker comes in 9 various sizes /liters capacity that undergoes various rigorous checks by the manufacturer to provide trouble free service. Also, they are quality certified by BIS (ISI) for safety and durability.

It has unique pressure locked safety lid that ensures that is won’t be opened until the pressure inside the cooker came to safe level. The PLAY in the lid handle bar is designed to seal the lid airtight and thus provides a perfect sealing of lid with rim of cooker.

Its fixed unbreakable metal handle bracket will assist the self-centralizing lid in locking safely and securely in place to ensure steam-tight seal.

The inside fitting safety lid will protect the rubber gasket from juices and acids in the food and also the gasket lasts longer, as it won’t get rubbed or scraped sideways whenever the cooker is opened or closed.

It is recommended to use only on gas cooktops.

9. Prestige Popular Aluminum Pressure Cooker

Due to its top line features, this Prestige popular pressure cooker is a widely used & favorite cooker in India. It has elegant design and splendid finish. It is made with virgin aluminum with thick base (3 mm) and its slight concave bottom will ensure zero contamination and safe cooking for a longer time.

It is a lightweight pressure cooker (1.29 kg) with an outer lid, which makes it suitable for both direct vessel cooking and separate cooking.

It has three level safety system:

1. Its weight valve is made up of brass with steel coating, that release pressure above 1kg/cm² and thus makes cooking safe and time saving.
2. Its excellent gasket release system for safety and durability. In case of any blockage of vent tube, the gasket will bulge and steam release through slot.
3. Metallic safety plug, which is fitted to the lid will release the excess pressure, especially when rises beyond a safety level.

10. Pigeon by Stovekraft Deluxe Aluminum Pressure Cooker

This Pigeon deluxe pressure has ISI certification for its safety and durability. It is crafted with best virgin food grade aluminum alloy to retain nutritional value of cooked food. Its strong & robust design will make it as an ideal companion for safe and healthy cooking.

• The ergonomic handle of this pressure cooker will ensure a better grip and aids in easy handling from heat while cooking.
• It comes with standard food grade nitrile gasket and the safety valve in this gasket vent will remove the excess pressure and assures safety.
• The precision weight valve is another safety feature that is designed specially to release pressure while cooking and also saves you energy and time.
• Its metallic safety plug feature will ensure for safe and easy cooking experience.

This cooker is specially build with the stain resistant for an easy to clean, and ease usage along with high durability. The anti-deflecting bottom of this cooker will increase thermal efficiency and reduces the fuel consumption.

Detailed Guide for Buying a Best Pressure Cooker in India

Consider below criteria while buying a pressure cooker for your need.

1. What type of cooker is best for you?

Pressure cookers are mainly of two types:

1. Stove-top pressure cookers
2. Electric pressure cookers.

In India, stove top cookers are most commonly used and they come with different designs as below.

a) Hard-anodized cookers: Best quality and expensive

b) Stainless steel : Strong and durable

c) Aluminum: Most affordable

Which material is most healthy option?

• Plain aluminum pressure cookers can react with acidic foods
• Whereas both stainless steel pressure cookers and hard anodized pressure cookers don’t react with acidic foods.

2. Is it compatible with induction stove top?

Another important factor while deciding the right pressure cooker is induction stove compatibility. Looking for “induction base” or “induction compatible” while aiming for a pressure cooker that can be used on an induction cooktop too.

3. Inner lid vs Outer lid ?

You will usually find two types of pressure cookers, an inner lid pressure cooker that is small in size and outer lid pressure cookers mostly available in large size.

The inner lid-pressure cookers are safe to use in comparison to the outer lids as they have an additional locking mechanism that holds the extra pressure generated during the cooking of food in the form of steam. They handle the pressure of the steam and are safe to use.

4. How durable is the material?

As mentioned above, a pressure cooker is a long term investment as you everyone wants them to last for long. Therefore, it’s important to consider the durability of the material.

Stainless steel pressure cookers have high strength and durability. They don’t lose their luster with usage and also are corrosion resistant. They can be expensive in comparison to aluminum pressure cookers. 

5. Is it dishwasher safe?

While you buy a pressure cooker you should get the manual or ask from the expert whether they are safe for dishwasher use. You can easily clean the pressure cooker in the dishwasher that is made from stainless steel or aluminum but hard anodized pressure cookers aren’t safe for the dishwasher. So, before you get the product, check whether it is dishwasher safe to use or not.

6. What is the warranty and price?

Considering warranty is also important as it will help you save money in case any damage occurs. Also, check for the accessories and the parts that are replaceable under the warranty period by the manufacturing company.

At the same time, a common misbelief is that the cost better the product is. But that is always not true. The high-cost cooker may not have everything you may be searching for. You should check for all the crucial features, performance, pros, and cons before you make a choice. Don’t compromise the performance for the cost of the product.

How to Cook Safely Using a Pressure Cooker?

Pressure cookers are an important part of Indian kitchen. Not only they save your time and money, but also help to prepare delicious meals without compromising the nutritional values as it happens in other cooking methods.

Consider below tips while using a pressure cooker.

• When you buy new cooker, make sure to read the instructions even if you don’t feel its need, still check the manual carefully as it will make you clear for pressure cooker usage. 
• It’s important to keep your pressure cooker clean before you put the ingredients in it. Check the lids of the cooker and make sure that they are in its place. Ensure the rubber gasket is flexible, if not then replace it before usage.
• Don’t overfill the pressure cooker, add ingredients only to two-third to avoid the blocking of the vents. And for the foods such as beans or grains fill half for food as it swells on cooking.
• Make use of liquid as pressure cooker cooks on steam, you can’t cook unless you add a sufficient amount of liquid. Follow the instructions of the recipe for adding liquid as per the requirements.
• Close the lid in its place and ensure that the pressure release valve is closed in its proper position.
• Place the cooker on at the temperature as per the recipe requirement. You can adjust the temperature by reducing the heat to avoid overcooking of the food.
• Cooking time is available in the recipe manuals, once the cooking is over firstly release the pressure before you open the lid.
• While opening the pressure cooker keep in mind that you open the lid in the opposite direction to your face to avoid steam hitting your face. 

Common Questions about Pressure Cookers

Over to You

Pressure cookers play a key role in cooking a variety of dishes, especially at Indian homes. So they are one of the essential and undeniable utensils to have in kitchen. In this post, we have shared a detailed review of the features that the best pressure cooker in India must-have. 

Additionally, we have picked best cookers under various titles. Prestige Deluxe stainless Pressure Cooker is something we consider best among these top cookers. But consider your needs before deciding your favorite one!