Pressure cookers are a must-have for any Indian kitchen. If you’re looking for the best 3-litre pressure cookers in India, you’ve come to the right place!
In this guide, I will share with you a complete list of all the best pressure cookers in India. And I will provide a detailed review, sharing my own thoughts, likes, and dislikes about each product, helping you to choose the right product according to your preferences!
In a hurry? Check out my top picks below:
Detailed Review: The Best 3-Litre Pressure Cookers In India
Hawkins Stainless Steel Contura 3 L Pressure Cooker
Key Features
- Thick bottom for even heating: The pressure cooker comes with a thick bottom that helps distribute heat evenly. This means your food will cook uniformly, ensuring delicious and well-cooked meals.
- 5-Year guarantee with many service centres: Rest easy knowing that the pressure cooker is backed by a 5-year guarantee. In case of any issues, there are numerous service centres conveniently located throughout the country for assistance.
- Safety valve present: The pressure cooker is equipped with a safety valve located under the handlebar. This valve provides an extra layer of safety while cooking.
Specifications:
| Brand | Hawkins |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Capacity | 3 Litre |
| Colour | Silver |
| Weight | 2 Kg |
| Dimensions | 37.4 x 20.5 x 18.3 cm |
What I Like:
Just like Prestige, Hawkins is a well-known brand in India when it comes to cooking items. Their products are known for their premium quality among consumers. What sets them apart from their competitors is that their products are long-lasting and durable.
I like the curved design of the Hawkins pressure cooker, which gives it a unique look and also allows for easy stirring of food contents inside.
Another positive aspect is that you don’t have to worry about claiming the guarantee or servicing your pressure cooker, as Hawkins has numerous service centres in India.
The build quality of the pressure cooker is amazing, and the product feels very sturdy.
Overall, based on my personal experience with Hawkins brand products, I can highly recommend their products.
“We have an old Hawkins brand pressure cooker that has been working well for 30 years now. We only had to do minimal maintenance once in a while.”
Typically, pressure cookers last 5-10 years, but good quality ones can last for many years with proper maintenance. However, the longevity of the pressure cooker can also depend on your usage and wear and tear.
What I Didn’t Like:
The inside edges of the Hawkins pressure cooker are a bit sharper, so you need to be cautious while cleaning.
You may experience minimal issues associated with the pressure cooker’s gasket and screws. However, overall, it’s not a significant concern.
The product is slightly costly but well worth it as a long-term investment.
Pros And Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Thick bottom for even heating | Inside edges are a bit sharper, requiring caution during cleaning |
| 5-year guarantee with many service centres | Minimal issues with gasket and screws, but not significant |
| Safety valve for added safety | Slightly higher cost, but considered a worthwhile investment |
| Well-known brand with premium quality | |
| Curved design for easy stirring | |
| Sturdy build quality |
Who Should Avoid It?
- If you have a tight budget and are looking for a relatively affordable pressure cooker.
Who Should Get It?
- If you prefer Hawkins brand products and want a good quality pressure cooker.
- If you want a well-built and long-lasting pressure cooker.
Prestige Deluxe Alpha Svachh Stainless Steel 3 L Pressure Cooker
Key Features
- 10-year warranty: When a product comes with such an extended warranty, it instils confidence in its quality. After all, a 10-year warranty is truly impressive.
- Compatible with both gas and induction: This Prestige pressure cooker is designed to be compatible with both gas and induction heat sources, offering versatility in cooking options.
- Includes a mini metallic safety plug: The Prestige pressure cooker also features a mini metallic safety plug, providing an extra layer of safety while using the pressure cooker.
- Deep lid: The well-designed lid ensures that there is no spillage, enhancing the cooking experience
Specifications:
| Brand | Prestige |
| Capacity | 3 Litre |
| Colour | Silver |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Dimension | 24 x 39 x 14 cm |
| Weight | 1.8 kg |
What I Like:
The first thing I like about this pressure cooker is that it comes from a well-reputed brand in the Indian kitchen appliance space – Prestige. So, you can be assured about the quality of the product.
The next best thing is the design and durability. The pressure cooker has a well-built design, and even its lid is quite sturdy. Using the product feels very easy, and cleaning it after day-to-day use is also easy.
What I Didn’t Like:
It would have been better if the sides of the pressure cooker were a bit less sharp. Another thing that I didn’t like is its cost. But given the quality and features, it’s well worth the price.
Pros And Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| 10-year warranty | Sides of the pressure cooker could be less sharp |
| Compatible with both gas and induction | Higher cost compared to some other options |
| Includes a mini metallic safety plug | |
| Deep lid prevents spillage | |
| Well-built design and durability | |
| Comes from a reputable brand | |
| Easy to use and clean |
Who Should Avoid It?
- If you have a tight budget, then you may have to look for a Pigeon brand pressure cooker mentioned at the end of this guide, which comes at a relatively affordable cost compared to this one.
Who Should Get It?
- If you’re looking for a good quality branded pressure cooker.
- If you’re looking for a durable and easy-to-use pressure cooker that performs well.
Pigeon By Stovekraft Stainless Steel 3 L Pressure Cooker
Key Features:
- 5 Year Warranty: The Pigeon Pressure Cooker offers an impressive 5-year warranty that provides you with peace of mind and guarantees its long-lasting durability.
- Premium Stainless Steel Construction: Meticulously crafted from top-notch stainless steel, this pressure cooker ensures outstanding durability and consistent performance. Its high-quality stainless steel construction not only enhances its strength but also provides remarkable resistance against rust, stains, and corrosion.
- Versatility across Heat Sources: The Pigeon Pressure Cooker is designed to be incredibly versatile, catering to all heat sources including gas stoves and induction cooktops.
Specifications:
| Specs: | Details: |
| Brand Name | Pigeon |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Capacity | 2 L + 3 L |
| Weight | 2.7 Kg |
| Colour | Silver |
| Dimension | 21 x 32.5 x 21 cm |
What I Like:
One aspect that I like the most about this pressure cooker is its affordability. Despite offering two pressure cookers with a common lid, the total cost of the product remains lower than the previous two cookers we discussed.
Additionally, this pressure cooker features a sandwich (flat) bottom, making it compatible with various gas sources such as induction or gas stoves.
Furthermore, it’s worth mentioning that this pressure cooker provides options in terms of capacity, with both 2-litre and 3-litre sizes available. This versatility allows for different cooking needs.
Moreover, the size of the pressure cooker is suitable for Indian cooking, and the product is easy to use and clean.
What I Didn’t Like:
While these pressure cookers come at a very inexpensive rate, and you get two pressure cookers with a common lid, there may be some quality issues to be aware of. For example, you may encounter problems with the valve, whistles, or gasket.
Additionally, the lid handle can be a bit flimsy. However, apart from these minor concerns, there are no major issues. The cooking experience with the pressure cooker is great, and cleaning it is also easy. Overall, the product provides excellent value for money.
Pros And Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable price | Minor quality issues with valve, whistles, or gasket |
| Premium stainless steel construction | Flimsy lid handle |
| 5-year warranty | |
| Versatile heat sources | |
| Available in different sizes | |
| Suitable for Indian cooking | |
| Easy to use and clean | |
| Provides excellent value for money |
Who Should Avoid It?
If you have the budget and want a high-quality pressure cooker, then I strongly recommend looking for Hawkins or Prestige 3 L stainless pressure cookers.
Who Should Get It?
If you are looking to gift someone a pressure cooker or if you are on a tight budget, then this pressure cooker is the right choice for you.
How To Choose The Best Pressure Cookers?
First and foremost, it is important to consider the brand. Opting for a reputable brand like Prestige, Hawkins, or Pigeon ensures that you are investing in a reliable and well-established product. These brands have built a reputation for manufacturing high-quality kitchen appliances that are durable and efficient.
Build quality is another crucial aspect to consider. Look for pressure cookers made from sturdy materials such as stainless steel, which are known for their durability and resistance to corrosion. A pressure cooker with a thick bottom is also desirable as it ensures even heat distribution and prevents food from burning or sticking to the bottom.
Design plays a significant role in usability. Consider features like easy-grip handles for comfortable handling and a well-designed lid that locks securely to prevent any accidents. Additionally, a pressure cooker with a curved design can make stirring and mixing ingredients more convenient.
Safety features are paramount when dealing with pressure cookers. Look for models that include safety valves to regulate pressure and release excess steam, preventing any potential hazards. Ensure that the pressure cooker has a secure locking mechanism to prevent accidental openings while cooking.
Capacity is another important factor to consider. A 3-litre pressure cooker is ideal for small to medium-sized families. However, assess your specific cooking needs to determine if this capacity is suitable for your requirements.
Lastly, consider additional features like warranty and customer support. A longer warranty period provides peace of mind and indicates the manufacturer’s confidence in their product. Furthermore, having accessible customer service or service centres can be beneficial if you require any assistance or repairs.
Final Thoughts
In short, when choosing the best 3-litre pressure cooker in India, there are several factors to consider. The Hawkins Stainless Steel Contura 3 L Pressure Cooker stands out for its exceptional build quality, durability, and the availability of many service centers. It ensures even heating with its thick bottom and provides an extra layer of safety with its safety valve.
The Prestige Deluxe Alpha Svachh Stainless Steel 3 L Pressure Cooker is a great option for those seeking ease of use and a feature-rich product. It comes with a 10-year warranty, compatibility with gas and induction, and a deep lid to prevent spillage.
The Pigeon By Stovekraft Stainless Steel 3 L Pressure Cooker is an affordable choice, offering two pressure cookers with a common lid. While there may be some quality issues to consider, it provides excellent value for money and is suitable for those on a tight budget or looking to gift someone.
When selecting a pressure cooker, it’s important to consider the brand reputation, build quality, design features, safety measures, and warranty. With the right information and careful consideration, you can choose the best 3-litre pressure cooker that suits your requirements and enhances your cooking experience. Happy cooking!
FAQs
- Which Brand Is Best for Pressure Cookers in India?
Prestige and Hawkins are the best brands of pressure cookers in India. Both are well-known kitchen brands that have been producing reliable and durable pressure cookers for several years. However, the cost of their products can be relatively high.
- Which Type of Pressure Cooker Is Good for Health?
Stainless steel pressure cookers are best for health because, unlike aluminium pressure cookers, stainless steel pressure cookers last longer, are more durable against dents, and don’t react with acidic foods. Even though the cooking time could be relatively longer with a stainless steel pressure cooker, they are well worth it considering the benefits.
- Which Is Better: Hawkins or Prestige Pressure Cooker?
Both Prestige and Hawkins pressure cookers are good, and each one of them has some unique features that make them stand out. Hawkins pressure cookers are the best when it comes to durability and longevity. However, Prestige pressure cookers are the best in terms of ease of use.
What’s Next? Speaking of pressure cookers, I highly recommend you to check out this guide where I explain how many whistles are needed to cook rice in a pressure cooker. Reading it will help you have a clear idea of pressure cooker whistles and timings depending on the different types of rice you use.