HAWKINS F45 Pressure Cooker, 4 Litre, Black

This has pretty much replaced my larger pressure cooker. I bought the 5L. I think this would be a good size for a couple or small family. For a single person that doesn’t have time to cook, it’s still convenient if one stores/freezes the leftovers. I have used this for soups, pork roasts, beans, and brown rice. The only thing I don’t think it has been good at is the brown rice (too gummy, so I still use my steamer for that), but it may be my method. Easy to clean. I have pureed soups right in the cooker using an emersion blender and no problems. Have not had any problems with the lid – does take getting used to, but a great seal. To take the lid off/on one has to angle the lid INTO the cooker and turn 90 degrees. I use the cooker about once or twice a week and it looks like new and has not discolored like my old aluminum one. I guess the only thing I would add is that there is a huge size range offered and one should be careful re the smaller sizes (1.5 or 2L). The size refers to the total volume of the cooker, not the volume of food that can be appropriately cooked. In my opinion, even for a single person the smallest size that should be considered is a 3L. Overall very convenient and happy with this purchase. Glad I bought this vs. the more expensive stainless steel ones in the department stores (was wary as I never heard of this brand before). Have not had any of the problems noted in the low rated reviews.

update 6.15.11. – Now cook all brown rice in this – turns out great, better and faster than the steamer. Bought anohter one for my parents and they were impressed, though it took them a while to figure out how to close the thing.

update 6.4.24 – Still using both my pressure cookers (5L and 2L) regularly, still w/original parts. They still work awesome. My parents’, though, have had to replace 3 safety valves (user error x 2, and one replacement failed right off the bat). My brother doesn’t use his very much, but hasn’t had any issues.
Having used the cookers now for years and getting older, my only complaint is that they are on the heavier side. The 5L has a little helper handle, the 2L does not. When full, I definitely need to use the helper handle if moving it from stovetop to countertop. The insides have slightly discolored, the outsides remain pristine. They remain 5 star products.

I used to have the 5ltr Futura. This size is ideal for 1/2 people.

This products is not worth purchasing at 5.0+ liter cooker. I loved my 2.0 liter version, but it’s a bit too small, so I bought a 7.0 liter. That version will not keep a sustained steam. I have an electric cooker with heat from 0 to 10. At 10, it boils water but to keep it with a sustained steam-like pressure, I have to keep the 7.0 liter cooker at 7.5 heat while the 2.0 liter was good at cooking food at lower heats like 3 or 4 heat.

So in order for me to maintain a constant whistle, at 7.5 heat, I have to gently poke the whistle part to help keep it whistling, because otherwise I hear a constant hiss coming out, no movement from the whistle part, no rhythmic motion. It’s not fun standing next to a pressure cooker, poking it gently so it would whistle, or function like it’s suppose to. Cooking at 8 heat and the pressure cooker begins to SCREAM steam. Cooking at 7.5 heat didn’t pay off either, the food always ended up with less sauce, just in case someone thinks 7.5 heat pays off on a large cooker, it doesn’t.

So just be careful, this is a great product at 2.0 liters, and an incredibly shi**y product at 7.0 liters. Advice on cooking and checking to see if something is wrong on my end is more than welcomed, I’ll check it for sure to see if I can fix it myself, maybe a loose screw, or something not working properly. I would appreciate this, since it’s not like I can return this hunk of junk and still need to use it.

This was a wedding present for my niece . She is happy with the cooker. No issues.