There are very few kitchen investments that last as long and work as reliably as a good stainless steel pressure cooker — and the Hawkins Contura SSC50 is exactly that kind of investment. Built from superior grade AISI 304 non-magnetic stainless steel — the same food-safe surgical grade used in commercial kitchen equipment — it does not pit, corrode, or lose its bright finish no matter how intensely or frequently you cook. This is a cooker that will look nearly as good on your grandchildren's stove as it does on yours today, and it will perform just as well.
The defining design element is the Contura shape — a rounded, curved handi-style body that is wider in the middle and narrows at the top. This is not just aesthetics. The curved sides make stirring significantly easier, your spoon reaches every corner naturally, and the wide mouth gives you better visibility and access when loading ingredients or removing food after cooking. The 6.6mm thick sandwich bottom — a layered base construction with a heat-diffusing core — ensures uniform heating across the base with no hot spots, so your dal does not burn at the bottom while the top remains undone.
The AISI 430 magnetic stainless steel external base makes the SSC50 fully compatible with induction cooktops as well as all gas, electric, halogen, and ceramic stovetops. Hawkins' trusted inner lid closure system locks the lid securely inside the cooker body — it physically cannot be opened while the cooker is under pressure. At 5 litres, this cooker is ideal for larger families of 5 to 7 persons, handling everything from daily dal and rice to large-batch biryani, meat preparations, and festive cooking. Backed by Hawkins' 5-year guarantee against defects in material and workmanship.
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Both the body and the lid are crafted from AISI 304 non-magnetic stainless steel (18Cr/8Ni) — a food-safe, surgical-grade steel that is completely non-reactive to acidic and alkaline foods. It does not pit, corrode, or tarnish, stays bright and hygienic for years of daily use, and requires no special maintenance beyond regular washing.
The base features a 6.6mm thick sandwich construction — multiple bonded layers including a heat-diffusing core — that spreads heat evenly across the full base of the cooker. This eliminates hot spots, prevents food from burning at the bottom, and ensures the base remains perfectly flat and never bulges over time, even with daily high-heat use.
The signature Contura handi shape features a rounded, curved body that makes it far easier to stir food and reach all corners of the cooker with a spoon compared to straight-sided designs. The wide mouth provides better visibility of food during cooking and makes loading, unloading, and cleaning noticeably more convenient.
The external base is made from AISI 430 grade magnetic stainless steel, making the SSC50 fully induction compatible. The same cooker works seamlessly on gas, induction, electric, halogen, and ceramic cooktops — no adapter plate or modification required.
The inner lid locks inside the cooker body before pressure builds, following Hawkins' classic safety design that has been trusted in Indian kitchens for decades. The lid physically cannot be removed or opened while there is pressure inside the cooker — a non-negotiable safety feature for family kitchens.
The improved pressure regulator (vent weight) manages cooking pressure automatically to optimum levels, maintaining safe and consistent pressure throughout the cooking cycle. It signals readiness with the familiar whistle that allows you to time your meals accurately.
At 5 litres, the SSC50 is suited for 5 to 7 persons — large enough for full-family meals, festive cooking, making large batches of dal or rice, and one-pot preparations like biryani and meat curries that need room to cook properly. The Contura's wide body makes it particularly effective for dishes where ingredients need space to move during pressure cooking.
The SSC50 comes complete 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.
The Hawkins Contura SSC50 is guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship for 5 years from the date of first purchase, as stated by Hawkins Cookers Limited.
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Both share the same Contura curved shape and inner lid system, but the SSC50 has a single-layer AISI 304 stainless steel body with a 6.6mm sandwich bottom for base-level heat distribution. The SSTCO50 uses a full 3mm tri-ply construction through both the base and the sides, providing more uniform heat distribution across the entire cooker body. The SSC50 is the standard stainless steel Contura; the SSTCO50 is the premium tri-ply upgrade.
The body and lid are made from AISI 304 grade stainless steel (18Cr/8Ni) — also known as 18/8 or surgical grade stainless steel. It is the same grade used in food processing equipment and professional kitchen cookware, known for its complete food-safety, corrosion resistance, and long service life.
Yes. The external base incorporates an AISI 430 magnetic stainless steel plate, making it fully compatible with induction cooktops. It works on all domestic gas, electric, halogen, ceramic, and induction stovetops without any adapter.
The 6.6mm thick sandwich bottom is a layered base construction with a heat-diffusing core bonded between steel layers. This construction spreads heat evenly across the full base, eliminating the hot spots that cause food to burn at one point while staying undercooked elsewhere. It also keeps the base perfectly flat permanently — it will not bulge or warp over years of use.
The inner lid seats inside the cooker body — it drops in and locks before pressure builds, rather than sitting on top like an outer lid. Once pressure builds inside, the lid is held in place by the pressure itself and physically cannot be lifted or removed until the pressure safely drops. This prevents accidental opening under pressure.
Yes. The 5-litre SSC50 is ideal for families of 5 to 7 persons for everyday meals. The Contura's wide body makes it particularly effective for large-batch cooking — biryani, meat curries, rajma, or chana — where a standard narrow 5-litre cooker can feel cramped for ingredients.
The Hawkins Contura SSC50 is backed by a 5-year guarantee against defects in material and workmanship from the date of first purchase, provided by Hawkins Cookers Limited.
Wash with warm soapy water and a soft sponge after each use. The AISI 304 stainless steel does not require any special care — it does not rust, pit, or stain under normal cooking use. For water spots or light discolouration, a small amount of white vinegar on a soft cloth works well. Avoid steel wool or abrasive pads on the polished exterior surface.
Under regular daily use, the rubber gasket should be inspected every few months for signs of cracking, hardening, or deformation. Hawkins recommends replacing it approximately every 12 to 18 months. Genuine Hawkins replacement gaskets are available at authorised dealers and Hawkins service centres across India.
Yes. The box includes a grid (separator/trivet) along with the cooker body, lid, rubber gasket, vent weight, guarantee card, cookbook, and service centre directory. The grid allows you to cook multiple items simultaneously in the same cooker by separating them — for example, rice and dal at the same time using separate containers stacked on the grid.