Hawkins CL65 6.5L Aluminum Pressure Cooker

The Hawkins CL65 6.5L pressure cooker represents the gold standard of Indian pressure cooking, drawing on a legacy that dates back to 1959. In the Indian kitchen, where dal is a daily staple and biryani is a weekend ritual, the 6.5L capacity is perfectly sized for joint families of 6 to 8 members. This model is crafted from commercially pure, virgin aluminum, which is lightweight and heats up significantly faster than stainless steel, allowing you to cook dal in just 4-5 minutes compared to nearly an hour on an open flame. The inner-lid design is a hallmark of Hawkins, ensuring the lid stays locked securely inside the rim until the pressure is safely released—a critical safety feature for busy Indian homes. While this model is strictly for gas stove use (as pure aluminum is not magnetic for induction), it excels on the standard 3-4 burner LPG stoves found in 70% of Indian households. The cooker comes with a well-tested pressure release valve and an automatic safety valve that prevents over-pressurization. The bakelite handles are designed to stay cool, although they require careful alignment over the flame. Inside, the polished finish is easy to clean, even after cooking spicy, oil-rich Indian curries or turmeric-heavy sambar. For maintenance, the Hawkins service network is the widest in India, and replacement gaskets or safety valves are easily available at almost any local hardware store. This cooker is ideal for preparing large quantities of chickpeas (chole), kidney beans (rajma), or 1.5kg of chicken biryani in one go. Included in the box is a legendary Hawkins recipe book, which has taught generations of Indian cooks how to master the whistle-count method.