Hawkins Contura Black 2L (CB20) Hard Anodized Pressure Cooker Review

In the landscape of Indian kitchens, Hawkins has been a household name since 1959, and the Contura Black CB20 lives up to this legacy. This 2-liter model is specifically engineered for small nuclear families, bachelors, or hostel students living in city flats. In an Indian context where dal-chawal is a daily staple, this cooker reduces the cooking time for tur dal from 45 minutes on an open flame to just 5-6 minutes under pressure. The hard-anodized material is a significant upgrade over traditional aluminium; it is chemically treated to be harder than steel, ensuring it does not react with acidic ingredients often used in sambar or kadhi. The 1.3 kg weight makes it exceptionally easy to handle for elderly parents or those with wrist issues. Being an inner-lid cooker, it offers the highest safety, as the lid sits inside the rim and cannot be forced open while under pressure. This aligns perfectly with the Indian 'whistle-count' cooking method—typically 2 whistles for fluffy rice and 4-5 whistles for a smooth dal tadka. While it is not induction-compatible, its flat base stays stable on the standard 3-4 burner LPG gas stoves found in 70% of Indian homes. The black finish is not just aesthetic; it absorbs heat faster, making the cooker more energy-efficient. With a 5-year product warranty and Hawkins' massive service network, finding a replacement gasket or safety valve in any local Indian market is effortless, making it a long-term investment for the small Indian kitchen.