Pigeon by Stovekraft Favourite Outer Lid Non Induction Aluminium Pressure Cooker, 3 Litres

Good

Low price by good product

For the first few times, the pressure build-up was good, the seal formed quickly and everything was hunky dory. Fast forward a week later the gasket seal kept failing to the point where I had to keep removing the weight, lid, washing the gasket under water, placing everything back on in the hopes that the pressure would build again. This process took way too much time, requiring constant redoing of the steps until I luck out on the 5th or 7th try. So I ended up finding a solution in the most unlikeliest of ways. Had I figured this one out much earlier, I would not have purchased this cooker.

So for those who have issues where the steam is leaking from the side and pressure does not build up properly, this is what you do.
For starters, please keep a thick kitchen cloth on your person before trying this as it requires you to apply pressure on the lid for a little bit of time and the thinner the cloth, the quicker your palm will start to feel the heat. So safety first!
1. Using the cloth, remove the weight, then remove the lid. Flick away the excess water in it using a whiplash motion, do not remove the gasket.
2. Raise the flame a little (this step is important as it will drastically reduce the time required to form an intact pressure seal). Place the lid back on followed by the weight.
3. Place the cloth on the side of the lid from where the steam is escaping and apply pressure using your palm/hand.
Optional: If you can manage it, use your free hand to clamp the handles in a vice-like grip.
4. Wait for the small noise that usually means the seal has formed and pressure has started building up. This should take anywhere between 4 – 7 seconds. Hence why I mentioned that the cloth needs to be thick. The raised flame helps quicken this process but do not use high flame at this step. I’ve never tried it and I do not intend to even try.
5. Once you hear that noise, let go of your hand (if using both hands, release your grip on the handles first, then move them to the very end so as to stabilize the cooker as you lift the other hand; this also safeguards your hand against any steam that is released near the handles, if the seal did not form properly) and confirm that the seal has formed. If it hasn’t, repeat the steps of removing the whistle (using a cloth), lid, flick the water, place them back on, apply pressure again, wait for the sound, free your hands and confirm again.

This is a bit of trial and error as it takes time to get used to, but once you get the hang of it, most future runs will require only one go at the entire thing or at most two. Part of the reason why I asked not to use high flame is because you are actively clamping down the lid and as the pressure build-up is much faster here you have to apply even more pressure to keep the lid down.

PS: The reason why included the step of flicking the water from the lid is that I noticed it would escape out as steam from the sides before a seal is formed and there is an off-chance that due to this, steam will continue to get out further as it now has a newly formed escape route. Also note that these steps are not intended to get more mileage out of your old gasket. If it is old, please buy a new one.

Quality good

Came a month late and was broken on the handle. Looked so cheap that I am not going to use it for safety reasons.

Cooking speed

👎 Common Complaints / Negative Experiences
Base Plate / Induction Base Issues

Some users (on forums) report the induction base plate or the aluminum disk underneath coming loose or separating. > “The part that’s coming off … either aluminum, or holds an aluminum disk … your PC will be inefficient.”
Reddit

In one detailed review, a user said that after ~8 months, the “plate has come off” around a part of the base, which is a design flaw.
Induction cooktops india

The same reviewer noted that when that happens, it can damage the induction cooktop: “this has exposed actual induction cooktop … badly affecting cooktop.”
Induction cooktops india

They blamed “soldering could have been a little more better” for not being long-lasting.
Induction cooktops india

Warranty / Service Problems

According to a user, Pigeon’s customer care and service network is weak: “you have to take the cooker in person to one of [the] service center … there are not many … they don’t give you a replacement … they take cooker, send it to repair … re-solder the same plate … no guarantee for how long again it will work.”
Induction cooktops india

According to customer-care-reporting sites, someone said: “bottom plate was separated … we handed over to authorised service centre … HO approved replacement but the replacement was not received … raised tickets … no use.”
India Customer Care

Another complaint: service center response / part availability issues.
India Customer Care

Build Quality / Material Thickness

Some Flipkart users feel that while the lid is strong, the body (metal) seems thinner than expected. > “base is aslo good but … its metal thinner compare to … lid.”
Flipkart

Because it is aluminium, it may be more prone to denting or warping over time compared to steel or heavy-duty cookers (this is a typical trade-off for cheap aluminium cookers).

Safety Concern for Long-Term Use

A critical user (at inductioncooktop.in) said: “In 8 months of mild usage … the plate has come off … result the only feasible option to reuse the cooker is on gas stove … with hazard.”
Induction cooktops india

This is worrying, because if the induction base plate separates, not only does it affect performance but potentially safety (if base integrity is compromised).

Look / Finish

One Flipkart reviewer said they “loved it except its looks” (gave 4 stars).
Flipkart

Some feel the finish could be better, or that it’s too basic / utilitarian.

Limited Feedback on 5L Induction Version

While there are many reviews for the 5 L outer lid version, there is less detailed feedback on long-term induction‐specific usage from large trusted review sites, making it a bit risky to rely solely on anecdotal positives.