Fellow Kettle Review 2024: Calling All Pour-Over Aficionados!

Hi! My name is Arne. Having spent years working as a barista I'm now on a mission to bring more good coffee to the people. To that end, my team and I provide you with a broad knowledge base on the subject of coffee.

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Given my fondness for manual brewing methods, I doubt this Fellow kettle review will come as much of a surprise. If you’ve done any window shopping for gooseneck kettles, chances are you’ve come across the Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle once or twice.

Given my fondness for manual brewing methods, I doubt this Fellow kettle review will come as much of a surprise. If you’ve done any window shopping for gooseneck kettles, chances are you’ve come across the Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle once or twice.

To be honest, I couldn’t resist the temptation, so I bought the Fellow kettle to test out for you.

I’d seen the Fellow Stagg kettle toted as a godsend for pour over coffee lovers, but would it really be up to the task? Today I’ll be taking a closer look at this stylish accessory as well as reporting on my experiences using it.

maximum control for pour-over

Fellow Stagg EKG Kettle

A stylish and effective pour-over kettle

Sleek and minimalist design

Precise spout

Lightweight and compact

Advanced temperature control

Short cord

Rather expensive

Fellow Kettle Review Overview

We can pretend appearances don’t matter, but that won’t change how gorgeous the Fellow Stagg kettle will look sitting on your counter.

I wouldn’t expect anything less from this manufacturer. Fellow is known for producing sleek, minimalist coffee accessories like the Carter mug. Actually, the Stagg is a nice change of pace from the traditional polished steel that most electric kettles sport.

Fellow Kettle Focus Overview

Don’t get me wrong. I like the classics as much as the next guy. However, if I wanted a kettle that looked like it came from my grandmother’s attic, I’d stick with traditional tea kettles.

Still, I’ll be the first to admit that $165.00 is pricey for an electric kettle; even one as eye-catching as this.

My only real complaint about this kettle’s design is its short cord. It measures less than 3 feet (0.7 meters), so you won’t be able to stray far from an outlet. I doubt this will be a dealbreaker for most people. Still, you may need to rearrange your appliances like blocks in a Tetris game if you want this kettle to fit comfortably on your counter.

That short cord aside, this coffee brewing kettle makes a good first impression. It’s relatively compact and Fellow hasn’t cluttered up the kettle base with an endless array of buttons. Of course, if you want more details, you’ll need to read the rest of my Fellow kettle review!

Fellow Kettle Features

As minimalist as it might look, there are plenty of features to discuss in my Fellow kettle review. Let’s dive right in!

Size and Design

Believe it or not, the weight of your kettle does matter. Heavy-duty kettles might stand the test of time, but nobody wants to put on muscle just to comfortably pour hot water.

This is especially true when you’re using a pour over coffee maker. You’ll need a steady, even stream of water to get great results. So, an electric kettle weighing a million pounds won’t do you any favors.

Fortunately, I don’t think this will be much of a problem with the Fellow Stagg kettle. Weighing less than 3 pounds (1.3 kilograms), you shouldn’t need to hit the gym. That said, filling it to its full 30-ounce (900 milliliter) does add a pound or two.

As lightweight as it is, the kettle still features high-grade stainless steel on the exterior. The only downside to that high-grade steel is that it won’t stay cool. When the liquid inside the kettle is piping hot, you can expect the outside to be hot too.

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Colors

The Fellow kettle in Matte Black will never steer you wrong, but if you’d like something more colorful in your kitchen you’ve got options. Some of my favorites include Matte White and Warm Pink.

You can also order the Matte Black with Walnut Handle kettle. Of course, it’s nearly $30 more. At that price, you might be better off cutting down a walnut tree and replacing the handle yourself!

Let’s not forget about the Stagg kettle in Copper and Polished Steel. You’ll often pay quite a bit more for one of these, especially the copper version.

Since part of the Fellow Kettle’s appeal is how nice it is to look at, the color upgrades might be worth the extra chunk of change. Either way, I think the end result will be the same: a sleek, gorgeous kettle that looks right at home on your kitchen counter.

Ergonomic Handle

If there’s one thing this gooseneck kettle gets an A+ in, it’s ergonomics. Whether you love (or hate) the look of this handle, you can’t deny that it’s functional. You can rest your thumb on top of the protrusion. This allows for a better grip on the kettle, and as a result, an easier pour.

Speaking of an easier pour, the handle also serves as a counterbalance. It’s weighted, so you won’t end up pouring more water than you wanted. Who knew researching a kettle for your coffee setup would come with a Physics lesson?

Gooseneck Spout

Fellow Kettle Gooseneck

It’s not a gooseneck kettle without a gooseneck spout, right? To no surprise, I think the gooseneck spout is the standout feature of the Fellow Stagg EKG electric kettle.

It’s narrower than I’d expected – even for a gooseneck – so you’ll get better drip accuracy. After all, a precise, slow pour is exactly what you need for pour over coffee. However, beyond pour over, that slow flow rate and drip accuracy might seem like disadvantages.

Use this gooseneck kettle to pour over tea, and I’m willing to bet that the wait time will feel like an eternity. Even preparing a large French press might feel like a chore. That isn’t to say I don’t love the design of this gooseneck spout, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all kettle.

Heat Time

When it comes to heating times, electric kettles almost always have the advantage. They’ve got the tech to heat water quickly, and they’ll beat an old-fashioned stovetop water kettle any day of the week.

While I can’t say the Fellow Stagg is winning any races, it’s equipped with a 1200W heater for a faster heat up time. Even at full capacity, it shouldn’t take this kettle more than five minutes to boil water.

Temperature Control

Fellow Kettle Change Temperature

If what I’ve said so far hasn’t convinced you that the Fellow Stagg EKG kettle is designed for the best pour-over experience, this section might.

Temperature is always critical when you’re brewing coffee, and pour over is no exception. Use boiling water, and you risk an over-extracted, bitter cup of joe. Pull the kettle off the heating element too soon, and you could end up with weak, under-extracted coffee.

So yes, temperature matters – even down to the single digits. That’s why I’m such a fan of the temperature control feature on the Fellow Stagg EKG. You’ll have single-digit control that maxes out at 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius). Interestingly enough, you can toggle between Fahrenheit and Celsius whenever you want.

In addition to variable temperature control, the Fellow kettle never lets you forget what temperature it’s actually at. The LCD screen displays the desired temperature as well as the real time water temperature.

My only complaint about this feature is that there’s no other indication to tell you that it’s reached the desired temperature. Some kettles include a sound or flashing light indicator, but you won’t find that here. You’ll need to keep a close eye on that LCD screen, which may be a bit of a hassle if you’re in the midst of multi-tasking.

User Interface

The Stagg’s user interface is just as minimalistic as the rest of this gooseneck kettle. Another included feature that’ll elevate your pour-over experience is the built-in Brew Stopwatch. You can use the stopwatch to time extraction once you’re ready to pour.

Fellow Kettle Decrees Fahrenheit

Plus, there’s a hold feature if you’re in the midst of a morning rush. Maybe you don’t have the time to make pour over immediately or you’re just trying to make your partner’s life easier. Either way, you can use the hold mode to keep your water piping hot for up to an hour. Even if you take the kettle off its stand and put it back, the hold mode kicks into action.

Like I said, the interface is as stripped-down as it gets. It takes a bit of skill to keep an electric kettle looking sleek and modern without leaving out valuable features.

Fellow has done a pretty good job of it. They’ve condensed temperature control, a timer function and a hold mode into a couple of switches, a button dial and an LCD screen at the base of the kettle.

While I’m on the subject of the user interface, I think it’s worth mentioning the Fellow Stagg EKG Pro electric kettle that comes with Bluetooth connectivity.

It’s just as stylish as the standard kettle, but it’ll read the water temperature aloud and let you save steps as part of a recipe. Not everyone may care enough to upgrade, but if you like your electric kettles to talk, it might be worth the extra cash!

Warranty

Just like any drip coffee maker or home espresso machine, the Fellow kettle comes with a warranty. You’ll get standard coverage for one year, although you can tack on an extra year if you register the kettle with Fellow.

How to Use the Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle

Now that I’ve covered my favorite features in this Fellow kettle review, it’s time to talk about how to use the Fellow Stagg electric kettle. When it comes to setup, the manufacturer advises a test run. By that, they mean rinsing out the inside and boiling only a little bit of water for your first batch.

Once you know everything is in working order, you can get to the good stuff. Fill the kettle with as much water as you need, and use the main button on the side to turn it on.

Fellow Kettle Using It

If you’d like to switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius displays, you can use the right switch on the back to do so. The left switch controls the temperature hold function, and if you turn it on, you should see the LCD screen light up.

Next, it’s all about setting your exact desired temperature. The main button that turns the kettle on will also adjust the temperature if you twist it. The LCD screen should reflect the current temperature reading as well as the target temperature.

It’ll take a couple of minutes for the water to boil, but once it does, you’re in business. All things considered, the Fellow kettle should be relatively easy for most coffee lovers to operate. Even with advanced features like precise temperature control or a built in timer, the Fellow kettle is designed to be very intuitive.

Pro tip: If you’re new to making pour over coffee, the user manual includes instructions and measurements for pour over recipes.

My Observations

I’ve unboxed plenty of Fellow coffee gear in recent times, but I always feel like a kid on Christmas day. Seriously, these guys really know how to tap into a coffee nerd’s pleasure center!

As I already mentioned, the Stagg EKG kettle is seriously lightweight, but feels incredibly well made and sturdy. Plus, it immediately looked at home in the Coffeeness kitchen!

Once I’d cleaned the thing I set about making coffee using the Fellow Stagg dripper. Heck, I even used the Fellow Tally Pro Precision Scale just for kicks! To begin with, I was struck by how quiet the Fellow kettle is as it’s heating. In fact, I wondered whether it was actually doing anything at all.

Fellow Kettle Overview Unpacked

However, the LCD display assured me that the temperature was steadily rising. As for heating time, I forgot to set my stopwatch. But I can tell you that by the time I’d weighed my coffee beans, ground them and prepared the coffee filter, the Fellow kettle had reached my preset hold temperature of 201 degrees Fahrenheit (94 degrees Celsius).

Of course, the true test of this gooseneck kettle would be how it performed. And as promised, the level of precision I achieved during pouring was off the charts. I could truly feel the effect of the counterbalanced handle, and I actually felt like I didn’t really have to do much at all.

Let me tell ya – the folks at Fellow really know what they’re doing. Yet again, they’ve designed a sleek and beautiful product that also delivers exceptional results.

Fellow Kettle Cleaning

You may know how to work this kettle, but it wouldn’t be a complete Fellow Stagg kettle review without telling you how to clean it. And yes, you do need to clean it out. Just because you put hot water in the kettle doesn’t mean it won’t get dirty!

Fortunately, the Fellow Stagg is a piece of cake to clean, especially if you’re accustomed to descaling coffee makers.

After each use, you should always rinse the interior of the kettle with a little bit of warm water and non-abrasive soap. Be careful not to completely submerge the kettle in water or put it in the dishwasher. It may seem like a shortcut, but it’ll only be a shortcut to needing a new kettle.

Of course, even when you’re using filtered water you’ll need to descale the kettle once in a while. When you notice mineral deposits building up inside, simply boil a mixture of white vinegar and water. Let it sit for half an hour, then dump and rinse. It’s that easy!

A damp cloth should take care of the kettle’s exterior, including the lid and the base. And that’s the majority of the cleaning process for the Fellow kettle. No elbow grease needed, no stress involved.

Fellow Kettle Specifications

Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle
ManufacturerFellow
NameStagg EKG
CategoryElectric kettles
Max capacity30 oz / 900 ml
Hold functionYes
Temperature range135 – 212 F / 57 – 100 C
Timer functionYes
User interfaceLCD screen
AppNo
Cord length2.5 ft / 76.2 cm
Weight2.7 lb / 1.3 kg
Dimensions11.5 x 6.7 x 8.0 in / 29.2 x 17.1 x 20.3 cm
Current price on Amazon$165.00

Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle vs Other Kettles

Thus far, things are looking pretty good in my Fellow kettle review. But how does the Stagg EKG compare to other pour over kettles? Let’s find out!

Fellow Stagg EKG vs Stagg EKG Pro

Fellow Stagg EKG Pro Kettle

I already mentioned the Fellow Stagg EKG Pro earlier in this Fellow Kettle review.

It’s not a huge price jump at $225.00, although I’d say the biggest reason to upgrade would be the Bluetooth connectivity. You’ll be able to connect the EKG+ to an app, and play with some of these features remotely.

So, if you’d like a few more advanced features – namely, the ability to save recipes or use guide mode – you might as well take the plunge.

Fellow Stagg EKG vs Bonavita Variable Temperature Kettle

Bonavita Variable Temperature Kettle

I think it’s fair to say that the Bonavita Variable Temperature Kettle has a look that’s more in line with traditional stainless steel kettles.

These two share a lot of the same basic features, but the Bonavita is more budget friendly at $129.99. It has the same 60-minute hold mode as well as precise temperature control.

If saving a few bucks is your biggest priority, there aren’t a ton of reasons not to switch to the Bonavita. You’ll get almost the same temperature control as well as a button for presets.

Between the two, the Fellow Kettle still has the edge when it comes to design. It might cost more, but it’s hard to beat a precise gooseneck spout in a gorgeous matte black package.

Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle vs Others Comparison Chart

Fellow Stagg EKG Electric KettleFellow Stagg EKG ProBonavita Variable Temperature Kettle
ManufacturerFellowFellowBonavita
NameStagg EKGStagg EKG Pro1L Digital Variable Temperature Kettle
CategoryElectric kettlesElectric KettlesElectric Kettles
Max capacity30 oz / 900 ml30 oz / 900 ml33.8 oz / 1.0 l
Hold functionYesYesYes
Temperature range135 – 212 F / 57 – 100 C104 – 212 F / 40 – 100 C
140 – 212 F / 60 – 100 C
Timer functionYesYesNo
User interfaceLCD screenColor LCD screenDigital display, buttons
AppNoYesNo
Cord length2.5 ft / 76.2 cm2.5 ft / 76.2 cm1.7 ft / 53.3 cm
Weight2.7 lb / 1.3 kg3.1 lb / 1.4 kg2.8 lb / 1.3 kg
Dimensions11.5 x 6.7 x 8.0 in / 29.2 x 17.1 x 20.3 cm11.1 x 6.8 x 7.7 in / 28.2 x 17.2 x 19.6 cm11.0 x 7.0 x 7.5 in / 28.0 x 18.0 x 19.0 cm
Current price on Amazon$165.00$225.00$129.99

Verdict: Fellow Kettle Review

maximum control for pour-over

Fellow Stagg EKG Kettle

A stylish and effective pour-over kettle

Sleek and minimalist design

Precise spout

Lightweight and compact

Advanced temperature control

Short cord

Rather expensive

I can’t tell you that the Fellow kettle is for every coffee aficionado out there, but I can tell you that it’s ideal for pour over fanatics. Almost every feature on this kettle – from its narrow gooseneck spout to its consistent temperature control – works like a charm for manual brewing. I’d say you’ll be hard-pressed to find an electric kettle that’s as precise or as beautiful.

Granted, it’s not the most budget friendly electric kettle on the market. If you’d rather trade aesthetics for a good old-fashioned kettle that won’t break the bank, I’d suggest looking elsewhere.

Ultimately, not everyone cares about a kettle that’ll sit pretty on their counter. But for those that do, I think my Fellow kettle review has shown you where to find it.

I was blown away by the Fellow Stagg EKG kettle. Have I convinced you it’s worth the investment? Talk to me in the comments section!

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Updated: 16. January 2024
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Arne Preuss

Hi! My name is Arne. Having spent years working as a barista I'm now on a mission to bring more good coffee to the people. To that end, my team and I provide you with a broad knowledge base on the subject of coffee.

More about Arne Preuss

Hi! My name is Arne. Having spent years working as a barista I'm now on a mission to bring more good coffee to the people. To that end, my team and I provide you with a broad knowledge base on the subject of coffee.

More about Arne Preuss

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