Fellow Stagg Pour Over Review: A High-End Coffee Set!

My reasons for embarking on this Fellow Stagg Pour Over review are twofold. For starters, I’m a huge fan of what the San Francisco-based manufacturer produces. In fact, I’d be quite happy to deck out my kitchen with every Fellow product under the sun if I could afford it.

Secondly, pour-over is one of my favorite brewing methods, and I’m always on the lookout for a new toy.

With all that in mind, I’ve decided to take a closer look at the Fellow Stagg XF Pour Over to see if it lives up to the hype. So, without further ado, let’s get into this Fellow pour over review!

Fellow Stagg Pour Over Review Overview

As I mentioned above, I’ve been consistently impressed by Fellow products. In fact, I’d say these guys have only made one misstep so far by releasing the Ode grinder before they perfected the thing. Still, as my Fellow Gen 2 Ode review proves, the manufacturer quickly rectified the situation.

As with the manufacturer’s other products, the Stagg Pour Over ain’t cheap. In today’s Fellow pour over review I’ll be discussing the XF Pour Over Set, which comes with a glass carafe, paper filters and costs $99.00.

However, you can buy just the XF dripper for $70.00.

Still, that’s a lot of money to spend on a pour-over coffee maker, especially given how little you can spend on other tried-and-tested drippers.

Of course, the Fellow Stagg Pour Over features the company’s signature design aesthetic, and dedication to using premium materials. So it’s going tolook great in your kitchen and last a long time.

That said, whether or not it’s worth the hefty investment is up for debate.

So, apart from its steep asking price and sleek good looks, what sets the Stagg XF apart from the crowd? Well, to answer that question I’ll have to take a closer look at the way the thing has been designed.

Fellow Stagg XF vs Stagg X

Before going any further, I should point out that there’s another version of the Fellow Pour Over. The Fellow Stagg X costs $60.00 and is smaller than its sibling. I’d say it more resembles a flat-bottomed dripper like the Kalita Wave.

Although both the Stagg X and Stagg XF share many of the same features, the shorter Stagg X is going to require more skill on your part. The Stagg XF, on the other hand, has been designed for those who don’t necessarily want to geek out over flow rate and brewing times.

That’s not to say you can’t experiment with pour-over recipes with the Stagg XF. It’s just that the taller dripper also gives you the option to add all the water in one go and let gravity do its thing.

Fellow Stagg XF Pour Over Set Features

As promised, I intend to take a closer look at what we’re dealing with. Let’s continue this Fellow Stagg Pour Over review by discussing the Stagg XF’s notable features. Oh, and a little later I’ll discuss my experiences actually using the thing.

Size and Design

If you’ve checked out my reviews of the Fellow Carter Mug and Fellow French press, you’ll know the manufacturer specializes in understated, minimalist design. Still, Fellow has taken things to the next level with the Stagg brewer.

On first impression,there are zero frills here – just a tall, matte black metal cylinder. Still, look a little closer and you’ll notice that the Fellow dripper is made from double-walled stainless steel that stays cool to the touch. Oh, and the double-walled construction also aids in better thermal insulation during the brewing process.

What’s more, underneath you’ll find a unique 10-hole design with a little bump in the center. According to the manufacturer, this design aids clog-free drainage during extraction.

Finally, there’s a cool silicone gasket on the bottom of the coffee maker, which helps protect whichever vessel you might be brewing coffee into.

Ratio Aid and Funnel

Seeing as it’s so tall and narrow, adding coffee grounds to the Fellow Pour Over could be a little tricky, especially if you haven’t yet had your first cup of joe. Don’t worry, though – Fellow has thought of everything. The manufacturer has included a neat funnel to help guide your ground coffee into the filter without it going everywhere.

You’ll also get a ratio aid, which fits neatly to the bottom of the dripper when it’s not in use. There are markers in there to measure coffee beans volumetrically. While that’s a nice touch, I always recommend using a coffee scale for measuring out your beans. What’s more, you can use it during extraction as you perfect your preferred brew ratio.

As it happens, Fellow has just released the Tally Pro scale, which will work like a charm.

Double Wall Glass Carafe

While the smaller Stagg X dripper has been designed with single cup preparation in mind, the Stagg XF can brew up to 20 ounces (591 milliliters) of coffee at a time. The Fellow Stagg XF Pour Over Set includes a beautiful double wall glass carafe with a 20-ounce capacity.

Additionally, there are level markers on the carafe, one dot to signify 10 ounces (296 milliliters) and two dots to signify 20 ounces (591 milliliters).

Made from hand-blown borosilicate glass and sporting the Fellow logo, this stylish carafe also includes a silicone stopper. To be honest, I could see myself using this carafe for more than just brewed coffee – it’d be ideal for mixing margaritas or martinis. Just sayin’!

Stagg Paper Filters

It’s fairly common practice for manufacturers to promote their own special coffee filters. Some drippers are more versatile than others, allowing you to buy more affordable generic replacement filters.

However, given its unique design, the Fellow pour over probably won’t perform well with anything other than the company’s proprietary filters. That’ll feel familiar to Chemex fans, who have to spend big on paper filters or buy a permanent metal insert.

Anyway, you can buy a package of 45 Fellow Stagg Filters on Amazon for $12.00.

I guess you can take some solace from the fact that Fellow put a lot of time and effort into designing these things, perfecting the filter fluting throughout many iterations. At least that’s what they’d have you believe. 

How to Use the Fellow Stagg Pour Over

One of the best things about manual brewing is being able to experiment with different brew ratios, grind sizes and water temperatures. Then again, I’m a total nerd who loves nothing more than perfecting pour-over recipes for different coffee beans.

As I mentioned earlier in this Fellow Stagg Pour Over review, you can use the Stagg XF kind of like an immersion brewer by just adding ground coffee then filling it with water. That’s all well and good, but I’m going to give you a quick rundown on how to use the Stagg XF as a true pour over.

It almost goes without saying that you should use high-quality, freshly roasted coffee beans and grind ’em right before brewing. Heck, if you’re a Fellow devotee you may already have the Fellow Ode or Fellow Opus in your kitchen.

Still, if you’re on the lookout for a new grinder, check out my best burr grinder guide. Alternatively, consider a manual coffee grinder, which will offer a lot more bang for your buck.

Fellow Pour Over Observations

During my Fellow Stagg XF testing I used a single origin coffee from Bolivia with a fairly light roast profile. I started out by following the instructions in the user manual and grinding 20 grams of coffee for a 10-ounce brew.

The results were OK, but I realized my grind size was too fine, seeing as the extraction took almost five minutes.

Once I’d increased my dose a little and used a slightly coarser grind size, the results were noticeably better. I enjoyed a full-bodied, complex cup of coffee, with the Bolivia’s subtle notes of milk chocolate, orange zest and berry notes on full display.

If anything, I’d say the Fellow Stagg XF’s cup profile is quite reminiscent of what you’d get from a Chemex, although the mouthfeel is rather more syrupy.

My main complaint about the Fellow dripper is its tall, narrow design. I found it difficult to control what was happening in the filter, even with a gooseneck kettle and a steady hand! While it’s definitely possible to experiment with different recipes, achieving an even extraction with those fluted paper filters will take a little practice.

Fellow Pour Over Brewing Method

Depending on the coffee beans you’re using and your personal preference, your pour over recipe for the Fellow Stagg XF will differ from mine. Still, here’s a quick overview of my method for brewing a single 10-ounce cup:

The whole extraction process should take around three minutes if all goes well, with coffee reaching the first dot on the carafe. If the brew was super fast or excessively slow, adjust your grind size accordingly.

Fellow Stagg XF vs Other Pour Over Coffee Makers

Obviously, this Fellow Stagg Pour Over review wouldn’t be complete without seeing how the thing measures up to other brewers. So, let’s take a quick look at a selection of the most popular pour over drippers out there.

Fellow Stagg Pour Over vs Chemex

I may have talked up Fellow’s knack for producing beautifully conceived coffee gear, but when it comes to timeless modern design, nothing can touch the Chemex. I mean, there’s a reason this thing sits proudly in the Museum of Modern Art.

Costing $61.95, the Chemex 6-Cup Coffee Maker is a good deal more affordable than the Fellow Stagg Pour Over Set. Plus, once it’s time to replace the proprietary Chemex filters, you won’t pay nearly as much.

As for the quality of the coffee you’ll get from a Chemex, it all comes down to honing your technique – just like any manual brewer. I will say that Chemex coffee tends to be more full-bodied than what you’ll get from other drippers. However, it’s equally sweet, complex and delicious.

See Also: How to Use a Chemex

Fellow Stagg Pour Over vs Hario V60

It’s no secret that the Hario V60 is my favorite pour-over coffee maker. Whenever I’m in the mood for a little meditative slow brewing, I always reach for the V60.

So what makes this iconic Japanese dripper so special? Well, it’s all in the conical spiral design, which is absolutely ideal for coffee extraction.

Of course, learning to get the best out of the Hario V60 takes time and patience. You’ll need to find the correct dose and grind size for the beans you’re using, as well as perfect your pouring technique. Still, once you’ve got it dialed, I’d say this is the very best dripper for producing a clean, complex extraction.

Finally, the V60 is extremely affordable. Check out the Hario V60 Pour Over Set for example, which costs just $31.41 on Amazon!

Related: Best Pour-Over Coffee Maker 2024

Fellow Stagg Pour Over vs Kalita Wave

As I mentioned earlier in this Fellow Pour Over review, the Kalita Wave 185 is a similar brewer with a flat-bottomed design.

I happen to be a big fan of the Kalita Wave, seeing as it requires less precision pouring than the Hario V60. Plus, there can be no denying that it’s an attractive piece of kit. My main issue with the Kalita is its limited size. I find that I have to be careful when using freshly roasted coffee, seeing as the coffee grounds can bubble up over the sides of the dripper.

The Kalita Wave is available in a number of different materials, but I prefer the classic stainless steel model, which costs $32.70. While that’s pretty expensive for what you get, it’s a whole lot more affordable than the Fellow Stagg XF!

Verdict: Fellow Stagg Pour Over Review

As with just about every Fellow product I’ve reviewed, it’s easy to get sidetracked by the way the Stagg XF Pour Over Set looks. Sure,the dripper is fairly ordinary, but that carafe! Ooh la la!

Ultimately, a lot of care and attention has gone into the design of the Fellow Pour Over, and the double-walled construction will really help in producing an even extraction. I also appreciate how approachable this thing is for new coffee enthusiasts.

But at the end of the day, this is just a metal dripper. I mean, Fellow hasn’t re-invented the wheel or anything.

So, would I recommend this pour over coffee maker set? Absolutely, as long as the asking price doesn’t put you off. Otherwise, there are much more affordable options out there that will produce equally good results.