Fellow Aiden Espresso Maker Evaluate 2024

I’m neither a espresso snob, nor an professional. In truth, my favourite approach to drink it has at all times been simply plain previous drip espresso. It’s sizzling, easy, and when it is executed properly, it is so tasty that it is virtually chuggable. I grind my very own beans for every cup, and after getting Fellow’s Opus espresso grinder, I observed an immediate enchancment within the high quality. The model is thought for its dedication to precision within the espresso house and attracts espresso consultants and followers alike. 

Understanding that, I by no means anticipated Fellow to launch a drip espresso maker that simpletons like me use — however right here we’re. Meet the brand new Aiden Precision Espresso Maker, a machine the model launched just some months again, which has already offered out of inventory many instances. This machine guarantees the standard of pour-over espresso with the comfort of hands-free velocity {that a} typical drip espresso maker supplies. Questioning if it will reside up the hype, I made a decision to check it out. Learn on for my evaluate of the Fellow Aiden espresso maker. 

Fellow Aiden Precision Espresso Maker 

The second I came upon about this launch, I wanted to attempt it. We all know the place to seek out espresso consultants’ opinions, however what in regards to the true drip espresso followers that don’t craft up the proper pour-over espresso like a witch with potion each morning? (No shade, I’m this fashion with all baking tasks.) What do they suppose? I’m a type of individuals, and I really like this machine. 

After the model despatched the machine to me for testing, I’ve been utilizing it day by day, typically a number of instances a day, for practically a month. The primary time I brewed espresso in it, my companion and I each turned to one another and stated that it “tasted prefer it was from a espresso store.” Since then, I’ve continued to brew flavorful cups that spotlight so many various notes — way more than my earlier coffeemaker did. 

In case you’re used to a basic drip espresso maker like I’m, it would take just a few instances to know the way in which this machine works. It’s in contrast to some other drip machine in the marketplace with its number of settings, because it was designed to emulate a pour-over espresso maker with its distinctive drip head. 

To begin to perceive the machine, that you must know that it comes with two inserts: one with a blue border for espresso batches of three cups or extra (as much as 10 cups) and one green-bordered insert for smaller batches beneath 3 cups. This can be a huge deal for pour-over-style espresso, as a result of getting huge batches is fairly tedious. A rainwater lid covers the inserts and is adjusted with a tab in order that the chosen quantity of espresso will get hydrated with the proper quantity of water. At first, I believed switching from one insert to the opposite could be actually annoying, however I’m fairly in keeping with my batches, so I’ve gotten used to swapping as soon as per week or so. 

There’s a small digital display screen on the left that shows all your settings and options, which units this espresso maker aside from others. That is additionally what makes this machine a bit difficult. It comes with just a few brew profiles; that you must choose one among these earlier than you possibly can whip up a cup. There are presets to take the guesswork away for gentle roast, medium roast, and darkish roast. When you click on on one among these, it’ll mean you can select the quantity of cups of water you’re making, after which it’ll inform you what number of grams of espresso so as to add. That is so useful if all you wish to do is make a very good cup of espresso with none guesswork. I’ve used these settings just a few instances, they usually’re nice. However, you too can customise your brew by creating your individual profiles, selecting what number of cups, what number of grams, the temperature, and different, much more in-depth settings. 

My favourite characteristic of the Fellow Aiden, although,  is the moment brew setting. You may regulate it to be the identical measurements of water and occasional you utilize day by day, so all that you must do is hit the “immediate brew” button each morning. With the opposite settings, it takes just a few click-throughs, so this does save time. 

The general design of the espresso machine is so modern. All the things could be very properly hidden, and the water tank matches flush into the machine but stays straightforward to take away and refill. I really like the look of the spherical digital display screen, however the form can lower off some phrases, which is a small factor that bothers me a bit. One factor in regards to the show that I completely love is the way it shows a countdown of the minutes and seconds you could have left in your brew. Plus, the carafe itself is sweet and massive and the lid is hermetic. It’s made with stainless-steel, and I discover it retains my espresso sizzling for an hour or two after brewing. It cleans up simply, although you’ll discover water droplets on the carafe in the event you don’t wipe it down with a towel. 

There have been some feedback about the truth that plenty of the machine and its inserts are plastic (food-grade, in fact). I don’t discover this to be a difficulty for me, and it hasn’t imparted any taste to my espresso up to now. The much less profitable a part of the machine is the app that accompanies it, which is meant to have up to date info and added perks. It’s not essentially the most helpful, however I’m detached about it as a result of I desire utilizing this machine as-is, anyway. For me, the present options are greater than sufficient, however I can see how others is likely to be a bit disenchanted with this facet. 

I additionally discover that the number of settings, whereas helpful, could be a bit intimidating, as a result of they really do go into element. For instance, you possibly can regulate the bloom, which is the sunshine soaking part at the start of the brewing course of. For somebody like me who’s used to easily flipping a swap for espresso, I spent the higher a part of the primary week ignoring this. Nevertheless, I’m rising to understand it, because it’s what makes this machine actually customizable.  

The underside line? The Fellow Aiden Precision Espresso Maker is a good machine for people who truly need it. You gained’t be disenchanted within the high quality it brews, and the accessible settings mean you can make the method as easy or as complicated as you need. I additionally discover that this machine has pulled out new-to-me taste notes within the espresso I had been brewing for years. It actually does make a high-quality cup. The price of this espresso maker has not gone unnoticed by me, although. It’s fairly costly, so I would actually contemplate how a lot you’d recognize a machine like this. In order for you the comfort of brewing small or huge batches of pour-over espresso with the precision and ease Fellow presents, it’s value it. 

You may store it at at Fellow or at Williams Sonoma at the moment. 

Store Extra Fellow Gadgets We Love: 

Opus Burr Grinder 

Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder

Carter Transfer Mug 

Stag EGK Electrical Pour Over Kettle 

Clara French Press 

On the time of publishing, the worth was $365.