Fellow Aiden Espresso Maker Assessment 2024

I’m neither a espresso snob, nor an skilled. In truth, my favourite solution to drink it has all the time been simply plain outdated drip espresso. It’s scorching, easy, and when it is finished properly, it is so tasty that it is nearly chuggable. I grind my very own beans for every cup, and after getting Fellow’s Opus espresso grinder, I observed an prompt enchancment within the high quality. The model is understood for its dedication to precision within the espresso house and attracts espresso specialists 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 pace {that a} typical drip espresso maker offers. Questioning if it could stay up the hype, I made a decision to try it out. Learn on for my assessment of the Fellow Aiden espresso maker. 

Fellow Aiden Precision Espresso Maker 

The second I discovered about this launch, I wanted to attempt it. We all know the place to search out espresso specialists’ opinions, however what in regards to the true drip espresso followers that don’t craft up the right 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 each day, generally a number of instances a day, for practically a month. The primary time I brewed espresso in it, my associate and I each turned to one another and mentioned that it “tasted prefer it was from a espresso store.” Since then, I’ve continued to brew flavorful cups that spotlight so many alternative notes — rather more than my earlier coffeemaker did. 

In the event you’re used to a traditional drip espresso maker like I’m, it’d take just a few instances to know the best way this machine works. It’s in contrast to another drip machine available on the market 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, you have to 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. It is a massive deal for pour-over-style espresso, as a result of getting massive 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 right quantity of water. At first, I believed switching from one insert to the opposite can be actually annoying, however I’m fairly according to my batches, so I’ve gotten used to swapping as soon as per week or so. 

There’s a small digital display on the left that shows your whole settings and options, which units this espresso maker other than others. That is additionally what makes this machine a bit difficult. It comes with just a few brew profiles; you have to choose one in every of these earlier than you’ll be able to whip up a cup. There are presets to take the guesswork away for mild roast, medium roast, and darkish roast. When you click on on one in every of these, it’ll assist you to select the quantity of cups of water you’re making, after which it’ll let you know 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, and so they’re nice. However, you may also customise your brew by creating your personal profiles, selecting what number of cups, what number of grams, the temperature, and different, much more in-depth settings. 

My favourite function of the Fellow Aiden, although,  is the moment brew setting. You’ll be able to modify it to be the identical measurements of water and low you utilize each day, so all you have to do is hit the “prompt 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 glossy. The whole lot may be very properly hidden, and the water tank matches flush into the machine but stays simple to take away and refill. I really like the look of the spherical digital display, however the form can minimize off some phrases, which is a small factor that bothers me slightly. One factor in regards to the show that I completely love is the way it shows a countdown of the minutes and seconds you might have left in your brew. Plus, the carafe itself is good and massive and the lid is hermetic. It’s made with stainless-steel, and I discover it retains my espresso scorching for an hour or two after brewing. It cleans up simply, although you’ll discover water droplets on the carafe if you happen to 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, after all). I don’t discover this to be a difficulty for me, and it hasn’t imparted any taste to my espresso to date. The much less profitable a part of the machine is the app that accompanies it, which is meant to have up to date data and added perks. It’s not probably the most helpful, however I’m detached about it as a result of I choose utilizing this machine as-is, anyway. For me, the present options are greater than sufficient, however I can see how others could be slightly disillusioned 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’ll be able to modify 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 change 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 really customizable.  

The underside line? The Fellow Aiden Precision Espresso Maker is a superb machine for people who truly need it. You received’t be disillusioned within the high quality it brews, and the obtainable settings assist you to make the method as easy or as advanced 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’ll recognize a machine like this. In order for you the comfort of brewing small or massive batches of pour-over espresso with the precision and ease Fellow gives, it’s value it. 

You’ll be able to store it at at Fellow or at Williams Sonoma immediately. 

Store Extra Fellow Objects 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.