Fellow Aiden Espresso Maker Overview 2024

I’m neither a espresso snob, nor an knowledgeable. The truth is, my favourite method to drink it has at all times been simply plain previous drip espresso. It’s scorching, easy, and when it is executed effectively, 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 seen an instantaneous enchancment within the high quality. The model is thought for its dedication to precision within the espresso area 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 bought out of inventory many occasions. This machine guarantees the standard of pour-over espresso with the comfort of hands-free pace {that a} typical drip espresso maker supplies. Questioning if it could stay up the hype, I made a decision to try it out. Learn on for my evaluation 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 right pour-over espresso like a witch with potion each morning? (No shade, I’m this fashion with all baking initiatives.) What do they assume? I’m a kind of individuals, and I like this machine. 

After the model despatched the machine to me for testing, I’ve been utilizing it each day, typically a number of occasions a day, for almost 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 — rather more than my earlier coffeemaker did. 

When you’re used to a traditional drip espresso maker like I’m, it’d take a number of occasions to know the way in which this machine works. It’s not like another 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, you should 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 below 3 cups. It is a large deal for pour-over-style espresso, as a result of getting large 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 assumed switching from one insert to the opposite could be actually annoying, however I’m fairly according to my batches, so I’ve gotten used to swapping as soon as every week or so. 

There’s a small digital display on the left that shows your entire settings and options, which units this espresso maker aside from others. That is additionally what makes this machine a bit sophisticated. It comes with a number of brew profiles; you should choose one in all 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 in all these, it’ll help you 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 extremely good cup of espresso with none guesswork. I’ve used these settings a number of occasions, 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 function 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 each day, so all you should do is hit the “instantaneous brew” button each morning. With the opposite settings, it takes a number of click-throughs, so this does save time. 

The general design of the espresso machine is so modern. Every thing could be very effectively hidden, and the water tank matches flush into the machine but stays simple to take away and refill. I 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 chrome 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 loads 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 to this point. 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 favor utilizing this machine as-is, anyway. For me, the present options are greater than sufficient, however I can see how others could be slightly upset 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 initially 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. Nonetheless, 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 superb machine for folk who truly need it. You received’t be upset within the high quality it brews, and the out there settings help you 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 really think about how a lot you’ll recognize a machine like this. If you would like the comfort of brewing small or large batches of pour-over espresso with the precision and ease Fellow provides, it’s value it. 

You may store it at at Fellow or at Williams Sonoma at this time. 

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 value was $365.