Sometimes, even the most dedicated coffee lovers just want a quick cup of coffee. Unfortunately, that often ends up with them sipping less than satisfying coffee from conventional drip machines. But now, after years of customer requests, Fellow is finally releasing a machine that it claims can deliver the experience of a pour-over coffee at the touch of a button. And after seeing it in action, there’s a lot to like about it.
Prices start at $365. Aiden It’s certainly not economical. That said, compared to $500 grinders and expensive accessories coveted by so many connoisseurs, it may seem like a bargain to some. But the main difference between the Aiden and conventional coffee machines is that unlike a typical drip coffee maker, it has an adjustable spray head that mimics the conventional brewing process. Fellow also uses Ferro Techniek thick film heating element which is designed to deliver precise water temperatures (down to one degree and up to 210F). Combined with the ability to customize things like flowering time, water usage, and more, you get a ton of control over your brewing process. The Fellow even includes two different baskets: a single-serve option that delivers a slightly more nuanced product, or a batch filter to accommodate gigantic crowds (up to 10 cups at a time).
Aiden also offers a guided brewing process that walks you through the various settings, but you can always create your own profiles or download instructions directly from participating roasters via a QR code and the free Fellow companion app. That said, I appreciate that if you don’t feel like pulling out your phone just to make a cup of coffee, you can still set programs, start brewing, and enter data directly into the machine via the radiant, color LCD screen and gigantic control knob.
But the best thing about the Aiden is how straightforward and convenient it is to utilize. It has a 1.5L reservoir and its heating element is completely mute, so you can brew a cup in the morning without disturbing anyone. Once you’ve set your favourite brews, starting a batch is as straightforward as pouring in the grounds and pressing start (and adding water to the reservoir if you haven’t already). The machine will remind you when you need to run a cleaning cycle or descale. Because the shower head is super precise, if you schedule it to go on in the morning before you wake up, it’ll be ready exactly when you tell it to. Not a minute too early or too overdue. There’s even a frigid brew setting that will slowly drip water through the grounds throughout the day (and of course, you can set how long it takes), rather than relying on a prolonged soak like you otherwise would.
One feature the Aiden doesn’t have, however, is a keep-warm function, but that’s because most coffee lovers shy away from machines with built-in hotplates that can burn the coffee. Instead, the Fellow relies on a double-walled thermal jug that keeps things sultry until you can get to it (which probably won’t be long if you need your caffeine fix).
Finally, while tastes may vary, I like the minimalist design of the Aiden. It’s compact enough to fit under most kitchen cabinets, and its sleek lines and boxy shape make it a breeze to pristine. And while I only managed to try one cup, the Scandinavian lithe roast I tried retained many of the subtle vanilla and hickory notes that are usually muted by conventional drip coffee makers.
With that said, it’s vital to remember that Aiden is not meant to replace your V60 Or Aeropress or whatever brewing method you prefer. It is simply intended to provide a better quality of coffee than a standard drip coffee maker can produce, for those times when you don’t have the time or energy to make a cup yourself. From what I’ve seen so far, it does just that.
Pre-orders for the Aiden are now live, with deliveries expected to begin in September. In addition, everyone who pre-orders will receive a bag of coffee from Onyx Coffee Lab, La Cabra, and Verve Coffee Roasters, specifically designed for the device, along with scannable brewing profiles.
