THE NEW FELLOW STAGG EKG PRO - Worth The Upgrade?
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- čas přidán 30. 06. 2024
- Fellow's new Kettle the Stagg EKG PRO Studio. A review to help you!
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TIMECODES:
0:00 - INTRO
1:03 - KETTLE DESIGN
2:29 - NEW BASE & FEATURES
5:09 - REVIEW
7:01 - VERDICT
8:02 - FINAL THOUGHTS & DISCLOSURE - Zábava
“Pro” “Studio”?? I think I will wait for the lightweight “Air”
apple vibes
Hario actually has an "air" kettle xDD
I'm waiting for the Pro Studio 2. Rumor has it that it'll have a larger display and more RAM! 😜
Waiting for the 6g max
Definitely getting the Apple vibes. I thought the original was a little overpriced, but I loved how it looks and pulled the trigger. Would I upgrade for this? No. But if my original EKG ever fails, would I consider this? Most likely!
Really appreciated your honesty and desire for integrity over potential money. Awesome job and love every one of your videos. ❤
Thanks Erik
It's got some really nice features. I could see it working for a specific market segment who does like auto on and preboil features and especially for those at high altitudes where electric kettles have a tendency to keep boiling.
Which were all things you pointed out. Great review!
Thanks for watching Robert.
I agree -- the auto on is the only reason I would think of upgrading, but if I didn't already have an EKG, I might choose to buy the Pro Studio instead. That glass top looks awesome.
Great review, appreciate the integrity you have. I’m new to your channel - liked and subscribed!
Great stuff! I think it’s a nice product. For me my cheap no name brand version of a gooseneck kettle that will heat up to a pre-set temperature does the job just fine though and personally, I don’t see a reason why I should upgrade anytime soon. But I can understand anyone who wants to go for the genuine thing and enjoy all of the benefits.
I bought my Stagg EKG just a few months ago, so I'm glad there aren't any major major improvements hahaha. Nice review Kyle, best wishes from Chile.
Glad to hear you’re happy with your kettle!
Love the integrity of your channel always 👍👍
Thanks Antonio
I have my ritual process for making my pour over coffee every morning and I have been using my stove top Fellow Stagg with great results. I decided to treat myself with the new Stagg EKG pro studio and I am very happy with it. Yes it was a lot of money for a kettle but it’s something I use every morning and like you said in your video, that is something I am willing to pay a premium for.
Great video! I love the new glass top and metal base
Thanks for watching Kyle!
Candid and thorough review. Thanks
You’re welcome
Great review! Is there any difference in the time the kettle takes to reach boil? When wire cutter did their kettle ratings, the time was listed as the primary negative feature for the original EKG. Slow to boil. Did the new kettle update this?
I have an EKG Stagg and the way I've always used it is, I boil just the right amount of water (usually around 300-500 grams) to brew one cup then turn it off. Watching this video made me wonder about whether I'm underutilizing the kettle because I don't use any of its features (like the hold mode), or worse, hastening its demise. As for the new model, I don't think I'll have much use for any of the new features so I'll be holding on to my current one. Anyway, great review.
really appreciate your thoughtful detailed review as well as your acknowledgement of possible unconscious bias. For that, and many other reasons, I really enjoyed your video. Thank you!
thanks for the review
I own the original kettle and one of the annoying things about it is the lack of an audible alarm when it reaches the desired temperature. The alarm, the upgraded metal and glass base, and bluetooth connectivity are my reasons to upgrade. I like your reviews because they are to the point and well organized. They are always done from the viewpoint of an informed user.
Thanks for the video! Great rundown on the features. A couple questions:
1) could you shed light on any of the feedback items that you made that were implemented?
2) have you attempted to install the original wooden handle or lid pull on the new Pro Studio model? Curious about the interchangeability of these upgrades
3) is the “chime” a new sound altogether? Or is it the same beep as the Ode perhaps? I really like that beep.
4) seems that Wormy is replaced by Bricky?
5) How have the grounds/fines and fingerprints shown up on the base of the studio? The glass seems like it would be less attractive after normal use.
Thanks, Kyle! Great work.
Hey!
I’m not sure I’d want to take credit for any feedback. That’s not the purpose and I’m not sure what other prototype testers shared.
I haven’t but it looks like it won’t be an issue.
It is a new sound.
And no wormy! Brickey is pretty good tho!
Glass reveals all 😅 more work to keep clean but looks real nice
Random viewer here. Want to give a shout out that the authenticity and integrity you bring to your content is much appreciated. When I get around to upgrading my Hario (Christmas, maybe?), I'll use your affiliate link!
Thanks Michael. So appreciated.
Appreciate the authenticity
Love y’all. You deserve the truth
This is a great review, and the authenticity is great. I'm unsure though of how I feel about the product itself.
Thanks friend. And totally understood. Not for everyone!
Nice video. I think I'll pick one up.
Great review as always! Always appreciate your striving to be unbias! Turning down a sponsorship is proof that you actually care about honesty
I guess now I can probably afford to buy a used OG EKG. 😁
Coffee swap REDDIT is about to get HOT.
And thank you for that.
I was waiting for something like LED thermal enabled body that shows the levels of water inside as it heats. A smart software that shows the water flow rate during pouring. Stuff like that
Love your videos! Always a like 👍🏼. Are you creating a video on the Aillio Bullet at some point? I am undecided between that or the Arc800 😅
I'll be creating a few roasting videos over the next few months :)
@@KyleRowsell that’ll be awesome! Looking forward to it sir
Hey Kyle, Thanks for the thorough review. New to these auto-heat kettles (I've used my copper Hario w/a V2 for pourovers for years), and one thing I'd be really excited for is letting my water sit overnight and having the unit set to hit target temp and hold automatically at some predetermined time in the am. Is this one of the features with these EKG's? Also, I think you hit it in the video, but which of the Studio/Pro models is all metal and glass? I'd probably opt for that over the plastic versions...
Thank you in advance!
- C
I'd love it to have more power. I get in the US it will trip a circuitbreaker, but there are region specific variants anyway.
Thanks for the review Kyle. One thing that has been annoying on my Stagg EKG is that the build quality doesn't seem to match the price point tbh. Especially the base is a bit flimsy and the big rotary encoder feels mushy and doesn't have a nice detent. I've had the base of my EKG exchanged when the display started showing weird artifacts and the on/off button sometimes wouldn't work after a few months but even with the new base, I sometimes have to push 3-4 times until it turns on or off. Did you notice any changes here? Especially with the Studio's metal buttons?
Same here! I have to press sometimes multiple times for the base to turn on/off :/ Already had it exchanged and both units have the problem
Thank you for sharing this review with us. Not to be rude but the obvious question given such similarity between the original and the upgraded version is whether the original kettle can be used on the new base? And the follow-up question to that would be if we could buy the base separately?
Great review, thank you. Fellow has always been able to create beautiful products, but sadly, my experience with many, including the Stagg Kettle, hasn't been great. I've simply had too many quality and reliability issues with their products to invest any more in their products.
Love my ekg. Literary changed my whole outlook on coffee. It's the one thing that made poor overs possible for me. It and my 1zpresso KPlus are some of the best investments I've ever made. Don't think I'll upgrade to the pro though. I have no need of any of the features.
Although I really need to take a manual espresso class or something so I can use the Flair Pro 2. I've tried using it a few times since Christmas and I've never had a single good shot. Although I've never had a good shot in my life period. So the target is a bit vague for me. I just can't get it dialed in for some reason.
I actually have a Joe Presso I've used many times. Got a dosing funnel, tamper, and new distribution screen for it too. An I had no issues dialing it in. Of course it's not even close to the same. Even so it's weird.
Takes half a dozen tries but you can match pretty much any expensive cafe espresso with the flair pro 2. Great equipement
We have gone down the coffee rabbit hole. As crazy as it sounds, I just boiled water in a pot and kind of eye balled the temperature. One of these kettles would be nice, especially the EKG.
You can dry darker roast for the Flair Pro 2. Having coffee beans weight and water temperature constant, you can adjust your grind size to dial it in. Even and level tamp is something I pay attention to. Espresso seems to have a stepper learning curve, but keep practicing! It's like riding a bike that would seem impossible at first, but once you get it, you get it.
They should add a small lip to one side similar to the Clara french press to pour into french presses or other fast pours.
Great viedeo! But what excactly is the difference between the stagg ekg pro and the stagg ekg pro studio edition?
How does the new knob feel? One of my complaints about the original has always been the dinky knob
great video kyle as always easily one of my best CZcamsrs. ill probably get an old fellow Stagg cause those upgrades are not really worth it
Thanks for watching!
Great review! I think it is beautiful but there are kettles at a third of the price that have all of these same new features ex: Govee Smart Kettle.
Scheduling in advance is awesome and the aesthetic is nice. Price is still nutty though.
Love my EKG as well, but the plastic bits never really felt like it matched the price point. Had a crack on the base so some of these incremental upgrades seem nice. But at the end of the day it’s a kettle, at around $400 CAD, it seems like we’re reaching a bit here.
It makes it more difficult in Australia where Kmart has a cordless gooseneck kettle with temperature settings for AUD$30. Sure, its in ten degree increments, but it's also hundreds of dollars less and does a great job.
Its for total coffee nuts who's coffee bars are more like art installations. None of these feature are worth paying for. 90% of them are just phaff. Its a kettle, you fill it with water, and you pour it. All these extra features just seem like an excuse to re-release an old product at a new price.
I would love to see walnut and wenge wood accents on the Pro too. Still, I don't get how the Pre-Boil feature works and why it's desirable? Please explain. Thanks.
Damn the elevation feature really stands out to me. If I lived some place with high elevation that would be huge!
Lol, the elevation won't change the fact that 195° is still 195° at sea level or 2000 feet above. It's a pointless feature unless all you want is a boil, but that's not what you want for coffee.
Hi Kyle. I recently bought a Swiss Water Decaf coffee and I'm wondering if you have any tips as to how to brew this better? It seems darker than the coffees I usually buy in terms of taste (I know it looks darker but might not actually be darker), so I'm not sure what to do, as I'm not super happy with the way it tastes. The coffee itself might not be good, but do you have any tips for decaf brewing in general?
does the old kettle work with the new base? if so, would be cool if we could just buy the base for those of us that own an EKG
Are the bases of the original and new interchangeable? If so, any chance Fellow would sell just the base for owners of the original?
Of course they won't (probably)
Any updates on heating performance? I’ve read that the old heating element was pretty mediocre especially considering it’s price.
Is it faster to heat? Nice brewer...would love to test..maybe next boiler...
Kyle, is there any new software feature that allows me to turn off the heat with the timer still running? The biggest issue I have with my EKG is that I only fill my kettle with the water I need for my brew so once my pours are finished I can’t put it back on the base until my whole brew is finished and I close the timer
I would loke to see them take the EKG kettle and give it the pelikan/dragon snout that the kalita drip pots and the wave drip pot is known for
Hi Kyle, thanks for the review!
Pls use your connection with Fellow to get them to certify EKG Pro Studio Edition for European voltage!😅
As soon as it is available in continental Europe, I buy it!
Cheers!
If you didn't have a kettle and were getting into coffee, would you recommend the upgraded line over the original? I LOVE this design but I just can't justify the price. I also am not sold on the "upgrades" and am not really sure what software updates could really entail..? Great video as always.
If you're not sold on it maybe get the other!
The McKinnon of coffee, if this isn’t a Canadian accent idk what is! Amazing videos thanks man!
Does the original Stagg EKG work on the new base?
I was wondering if all the changes are purely in the base and the connection between the base and kettle is the same.
At 6:35 you said they could have added cool new features such as adjustable flow rate “or other things”. What are the other things you are referring to that they could have added?
It would be really cool to have a clear glass version with light color wood accent
I just wish they'd make a bigger version. I have a gooseneck that I bought instead of the EKG because it's big enough to make a 32oz french press without breaking a sweat.
I'm surprised Fellow has still not made a COPPER FELLOW STAGG EKG PRO. It would look great with dark walnut accents.
The new screen is a really good idea. I agree that the display itself is probably fine, but the typography and UI design leave a bit to be desired imo
I have no issues with the lid getting stuck. I use the handle and it slides right off. Even right after bringing it to a boil. Kettle itself is not insulated so it looses temp quick. Even just during a pour it drops a couple of degrees C by the time I put it back on the base.
Great video! Can you help your viewers who aren't as familiar with all the various equipment and overlay the product information on your side by side comparisons? You show three kettles pouring, but I wasn't sure which of the other two were which. Thx!
Sure thing! My bad.
I wonder if they sell the new top with the rubber gasket just by itself
Is the paint more resistant than old EKG? I have seen tons of ekgs scratched from “normal use”…
The only feature that I would want is the auto-on feature to have it ready in the morning
Wow, a lot of cool features. The only thing I don’t like on my EKG is the metal piece where the handle meets the kettle that gets extremely hot and if it touches your hand can be a little startling. Did they at least address this?
It’s still metal. Tho they changed the colour to match the black body. I haven’t notified it being heat resistant but will test now
It’s a polished plastic ring now! No longer metal. Will not get as hot :)
I like to watch my kettle boil and I’m not afraid to admit it 😂
Man, the elevation option would’ve saved me some frustrations from learning to use the OG EKG in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles (900 feet above sea level), but I’m not upgrading until my EKG begins to fail.
Couldn't you just set it to heat to the boiling temp for a given elevation?
Did they fix the squishy dial/power button? I was shocked when I got mine that the kettle was so hard to turn on and off. I almost returned the kettle, but I asked on Reddit and apparently that’s just how it is. Why don’t any coffeetubers talk about this?!
I kept the kettle and have since learned to press the dial in a very specific spot.
Great video. Thanks for this. I wish they would have done an adjustable flow rate feature like you mentioned. As much as I use my EKG I can't justify buying another just for the features added. If it ever fails on me, then I will because I love gadgets too!
Thanks for watching!
you should review the fellow pro studio MAX !
Ohhh yes. I love it when I have software updates on my kettle.
I'm curious whether the old kettle can be used with the new base or vice versa. If so, how many new features from the new base can remain available pairing with the old kettle.
The bases aren't compatible. I have both
I would have loved an adjustable flow rate on this one
Did they fix the issue of the on/off button being temperamental?
are the base plates compatible with the previous EKG kettle?
I wish you would have shown how to turn it on/off. I see they have what looks to be a separate button next to the dial. Is that the on/off? I have the old one and you need to press the large dial to turn it on/off and most of time it's a pain. I need to press it multiple times and I end up changing the settings.
I think I'll wait for the Stagg EKG Pro Studio MAX Plus Ultra
I wonder if the base is backwards compatible with the stagg ekg, for us who finds the original base very cheap, but don't need another kettle.
It’s not. I tried.
@@KyleRowsell Dang, thank you. That seems like a huge waste to me, and will stop many from upgrading their ekgs.
mine still has an issue where the relay in the base is still energized and doesnt "reset" unless I cut the electricity
I hope they fixed the overboil problem
Artisan Barista kettle has little silicon flow restriction tips to... Adjust flow. Would've been easy for fellow to do the same.
How responsive and precise is the button/control
wheel on the ekg pro/studio base? I have two stagg ekgs and both control wheels are not responsive. I have to do multiple clicks to turn the base on.
My studio is much more responsive
Nice review. It seems to me the main cons was to call it Pro when there is no game changing feature to warrant this name. I would love to see them finding a way to make a flat bottom. I find their solution to the rattling issue a bit underwhelming too... A bit more design work and a bit less marketing BS should be in their roadmap. Still love what they do nonetheless.
Yeah, these upgrades all sound to have come from a marketing team not a field team of coffee experts who actually use this every day. Thing is the EKG works really well as it stand, they kinda rested on their laurels a bit didn't take any chances improving it further.
Curious if I can switch from F to Celsius?
Water boils where I live at 206°. What will the elevation feature do for me?
are the kettles backward compatible with the old base?
Is that a 900mL or a 600mL? I've been wanting to get a kettle 🤔
I’m a little torn as the only noticeable difference between the pro and the studio is the base material, that’s it… If they adopted the Apple way of marketing a product, perhaps putting these more premium features exclusively into the top tier version that may have been better. Instead the choice is just confusing now. I might have enjoyed a few more ‘premium’ touches for the studio such as maybe an exclusive colour way or maybe something crazy like an all glass version that you could see through it all and showcase the beauty of the product
The only thing fellow has over the competition is aesthetics. Its way over priced for what you get. There are other kettles out now that are better and cheaper than the older model and have some of the new features as the pro.
The biggest thing they tout as a plus feature is the flow control restrictor/spout, but that’s really only for someone new to manual brewing. Someone more experienced and uses lots of other brew methods and maybe tea needs a faster flow and that isn’t a hinderance if you’ve practiced. Yeah I own the Stagg, I love the looks and the interface is nice, but my old Bonavita did things like pouring better than this and things that were never an issue on the Bonavita are issues with the Stagg. If one of the other competitors made a kettle with even better looks than the Stagg I’d jump ship because the Stagg is way too expensive for what you get. Moving from the Bonavita (which died after like 10 years of service) to the Stagg wasnt really an upgrade, it was just a lateral transition to something way more expensive. I think Fellow because of their success with the Stagg ups their prices and you don’t really get the value for your money and as time goes on it seems they cut corners on quality and innovation. Riding on their initial success is only going to get them so far. Someone will make a better cheaper kettle and it’s potentially already here. If you’re on a budget I’d recommend people to steer clear of Fellow.
Yeah, I completely agree. I would be happy to get one as a gift and maybe I'd get one if money wasn't an issue. But the competition has comparable products for a much more attractive price points.
There is this new "youtube studio" toxicity that is never talked about. CZcamsrs, Influencers, Reviewers whatever you want to call them, all have these GORGEOUS studios they use for filming. Everything is white and black, and has soft LEDs with banana plants, and all this neat looking stuff perfectly manicured behind them. They have color coordinated everything and it gives people FOMO about these gadgets, how beautiful they are, and minimalist. I really think that something that is better functionally but less beautiful gets thrown aside as a downgrade.
In real life, I don't need everything to match and be the most beautiful thing in the world, my kids are gonna wreck my coffee bar anyway, so lets go with what works best and is kind to my wallet.
@@timbrakefield8313 exactly
Road to 100k subs!
So close. 🥲
You didn't comment on this in the video, but it's something I've been frustrated with using my EKG. In my usage, the button is infuriating. Try as I may, I can almost never get the button to do what I want on the first press. I've tried pressing firmly, at the edges and center, everywhere, and even sent an email to Fellow's customer service who told me it's a common complaint and that it's just how it is. I was frustrated, but understand if they've already rolled out thousands of kettles that it's impractical to repair the buttons on all of them. I hope they've changed it in the new one.
It does seem that the newest EKG’s (past year or so) have that issue the most. My older ekg never did this.
The pro doesn’t have that issue
The button on the base of my Fellow Stagg kettle is super wonky - I have to press it multiple times to switch it on or off. I wonder if this problem persists to the newer models?
It does not
I haven't seen anything about if the old Kettle works on the new base? If that was an available option that's something I'd consider.
It doesn't, I've tried!
I really liked the new features, especially the altitude. I’m wary of the glass in the Pro Studio version, why would they use something that is so easy to crack?
Fair point! I don't imagine this to be a huge issue though as most people don't move their kettle around to where breaking would be an issue. Also the kettle sits atop the glass top 99% of the time offering some protection of the surface from other falling objects.
We tested extensively and didn’t have issues. This product also ships with a 3 year warranty with registration!
Did fellow discontinue The Stagg EKG+? It seems they removes bluetooth connection and added wifi. Seems like a strange choice.
I would have liked to see them increase the capacity.
Going to pass on the pro & pro studio. I like my Stagg ekg but the QoL improvements are far too little to justify purchasing solely as an upgrade. Any insight on whether they have upgraded to a SSR rather than keeping the mechanical relay (you can tell by the audible click when the heating element turns on)?
That is why I had 2 bonavita fail and anecdotally one of the largest failure modes of anything related to PID heating.
Personally, I am happy they didn't go OLED: those burn out faster than traditional LEDs and would shorten the life of the product. Normally I am not bothered by planned obsolescence but I expect at least 10 years of use for a kettle.
Hey! EKG has both a mechanical relay and solid state relay. So, as we approach set point, we switch to solid state so there isn’t the click!
Adjustable flow or even just disabling the restrictor and they would have had my money. Right now I'm struggling to see how any of the new features is going to improve my results in the cup
An Ailio Bullet, a Roest, and what looks like maybe a Kaleido Sniper M10. When are we getting the coffee roasting video ;)
Patience my friend :)
I feel like fellow balances the fine line of features and gimmicks. I don't think I could rationalize spending that much money on a kettle compared to using that money and putting it into a grinder. However, if I could sell my old Stagg kettle then I would probably consider getting the Pro just because it has a lot of "nice to haves" but not necessary features.
I think you nailed it. Upgrade? probably not for the masses. But buying new? The choice would get a little tougher.
It’s a kettle, a beautiful kettle but it boils water at a temperature you desire. What more do you want..altitudes adjustments, etc, madness!
Is that the moon swatch on your wrist?
What about the plastic free kettle would be great 👍
How's the cord situation? In the old Fellow Stagg EKG the cord is too long, and you can't wrap it under the base, like with any cheap kettle.