Fellow Aiden


 
LMichaels

LMichaels

TVWBB 2-Star Olympian
So as noted in the other thread I did in fact order the Aiden and it came this past Thursday. As noted earlier it's size compared to the Breville Precision and OXO 12 Cup seems absolutely miniscule. It can get VERY granular on control. Regulating flow rate, temp adjustment on the fly, with the control system or built in "recipes" and or profiles. Also apparently if a roaster registers their product with Fellow, Fellow will then upload a specific brew profile for it and the brewer can get that as OTA update since it's network connected. You can also upload stuff from your phone and also control it. Or you can fill it with water put in the amount of grounds you want and hit "instant" and it will act like a Mr. Coffee. Other interesting feature is the brew chamber is "sealed". It does not vent steam under your counter. This alone (to me) is an amazing feature and one which I cannot understand why other companies can't figure that out. A simple silicone seal when you close the lid. It also fits exceedingly well on my counter and the way I have to use it. But it's also a bit on the "quirky" side. Like the removable water tank is made more for styling that actual usability (but at least I can take it off and fill it at the sink). Rather than needing to drag the machine out from under the cabinet.
On to important stuff: I found right off the bat it REALLY extracts a lot. The first times I brewed the coffee almost felt like I could "chew it". Instructions go on to warn you about the high extraction rates and to grind a little coarser. This AM I did 2 steps coarser than what Baratza calls a "normal" drip setting and I actually got a very nice solid cup. So, I think I will experiment with that as a starting point. And one other weird thing that threw me off. A "cup" on this is not a normal 5oz. Since the tank is marked with ML and the cup lines are at cup and 150 ML increments rather than cup lines and oz. So here you get 150 ML as a "cup" measure whereas others give you 5oz or 147 ML It's a small change but multiplied over 7, 8 or full 10 cup it does change your "recipe". I'll fill in more as I find anything out or if someone has specific questions try to answer. But so far (as long as it doesn't malfunction) I'm rather pleased. And one other little "gripe". While the carafe is VERY easy to handle and clean it does not keep the brew as hot as well as OXO's or Breville's. Maybe I'll handle that with smaller batches but for now I have the microwave :D
20250711_174340.jpg
 
LMichaels said:
So as noted in the other thread I did in fact order the Aiden and it came this past Thursday. As noted earlier it's size compared to the Breville Precision and OXO 12 Cup seems absolutely miniscule. It can get VERY granular on control. Regulating flow rate, temp adjustment on the fly, with the control system or built in "recipes" and or profiles. Also apparently if a roaster registers their product with Fellow, Fellow will then upload a specific brew profile for it and the brewer can get that as OTA update since it's network connected. You can also upload stuff from your phone and also control it. Or you can fill it with water put in the amount of grounds you want and hit "instant" and it will act like a Mr. Coffee. Other interesting feature is the brew chamber is "sealed". It does not vent steam under your counter. This alone (to me) is an amazing feature and one which I cannot understand why other companies can't figure that out. A simple silicone seal when you close the lid. It also fits exceedingly well on my counter and the way I have to use it. But it's also a bit on the "quirky" side. Like the removable water tank is made more for styling that actual usability (but at least I can take it off and fill it at the sink). Rather than needing to drag the machine out from under the cabinet.
On to important stuff: I found right off the bat it REALLY extracts a lot. The first times I brewed the coffee almost felt like I could "chew it". Instructions go on to warn you about the high extraction rates and to grind a little coarser. This AM I did 2 steps coarser than what Baratza calls a "normal" drip setting and I actually got a very nice solid cup. So, I think I will experiment with that as a starting point. And one other weird thing that threw me off. A "cup" on this is not a normal 5oz. Since the tank is marked with ML and the cup lines are at cup and 150 ML increments rather than cup lines and oz. So here you get 150 ML as a "cup" measure whereas others give you 5oz or 147 ML It's a small change but multiplied over 7, 8 or full 10 cup it does change your "recipe". I'll fill in more as I find anything out or if someone has specific questions try to answer. But so far (as long as it doesn't malfunction) I'm rather pleased. And one other little "gripe". While the carafe is VERY easy to handle and clean it does not keep the brew as hot as well as OXO's or Breville's. Maybe I'll handle that with smaller batches but for now I have the microwave :D
View attachment 115966
Click to expand...
Someday could you do a rating review of all of the coffee related things you have tried? I consider you the in-house expert. 👍
 
JohnTak said:
Someday could you do a rating review of all of the coffee related things you have tried? I consider you the in-house expert. 👍
Click to expand...
Sure. Here is a list of what I currently own, 2 Shardor (Amazon special) burr grinders, a KitchenAid Conical burr grinder, an OXO Brew 9 Cup coffee maker, Breville Precision 12 Cup coffee maker, now Fellow Aiden as well, Baratza Forte AP and BG and Baratza Vario-W grinder (the Forte AP and Vario-W are ceramic 54mm flat burr, the BG is 54mm flat stainless burr. The BG (until a malfunction today) is my daily driver and I use the AP for primarily espresso. I also have 2 espresso machines a Casabrews CM5418 and a KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Maker. Phew! I think that is all of it.
As for what I "use". As noted until my Forte BG clogged up, over heated making some weird sounds today it's my "daily driver" because it's primarily a batch brew grinder. The Forte AP is usually used for espresso due to the ceramic burrs. My main espresso machine is the KitchenAid only because it more matches my KitchenAid Commercial Mixer. But, that little Casabrews makes a very nice espresso
Until I discovered Baratza my KitchenAid grinder was the daily driver for everything. FWIW it's really a very decent grinder. And the Breville Precision Brew is now primarily used to make "cold brew" as it does an outstanding job on that according to my daughter.
My "baby" Shardor grinder is my travel grinder used in conjunction with my little Cuisinart 5 Cup coffee maker. They will be put to use soon :D
I think I covered them all. If there any questions on any of them feel free to ask
 
LMichaels said:
Sure. Here is a list of what I currently own, 2 Shardor (Amazon special) burr grinders, a KitchenAid Conical burr grinder, an OXO Brew 9 Cup coffee maker, Breville Precision 12 Cup coffee maker, now Fellow Aiden as well, Baratza Forte AP and BG and Baratza Vario-W grinder (the Forte AP and Vario-W are ceramic 54mm flat burr, the BG is 54mm flat stainless burr. The BG (until a malfunction today) is my daily driver and I use the AP for primarily espresso. I also have 2 espresso machines a Casabrews CM5418 and a KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Maker. Phew! I think that is all of it.
As for what I "use". As noted until my Forte BG clogged up, over heated making some weird sounds today it's my "daily driver" because it's primarily a batch brew grinder. The Forte AP is usually used for espresso due to the ceramic burrs. My main espresso machine is the KitchenAid only because it more matches my KitchenAid Commercial Mixer. But, that little Casabrews makes a very nice espresso
Until I discovered Baratza my KitchenAid grinder was the daily driver for everything. FWIW it's really a very decent grinder. And the Breville Precision Brew is now primarily used to make "cold brew" as it does an outstanding job on that according to my daughter.
My "baby" Shardor grinder is my travel grinder used in conjunction with my little Cuisinart 5 Cup coffee maker. They will be put to use soon :D
I think I covered them all. If there any questions on any of them feel free to ask
Click to expand...
Wow, very impressive. Most of my purchases are recommendation based, I'm tired of being my own guinea pig. :LOL:
 
Here is the review I left on Amazon for the Aiden. I know people have heard me say this before (I guess as I spend more the machines get better) :D But no joke this thing brews some SERIOUSLY GOOD coffee. A lot better than the best machine(s) I've ever owned which would be the 2 OXO (the now gone 12 cup and 9 cup) and in VERY close second the Breville brings up the rear of that trio. This blows all 3 away. I'm getting flavors and aromas I never dreamed of getting. However, a HUGE gripe I have with the Aiden is no mixing tube in the carafe. So what happens is (and honestly I thought the first person I saw mention this James Hoffman) was a "nut case" so my first couple pots I just brewed and drank as "normal". Well he's REALLY right about it. Your first cup or two taste pretty clean and nice. But as you drink the pot down it almost tastes like you could "chew" it. Even visibly darker pouring into the cup. See the photos here. I was able to retrofit a mixing tube and it works great. No more needing to open the carafe and get a large spoon and stir it up. :D

20250717_155100.jpg20250717_155022.jpg

Had some 3/8" OD NSF plastic tubing (1/4" ID) from a water filter installation. Checked to make sure it was high temp safe and capable, cut just enough to go inside the carafe opening and it holds in there nicely. Cut maybe 3/4" long. Inserted that into a piece of 3/8" ID NSF food safe silicone hose (also high temp) long enough to reach o near the bottom of the carafe, cut off at slight angle. BINGO! every sip from 1st to last absolute perfection!
Why couldn't Aiden do this? If you look at any YouTube informational videos by Fellow, watch closely and every time you see the rep brew a batch before he/she pours it to the recipient they swirl it. I'm sorry. That might work if you're only brewing 4-5 cups (450 to 60 ml) but beyond that it slurps out of the spout
Anyway enjoy the write up. I am gonna go on a limb here and give this thing (even though IMO it's about $100-$150 over priced) for the quality of materials but WOW can it make coffee. And yeah the size makes it my Goldilocks machine. I have to give it a solid VERY high recommendation

4.0 out of 5 stars Could be a 5 Star. Close but not quite​

Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2025
Color: Matte BlackVerified Purchase
I ordered the Aiden and it came this past Thursday. I also own/owned a Breville Precision Brew and OXO 12 Cup which after 3 of those was sent back to OXO and a report filed with CPSC due to safety concerns. It's size compared to the Breville Precision and OXO 12 Cup seems absolutely miniscule. And here is one of the things keeping it from being 5 Stars. Quality of materials compared to those other 2 just seems "cheap and flimsy".
It can get VERY granular on control. Regulating flow rate, temp adjustment on the fly, with the control system or built in "recipes" and or profiles. Also apparently if a roaster registers their product with Fellow, Fellow will then upload a specific brew profile for it and the brewer can get that as OTA update since it's network connected. You can also upload stuff from your phone and also control it. Or you can fill it with water put in the amount of grounds you want and hit "instant" and it will act like a Mr. Coffee.
Another interesting feature is the brew chamber is "sealed". It does not vent steam under your cabinet. This alone (to me) is an amazing feature and one which I cannot understand why other companies can't figure that out. A simple silicone seal when you close the lid. It also fits exceedingly well on my counter and the way I have to use it. But it's also a bit on the "quirky" side. Like the removable water tank is made more for styling that actual usability (but at least I can take it off and fill it at the sink). Rather than needing to drag the machine out from under the cabinet.
On to important stuff: I found right off the bat it REALLY extracts a lot. The first times I brewed the coffee almost felt like I could "chew it". Instructions go on to warn you about the high extraction rates and to grind a little coarser. This AM I did 2 steps coarser than what Baratza calls a "normal" drip setting and I actually got a very nice solid cup. So, I think I will experiment with that as a starting point. And one other weird thing that threw me off. A "cup" on this is not a normal 5oz. Since the tank is marked with ML and the cup lines are at cup and 150 ML increments rather than cup lines and oz. So here you get 150 ML as a "cup" measure whereas others give you 5oz or 147 ML It's a small change but multiplied over 7, 8 or full 10 cup it does change your "recipe".
So far (as long as it doesn't malfunction) I'm rather pleased. And one other little "gripe". While the carafe is VERY easy to handle and clean it does not keep the brew as hot as well as OXO's or Breville's. Maybe I'll handle that with smaller batches but for now I have the microwave :D One other gripe on the carafe. What genius decided to cheap out and not have a mixing tube?! My first pot taught me a lesson here. My first cup was nice. Very extracted and such but good tasting. As I drank the pot down the final cups were WAY darker and almost "tar like" compared to the first. Come on Fellow! Do better here! Send a new lid or retrofit current ones! Unacceptable that after brewing I have to take the lid off and stir it!
So bottom line it brews a helluva pot of coffee but just seems cheaply made with somewhat flimsy materials. Here they need to take a lesson from Breville especially. Where every piece feels solidly made and precision fitted with solid "click" in place feel. Honestly it just "feels" like it's at least $100 over valued. Basically an outstanding machine disguised in sort of cheap materials. Actually the only reason it earned 4 stars is because of how well it brews otherwise it would be 2 stars and be returned.
 
My Moccamaster is okay but the Aiden sounds better. I spin the Moccamaster brew basket a couple of times in the beginning of the cycle to get better saturation and use less water than recommended so the grounds don't overflow. I probably will wait and see if the Aiden makes Prime Day next year or if you have a better recommendation by then. (y):love: Thanks for trying new stuff :cool:
 
Well, because I believe nothing is "perfect" 4 stars is REALLY high praise. Honestly if the carafe held temp better and had a factory made mixing tube, despite what I feel are somewhat "cheap" materials, I'd have given it 5 stars. Simply because I've never tasted coffee come from a machine this astounding. You know how when you open a fresh bag and you get that heady aroma from the beans and can't wait to taste the brew? And then it comes out and you wonder.................."What Happened?" Well, in this case...........you don't have to wonder. Those aromas and what you anticipate actually come through in your cup. It's quite something. I'd say the closest I've ever had something come to that was the OXO Brew 9 cup. Which brews unlike anything except another OXO. But somehow the 9 cup does it better than anything else. Well (again other than the carafe) the Aiden does it even better. The other thing I've noticed is how extremely consistent it is. Bottom line I'm "spoiled". I honestly don't think I could ever use anything else. The "hunt" is over unless..............................this one breaks. But, I'd likely buy another one. Yeah, it's THAT good
 
LMichaels said:
Well, because I believe nothing is "perfect" 4 stars is REALLY high praise. Honestly if the carafe held temp better and had a factory made mixing tube, despite what I feel are somewhat "cheap" materials, I'd have given it 5 stars. Simply because I've never tasted coffee come from a machine this astounding. You know how when you open a fresh bag and you get that heady aroma from the beans and can't wait to taste the brew? And then it comes out and you wonder.................."What Happened?" Well, in this case...........you don't have to wonder. Those aromas and what you anticipate actually come through in your cup. It's quite something. I'd say the closest I've ever had something come to that was the OXO Brew 9 cup. Which brews unlike anything except another OXO. But somehow the 9 cup does it better than anything else. Well (again other than the carafe) the Aiden does it even better. The other thing I've noticed is how extremely consistent it is. Bottom line I'm "spoiled". I honestly don't think I could ever use anything else. The "hunt" is over unless..............................this one breaks. But, I'd likely buy another one. Yeah, it's THAT good
Click to expand...
The empty feeling of high expectations with a poor result. 🙁 Darn, you are tempting me to jump in with this machine. I’m tired of just okay cup of coffee.
 
If you do but you decide not to make the mixing tube just remember to pull the lid off after brewing and mix it up. Because if not the difference from first on down is really quite startling. The materials to make it are dirt cheap too.
 
LMichaels said:
Sure. Here is a list of what I currently own, 2 Shardor (Amazon special) burr grinders, a KitchenAid Conical burr grinder, an OXO Brew 9 Cup coffee maker, Breville Precision 12 Cup coffee maker, now Fellow Aiden as well, Baratza Forte AP and BG and Baratza Vario-W grinder (the Forte AP and Vario-W are ceramic 54mm flat burr, the BG is 54mm flat stainless burr. The BG (until a malfunction today) is my daily driver and I use the AP for primarily espresso. I also have 2 espresso machines a Casabrews CM5418 and a KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Maker. Phew! I think that is all of it.
As for what I "use". As noted until my Forte BG clogged up, over heated making some weird sounds today it's my "daily driver" because it's primarily a batch brew grinder. The Forte AP is usually used for espresso due to the ceramic burrs. My main espresso machine is the KitchenAid only because it more matches my KitchenAid Commercial Mixer. But, that little Casabrews makes a very nice espresso
Until I discovered Baratza my KitchenAid grinder was the daily driver for everything. FWIW it's really a very decent grinder. And the Breville Precision Brew is now primarily used to make "cold brew" as it does an outstanding job on that according to my daughter.
My "baby" Shardor grinder is my travel grinder used in conjunction with my little Cuisinart 5 Cup coffee maker. They will be put to use soon :D
I think I covered them all. If there any questions on any of them feel free to ask
Click to expand...
How do you store all of these, Larry?
 
Two of the drip machines are always in the "rotation" I used to rotate the Breville out with the OXO 9 Cup. But now IDK how I will handle that. Since the Breville is now being pressed into service making cold brew weekly for my daughter. Apparently the Fellow can make cold brew but I think it misses what cold brew is supposed to be. Since it "blooms" the basket at 205F then turns off the heating element and drips a very small portion of water through over many hours. IDK if I'd call that "cold brew" (though I may have her try it). Otherwise the Breville is up on my espresso cart with my Baratza Forte AP grinder and the KitchenAid Artisan espresso machine. The OXO 9 cup is "hanging out" in the basement.
If my daughter did not want her weekly batch of cold brew not sure. Since the Fellow makes such outstanding coffee I'm not "brewing" in the Breville or the OXO (as good as they are). Honestly under $250 the 9 Cup OXO is the absolute best brewer I've ever tried. Over $300 I gotta give it to the Aiden. But honestly if you need a larger batch brewer the Breville is drop dead great. But honestly since I've had it or the OXO 12 Cup I've made a 12 cup batch MAYBE 2X over those years. So for me a very solid 10 cup (real 10 cup of 150 ML or 5oz not the cheating 10 cup like Moccamaster of a 4oz cup). So 1,5 liter is as big a batch as I ever really need to brew. The Aiden is perfect there. I even made a single 150ml cup in it today. Very nice! Though oddly here that darn little Cuisinart? Well I have to give that little devil the edge there. Though I am sure I could fine tune it on the Aiden.
Anyway I am kinda like some of you guys with all the grills. I used to be like that as well with grills but got tired of storing and moving them. Coffee makers and grinders..............................FAR easier :D
 
So as time goes on and I learn more on this Fellow Aiden except for a couple little frustrations i.e. lack of a mixing tube but taken care of, some filter over flow, (checked with Fellow) and they explain it extracts far better than other machines and therefore grind coarser than you might expect. Always had to keep things on the fine side with the Breville and my Oxo machines. But, one thing stays true. The thing makes incredible coffee. I'm now beginning to understand all these so called "flavors" all these testers talk about. Nuances I never noticed before. Until this I just either had a pleasant nice tasting cup or not. But, not all these other senses going on with smells and tastes
I am still on a learning curve, and learing how to make my own custom brew profiles and things as well, rather than simply "pushing a button". I.E. right now I have been using the Kirkland House Blend beans in the green/white bag. Have made a couple profiles more tailored to them.
Having fun with it
 
So one gripe (I guess it's a gripe) I have with the Aiden is the poor heat retention of the carafe. After an hour I'm needing to "hit" the coffee with Chef Mike. Well today I think I've solved that "issue" Got a Made in Japan Zojirushi coffee carafe. If you know thermal carafes you know Zojirushi is as good as it gets and nothing better than made in the land of the rising sun. Can't wait to get it in. Got a whopper of a deal through Amazon resale shop $23 for a $60 carafe. Hell I'm in!
 
We’ve tried quite a few drip makers, from Moccamaster to Mr. Coffee and many in between. Still grinding with the Baratza Encore and brewing in our fourth Bunn SpeedBrew, which we’ve grown accustomed to over the past 20+ years. I saw the Aiden a few weeks back and it made me thing of these coffee threads, so I figured I would see what folks here were brewing with.
 
Jason Godard said:
We’ve tried quite a few drip makers, from Moccamaster to Mr. Coffee and many in between. Still grinding with the Baratza Encore and brewing in our fourth Bunn SpeedBrew, which we’ve grown accustomed to over the past 20+ years. I saw the Aiden a few weeks back and it made me thing of these coffee threads, so I figured I would see what folks here were brewing with.
Click to expand...
Gotta say, sipping on a fresh batch this AM with a batch of Verna Street Nine Mile Sunset https://www.verenastreet.com/products/nine-mile-sunset-whole-bean Getting flavors I've never tasted before. I am going to adjust the brew just a bit tomorrow. Right now I have it blooming for 40 sec with 205 deg, then first pulse of 3 at 200 second pulse at 195 and 3rd at 190. With 20 second pause in between pulses. I think I am going to adjust those temps down a bit after the bloom. to 190, 185, 185. But otherwise it's an eye opening experience tasting what comes out of this thing.
Have owned 2 Bunn. They're good machines REALLY fast, but, what I got tasted too much like restaurant or hotel coffee. "OK" but not what I want to linger over in the morning.
Knocking on the door of $400 this thing is outrageously expensive but holy cow does it make some good Joe. Actually amazing coffee. Closest thing I own to this Aiden is this machine https://www.oxo.com/barista-brain-9-cup-coffee-maker.html At almost 1/2 the price of the Aiden it's a worthy "spend" IMO. It brews a lot like the Aiden, and honestly better than any other mainstream coffee maker I've ever used/owned.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

 

Back
Top