Pour-over coffee was one of my first introductions into 3rd wave coffee and the craft behind it. I marveled at the long goose-neck style and the ability (and logic) behind being able to control your water temperature on demand. Most people, coffee snob or not, can recognize the industry standard's choice: The Bonavita (for electric) and the Hario (for stove top). And then came (a) Fellow. This kettle was released as a stove top kettle in an incredibly sleek matte black. It's modern and bold design begged to be displayed at home or at a cafe. And above that, it worked-beautifully. I almost bought one-but I hate stove top kettles. Unless you have a water stack that controls the temperature, or you want to babysit the kettle and keep a manual thermometer calibrated, the temperature control just isn't there. 

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So when Fellow launched the Stagg EKG/EKG+ on kickstarter, I was hooked. It had a sleek, elegent color-matched base with a simple turn dial and small circular screen on it, and a few hidden switches in the back. That's it. no plasticy cover, no ugly foil-lined control panel with tacky red numbers and gummy buttons. And with the EKG+ model, you had the integration into the Acaia applications AND the ability to turn on the kettle remotely from the fellow app. I'm a tech-nerd, and I love little gimmicks like that for home-use. So I dumped the money into it, and I've never looked back. I'm not saying this kettle is life-altering. It isn't going to make your coffee suddenly taste like a cup of sweet gold, you will not find Jesus when using it. However, it may just allow you to take a little more pride in what you're making, and allow for some subtle nuances to shine through via a more controlled pouring technique (thank you, counterbalanced and ergonomic handle) 

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There are plenty of kettles on the market, both cheap and over the top expensive. If you can afford the Stagg, and you like the look, take the dive. I can promise you will not regret it. Especially every time you see it sitting on your counter next to your other equipment. It is as much an appliance as it is a piece of art. Not to mention, the people over at Fellow are fantastic humans and make incredible products that they stand by and support. I can't make an argument for you to buy this kettle other than, it just works. It works and it looks great doing it. ​