Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle, Model: EE01AA1A, matte black. Photo by Howard Bryman.
Overall Rating: 9.5
Pros: Not only does this kettle look impressive and pour very comfortably, but its display is the most informative of any that we’ve seen, and it heats up quite quickly. Its interface is refreshingly intuitive and its build quality first-rate, down to the tiniest of details.
Cons: The temperature reported on its display may be anywhere from 1-3 degrees higher than the temperature we measured using our thermocouple.
Price: $149
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Reviewer’s Take:
The Fellow Stagg EKG is damn near the perfect kettle. While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we find the space capsule-shaped kettle body, antler-like handle and turntable-reminiscent base add up to a handsome, if not iconic, addition to the modern coffee station. More importantly, though, its counterweighted handle makes pouring feel natural, and its spout allows for the subtlest of dribbles to remain the stuff of intention.
Its well designed and visually accessible display shows both the target and the current temperature by default and clearly indicates when the temperature control shifts into “hold” mode. When the kettle is lifted from the base and returned, both the timer and the current temperature continue to display, unlike other kettles that stop the timer at the point the kettle is replaced on the base.
Even the EKG’s lid design — wide, slightly concave, secure yet still easy to open — is indicative of the refreshing level of consideration that runs top to bottom through the entire user experience. Another example is a pair of physical switches hidden on one side of the base, each of which performs a simple, seldom-needed task: one toggles the display between Celsius/Fahrenheit and one turns the “Hold” feature on or off, in both cases sparing us what might otherwise be tedious or obscure digital procedures.
The Stagg still loses a half-point for the inaccuracy of its reported temperature (see Cons above), particularly while its heater is active. However, as no kettle we’ve tested actually aces the accuracy test, we forgive the Stagg this shortcoming and consider it best in show. Worth every penny, even at a relatively pricey $149.
Key Specifications:
Capacity: 0.9 Liter
Wattage: 1200W
Dimensions: 11.5″ x 6.75″ x 8″
MSRP: $149
Manufacturer website: www.fellowproducts.com
