The Fellow Ode Grinder - 2020's Most Anticipated Coffee Product

[@jameshoffmann]

I should point out a mistake I made. I misread the grind setting chart. Pour over goes down to 2. This is my fault, I don’t know how I did it. Apologies.

[@dtonpbac]

Your criticism is still 200% valid if the grinder that was specifically marketed as a filter grinder can't do its job properly for filter/pour-over methods even at its finest grind settings (1&2).

[@sofronio.]

Minor mistake, great video!

[@tyranneous]

I just saw that on the chart... my immediate thought was "The Hoffmann has made an error!? I bet he's spotted it already though... let's see if I can be a smart-arse!". Boom, late by 4 minutes. Good work sir!

[@SourianteOrange]

Note given, note taken. It just speaks well about you as a professional. Anyway, if the company decides to consult one more time the final touches with professionals like you, they will sell even more easily their product on the asking price. I believe that the market needs good products with great design and attention for details. But there is always one more extra step that makes the difference between good product and That-Is-Just-Genius! product. Thanks for the video and thanks to the company for their sleepless efforts!

[@jack0slack]

I will say, that chart design is awful though. I can easily see how you made the mistake. Colour would have helped it so much.

[@omegagavin]

Man, this guy exudes competence. I’d trust him to be my doctor, financial adviser, attorney etc.

[@adorinadorin]

All at once? :)

[@pamelabacan]

me too

[@sonnyrynsaard3567]

"your honour, would you like some coffee?" (5 minutes later) "Defendant is cleared of all charges"

[@FlygisTheFlygis]

He exudes bratty half hipster half pretentiousness... I don’t know how you get that perception of him

[@ImperatorClass]

@@FlygisTheFlygis he really doesn't. He just knows the *very* deep particulars surrounding coffee

[@aaronlarson479]

I was a Kickstarter backer for the Ode. I've had it close to two months, and in general I am very happy with it. I upgraded from a Baratza Encore and immediately noticed a significant improvement in my brewed (V60) coffee. I have not been bothered by its limitations as far as grind size, but I was a little surprised when I ground a dose at the finest setting -- it really isn't very fine at all. That said, my grind setting has not been anywhere close to the lower limit: it's generally been between 3 and 4 for V60. Since acquiring the Ode, I've transitioned from 1 pour + bloom to 2 pours + bloom, which indicates to me that the grind size is uniform to the point of giving me greater flexibility in my pouring approach. Perhaps going finer would be smarter, but I'm liking my results. As far as retention, it is a bit frustrating that the knocker isn't very effective. The most effective approach for me has been waiting 20-30 seconds after grinding finishes, and knocking again. In addition, I will include my SUPER SECRET technique at no additional charge: lift up the hopper lid and slap it down lightly, and the air pressure will do all the heavy lifting (also works for the Baratza Encore). If you're like me, it's easy to take James Hoffman's slight annoyances a little too seriously, but in my experience with the Ode, all of the minor inconveniences have simple workarounds. It also helps that I really WANT to like this grinder, so I'm gonna do just that!

[@jwalshxyz]

Your secret technique also is effective on Breville/Sage smart grinder.

[@stlbites]

I agree. Huge step over the Encore. I was agitated with mine at first as I made the same upgrade but it’s less messy then the encore, and a wildly better grind. His wanting to grind even finer answers a question I often have about fast draw down on things like Ethiopians-he’s clearly grind quite fine. My wife works for a roaster so it’s been interesting to hear other employees feedback as several of her coworkers also backed the Ode. I agree with James that my agitation is due to hype.

[@androidgoat]

I did the same upgrade and, had I not scrolled through the comments, would've written a very similar comment.

[@mixeddrinks8100]

my friend has one of those silicone hopper for the Encore that you can actually push down like a toilet plunger, thing really pushes residues out.

[@aaronlarson479]

@@mixeddrinks8100 Wow, I hadn't seen that silicone hopper before, but it sounds like a great idea

[@TheGeneralHarith]

Daaamn that intro tho

[@chriswatts9227]

Very Daniel Schiffer

[@PaviElleWilliamson]

Agreed, that beat tho... 👌

[@alharris8861]

The intro did indeed make me want whip out my wallet

[@CRAIGSCHULER]

Yes, great work!

[@local_chemist]

Intro was so dope.

[@Neon-zj1uk]

I don’t do pour over but I still watched every second of this James: “Not an espresso grinder” Me: oh that’s no good *keeps watching*

[@safekidda46]

Dude, I’m allergic to coffee and I still watch.

[@samh9642]

@@safekidda46 my deepest condolences

[@Mukawakadoodoo]

@@safekidda46 so sorry for your loss.

[@TAdamRox]

Hahaha. Same here. I've seen people use $20 hand grinder for pour over and they seem to love it, so I didn't know that pour over people are that fussy about grinders, lol.

[@mjgx911]

Literally did the EXACT same thing

[@conormclaughlin5811]

I've watched a few times, then went to work and finally realized what stands out to me about this review (in addition to the Spinal Tap reference): Every other review I've seen on KZbin has been done by someone who either is hoping to sell this grinder OR was given the grinder by Fellow. They never were able to or interested in answering the question "is it good value for the money?" which is such an important question. I also realized that some of the issues you experienced are also ones that I would experience and others were not, which helps me understand whether it would be worth the money to me. Thank you for the thoughtful reviews and for being an invaluable resource to coffee hobbyists.

[@SkinnetCC]

James, - I just wanted to give you some cred on the stuff you do. Just a few weeks ago I didnt even drink coffee regularly but by the magic of the youtube algorithm i was transferred to one of your videos. Now a few weeks and many of your videos later i'm here at home with a V60 brewer practicing on my teqnique, cupping coffee and trying different roasts. Thank you for introducing me to this wonderful and intresting world of coffee!

[@jamesreinarz9653]

Yup, that was me about a year ago.

[@kamikaza3334]

@@jamesreinarz9653 Yup, this is all of us!

[@MrHarlequin2316]

@skinnetCC - run. Run away. Run away now. Run fast and run far. Not long ago this was me. Happy with a pod machine and instant ‘espresso’ and ‘cappuccino’. Then KZbin suggested a James Hoffman video and now I have a V60, an Aeropress, a French press, a mokapot, a La Pavoni, a minipresso, a hand grinder, a Wilfa Uniform, a separate espresso grinder (for the LP), a coffee subscription, 5 cupping bowls and a spoon for the world’s largest coffee tasting, a set of scales, a mini set of scales for travelling (who goes anywhere now?), a full kitchen counter, an overdraft and a girlfriend who thinks I’m bonkers. Having said that, The obsession that James ignited and his videos have made 2020 just that bit more tolerable.

[@larrygonzalez4375]

@@MrHarlequin2316 i wasn't drinking coffee till 7 years ago. Tried the usual comercial stuff and wasnt convinced. Then for some reason was directed to the specialty coffee world. Fast forward, i have probably more stuff than i should. Completed barista training. Oppened a Specialty coffee shop. The problem is (if that can be called a problem) I'm looking into roasting coffee now. At this stage, if I run, its got to be chasing coffee 😆

[@SkinnetCC]

@@MrHarlequin2316 I appreciate the warning, but i'm afraid it is already to late for me. Yesterday I presented an investigation to my girlfriend where I had used our kitchen scale to weigh a small cucumber 45 times. My point was to proove to her that our current scale has a variation in weight presented and that we need something more accurate for my new hobby. She was not impressed and declared I had gone insane. Currently my biggest fear is also getting deep into espresso since it seems that will greatly increase the amount of money I would need to spend on this :)

[@JesseDriftwood]

I’m about two weeks in with my Ode and I’d say you are spot on. As I type this I’m finishing up a one cup pour over on my wave (grinder between 1 and 2) and it’s not quite fine enough. I wish I could also share a photo of just how messy it is already. Otherwise the design is nice, and I appreciate how much quieter it is than my virtuoso. No major complaints, but not blown away.

[@kareem4131]

Flavor wise, How do the cups on the ode compare with the virtuoso?

[@Daniel-ux8tx]

Hey, easy fix for the ‘mess’ or ‘retention’ is a few drops of water mixed into the whole bean prior to putting it into the hopper...completely eliminates the issue

[@keerthikumar2023]

what kind of water do you use? I'm using water at 150ppm (made my own) and don't see any need to go below 3. a notch below 3 gave me a bitter tasting coffee

[@christophertitanium8424]

@@keerthikumar2023 you make your own water?

[@bitsa94]

Your point about the beeping on/off button made me realise that it would've been better to have had a light indicator to help those who are hard of hearing.

[@julianshepherd2038]

What about us hard of thinking people?

[@ChristineSK]

That's an awesome idea!

[@wentale]

@@julianshepherd2038 You have coffee for that!

[@calmeilles]

@@wentale But it doesn't kick in until after you've used the grinder. :)

[@spasecookee]

That's my biggest issue with the Niche Zero.. The power light stays illuminated ALL THE TIME. Why doesn't it only light up while it's running?

[@Daniel-ux8tx]

Hi James - Love your videos, I’ve learned a lot from watching them. I’ve owned the Ode for about a month now, and love it. At first, yes, I experienced a bit of messiness, but using the water on a back of spoon solution completely eliminated the issue...and I mean completely! I exclusively use an Aeropress, with 16 grams of a variety of medium roast coffees, 220 to 230 grams of water, grind size 1 click before 4, and the grind is very consistent with no static residue or mess to clean up-I click the clicker more than 3 times to be sure I get out as much coffee grind as I can, the weight is the same as the bean weight I put in using acaia scale. My prior grinder (which I still have) is the Commandante hand grinder, which is excellent, but I find the Ode grind is more consistent. So there you have it!

[@supersonicguy556]

man your cinematography has gotten buck wild, i really appreciate how you shoot your videos. wish you kept the moustache though. just a little.

[@Crepitom]

It’s very pleasant to watch, although I don’t care about the grinder.

[@JackMoney]

The lighting has made it, the foreground is separated really well from the (busy) background - almost looks like a greenscreen! ... and the microphone is miles better this time.

[@sidadityan8947]

@@Crepitom Same, I don't drink coffee but I love hearing passionate people talk about what they love in amazing detail

[@MrJumboblimpjumbo]

I love these videos but I find the audio in the last little while has been getting a little...icky. Have you changed your compression settings, or has KZbin? Different microphone perhaps? I'm just hearing more mouth noises and room sound than I used to, and finding it rather distracting. I will keep watching though!

[@kerravonsen2810]

​@@sidadityan8947 Oh yes, I totally agree! It is James's passion and interest that attracts me here. And I do drink coffee, but not a lot.

[@aaczarnecki]

Wanted to pop in and call out how really well done the videography has gotten, the extra effort doesn't go unnoticed. Excellent work as always, James.

[@nassar8]

The editing on this video is just top of the shelf. Fantastic music choice as well. Needless to say your expertise and sheer nerdery on all coffee-related aspects are as amazing as ever.

[@daniwalmsley611]

The beep is really useful for troubleshooting. If you get a beep and no grind noise yknow somethings broken/not working (probably a motor issue) no beep and it's a power issue or the button

[@bahman9]

The KZbin's Coffee Legend. Each video is better than the last James.

[@Lurkerhlb3]

This is a follow up on my review of the ode grinder. I upgraded to ssp burrs and it is a "major" improvement on the grind quality. Where I had to set the dial to one notch above 1 to get a semi-acceptable grind for a v60 with a light roast coffee. Now that I have to use some where between 4 and 5 to get a really good v60. Right now if I go to a 2 to 3 setting I'm getting almost an espresso grade grind.

[@stephenstahr6880]

cool! Where do you get the ssp burrs?

[@landsurfer66]

I just got one and I really like it. I use the Aeropress, so this is perfect for my level of coffee appreciation. It provides a quiet, consistent grind in seconds and a delicious brew. Static mess really isn't an issue for me. I hit the knocker 6-8 times, and then remove the rubber collar and tap it in the sink.

[@fennecbesixdouze1794]

@4:15 trust me, when you run these things through user testing users will absolutely flip out if there's no beep. There is the slightest sub-millisecond delay as the motor powers up, and when you have a push button users will perceive even that slight delay in response as their input not being immediately registered, and the device will be perceived as laggy and irresponsive. The beep psychologically tells users their input has been received. You can get away without it if you have a toggle switch, but the general perception through preference testing is that toggle switches are cheap. A group of users given the same product either with either a momentary touch switch or a toggle will rate the momentary touch switch product higher. Also, a toggle switch would be impractical to implement with the features of this device (the auto-off, in particular). Also, if for some reason the motor isn't working but the hardware doesn't know, the beep tells the user their click has been registered so that the machine *should* be working, but isn't, indicating a problem with the motor so at least the user doesn't think it's some problem with the button and have to keep frustratingly pressing wondering what's wrong. You frequently ask about the beep on many of these products and say you don't understand why it's there. Well, it's there for a reason: everyone says they hate the beep, but the testing consistently shows the alternative of no beep leads to even worse problems. Unfortunately, consumers are not rational beings.

[@ska042]

I think a lot of people, when they say "what's with the beep, why does it beep", are _really_ saying "the beep is too loud, it's annoying" - not necessarily that it shouldn't beep at all.

[@neiker234]

User testing should not be used as a fixed guide for this decisions. You are affecting everyday users based on first time users. If you use this grinder everyday, after a while, you will get used to the delay

[@outsider344]

I think James isnt being clear enough with his complaint. He, and I would imagine anyone else, would be just fine with noises providing feedback if the noises werent loud sine waves produced through crappy piezo speakers

[@holliefitzzz]

OMGX THIS IS WHY EVERYTHING BEEPS OMGX

[@holliefitzzz]

i have an electric hob that beeps for each time you turn the dial to increase the value of the heat (1-20) by just one value. hugely annoying. i wondered if they could have just made a haptic knock like on my phone

[@danielbentley0]

Your experience nearly entirely mirrors mine. Though I find giving it a bang on top of the unit helps with the retention. I’m now getting 20g in and 20g out.

[@CWunderA]

The bang on top works for me as well.

[@cloudyview]

Same, it's too bad that the knocker doesn't work better, but a few taps on top seem to clear it without issue 👍

[@aaronlarson479]

I do something similar to the bang: lift the lid slightly and slap it down lightly. The air pressure does the work better than my brute force attacks, and I feel better about the grinder's longevity that way.

[@spektrograf]

I do the same with the lid to push out the last bits. Works well so far.👍

[@KettleRiseRanch]

Same here! Value. I think its worth it but the knocker is not great. Agree i would never use above about 5. Had it for a month or so.

[@kylerelph86]

I backed this product on the Kickstarter and I was really excited about it. It’s the first “real” coffee grinder that I purchased. I had been using this cheap capresso burr grinder that was the most inconsistent but I didn’t jump at anything to upgrade. Recently I’ve been wanting to upgrade to more serious home brewing and have LOVED everything fellow has put out so far. The issues you mention in the review are the same ones I have. The static, the chaff, the grind settings. I don’t make espresso from home so I didn’t feel like I needed to get something that could do everything. It’s definitely usable and looks wonderful so I’m keeping it for now. Fellow also has been very aware of these shortcomings and have communicated to their Kickstarter backers about some updates at significant discounts. Essentially at cost. One being the burrs and another being the lid for the grounds catcher to help with the messiness. Thanks for the review!

[@crookman42]

I think you misread their grind guide, actually for pour over the scale recommends a 2-5 setting

[@jameshoffmann]

I did. I suck.

[@ganon8835]

@@jameshoffmann no you dont, you're just human.

[@crookman42]

@@jameshoffmann naah, you're great! It is a confusing and crowded chart.

[@livegolfismygt]

Is ok

[@ilor114]

@@jameshoffmann The only thing that I disliked on your channel is this comment, no you don't suck.

[@kaffeewerks9609]

So far, I've loved the grinder. The interface is a pleasure to use. It's impressively quiet. It's super fast and I find the grind range ok. I sit around 2, but I am a tinkerer, so I have been looking at the SSP burrs to keep it interesting.

[@jasonlinn]

this seems like a product I will be extremely interested in the version 2 or 3 of

[@MikeHudsonmusic]

YOOO that was one of the sickest brew video transitions I've seen. Love the slow-mo/speed ramping 👏🏽

[@HJiangBang]

I definitely got caught up in the hype and pre-ordered this. I received it last week and, seeing as it was my first electric grinder, I'm super happy with the upgrade. As a relative amateur when it comes to tasting, I will admit that I didn't realize I have been grinding too coarse this whole week. I'll definitely try grinding finer now and will keep an eye on Fellow's upcoming burr set.

[@apeacebone6499]

I'm pretty sure that my grandfather, at 83 years old in the year 2000, had that exact sweater. But he was the coolest dude I've ever known, so I can only express my deep approval.

[@TheWhiteDragon3]

James, you consistently have arguable the best production quality of any regularly uploading KZbinr! Absolutely love the camera work

[@WarLock0722]

One thing that really goes unnoticed in this video. This grinder has a really small performance electric motor. That also explains the decision behind not allowing finer grind settings, and also explains the price point, because putting a large-enough motor there for finer grinds would throw it into the Niche Zero area of grinders.

[@shaununger8092]

I can honestly say this was a great review and changed my mind about whether or not I would purchase this grinder, I think I will not honestly as some of the things that annoyed you would annoy me as well.

[@DamonFavor]

I wasn’t a Kickstarter backer but I did preorder. This is my first electric grinder, I’ve been hand grinding for years. I was considering an Encor but the primary selling point to the Fellow was the small size. I rarely brew more than a double cup and don’t need a large hoper. I also don’t do espresso at home so super fine wasn’t a requirement for me. I’ve had mine for a few weeks now and I absolutely love it. It’s quite enough that I can grind when I get up for work without waking my family. Also, mine never runs for more than a few seconds after finishing the grind. I love how quick it is, though to be fair I’m only grinding 30g so it’s not a lot but compared to hand grinding it’s a dream come true. The only thing that I didn’t love out of the box was the magnet on the cup. Like you said, it sticks to my scale which I think is strange but I quickly got over it. I don’t have any throng to compare it to at the same price point but I am extremely happy with the purchase so far and feel like I’m brewing quality repeatable cups. I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts in the comparison video.

[@dickybert3179]

Looking forward to the option - o lagom grinder review...

[@joedurushia4008]

I weigh the beans in the dosing cup (Stagg brewer) spritz the beans cover with my fingers and shake well. One spritz per 10g. No mess, no retention, very little sticking in the pour cup. Thank you for the other videos on getting rid of static.

[@OldManTim]

As soon as I saw the dial I was hoping there would be a “goes to 11” reference and I must say James did not disappoint.

[@Gerard_Hugo]

Good information. Thanks a lot. Two remarks: 1. Tap the knocker WHILE grinding, not after. This will greatly reduce retention. 2. Do not add water to the beans by adding some droplets here and there but spray it on the top layer of the beans in the container, then close the container and allow nature to evenly spread the added moisture into ALL beans and through and through. This may take a day but then problems with static electricity will come to an end. First "test" the beans if they are too dry as making them too humid will cause another problem (blocking).

[@CoffeeReviews]

I held off on buying it on the suggestion of a trusted retailer saying to wait until they release the updated version after the kinks of the original have been worked out. I've had my eye in this grinder for a LONG time and have been dying to buy it. All of this just reminds me that I still need to wait a little longer. I adore Fellow products and I have no doubt they'll get this right soon. Great video again James 👍

[@AlexanderTrefz]

So I have spend my day watching most of your catalog today. I’ve been feeling sick and stumbled upon your videos and your soothing voice and _delicious_ passion for your subject matter is great. Here is the thing: I don’t like coffee. I hate coffee. I taste bitterness very strongly and so I can’t come anywhere near it. But I still watched all your videos with interest and I enjoyed them. And upon watching this intro I understood another reason why: your production quality is outstanding. The little turned ramp while the dial is spinning must have taken a great deal of effort, for a small intro moment of 4 seconds, but you put that detail and love into your craft, and I simple appreciate that very much. Please do keep making these videos, they are great, even for someone who won’t ever drink a sip of coffee.

[@Armondahad]

Like others have commented, would love to see a video on the Ode Gen 2 and Gen2 with SSP upgrade!

[@jjfrank]

I waited a whole year for this thing and I finally got it about 2 weeks ago, I love it. Sophisticated and simple to use. Would recommend.

[@Alistair_Spence]

I've had my Ode grinder for about three weeks now so I was very interested to see what James thought of it. I'm a coffee neophyte (and perhaps even philistine) who only drinks drip/filter coffee. For the last several years I've been grinding my beans with a ceramic burr Hario Skerton grinder which I power via a cordless drill... Seems to work pretty well, but it was a little noisy for early morning grinding, and time consuming too. For me the Ode grinder was a big upgrade in convenience and grind consistency. I grind 30g of beans for my brew, which the Ode does in about 14-15 seconds (with the drill and Hario method it took several minutes) and being able to walk away and do other things while the grinder does its thing is very handy. It is so (relative to what I'm used to) quiet when grinding, which is nice, early in the morning. I hit the knocker 6 or 7 times and find that there is very little retention. Not zero but pretty much negligible. I've timed how long it takes the PID controller to sense that grinding is done, and shut off the machine and it's been very consistent at between three and four seconds. I've had very little issues with static, once I washed the catch cup a couple of times. It's usually a minute or two between when it's finished grinding and when I dump the coffee into the coffee maker, so maybe that helps dissipate any static charge that builds up? I do use the drip of water trick mixed into the beans, which seems to make a difference. Not to be contrary, but I find the diagram on the lid that shows the grind setting recommendations for the different methods to be quite intuitive. I like how it's laid out and I find it to be quite helpful. I brew using a Cuisinart electric drip machine. It has a thermal carafe and seems to work quite well (but like I said, I'm no authority on these things). It's pretty middle of the road from what I can tell, decent quality, but certainly not high end. Works well for my needs and gives consistent results. I grind at the number five setting on the Ode, which is smack in the middle of their recommendation for this kind of brewer and it seems to be right on the money. I've experimented with going a few clicks either side of 5 but keep coming back to it as it gives taste I'm looking for (the coffee I'm grinding is from a local company here in Seattle and is towards the darker end of the spectrum. Tony's "Love Buzz" blend, fwiw). I'm very happy with the grinder. It's got a very solid feel to it's construction. Feels like a quality piece of kit, and I really like the form factor and overall aesthetic. Before I purchased it I asked the people at Fellow several questions via email and always got timely, honest, and thorough responses. To me, this indicated that they are a company that takes care of their customers, and make efforts to provide good support. I guess I'll find out going forward if that's true, if I end up having any issues with the machine, but I see no reason to doubt it at the time of writing this. Anyway, that's my dos centavos on this grinder. Cheers!

[@VojtechRozsival]

The grind settings is very dependent on the beans you use. I am a moka pot drinker. I usually go a whole step coarser settings for dark roasts (typically between 2 and 3) then I use for light roasts (typically up to 1). Otherwise the dark roasts are too bitter. I have completely different experience with the retention and static, see my elaborate above. But it is very likely due to the light roasts I use. Especially when I forget the water trick. Then it holds up to a gram, knocker does nothing and mess is all around. Otherwise I agree. The uniformity of grind is great, construction quality and materials really good (even though the front panel around the wheel gets off rather too easily), it looks super cool (and is low profile) and customer support is simply great, fast responding and willing to help.

[@ellenrik]

Thank you, I really had a good laugh about the the cordless drill, but it does make sense, however, at 6:00 A.M. I'm not so sure that I would do it.

[@shantievillada]

I happen to own an Ode grinder, and this video is 100% on point. Now, I do tend to prefer darker roasts, but still have found myself wanting finer grinds than recommended. The static problem for me isn't that much of an issue, but I do tend to knock my grinder for about 10-15 times. I primarily bought this grinder because of its size, its ability to upgrade, and (who am I kidding?) its design. So far, I'm satisfied with the grinder, but I echo your sentiment that it could be much better...

[@bbrockert]

Would be really interesting to see triangle (pentagon?) tests with the original burr set, the version 2 set, and the SSP set. See if they are notably different. A refurbished machine and the version 2 set seems quite cost effective right now.

[@andresmarver]

Really have to appreciate the effort in production James put on his videos; other creators would just open with the same catchphrase to their kitchen and proceed to do everything in a single take.

[@AronBagel]

Interesting to see most people complain about the exact same things regarding the Ode - it's messy and doesn't grind fine enough. I'd love to see Fellow embrace the modding community by offering various burr sets, just like they offered cosmetic kits for the Stagg EKG.

[@EakEmk]

They have embraced it. You can run other burrs. People are already running SSP burrs in them.

[@garrettd1494]

Once i put a bag or 2 through it and used hoffman's static method (which i was using on my last grinder) i've had 0 issues with mess. i also have no issue w/ grind size but i also drink medium- dark roasts so its different for me.

[@stiggles98]

There are already talks of Fellow providing Alternate burrs themselves too.

[@arianewell6252]

@@stiggles98 where have you seen talk of this?

[@gardengatesopen]

I love watching such an in depth, serious review - while still subtly mentioning "mine goes to eleven" !!! Touché James! ♡

[@jdrobison1967]

I'm not sure that they need burrs that grind finer as much as they need them to not produce so many coarse particles. Using a Kruve sifter, I compared particle distribution of the Ode at its finest grind setting, against a Baratza Vario around mid-range (where I generally achieve a 3:45-4:00 draw down). Both grinders produced about the same percentage of 1000 um particles which is where I think the issue is. Most backers (myself included) and buyers aren't able to achieve full extractions unless using a full-immersion method because of this.

[@LoveMyRottweiler1]

Hey James...been using the Fellow Ode for over a week and I must say it's very quick and quiet and not as messy as yours, maybe due to the dry California air...also I use the lid of the grinder to push air through by holding the back end with one finger and flipping the front of the lid two or three times which blasts air into the top. I have very little mess after grinding. Love this grinder along with my clever pour-over great combination. Good Day!

[@marcusannegarn8497]

I would love to hear how it goes with the SSP burrs!! For your ultra high end grinders, a discussion about burrs would be really useful. You could also put the burrs from the Lagom into the Ode right?

[@davtona]

100% agree on a discussion about burrs, personally I’d like to understand the difference in results a flat burr set produces when mounted vertically as in the Ode. Another facet of burrs worth covering is why filter/espresso/Turkish burrs are different and how far each can run into the other’s territory. Btw, thanks for the Vid James. 👍

[@jadoei13]

I wonder how that 140w motor is going to hold up with 64mm burrs, wouldn't get espresso burrs for it at the very least. I have a set of those SSP burrs (the espresso version) in my Mazzer Super Jolly and they're great, but the SJ has a 350w motor so I wonder how those differences will play out over the course of a decade or so of usage.

[@davtona]

If it’s a 140w motor, chances are it’s a gear train to match. We know the early Sette 270 series had a lot of failures in the gear train assembly, so is the motor low powered to prevent gear failure, or have they used that burr set to prevent motor or gear failure? Just a thought anyway.

[@steveflor9942]

Man, what an excellent review!!! Main function stated up front. All salient issues addressed and answered. No fumfering around. I don't know how you could do it any better.👍👍👍👍👍

[@fastfolky]

Wow, the production value of these videos keeps improving! Very impressive!

[@joshodmo1978]

New to the channel, and I'm loving it. I've learned so much more about coffee. I started drinking coffee when I was 12. I'm now in my 30s and after watching these videos I'm now expanding my coffee drinking experience. Bought my first grinder (cheap $20 one) and I'm experimenting with beans and grind settings and truly enjoying it. A new brewer will be my next purchase. Keep up the good work James, love the channel.

[@EdoRezaprasga]

Finally, my ode is on the way. Thank you for the review! Edit after watching video There was another debacle on home-barista forum, saying that there are two different variations of the fellow ode unit. One that can be fitted with the ssp burr and the other cant. It seems that the one that can be fitted with SSP are made with machined burr carriers, where the others are cast-molded with more questionable QC and precision. I am waiting my finger crossed that i got the machined one 🤞

[@popcorns6472]

I don't think i'd be buying this after this review.

[@EdoRezaprasga]

@Christian Vaughn it is merely a guess at this point.. As they are inconsistencies.. Fellow initially said that all unit can be fitted with ssp burr.. Then recently when a user complains that ssp cant fit, they said that ssp is 1 mm too big.. It is still hearsay at this point, but a lot of buyer complained that their unit cant be fitted with ssp burr, and so far the pattern fits.. The units that cant be fitted have slight small notch in the pattern and lacks of machined circle cut...

[@woodridgetrackrunner]

I received mine September 24th. After about 2 months of 2-3x use per day your review is really similar to my experience. Kinda messy, but quiet and pleasant to use. As one of the first backers, I'm happy with what I have for the price I paid. One minor thing that happens to me regularly: I brew 60g of coffee in the morning for my wife and I, then 25-30g a couple times in the afternoon. With the 60g doses I often get a single bean stuck right in the middle of the Fellow logo, with the 25-30g doses this doesn't happen.

[@rtilly]

I upgraded from a Baratza Encore (with the upgraded burr set) to the Ode. My experience has been extremely positive in terms of grind quality. My Encore produced so many fines and that issue is just gone for me. My only complaint for mine is that the auto off doesn't really work that well.

[@dventura15]

I love everything about mine so far! Compact, ease of use, super consistent grinds and big improvement in the quality of my coffee. I only wanted this for single dose pour over and can’t imagine anything better for that.

[@battleblades]

Amazing video, thanks James. A couple things - I fit the SSP brew burrs in mine and the grind range is FAR more usable. I've calibrated it at 3 clicks past burr chirp and am brewing 20g V60s of very light roasts around between 3 and 4 now, and the cups are sweet and well extracted. But it should be noted that, as of now, the SSP burrs do NOT fit in all Odes. Some customers are getting burr carriers that look cast, as opposed to machined. Those cast carriers cannot fit the SSP burrs, and Fellow confirmed that with me via email. I was lucky enough that mine came with a machined carrier so there wasn't an issue, but you'll notice that Prima Coffee in the US took away their labelling that the SSP burrs are compatible with the Ode. The static problem is mitigated very well with water, but I'm finding even more success using a small spray bottle and shaking the beans around to more evenly disperse the water before grinding, and am now getting zero retention. Your auto-off seems funky; my original grinder didn't turn off ever, and the new unit that Fellow sent me works fine but there seems to be a wide range of how they work. The variance in wiring and burr carrier machining indicates to me that there is a lot of QC fine-tuning that needs to be done. However, I look forward to seeing your video if and when you are able to introduce SSP burrs or the other finer Fellow burrs to this unit. For me, the grinder is very usable now and a worthwhile addition to my countertop.

[@foxbritten]

James your videos are always unrelenting beautifully shot, the fact that your content is at the same level even more impressive

[@ludwigfredriksson3786]

I was just about to order it. However, after seeing this video, i'm having second thoughts.

[@marcusdiddle]

Appreciate the refreshingly honest review! Kind of surprised at the effort required to get to the burr set. I have a a Breville SmartGrinder and it's dead simple to access and remove the burr set for cleaning, which I do frequently. With screws involved, I'd likely never be cleaning them on this unit.

[@VaticDart]

Based on the comments in the KickStarter, there’s a fair bit of variation in the grind setting needed for V60. For me, the 3.1 setting is almost always right (which is in the middle of Fellow’s guide for pour-over). I’m using medium to light roasts. I’ve found the knocker does work, although you have to be more aggressive with it than Fellow indicates. Most mornings I get 0.1 gram retention. Now than and then I’ll get retention > 0.5 grams, which will reappear the next morning. Overall I’ve been very pleased with my Ode. It is a substantial upgrade over the KitchenAid Pro I was using before. That said, I’ll still be interested when Fellow releases the new burr set.

[@kelseybrandin702]

Hi James! Been watching your videos for a while now - keep them coming! I was a kickstarter backer for the Ode and have had mine for a few weeks now. I exclusively brew with the Aeropress, and my coffees are either super-light from Tim Wendelboe, or a touch darker (but still super light) from Brio Coffeeworks. I usually either follow Tim's Aeropress recipe (14g coffee, 200g water at 93C - 1min brew time, 3 stirs front to back at the beginning, plunger in to rest/infuse, then three stirs front to back again at the end before plunging), or the 2016 World Aeropress Championship recipe. I've also done variations on the WAC recipes, which, as you know, typically relies on overdosed, coarsely ground coffee (~35g per cup!) I know there's been a lot of pushback about the overdosed and coarse approach, but I really do find the cups to be sweet, complex and pleasing. Likewise, I find Tim's Aeropress recipe he uses in his cafe to be spot-on for his coffees, which I typically grind a touch finer than when doing an overdosed recipe. Given the above brew context, I actually keep my Ode between 4 and 8 on the setting wheel. I find for Aeropress their recommendations were too fine, actually. For my brewing needs and the types of coffee I brew about 6 times daily, the Ode has absolutely exceeded my expectations. The only "downside" is that the magnet on the grounds cup must've been too strong, as it actually split the metal around the magnet before I had even opened the box. Fellow immediately responded to me and sent me a new one, though, which doesn't have the same issue - still, something for others to perhaps check for. Hope this helps for anyone else looking to decide whether or not this is the right grinder for them!

[@iki3234]

“I don’t need to be beeped” - James Hoffmann

[@bobsykes]

I received mine about two weeks ago, and have used it for dark roast beans brewed in a Chemex. I find that a setting at the opposite end of the scale such as 8 to 9 is required to complete the brew quickly enough to avoid over-extraction. It seems they should make the new burrs with more range at both ends of the scale to please a wider range of tastes and styles. I brew following the instructions on Pete’s Coffee website for a Chemex - 50 grams of coffee ground like grains of sand, a setting of 9 on this grinder, 800 grams of 200 F water, pour over completed at 3 minutes, extraction completed at 5 minutes. The small size and design are awesome.

[@FuIImatiK]

your video edits are getting better and better. respect!

[@felixkechen]

Really shocked me!

[@hdashg]

This is a brilliant review, not just the cinematography but razor sharp advice on the context! As an Encore user, I see nothing here that is a deal-breaker except it not going fine enough, which is perfect insight! What I love MORE about your videos is that you set the baseline expectation so well - its SHARPLY UPHILL from here! There's no surprises for any buyer!

[@internetshaquille]

i get so many mf ads for this thing that I didn't even know it wasn't out yet

[@jawmama99]

I knew you were a fan of the Hoff

[@cablecho57]

Your french toast pizza changed my life

[@stirfryjedi]

Burrito prep 4 lyfe ❤️❤️❤️

[@mlcastle]

it is out, at least in the US? mine came a week or two ago and it looks like it's in stock on Fellow's website as well as some third-party retailers

[@weltvonalex]

Its you!!

[@MaxRide1]

I don't even like coffee (I'm a tea drinker) but my mum does, so I now know more about coffee and coffee beans and grinders and espresso machines and burrs and things than I ever wanted or needed to know, but I love listening to your voice so I subscribed :)

[@felixkremer9191]

Thanks for reviewing the Fellow Ode Grinder, again another great and very interesting video! Just one little thing: I find it quite difficult to estimate the different grind sizes without seeing grind examples. I assume everybody has a slighty different understanding of the coarseness definitions. It would be helpful if you could share some pictures with results of e.g. the finest and the coarsest grind setting once you review grinders like this one :)

[@clintgolub1751]

This was extremely helpful. One of the best coffee shops in the town I live has these prominently on display and the design is just so on point, I wanted one instantly but wanted an in-depth review first. Thank you for going into so much detail; very much appreciated 🙏

[@cdeaker]

I like the grinder’s industrial design, it evokes Dieter Rams’ Braun designed products. Disappointed that it doesn’t grind fine enough for a Moka pot as that tends to be more medium-fine.

[@NerdyNinetales]

My experience with this grinder mirrors yours exactly. The knocker misses the mark unfortunately and the static can really get in the way of a clean experience. For the super early kickstarter price I was able to get this at, I am still a happy camper with this product!

[@HainseyRuns]

Love the Vids really got into Coffee over the last year and learnt a great deal from yourself!!!

[@motion5810]

A great deal from yourself????

[@HainseyRuns]

@@motion5810 I have learnt a lot from his videos

[@tweed.k]

IDK if it's you James or if it's someone in a crew behing the cameras, but I'm always amazed by the little bit telented cinematographic shots and edits that you put in each video, being transition, effects or visual ideas like that time you hided the aeropress under the packaging of the aeropress go making everything feel just smooth. Those satisfying little details need a praise

[@stephane_edouard]

Too bad it doesn't perform so well, it really looked bauhaus-cool

[@suedfrucht44]

Yep, could be the Braun Millomatic II

[@portnaluinge]

Yep, looks like I’m cancelling my pre-order.

[@kasperholmjensen8540]

@@ericpmoss Woooooow. Now that looks interesting!

[@yeid44]

@@ericpmoss DAMN!

[@jakelancaster5889]

Embarrassing for 300$

[@Hantorino]

So right off the bat, I'd like to say you're the person who got me into coffee in the first place. Your videos have both enlightened me and inspired me to really make coffee a genuine hobby and I'd like to thank you for that (however... the side effect being... I'm spending way too much money on this hobby that I initially called for.. lol). That said, I gradually invested my money from a small Hario hand grinder up to what is now the Fellow Ode Grinder. I've had it for... about a month now and I'd agree with pretty much everything you've just said, the beep really threw me off the first time I pushed that button. The static, messy chaff is also something I've noticed as well but I don't get as much as what I've seen in your video (I get around half as much). I had no idea about the burrs, I assumed they were just regular flat burrs. In theory could you not just shave down the teeth? Additionally about the coffee the grinder produces... So coming from a 40 dollar hand grinder to what is now an actual grinder I was blissfully unaware of what an expert like yourself would call good coffee. I've never actually tried going below 3... After watching your video now I realize I should really try going lower because I was indeed getting really fast brews... around 2 min 30 sec brews... which... at the time I thought hmmm that's really fast but overall ignored it since I thought it tasted alright... Really puts into perspective how inexperienced I am and what more I need to learn... Any who... enough rambling from me. Wasn't expecting to write this much but overall I thought I was happy with the grinder but now I question myself after watching your video. Maybe I'll try and get my hands on some of those third party burrs. 🤔 Thanks for producing great videos, I'm looking forward to see more of them in the future! Cheers!

[@Spicy_Edamame]

I would really love to see the flat burr upgrade for this grinder.

[@CyberlightFG]

I wonder why you can't choose which burr set you need.

[@morris0429]

I've received mine for roughly 2 weeks now. If the static builds up, it would be a bit messy and would definitely retain some grounds. I know you dabbed the back of the spoon, but if you use a spray bottle instead and with a slight spray of water, cover the cup with your palm shake it around to evenly coat the beans, it wouldn't retain at all. 20 grams in and 20 grams out. (maybe 0.1 sometimes here and there) but I've grown fond of it. I use it purely for pour-over and another grinder for espresso only.

[@Crepitom]

“I don’t need to be beeped”

[@drmedwuast]

I hate every thing that beeps me

[@BenTuhh]

no one needs microwave style beep boops early in the morning

[@Crepitom]

@@BenTuhh My Aliexpress coffeescale beeps exactly the same way lol! Even at every minute mark.

[@dnmr]

I have beep panic!

[@Yannerson]

Never buy a Samsung washing machine.

[@pilkjaer]

I really like the design of it. It looks very minimalistic and has old Braun design vibes to it.

[@AbsolutMakkie]

@James Please make a review on the new Fellow Ode GrinderV1.1!

[@andfnts]

I got one of these bad boys. One issue I had with it is that one of burrs was not screwed in (just had screws in with no tension). I first went to grind and heard a lot of rumbling. I tightened it and now it works great, and i'm in love.

[@hakonbjrgo6527]

James reviewing the Ode while the Lagom is casually sitting in the background...

[@alienairbag]

haha, greetings from a Lagom user

[@StefanWimmer]

I prefer the looks of mine though ... in silver 😀

[@hakonbjrgo6527]

@@alienairbag how do you like it for filter brews so far? - a Wilfa Uniform user

[@mechanical_koi]

has an EG-1 there too

[@AstarSeran18]

so he's doing the review of high end single dose grinders. the question is, where is the monolith?

[@jamesfaz7318]

Speaking as a seasoned KZbin veteran... James, you make the best reviews on here across any industry. Nice work.

[@lucask4865]

The recommendation for pour over goes from 2 to 5 i think.

[@peternewton2200]

I came here to check if anyone else thought that.

[@ivanerofeev1269]

Something I have noticed too. However, it's a confusing infographics. I bet half of the users will read this the same as James did.

[@Freddie_Dunning-Kruger_Jr.]

James, your channel has become one of my favorites and is now on my normal YT feed. Congrats on your success and keep up the great work and great content. ❤️☕

[@danielbautista7243]

Great video James!, any plans for reviewing Ode Gen 2? It would be great

[@GarciLP]

Stunning in every sense of the word. Your video quality has shot through the roof, and I'm loving the content. Well in! Much love from Uruguay

[@alliefdxproductionservices5856]

Good, in-depth review - I am really liking the longer review format you're settling into! The Ode really seems like a bit of a disappointment. We've got a Svart in the office (batch brewing w/ a 741 KBGT) and I am about to buy a new grinder for home (pourover, mostly kalita / v60) and I'm torn between another Svart and something like the Uniform / Ode. I am also a very light roast drinker - It seems like as much as the quality of the grind is pretty great, the whole experience needs a second revision to replace the burrset with something a touch more conventional, deal with that retention issue and generally improve the user experience. The Uniform seems to be a much more compelling buy at this price point - looking forward to the Uniform comparison video.

[@dtonpbac]

If you don't mind manual grinding, top premium hand grinders like Comandante or Kinu M47 will be a huge upgrade from Svart/Uniform for your budget range. They are comparable to semi-commercial electric grinders like Baratza Vario with steel burrs and close to Forte BG level of performance.

[@villeharju2207]

I have been using Lido 3 for two years and switched to Uniform 3 months ago. I feel my brews are sweeter and clearer with the Uniform. I've done some unscientific side by side comparisons with the same coffee/brew method and the Uniform tastes slightly better.

[@dtonpbac]

I have seen many grind particle size distribution analysis that was done using Kruve sifters and a software tool designed by Coffee Ad Astra but Lido is not in the same league with the above two. Uniform definitely produces less fines but generally shows a lot more inconsistent results in the mid and boulder range.

[@alliefdxproductionservices5856]

@@dtonpbac I have a very nice Made By Knock hand grinder which delivers really good results considering the value (and honestrly I'm mostly happy with it), but since I've been getting up at 5AM for work I've found less inclination to hand-grind at home, hence wanting another reasonable electric grinder specifically for that first filter brew of the day.

[@golen87]

@@alliefdxproductionservices5856 Had a Feldgrind for about 4 years, and finally made the jump to a Uniform. Not looking back, even though I feel like I'm cheating on my once-beloved Feld...

[@Jim1252]

So glad you've had the opportunity to review this grinder. Just got emailed from my Aus retailer that they got the Fellow Ode in stock but my biggest reason for hesitation was whether it could grind beans fine enough for 1 cup. Kudos though for the company making easy to upgrade to flat burrs, I may hold off and see they have it as an option for stock purchase in the near future.

[@lucassch.3761]

Interesting to hear you mention a single cup V60. I would like to know in which way you would change the variables for a single cup V60 compared to a double.

[@StagguhLee]

I rewatched this on my 4K TV, after watching it on my phone earlier, just to better appreciate the cinematography.

[@ariapero]

Us Americans freaking out over Nevada while this man is here, simply enjoying a good covfefe. I feel peace :')

[@goodlucktj]

I've had my Ode for two weeks to the day and so far love it (upgraded from a Baratza Encore). I typically use Onyx Coffee beans, so the roast is always 'modern'. Currently nearly all beans I've received over the past month have been natural processed as well, and in my experience brew recipes typically call for a coarser grind on those. So with that in mind I can report to settling this week at around the 2 setting for a single brew (20-25g), and closer to 3 when using a V60 size 3 (30-55g). As more washed process beans arrive I suspect I'll grind finer. As with all my grinders over the past five years, I always use a wet stirrer on the whole beans to ensure static is not an issue, and have experienced nearly zero grind retention (~0.1g at worst). The speed and quality at which this grinds has been wonderful and it looks incredible alongside the rest of my coffee equipment. I'm very excited to see how the Ode's grind compares to some of James' favorites.

[@mateuszkapustka4388]

Have you tired the Ode gen 2 by any chance? If yes would you be more likely to recommend it since it supposedly improves the mess and grind size?

[@justapotter]

I'd love to see this as well. It appears they've made significant improvements.

[@conan_der_barbar]

unfortunately instead of just replacing the old one, they just charge 150€ more, which I think is pretty ridiculous

[@KnowledgePerformance7]

@@conan_der_barbar it's a complete redesign in a couple of areas, there are plenty of videos comparing the two

[@Plan3tBob]

James, I just wanted you to know that - like another poster below - you have got me started on my coffee journey :) For my birthday in September I received a V60, hand grinder, filters and a coffee bean subscription from my lovely wifey. And having fun. Thank you for getting excited and interested in coffee! (got your great book too!) :-)

[@derpderper7329]

Wooow I need an explanation on how you made the dial move while zooming and panning towards the product. That was beautiful!

[@lassewr]

Stopmotion 🤷‍♂️

[@microtasker]

Stop motion is a better option than doing a 3d render of the grinder and a camera match move in AE. But the latter is how I would have done it.

[@gabrielpapasideropavan]

I actually use a hand grinder that was my great grand father's, and he used it in the coffee farm he used to work in down here in Brazil (and it probably sucks). But for some reason this Aliexpress grinder got me excited, cant wait for that video!

[@kristoffernilsen6926]

James: Why don’t you just make ten coarser? Fellow: This one go to eleven!

[@Albaaaa05]

Heyy i know that reference!!

[@mjmjs92]

I just love this guy, he is a really genuine reviewer of products, I consider mu coffee mentor. Thank you James

[@PHwang-ld4hk]

"I don't know why it beeps" - Love it. why I love James and his language and critical view on the products. wasn't disappointed this time as well. hah!

[@naicong]

Maybe i’m one of the thousands of people who asked for this review and my wish came true 😂 thank you James! ❤️❤️