The short answer
Buy the Fellow Stagg EKG if
you brew pour-over most days and want the finest pour and the clearest
temperature display. Buy the
OXO Brew Adjustable Temperature Pour-Over Kettle
if you want accurate temperature control and a timer for noticeably less
money. Both make excellent coffee, so the gap is about refinement, not
results.
How we compared them
We compared the manufacturer specs for both kettles, then read expert
reviews and long-term owner feedback on pouring, accuracy and durability.
We did not run our own hands-on tests.
Where they differ
Pour and spout
This is where the Fellow earns its reputation. Its thin spout and
counterweighted handle let you pour a very slow, fine stream and stop it
cleanly, which suits drippers like the V60 that reward a gentle pour. The
OXO pours comfortably and accurately too, with a grippy, well balanced
handle, but its flow runs a little faster. Most people will not mind. Fussy
pour-over brewers will notice.
Temperature display
The Fellow shows both your target and the current water temperature, and
keeps showing them while you pour and after you set the kettle back on the
base. The OXO shows only the target once it has heated, and while its timer
runs the base shows only the time. If you like to watch the water cool
between brews, the Fellow is clearly better.
Heating speed
The OXO has a 1500 W element against the Fellow’s 1200 W. In Coffee
Review’s comparison the OXO brought 600 ml of water to temperature more
than a minute faster than the three other kettles in that test. If you
often heat a full kettle in a hurry, that is a real advantage.
Hold time and controls
The Fellow holds your temperature for up to 60 minutes, switched on or off
with a toggle on the back of the base. The OXO keeps water warm for 30
minutes, then shuts itself off. The Fellow uses one knob that you twist to
set the temperature and press to run the timer. The OXO uses a large, firm
dial on the base that reviewers find easy to read and turn.
Capacity and size
The OXO holds a full liter, the Fellow 0.9 liter. That small difference
matters only if you brew a large Chemex for several people. The OXO base
is bulkier, while the Fellow’s square base is compact and tidy on the
counter.
What they share
Both are electric gooseneck kettles with variable temperature control, a
hold mode and a built-in brew timer. Both have stainless steel bodies, sit
on a separate power base and work for tea as well as coffee. Either one is a
large upgrade over a regular kettle for pour-over. If you want to see
cheaper or stovetop options, see
all our gooseneck kettle picks.
Which one should you buy
Get the Fellow Stagg EKG if pour-over is a daily ritual, you want the most
controlled stream and you like seeing the live water temperature at a
glance. Its design also makes it a kettle people keep on the counter for
years.
Get the OXO Brew if you want accurate, repeatable temperature for less
money, you value faster heating, or you sometimes brew a full liter for
two or more people.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Fellow Stagg EKG worth it over the OXO?
If you brew pour-over every day and care about pour control, yes. The finer
spout and live temperature display make each brew easier to repeat. If you
mostly want hot water at the right temperature, the OXO does that well for
much less.
Which kettle heats water faster?
The OXO, based on its more powerful 1500 W element and reviewer timings.
Owners who have used both also report the Fellow’s 1200 W element takes a
little longer, especially with a full kettle.
Can I use either kettle for tea?
Yes. Both let you set lower temperatures for green and white teas, which
taste better well below boiling. The Fellow’s longer hold time is handy if
you refill your teapot through the afternoon.
