Stagg EKG Pro Electric Kettle

Why it works as a gift

The Stagg EKG Pro is a gift for someone with a ritual, not someone you hope will start one. Fellow lists a 0.9 liter capacity, a temperature range of 104 to 212°F set in half-degree steps, a hold mode that keeps water hot for 15 to 60 minutes, and scheduling so the kettle heats to a set temperature at a set time. A built-in brew stopwatch and a Guide Mode with preset temperatures for coffee methods and tea types sit behind a full-color display. The gooseneck spout is shaped for the slow, controlled pour that pour-over brewing depends on.

The build suits a counter that is on show. Fellow says the body is 304 (18/8) stainless steel, and this listing is the matte black finish with a walnut handle. The Wi-Fi connection is for firmware updates through Fellow's app; Fellow states the app does not control the kettle remotely, which matters if the recipient expects a smart-home gadget. Fellow gives a two-year standard warranty with an option to extend.

Against a basic gooseneck kettle at a lower price, the Pro adds scheduling, the stopwatch and a finer temperature setting. On Fellow's own comparison, its Corvo EKG shares the 0.9 liter capacity, half-degree temperature control and scheduling but has a wide spout for all-purpose pouring, so the gooseneck is the reason to choose the Stagg for pour-over. Against an espresso machine at a similar budget, it is the better fit for a filter-coffee or tea drinker, and it takes far less counter space.

Who it’s for

• A husband or partner who already brews with a dripper and a hand grinder, as an upgrade from a stovetop kettle
• A father who drinks green or oolong tea and wants water below boiling without guessing
• A brother or friend setting up a coffee corner in a new apartment, as a housewarming or birthday gift
• A partner who wakes up early, since the scheduling feature can have hot water ready at a set time

Skip it if

• He is happy with drip coffee from a machine or pods and isn't looking to change
• He already owns a Stagg EKG or another temperature-control gooseneck kettle; a second one adds little
• The household boils water in large amounts for cooking; 0.9 liters is sized for a few cups
• He wants to control the kettle from his phone; Fellow says the app is for firmware updates only

Giving it

• Pair it with the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Coffee Grinder for a complete pour-over setup, or the Harney & Sons Heritage Tea Chest Sampler for a tea drinker
• Add a bag of beans from a roaster he likes so it can be used the first morning
• Fellow's own store lists 30-day returns; on Amazon, check the seller's return window before buying
• If you're unsure of his kitchen colors, the matte black with walnut handle is the most neutral of the listed finishes

The facts

Capacity

0.9 liters (30 oz)

Temperature

104 to 212°F (40 to 100°C), set in 0.5°F steps

Features

Hold mode (15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes), scheduling, altitude setting, brew stopwatch, Guide Mode presets, full-color display

Connectivity

Wi-Fi for firmware updates via Fellow's app; no remote control of the kettle

Materials and finish

304 (18/8) stainless steel; this listing is matte black with a walnut handle

Size and weight

11.10 x 6.77 x 7.7 inches; 1,400 g including the base

Power and cord

110 to 120 V, 1000 to 1200 W; 2.5 ft cord

Warranty

2-year standard warranty, with an option to extend

Consider instead

• Fellow Stagg [X] Pour-Over Set — The dripper to go with the kettle, for someone just starting pour-over
• Fellow Ode Gen 2 Coffee Grinder — The better upgrade if he already has a good kettle but grinds pre-ground or by hand
• Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine — For an espresso and milk-drink person rather than a filter-coffee drinker