TLDR;
In this video, the author compares the Fellow Stagg EKG and the Timemore Fish electric kettles to determine if the Stagg EKG is worth twice the price of the Timemore Fish. Both kettles perform their primary function well, offering accurate temperature control and good pouring capabilities. The Stagg EKG has a larger capacity and heats water faster. The author concludes that while the Stagg EKG offers some advantages, the Timemore Fish provides similar performance at a lower price point, making it a more sensible choice for many users.
- Both kettles offer accurate temperature control.
- The Stagg EKG heats water faster and has a larger capacity.
- The Timemore Fish is a more cost-effective option with similar performance.
Intro [0:00]
The author introduces a comparison between the Fellow Stagg EKG and the Timemore Fish kettles. The Stagg EKG is significantly more expensive than the Fish, and the author aims to determine if the higher price is justified by superior performance. Despite already owning a fast, basic water kettle, the author purchased both the Stagg EKG and the Timemore Fish to evaluate their pour-over capabilities and overall value.
Setting up the Comparison [0:17]
The author notes that both kettles are accurate, maintaining temperatures within 1° of the target. They both pour well and are easy to use. The primary differences lie in their capacity and heating speed. The Stagg EKG can hold 900 mL of water, while the Fish holds 600 mL. In a preliminary test, the Stagg EKG heated 500 mL of water in 2.5 minutes, whereas the Fish took 4 minutes. The comparison will include a test with 300 mL of water and an assessment of their usability for pour-over coffee.
Differences [1:11]
The author highlights the ease of use for both kettles. The Stagg EKG features a simple knob for temperature adjustment and a button to turn it on. The Timemore Fish has an on/off switch and plus/minus buttons for temperature control. To switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit on the Fish, you must hold down the power and hold buttons simultaneously. Both kettles have a hold function to maintain the set temperature. The Stagg EKG includes a built-in timer, which the Fish lacks. However, the Fish aesthetically matches the Timemore Black Mirror scale, which has a timer.
Unboxing and Origin [4:34]
The author mentions that the Stagg EKG offers a more premium unboxing experience. Fellow is a California-based company that designs its products in the USA but manufactures them in China. Timemore, on the other hand, designs and manufactures its products in China. The Stagg EKG has a higher wattage (1428W) compared to the Timemore Fish (1000W), contributing to its faster heating speed. Both kettles have ergonomic handles and well-fitting caps. Despite its higher price, the author points out some minor cosmetic flaws on the Stagg EKG, such as misaligned seams and imperfect plastic finishing.
Test [6:24]
The author conducts a head-to-head test, heating 300 mL of water in both kettles to 203°F. The Stagg EKG, having had a slight head start, reached the target temperature faster. The Timemore Fish took 2 minutes to reach the set temperature. The author then assesses the flow rate of each kettle during a pour-over. The maximum flow rate was slightly higher on the Timemore Fish. While a gentle pour is preferred for pour-overs, a higher maximum flow rate can be useful for other purposes like making hot cocoa. The author reiterates that their basic brown kettle is significantly faster than both the Stagg EKG and the Fish for heating larger quantities of water.
Conclusions [9:26]
The author concludes that the Stagg EKG is not worth twice the price of the Timemore Fish. While the Stagg EKG is faster, has a larger capacity, and includes a timer, both kettles perform the essential job of heating water accurately. The author finds it difficult to justify the extra cost of the Stagg EKG, especially since the quality, while good, isn't significantly better than the Timemore Fish.
Outro [10:05]
The author encourages viewers to share their opinions on which kettle offers a better price-to-performance ratio. They invite viewers to leave comments using the hashtags #TimemoreFish or #Fellow to indicate their preference. The author thanks the viewers for watching and encourages them to subscribe for more content.