Fellow Aiden Coffee Maker

Before using your Fellow Aiden for the first time, remove all packaging materials. The Aiden operates at 120V~ / 1700W / 60Hz and is rated for household use only. Place the machine on a flat, stable surface with at least 3.9 inches (10 cm) of clearance from the counter edge and any surrounding surfaces.

Understanding the Parts

• Dial: The do-it-all control. Rotate to navigate menus, press to make selections and start a brew.
• Display: Full color LCD showing brew status, settings, and guidance.
• Removable Water Tank: 1.5 L capacity. Lifts out for easy filling at the sink.
• Thermal Carafe with Brewthrough Lid: Double-wall construction keeps coffee warm for hours without a heating plate.
• Filter Box: Houses the brew basket. Use the blue batch brew basket with a flat bottom paper filter for brews over 450 ml (3 cups). Use the green single serve basket with a cone filter for brews of 450 ml or less.
• Shower Head Selector: Turn to three blue dots for batch brew and one green dot for single serve (450 ml / 3 cups or less).

First Brew — Instant Brew

Instant Brew is the quickest way to get started. Aiden will use everything in the tank and apply default brew parameters automatically.

1. Fill the water tank to the desired level — do not exceed the MAX fill line (1.5 L). Do not fill below the MIN line.
2. Select the appropriate basket and insert a paper filter. Set the shower head selector to match your basket (three dots for batch, one dot for single serve).
3. Add your ground coffee to the filter.
4. Rotate the dial to select Instant Brew and press to start.

To set a fixed coffee-to-water ratio for Instant Brew instead of using the full tank each time: go to Settings > Instant Brew, enable Advanced Mode, then select a Brew Profile and a quantity. Aiden will now brew that specific amount every time you use Instant Brew.

Initial Settings

On first startup, navigate the Settings menu to configure: Clock (required for scheduling), Language, Units (imperial or metric), Elevation (affects brew temperature calibration), Wireless (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for app connectivity and firmware updates), and Chime volume.

Connecting to the Fellow App

Download the Fellow – Brew with Aiden app from the App Store or Google Play. Connect Aiden to Wi-Fi to enable scheduling, remote settings adjustment, brew profile management and sharing, and firmware updates. The app is the recommended way to create and manage custom Brew Profiles.

Instant Brew vs. Guided Brew

Aiden offers two primary brew modes. Instant Brew is a one-button approach: add water and coffee, select Instant Brew, and Aiden handles the rest using default settings. Guided Brew walks you through each step — selecting a Brew Profile (light roast, medium roast, dark roast, cold brew, and more), confirming your water quantity, and prompting you with the exact amount of ground coffee to add based on your selections. Guided Brew is the recommended starting point for dialing in your preferences.

Using Guided Brew

To use Guided Brew:

1. Fill the water tank.
2. Rotate and press the dial to select Guided Brew.
3. Select your Brew Quantity.
4. Select your Brew Profile (light, medium, dark roast, cold brew, or others).
5. Aiden will confirm the correct filter basket and shower head position for your volume. Set the shower head selector accordingly.
6. Add a paper filter to the basket.
7. The display will show the exact amount of ground coffee to add. Add coffee and close the filter box lid.
8. Press the dial to begin brewing. The time remaining will display. An optional chime sounds when brewing is complete.

For single serve volumes, you can brew directly into a mug placed under the filter box outlet — no carafe required.

Choosing the Right Basket and Shower Head Position

The basket and shower head selector must match your brew volume. For brews over 450 ml (3+ cups), use the blue batch brew basket with a standard flat bottom 8–12 cup basket filter, and set the shower head selector to three blue dots. For 450 ml (3 cups) or less, use the green single serve basket with a standard #2 cone filter, and set the shower head selector to one green dot. Mismatching the basket and selector will affect extraction quality.

Grind Size and Dosing

Aiden extracts coffee very efficiently — if you notice overflow or mess in the brewing chamber after a brew, try grinding coarser. A proper brew should leave the shower head clean. The maximum coffee dose for the blue batch brew basket is 82.5g for standard brewing and 110g for cold brew — exceeding these limits risks overflow. As a general guide, larger batch sizes call for a coarser grind:

• Single serve (up to 3 cups / 450 ml): finer end of medium grind
• Small batch (3–5 cups / 451–750 ml): medium grind
• Large batch (5–10 cups / 751–1500 ml): coarser medium grind

Start coarse and work finer until you approach astringency, then back off slightly.

Understanding Brew Profiles

A Brew Profile is a saved brew recipe. Fellow includes built-in profiles created by their in-house Q Graders (light roast, medium roast, dark roast, cold brew, and others), and additional profiles from roasters around the world are downloadable in the Fellow app. Once a profile is selected, Aiden automatically scales it to whatever quantity you're brewing. The variables you can customize in a Brew Profile are: temperature, ratio, bloom ratio, bloom duration, bloom temperature, number of pulses, time between pulses, and pulse temperature. Fellow recommends focusing on temperature and ratio when creating a new profile — those two variables have the largest impact on flavor.

What Is a Bloom?

Blooming wets the coffee grounds to release trapped CO₂ before the main brew begins. This produces a more balanced, evenly extracted cup. The bloom ratio controls how much water is used in this pre-wetting stage — typically 2–3 times the weight of the coffee grounds (default ratio 1:2). Bloom duration is how long the grounds rest and degas before brewing continues (default 30 seconds). Bloom temperature defaults to the same as your brew temperature. If your coffee tastes overly bitter, try shortening bloom time; if it tastes sour or flat, try extending it slightly.

What Is a Pulse?

During single serve brewing, Aiden delivers water in pulses to agitate the coffee bed and maximize extraction. The default is 3 pulses for single serve and 1 for batch brew. The time between pulses (default 23 seconds) and the temperature of each pulse can all be customized within a Brew Profile. Batch brewing uses the full shower head coverage for even saturation and does not require multiple pulses.

Scheduling Brews

Aiden can be set to start brewing automatically at a scheduled time so coffee is ready when you wake up. To set a schedule: select Schedule from the menu, select Create New, set your Ready time, choose a Brew Profile, set your water quantity, and Aiden will display how much coffee to add. Choose the frequency (once, daily, or custom) and save. The clock must be set before scheduling will function. Scheduling can also be managed remotely via the Fellow app.

Making Cold Brew

Cold Brew is available as a Brew Profile under Guided Brew. It uses cold water and a slow, full-immersion steep to produce a smooth, low-bitterness concentrate. The default steep time is 24 hours, adjustable up to 36 hours. Fellow recommends setting up a cold brew batch overnight so it is ready in the morning. Use the blue batch brew basket with a large paper filter and increase your coffee dose to 2–3 times the standard ratio — approximately 12 scoops for a 600 ml batch. Do not use the cone insert or mesh filter for cold brew.

Cabinet Protection

The Aiden includes a silicone seal on the filter box that prevents steam from escaping upward and damaging overhead cabinetry during brewing. Ensure this seal is properly in place before each brew.

Brew Pause Safety Feature

If the carafe is removed or the filter box lid is opened mid-brew, Aiden will automatically pause brewing. Brewing resumes when the carafe is returned to position or the lid is closed. This is normal operation.

Important Safety Note

Always unplug the Aiden from the power outlet before cleaning and allow it to cool fully. Do not run water over the machine body or submerge any part of it in water. Do not use abrasive cloths, paper towels, steel wool, or harsh household cleaners — these will scratch or damage the finish. The single serve and batch brew filter baskets are the only dishwasher-safe parts. All other components must be hand washed.

After Every Brew

• Filter basket: Open the filter box lid and remove the basket by pulling up on the handle. Discard the used grounds and paper filter in a compost or waste bin. Rinse the basket under running water to remove remaining grinds. A soft-bristled brush with soapy water can be used for a deeper clean. For a thorough clean, place the basket in the top rack of a dishwasher. Wipe any remaining grinds from the filter nest with a soft damp cloth before replacing the basket.
• Carafe: Empty the carafe after each use — do not let brewed coffee sit overnight as it will stain. Rinse the carafe and carafe lid under warm running water. For a deeper clean, use a soft-bristled brush with soapy water. Do not use abrasive cleaners. Dry thoroughly after cleaning. Note: the carafe contains a magnet — do not place it on an electronic scale, as it may interfere with accuracy or cause damage.
• Exterior: Wipe the outside of the machine with a soft, damp cloth only.

Water Tank

Remove the water tank from the machine and empty it. Hand wash with warm, soapy water, using a soft-bristled brush to reach the bottom. Dry the outside of the tank and reinstall.

Shower Head

Wipe the shower head area periodically with a soft, damp cloth. For a deeper clean, remove the shower head by rotating it clockwise until the arrow aligns with the open circle icon — the shower head can then be lifted out. Clean the underside of the shower head and the socket it fits into with a soft, damp cloth. Reinstall by aligning and rotating counterclockwise until the arrow aligns with the closed circle icon.

Coffee Overflowing the Basket During Brewing

The most common cause is a grind that is too fine. Aiden extracts very efficiently — try grinding coarser. Also confirm you have not exceeded the maximum dose for the basket (82.5g for standard batch brewing, 110g for cold brew), and that you are not using both the mesh filter and a paper filter simultaneously. For brews above 3 cups, verify the carafe is in position under the drip outlet before starting. If overflow continues after adjusting grind, reduce your dose slightly.

Coffee Tastes Weak or Under-Extracted

Try increasing your coffee dose, using a finer grind, or selecting a longer bloom duration in a custom Brew Profile. Confirm you are using the correct basket and shower head position for your brew volume — using the batch basket for a small single serve brew, or vice versa, will affect extraction significantly. Also verify the shower head is properly installed and locked; a loose shower head can cause uneven water distribution and an uneven coffee bed.

Coffee Tastes Bitter or Over-Extracted

Try grinding coarser, reducing brew temperature in a custom profile, or shortening bloom time. Confirm you are not exceeding the maximum recommended dose for the basket size. Also check that the shower head is properly secured — a partially blocked or incorrectly installed shower head can concentrate water flow and over-extract part of the coffee bed.

Shower Head Falling Out or Uneven Coffee Bed

The shower head may not be fully locked into position. Remove it, clean the shower head ring and socket, and reinstall — rotate counterclockwise until the arrow aligns with the closed circle icon to lock. An uneven coffee bed after brewing is a sign the shower head is loose or has scale buildup — clean and reinstall it, and ensure the ring is tight.

Brew Pauses Mid-Cycle

Aiden automatically pauses brewing if the carafe is removed or the filter box lid is opened. This is normal behavior. Return the carafe to its position or close the filter box lid to resume brewing.

Scheduling Not Working / Clock Not Displaying Correctly

The clock must be set before scheduling can function. Go to Settings > Clock to set the current time. Note that the Aiden's clock does not display continuously like a standard clock — it is used solely for the scheduling function. The clock may need to be reset if the machine has been unplugged for an extended period. For reliable scheduling management, use the Fellow app.

Descale Notification Appears on Display

The Aiden tracks cumulative water volume and will display a "time to descale" notification when a descaling cycle is needed. Follow the instructions in the Settings > Maintenance > Descale menu. The full process takes approximately 30 minutes. Fellow recommends running 3 regular brew cycles with no coffee after descaling to clear any residual solution. Do not use vinegar — Fellow recommends a high-quality biodegradable, phosphate-free liquid descaler only.

Still Need Help?

If you're experiencing an issue not covered here, contact Seattle Coffee Gear — our team is happy to help. You can also reach Fellow directly at fellowproducts.com.