Summary: The Fellow Opus Conical Burr Grinder is a fantastic addition to any coffee lover's arsenal. It's well-built, easy to use, and produces a consistent grind that helps unlock the full flavor potential of your coffee beans. The price point of $195 is also very approachable considering it's the only grinder you'll need.
Disclaimer: The following review represents our opinion of the Fellow Opus Grinder after internal testing. this review is not sponsored by Fellow, and we did not receive any sort of compensation from Fellow.
For the past few weeks we've been testing out the new Fellow Opus conical burr coffee grinder. Released on February 21st, the Opus is Fellow's attempt to produce an entry-level grinder that can accommodate wide array of brewing methods. While Fellow does have another grinder on the market, the Ode and Ode 2, those grinders are more suited for filter brewing and aren't great solutions for espresso.
Here are our thoughts on the Fellow Opus.
1. VERSATILITY
The Opus was originally billed as the only grinder you'll need in your kitchen, and we definitely agree with this claim. In our testing, the Opus faired well for all the brew methods we tested, including cold brew, AeroPress, pour over, drip coffee markers, and espresso.
41 settings on the outer adjustment ring, which can be seen when looking directly at Opus. This ring can adjust between numbered settings from 1 to 11. Between each numbered setting are 4 minor increments, allowing you to set your grind setting by increments of 0.25. Although we didn't use this feature, Opus also features the ability to make micro adjustments. Although doing so does require removing the hopper, which can be cumbersome, this could be helpful for dialing in the perfect espresso shot.
2. USABILITY
The Opus is extremely easy to use. The outer adjustment ring features a dial that you shift to the right for coarser grounds and left for finer grounds. The Burrs are activated via a simple push Botton along the base of the grinder. A single press activates the grinder for 15 seconds, perfect for dosing coffee for a single pour over or espresso shot, with the ability to grind for a longer amount of time with a few presses.
3. DESIGN
One of the standout features of this grinder is its design. It has a sleek and modern look that fits in well with any kitchen decor. Fellow has been widely known for the look and feel of their products and the Opus is no different.
One area where we were a little disappointed is that the Opus features and entirely plastic body as opposed to the aluminum body featured in the Ode and Ode 2. With that said, we certainly understand the sacrifice in order to get the price tag of the Opus below $200 so it could compete with other entry-level grinders.
Another feature we would've liked is an integrated portafilter holder for grinding espresso. Instead, Fellow includes a plastic insert for the catch up to dose into a portafilter. The requires an extra step when grinding for espresso.
Overall, the Fellow Opus Conical Burr Grinder is an excellent choice for anyone who is serious about their coffee. The price tag puts it on par with other conical burr grinders, but it's versatility, usability, and design are really what set it apart. If you're looking for a coffee grinder that will take your coffee game to the next level, the Fellow Opus Conical Burr Grinder is definitely worth considering.