The fuse is made by Microtemp, model number is G4a00 184C with Yellow letters. G4 line is for 10A 250v which is 15A 120v. But I couldn’t find the same model. Since the item you installed could be not reliable according to amazon reviews, I recommend Aupo brand.(Aupo BF184 10A)
Also I recommend Klein 1005 crimping tool (or cheaper option : Newacalox multi plier 8 inch). Additionally if you don't have a triangle driver bit but you have 3/32 flat drive bit, it will work just fine. (Craftman Precision multi-bit screwdriver 18 pc set has it and it is only 9 bucks and very useful for other jobs too)
@@imagelee Torx should work too. I opened the base bottom triangle screws with a T-7, three points of contact for a fairly reasonably sized screw is ok. Fellow also sells replacement kettles for $80. Given the cost of tools and time and potentially dangerous mistakes, most people should just consider buying a replacement kettle.
I don't know if you're the same person who wrote up the instructions on the "ifixit" website. Either way, thank you for your comment. After opening my kettle and reading the thermal fuse it came withe - Microtemp G4A00 tf 184C - I couldn't find the same part or the Aupo part, but was able to find a thermal fuse that is 10A 250v tf 184C by searching for the Aupo thermal fuse. Looks like my kettle is up and working again! I did calculate the amperage before hand via the info on the kettle itself. So when I read your comment I knew it would work. I'm new to doing these types of repairs and glad so many people are as passionate to repair their items rather than get rid of them.
Thanks David! “Right to repair” is one of the big reasons I support Baratza. Being able to fix literally anything on my vario makes it pretty tough to think about getting anything else…
@@DavidLikesCoffee That's fantastic! I know you've mentioned replacing your setup in a previous video. But i think you're gonna have a hard time in replacing the customer care you get from baratza ;) In Lance's recent Timemore post he called the vario with the ditting steel burrs the baby brother to the SSP unimodal :D Vario still going strong :P
Are there any companies that offer similar support for kettles? Or even just a good source for the connection units... I strongly suspect all the kettle manufacturers are sourcing those base connectors from the same places, but they of course don't offer the parts for sale or even list parts numbers...
This may turn into a rant, but this is an example of why I get really ticked about the snobbery in the coffee and cooking communities, people gatekeeping and telling newbies just to "Spend the money. You have to pay for quality." Well, obviously quality is not a priority anymore. These new start-ups and luxury companies exist to grift people. Appliances are getting pricier, more complex and less dependable. It's a real problem. Pollution is rampant already, and businesses shouldn't produce disposable trash. A company only deserves continued business for having reliable products and services, not because of design features, looks or branding.
This 100%, and for some reason so many are willing to throw in with the "big names" like Fellow when the quality just doesn't match the hype... It's unfortunate. Fellow has some good ideas and could be well positioned as a quality leader, especially for the prices they're charging, and yet here we are. You'll see companies like Brewista at brewer's cup world competitions, their products having very good quality, but they get zero hype for some reason. Marketing is so bizarre to me.
@@jacobs1047 It's tricky. They're not always wrong. Sometimes buying cheap will end up costing you more and you may have your baseline cost set too low. Or they're very aware that missing a particular feature will really hold you back. Buying a blade grinder instead of at least a burr grinder would be a huge mistake, e.g. But yeah... too often they'll take you from beginner quality prices into professional quality prices, skipping the middle... and when you're new you just don't know any better.
As someone in the community, I completely agree. I just don't always think spending those big bucks gives you the best value. I like Fellow's kettles but I think it's easier to get something comparable for much cheaper. The value isn't there. Same can be said for grinders. You need to do your research and look up how easy it is to service your tools. That stuff makes a huge difference.
Important note : In the video he used crimp connector which is the right way to do it. If you try to solder it you can burn the new thermal fuse. So use crimp connectors or big heatsink on the fuse and be quick with the soldering iron. If you decide to solder it check with multimeter at the end to see if it still good.
I don't think the way this was crimped was safe. The general rule of thumb is to never crimp solid wire as crimps are not designed to work with it. I would try to provide a mental explanation but it's easier to just try it for yourself, crimp a solid wire and a stranded wire and try to wiggle both of them for a minute. The stranded wire likely won't get loose but I highly doubt that the single wire will still be secure at that point. If you don't trust a youtube comment, just google it, it's industry standard practice that crimping solid wire is generally a bad idea. I don't know exactly what they did to connect this initially but from some research there are special crimps which are designed specifically for this purpose, and it might be that they're spot welded (which would not generate enough heat for long enough to trip the thermal fuse), but in almost all instances I have found, the solid leg of the thermal fuse overlaps with the stranded wire in some form. The risk here is that as the kettle gets jostled around, the crimp will get loose (also boiling water induces enough vibration to cause problems in and of itself, even if this part never moved). A loose connection can cause arcing. Arcing can cause things to heat up. Heat can cause things to melt and burn. So it's a fire hazard. The only saving grace is that the thermal fuse should blow before anything catches on fire, but buying thermal fuses from amazon is already a risk. If it was a normal fuse, they're already cheap enough to manufacture that buying a name brand is reliable and nobody is out there trying to make a buck selling you a knock-off. When it comes to more expensive components, I would stick to component suppliers where you know what you're getting.
WTF? Solder has no problem with temperatures below 150°C. If you check that you haven't blown the fuse after soldering, soldering is definitely the way to go here! Otherwise, use Wago connections with some spacing between the heating plate and the connector itself. Those are designed for solid and stranded wire
For all my ranting about Fellow, I should add that I super appreciate videos like this one. Brands and product quality totally aside, videos about self-repair and Right to Repair are invaluable. So whatever one may think of this kettle or this brand, thank you for taking the time to discuss diagnosing issues with consumer products and managing the fix.
When re-installing the thermal fuse, PLEASE be sure to clamp it back down (within the sheath) as it was before disassembly! The fuse should stay bonded to the base of the kettle to mitigate fire risk! Just loose in the bottom cavity leaves an air gap which can delay the fuse trip in case of a malfunction in the thermistat control.
I appreciate your level-headedness. I'd be absolutely livid if a $100+ kettle broke after two years and the company told me there was no way to fix it. There's no way that should be an excuse when they still make it.
Thank you! Thank you! I had the same issue and after multiple emails with Fellows they agreed to send me another kettle but I had been searching UA-cam for a solution. Now that yours popped up I can try it with my old kettle and I'll know what to do if it happens to the replacement. Seriously, this Right to Repair issue is REAL!
Great video. Saved me a TON of money. Thank you! Just completed this on my own "broken" Fellow Stagg EKG. Super easy. You definitely need a crimping tool and you definitely need crimp connectors. All told the repair cost me under CAD $50 including the CAD $35 Klein wire stripper and crimp tool (which I needed for wiring outlets and light fixtures anyways).
A while back, I felt envious of not being able to spend the money on this kettle, but my simple Hario gooseneck kettle, that is heated on the stove hasn't got anything to go wrong and allows me to make beautiful coffee
Well done video! I don't have one of these kettles, but i watched this as I am considering a purchase and wanted to know about reliability. I was surprised at the Baratza reference at the end. I have owned my Baratza Virtuoso grinder since it was first released about 20 years ago. Baratza is a great company for providing parts AND KNOWLEDGE for DIY repairs. All companies should model themselves after Baratza.
I found one today at a garage sale for $2.00 Some oldsters were downsizing and were clearing out their house. I brought it home and all the features worked 🤟🏼
Brilliant. I always try to fix things before giving up and sending to the dump. That’s why we bought a 50 yr old washer and dryer. Because they were designed to be fixed, not replaced.
Fellow not selling repair parts makes them part of the problem. You have every right to rip them a new one. They add to all the waste pollution we have.
I think a title with a more obvious name like "Replacing fuse in Fellow Stagg" would help people with the same issue as you. Right now it's more clickbait and people probably won't find it
Thank you for this, great video. Similar issue, I've been trying to repair a Timemore black mirror scale that is out of warranty but I can't find the exact load sensor they use. The ones I've found are either the wrong capacity, the wrong dimensions, or have the wrong size screw holes. I reached out to them and they said "We do not recommend that customers disassemble the scale and replace the relevant parts by themselves. We are sorry that we cannot provide the relevant parts data." I realize not an American company but this is why R2R matters! I'd rather fix the broken one (and I can!) than buy a new one when everything else about the scale still works.
Life saver! I already had one fail and spent $75 to get a new kettle (base was fine and they sell/sold just the kettle). I think this one is almost ready to fail based upon its occasional inability to heat water consistently, requiring the occasional off/on toggle. Last time I definitely thought it was the controller inside the base which I was unable to find a replacement for (made by some company in the UK). I'm set for the next failure(s), thanks!
Thank you David and other commenters! I had a Bonavita variable temp sitting in my back closet for 2 years that had the same issue of not heating that was out of the warranty period. Despite not being the same model, I thought the same fix might work and it did! I didn't have any of the tools or parts initially and buying them all was well worth the investment. I had given up hope long ago of fixing it, but now it's not just an expensive paperweight anymore!
The Bonavita kettles work on the stagg base, and versa vice. Great video! I had a Bonavita that had a base plastic part that for messed up. I reached out to them for a replacement part being that it was 3 screws and one plastic part. They said sorry, sucks to be you. But a new one.
I like Bonavita and Brewista. Fellow has never lived up to my expectations for build quality and functionality. Great marketing, some nice ideas, but the execution just hasn't been there for me.
Wow I've never heard a customer service story that screamed planned obsolescence louder than this. Breaks just out side the warranty period, the company is sure the only thing you can do is replace it, yet the only thing wrong with it was that a fuse blew.
Cough consumer electronics Cough Cough professional equipment Cough Cough automaker Cough This is not news. We do have people fighting for it, and some win lately. They are small win but that's a good start.
Not to mention the use of triangle screws and the inaccessible and unsocketed fuse. Simply infuriating. My 1992 clothes dryer had its thermal fuse exposed on the rear of the cabinet and secured with a single Philips screw. My current Kenmore/Samsung requires complete disassembly and would cost the average homeowner a couple hundred dollars for the service. It's absolute maliciousness on the part of the manufacturer and should be criminal.
Happened with my LG fridge. Broke 2 months after a 2 year warranty. Called the official LG hotline to get a repair, they told me 2 weeks to send someone and 30$ for the diagnosis, not the fix. TWO WEEKS WITHOUT A FRIDGE IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER!!??!?!?! Anyway, I called a random fridge technician, had it fixed the same day.
Same with Timemore. They seenzoned my inquiry on repairs for the base of my Fish kettle. Good thing it’s not as expensive as Fellow but it’s still the principle of it not having to buy a new one every time something gets broken.
Oh my god, threw away my previous Stagg EKG for the EXACT issue and it was just out of warranty. Did some general research to see if I could fix it before tossing it, but couldn't find a solve. Welp - if my EKG Pro ends up having the same issue I'll know how to attempt to fix it this time. Great video - thanks for putting this out.
My basic kettle also has triangle screws. Another screw had come loose by itself inside and was rattling, so I had to open up to see what it was. Once they find out that a torx screwdriver fits, they'll change it. An item with electronics near heat and a plastic body is probably not made to last long. I would have probably shorted the fuse and used it carefully from now on. It's not a part you can go and readily buy without mail order, and a whole box probably won't be needed.
wow, mine died shortly after 2.5y the same way. powers on, won't heat. so frustrating, fellow support was not of any help. ordering the spare part, going to give it a try. thanks a lot!
Different brand but I also had a nice electric pouring kettle die on my just outside of warrenty. Now I'm handy with soldering and was able to fix what was a simple issue with the buttons. But it's somthing most people won't do but at likely able
Thank you so much for this! I've had the same issue with two (two!) Brewista Artisan kettles in 18 months and although their website says it's probably the fuse I wasn't sure exactly how to replace it. Can't wait to try it out. Edit 2024-04-07: Okay so it turns out the Brewista is not set up the same way. I haven't been able to find a thermal fuse in the kettle body or the base, despite what their website says. I tested most of the components with a mulitmeter and everything seems to be in order except the heating element itself which isn't giving continuity. Since it's impossible to replace separately from the kettle and Brewista don't sell spares I guess I'll make do with my £140 paperweights and just never buy from Brewista again. (For the record I'm still none the wiser as to why my two kettles failed. I never ran it with less than 500ml of water and there were no big noises, smells, obvious short circuits, or other broken appliances. The base and buttons still work, there's just no heating...)
How do you remove the fuse? The video doesn't show how to take the old fuse out. Thanks for sharing, I am at 4:17 in the video and stuck so I appreciate your advice.
How did you open the base?! I see at 1:19 you've gotten it open, but I'm struggling to figure out how to get in. I see the 8 clips, but something seems to be holding on still
3:02 You sound to me like you're from the US. In the US, it is illegal to void warranties as a consequence of an independent repair, due to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. There are many similar provisions in other jurisdictions, particularly regarding legal rights which go beyond the manufacturer's warranty.
The last two kettles I have bought have both failed in a similar manner. They both became unusable due to the lid mechanism ceasing to work. The first was an expensive all stainless steel Magimix which was impossible to get into to fix without demolishing it and the second was a much cheaper Russell Hobbs, where the plastic hinge controlling the lid release snapped off. I grudged paying another £41 ($50) to buy an entire new kettle when the element still worked and all I needed was another plastic hinge so snapped off the broken plastic part and simply flip the lid off with a butter knife now once the kettle has boiled.
I was going back and forth between all these electric kettles and I just kept hearing all these issues after a couple years with most kettles. I know everyone’s experience is different, but I finally just got a stovetop with a thermometer built in. Pretty idiot proof and will last potentially a lifetime. No electronics to worry about. That being said, the ease of use of a quality electric kettle is a huge plus. So lots of pros and cons to consider.
similar thing happened with an old brand name rice cooker my gf's mom liked. just unscrewed it and twisted the ends of the thermal fuse togeather. imo the magnetic button is its own thermal fuse, just at a higher temp rating lol. that was like 6 years ago and theyve been using it ever since.
Thats why i love the moccamaster. Bought A broken one for like 60€ and reached out to technivorm for replacement parts, instead of sending them to me they checked the serial number and told me that the machine still has warranty(5 years) even though I had no receipt or other proof of purchase. I sent it to the netherlands for free and got it back 2 days later working again. Been using this 60€ machine for 3 years now and will absolutely buy one again if it ever breaks and isn‘t repairable
I'm a little anxious about a video about replacing blown fuses, that lacks investigation into why it blew in the first place, and whether the root cause could pose a significant risk to others attempting to follow along. Especially for an appliance like an electric kettle? Could be worth a follow up
Exactly. The main question here is--why did the thermal fuse pop? It's there for a reason, after all--to prevent fires. So the kettle got too hot at that connection--what's going on and why?
yeah I wonder about fixing small appliances...... can you inadvertently cause a house fire..... OK, mine was pretty old. Going to home depot or target to get a simple straight forward quick boiling kettle.
I think you are way too kind with a company that took the decision to use triangle head screws to prevent most people from trying to repair their product. To me this is simply evil, just like the oval head screws on Nespresso machines. Thumbs up for the iFixit bits that help with both of these evil head screws :)
I almost included a segment with all the "unrepairable" things I've fixed recently with the iFixit bits. Would have been a very long video if I had kept it in 😅
triangle screwdrivers are not hard to find, also most of the time they aren't in with any real amount of force needed to remove it. so generally a flat head screwdriver will do the job.
@@justinbouchard Of course they are not hard to find, once you start searching for them, and decide to spend the money. But they add one more barrier that stops the merely curious people from just having a look themselves, or from sharing pics with someone else who could give advice. In this day and age, anyone working in manufacturing appliances must know how bad the generated waste can be. The decision to go with about any kind of "security" screws is ethically indefensible.
@@jmsaffroy dude, any "curious" person would go to the dollar store, or do a quick google search and find out that you can fit a flathead in there........ unless that thing was glued together it's not anti repair.
David, I do not own a stagg, but good point, I have a simmilar problem, according to manufacturer only a new part could solve ... I highly agree with this right to repair, I researched and there is a chance to fix it with replacement parts from other suppliers. Hopefully I will be able to fix it as well. Thanks for the video!
This is why I got the standard Fellow gooseneck kettle when my last electric one died. Use it with a small induction cooktop which is easily repairable if ever necessary; alternatively, I can just use it on the stove if necessary.
My fellow has the same problem (shows the set temp, but wouldn’t heat), but only after I wipe down the base. Apparently, something gets damp. It works again after I either let it sit and dry out on its own or use a blow dryer for a quicker fix. Hope this helps.
Tri head screws and similar security screws aren't anti-repair, they're tamper evident devices. So when a product comes in for service or inspected later for some other reason say liability, to see whether someone unqualified (without specialist tool) opened the device. Because you'll always get it out if need be, but you'll also give it some characteristic markings in the process. There is however such a menace as one-way screws, and i have seen some failure prone electronic devices use them.
My first fellow kettle broke just after warranty and they told me to buy a base which were back ordered 6 months due to Covid. Then I remembered I got it from Costco so I took that sucker back for a full refund. I wonder if this was a batch issue as in kettles before a certain date are more susceptible to failure. Great repair vid 👌🏼
Gotta say I was surprised of how easy it was to fix it, im no handy person at all, but i was able to follow along and not its working!!!! Thanks for making this video, otherwise the kettle would be just another fixable item in the trash!!!!
I had that same issue trying to get a replacement part for my rice cooker. I didn't want to create a bunch of ewaste and knew the heating element went bad some how. So when I sent them an email they told me to just buy a new one. I was completely fine just handing them the full cost for a new rice cooker just for the element.
This is a life saver but too bad that I only see it now, after I gave away my Fellow kettle. I did get the screwdrivers and remove the bottom but I did not know how to find that fuse. I saw it as chance to try the Harjo V60 electric kettle and I am loving my new kettle.
Same thing has happened to my kettle but I don't have the tools or the expertise with fuses to fix the thing. If anyone wants a lovely but broken Fellow Stagg and lives in or near Manhattan reply to this and you are welcome to mine. Like David, I am annoyed at the many things that don't last, especially when they are high end. I do not want to add my kettle to already overflowing landfill and would love to give it to someone handy enough to fix it.
Thank goodness for this tutorial! I just recieved my thermal fuse and did this and seems like the kettles working now. Any updates of how your kettle is doing with the new thermal fuse would be helpful! Im still kind of worried somethings going to blow. Ive never done this type of repair before, but I love my kettle and couldnt bare to just get rid/recyle it and buy the replacement body.
The rest of the electronics seemed to be working, beyond that it was a guess that was worth spending a few dollars on for a box of fuses. If you have a multimeter, I linked a great video on fault tracing electric kettles
So useful! I have a broken Oxo similar-kettle (my second), and I think they're less helpful than Fellow. Perhaps it has the same issue, and can be fixed easily.
Thank you for figuring all this out. I'm disappointed in Fellow for their lack of willingness to repair their products. It's frustrating after seeing how simple the fix was. How many people dispose of their expensive products when easy and inexpensive solutions could have saved them from being tossed out.
I have the same issue!!! It's been sitting in storage. Such horiffic quality with Fellow products. They just look so beautiful... I want to like it every time and all of my Fellow products have major tech issues and poor function. They do look good on the counter top though.
Yes! I went back and made sure they got covered. The crimp connectors I bought were much longer than the ones installed previously, and I forgot to point that out. Thank you 😊
Unfortunately videos like this are the EXACT reason that manufacturers prefer to tell customers to buy a new one. Why on EARTH would they suggest you attempt to repair something which could kill you? For people like us, this kind of repair can be done safely, because we are extremely careful and we apply our depth of knowledge and understanding of electronics, wiring regulations, etc. But for the majority of people at home they absolutely should not attempt this kind of repair, for the same reason that this guy shouldn't post videos online encouraging people to repair this stuff: when you do it wrong it can be dangerous. The "right to repair" is a fine idea, but with "rights" come "responsibility", and I'm afraid posting a video online showing an exposed live mains conductor about 10mm away from a metal part that gets touched daily in a kitchen, is an abuse of that responsibility. There's a good reason many videos traditionally use the phrase "don't try this at home kids". Your repair video should at the very least come with an extremely strong safety warning to put the majority of people off doing a repair like this, instead of encouraging any old person to have a go. I'm sorry if you think I'm being a Karen or a killjoy. You can ignore my comment if you like, but let's look at this objectively: if you post stuff like this which reduces the safety of a household item, then you can expect manufacturers to move into an even more entrenched position when it comes to insisting people replace instead of repair.
there are a ton of products that fail this way - my own kettle had this issue. My All-Clad waffle maker did as well. Get the right thermal fuse temp spec, and you should clamp it in place. $5 has saved me several hundred.
I have the same kettle and pretty often the screen glitches out but it's fine again after being power cycled. One time the heater didn't cut off at the set temp and it started to spray boiling water and steam out the holes in the top 😮. I think the brain board or temp sensor are faulty but I'm not sure where I would get new parts.
I have the same problem with my Brewista Kettle(not the artisan). It has the same screws on the bottom of the base. I’m going to open it and see if it has the same fuse.
I figured it was something like this thank you. You saved my kettle. Something like this should be external and user serviceable . Who makes a “fuse” so hard to replace.
Excellent video and I am happy to report that my kettle is now fixed with a $5 investment on Amazon. For a $165 kettle, I am shocked it was only 2 years old before this failure.
Nice video! The motor died in my Varia VS3 grinder after an only year of use. I managed to fix it and was pleased that Varia sold me a replacement motor and had a video tutorial but it would be nice if their products were made to last.
when buying an espresso machine I was trying to get something that wouldnt easily break and would be able to be fixed at home if needed. thats why I got the 9barista you can buy nearly all the parts for it that might break and you get instructions on how to do so :)
Hello David, I had a different issue of temperature going wild. I think the sensor contact might be at fault, IMO. I cleaned out the center contact on mine, and the issue hasn't surfaced yet. I thought about your issue, and it could have been related to the issue I had. Without a proper temperature feedback from the on-kettle sensor, the base unit will continue to apply AC to the heating element and it could trip the thermal fuse inside. Just some guess, but something to think about. Thank you!
Had the plastic display film come off a Brewista Smart Scale 2 because it wasn't waterproofed well enough. They offered me a discount on new scales instead of just sending me a $1 replacement film. No idea why someone would buy a flawed product twice.
In design nowadays it's a key part of the process to design for the future. I hate when companies are seen as having a "good design" but miss this key factor. I study design and I alway try to create products that actually take into account how they impact the earth after the customer has bought the item. Also thinking about what happens when the product is not repairable anymore and how we can recycle it is super important. I think a design that doens't take that keyfactor, the Earth into account, isn't a good company... I didn't watch your whole video yet but will after I wrote this comment.
Little correction, fixing your gear does not void your warranty in most places of the world (except some states in the US). However, the manufacturer is not liable for any damages caused by your repair attempt. With the burden of proof often being with the manufacturer. If you can't repair something yourself, a repair shop can be an option and will usually give you a warranty on the repaint and new parts.
I would love to see Fellow adopt right to repair I love their products and I will continue to enjoy them and it would be nice if they kept this in mind.
A small (but not complete) nod to Fellow: they do sell replacement bodies and bases for the EKG lines (around $80 a pop). Curiously, though, they only list the Pro models for the Stagg.
Fwiw when my base went on my Brewista, I just got sent a new one. (Just) out of warranty but in Australia*. * Australia has exta consumer protections so I *may* have been eligible under Aus law for a new one
I have the same kettle and some times the power button doesn't work, I have to press it many times before it works. Haven't tried to open if yet. Would be nice if somebody knows about this Great video and nice channel. Congrats.
Mine is still on warranty but this happened to me a few weeks ago. Fellow is sending me a new base but I think it's likely the fuse because it can read the temp of the water like yours. So maybe I'll try this but since it's still under warranty, I believe they will likely send me a new kettle
Perhaps I was within my warranty period, but I had a much better experience with Fellow when the screen on my base plate stopped working-felt too proprietary to easily replace. I learned to adjust the temperature by the number of clicks (set the kettle to Celsius for less click counting). Fellow, in my case, was great about sending me a new base which has been working beautifully for years since. Now to go see if perhaps it was the thermal fuse which failed on my earlier Bodum kettle. Repairing it would give the kettle a new life with someone else.
Thanks so much for the video. My Fellow Stagg EKG+ kettle is exhibiting the same behavior - the display lights up and shows the current water temp, but does not heat up. Is there an easy way to isolate this as a problem with the kettle versus a problem with the base? I have a multimeter.
right to repair not not only reduces waste but it also supports the repair service/parts industry which can contribute to a healthier local economy, it should be mandated, not optional.
How do you open the base?? i´ve got one with malfunction screen, it doesnt show the numbers i thinhk some wire its disconnected or something. great video thank you
Fun fact, for those that find the STAGG pours just a bit too slow, If you look inside there is a little metal piece with holes covering the hole at the bottom of the spout, which further restricts flow. With a mallet and a flat sharp chisel or screwdriver it can be removed easily. It now pours SMOOTHER and just a bit Faster.
I own a 3rd party refurbished Sage coffe machine (brevile) and was really surprised to find that Sage will send me any kart I need and guides. I feel this is going to last some time
The fuse is made by Microtemp, model number is G4a00 184C with Yellow letters. G4 line is for 10A 250v which is 15A 120v. But I couldn’t find the same model. Since the item you installed could be not reliable according to amazon reviews, I recommend Aupo brand.(Aupo BF184 10A)
Also I recommend Klein 1005 crimping tool (or cheaper option : Newacalox multi plier 8 inch). Additionally if you don't have a triangle driver bit but you have 3/32 flat drive bit, it will work just fine. (Craftman Precision multi-bit screwdriver 18 pc set has it and it is only 9 bucks and very useful for other jobs too)
@@imagelee Torx should work too. I opened the base bottom triangle screws with a T-7, three points of contact for a fairly reasonably sized screw is ok.
Fellow also sells replacement kettles for $80. Given the cost of tools and time and potentially dangerous mistakes, most people should just consider buying a replacement kettle.
My kettle has just fused, but it is a European 240 V model. Will the fuse be the same for this kettle please?
I've just took my 240v apart to check the fuse (Its fine) As it wont heat up. The Fuse Reads;
MICROTEMP ZGEAAL G4A00 T 184C
I don't know if you're the same person who wrote up the instructions on the "ifixit" website. Either way, thank you for your comment. After opening my kettle and reading the thermal fuse it came withe - Microtemp G4A00 tf 184C - I couldn't find the same part or the Aupo part, but was able to find a thermal fuse that is 10A 250v tf 184C by searching for the Aupo thermal fuse. Looks like my kettle is up and working again! I did calculate the amperage before hand via the info on the kettle itself. So when I read your comment I knew it would work. I'm new to doing these types of repairs and glad so many people are as passionate to repair their items rather than get rid of them.
Right to repair is MONUMENTALLY important. For literally everyone on the planet.
Yeah this planned obsolescence is a big part of an existential threat.
Thanks David! “Right to repair” is one of the big reasons I support Baratza. Being able to fix literally anything on my vario makes it pretty tough to think about getting anything else…
I've had my vario for 10 years because of their repair program and it works better than the day I bought it.
@@DavidLikesCoffee That's fantastic! I know you've mentioned replacing your setup in a previous video. But i think you're gonna have a hard time in replacing the customer care you get from baratza ;) In Lance's recent Timemore post he called the vario with the ditting steel burrs the baby brother to the SSP unimodal :D Vario still going strong :P
I'd love to see them making gooseneck kettle
Are there any companies that offer similar support for kettles?
Or even just a good source for the connection units... I strongly suspect all the kettle manufacturers are sourcing those base connectors from the same places, but they of course don't offer the parts for sale or even list parts numbers...
This may turn into a rant, but this is an example of why I get really ticked about the snobbery in the coffee and cooking communities, people gatekeeping and telling newbies just to "Spend the money. You have to pay for quality." Well, obviously quality is not a priority anymore. These new start-ups and luxury companies exist to grift people. Appliances are getting pricier, more complex and less dependable. It's a real problem. Pollution is rampant already, and businesses shouldn't produce disposable trash. A company only deserves continued business for having reliable products and services, not because of design features, looks or branding.
This 100%, and for some reason so many are willing to throw in with the "big names" like Fellow when the quality just doesn't match the hype... It's unfortunate. Fellow has some good ideas and could be well positioned as a quality leader, especially for the prices they're charging, and yet here we are. You'll see companies like Brewista at brewer's cup world competitions, their products having very good quality, but they get zero hype for some reason. Marketing is so bizarre to me.
You're right, but components will break. On cheap and on expensive stuff.
Every now and then something will break. Statistically.
Yeah for $165 it really needs to last longer.
@@jacobs1047 It's tricky. They're not always wrong. Sometimes buying cheap will end up costing you more and you may have your baseline cost set too low. Or they're very aware that missing a particular feature will really hold you back. Buying a blade grinder instead of at least a burr grinder would be a huge mistake, e.g. But yeah... too often they'll take you from beginner quality prices into professional quality prices, skipping the middle... and when you're new you just don't know any better.
As someone in the community, I completely agree. I just don't always think spending those big bucks gives you the best value. I like Fellow's kettles but I think it's easier to get something comparable for much cheaper. The value isn't there. Same can be said for grinders. You need to do your research and look up how easy it is to service your tools. That stuff makes a huge difference.
Important note : In the video he used crimp connector which is the right way to do it. If you try to solder it you can burn the new thermal fuse. So use crimp connectors or big heatsink on the fuse and be quick with the soldering iron. If you decide to solder it check with multimeter at the end to see if it still good.
I don't think the way this was crimped was safe. The general rule of thumb is to never crimp solid wire as crimps are not designed to work with it.
I would try to provide a mental explanation but it's easier to just try it for yourself, crimp a solid wire and a stranded wire and try to wiggle both of them for a minute. The stranded wire likely won't get loose but I highly doubt that the single wire will still be secure at that point.
If you don't trust a youtube comment, just google it, it's industry standard practice that crimping solid wire is generally a bad idea.
I don't know exactly what they did to connect this initially but from some research there are special crimps which are designed specifically for this purpose, and it might be that they're spot welded (which would not generate enough heat for long enough to trip the thermal fuse), but in almost all instances I have found, the solid leg of the thermal fuse overlaps with the stranded wire in some form.
The risk here is that as the kettle gets jostled around, the crimp will get loose (also boiling water induces enough vibration to cause problems in and of itself, even if this part never moved). A loose connection can cause arcing. Arcing can cause things to heat up. Heat can cause things to melt and burn. So it's a fire hazard.
The only saving grace is that the thermal fuse should blow before anything catches on fire, but buying thermal fuses from amazon is already a risk. If it was a normal fuse, they're already cheap enough to manufacture that buying a name brand is reliable and nobody is out there trying to make a buck selling you a knock-off. When it comes to more expensive components, I would stick to component suppliers where you know what you're getting.
and solder may get brittle and fall apart after repeated heating
@@formbi That is some crappy solder!!
WTF? Solder has no problem with temperatures below 150°C. If you check that you haven't blown the fuse after soldering, soldering is definitely the way to go here! Otherwise, use Wago connections with some spacing between the heating plate and the connector itself. Those are designed for solid and stranded wire
For all my ranting about Fellow, I should add that I super appreciate videos like this one. Brands and product quality totally aside, videos about self-repair and Right to Repair are invaluable. So whatever one may think of this kettle or this brand, thank you for taking the time to discuss diagnosing issues with consumer products and managing the fix.
When re-installing the thermal fuse, PLEASE be sure to clamp it back down (within the sheath) as it was before disassembly!
The fuse should stay bonded to the base of the kettle to mitigate fire risk! Just loose in the bottom cavity leaves an air gap which can delay the fuse trip in case of a malfunction in the thermistat control.
I appreciate your level-headedness. I'd be absolutely livid if a $100+ kettle broke after two years and the company told me there was no way to fix it. There's no way that should be an excuse when they still make it.
Thank you! Thank you! I had the same issue and after multiple emails with Fellows they agreed to send me another kettle but I had been searching UA-cam for a solution. Now that yours popped up I can try it with my old kettle and I'll know what to do if it happens to the replacement. Seriously, this Right to Repair issue is REAL!
Great video. Saved me a TON of money. Thank you!
Just completed this on my own "broken" Fellow Stagg EKG. Super easy. You definitely need a crimping tool and you definitely need crimp connectors. All told the repair cost me under CAD $50 including the CAD $35 Klein wire stripper and crimp tool (which I needed for wiring outlets and light fixtures anyways).
Almost threw out my kettle. My eight year old son and myself fixed it with this video. Thank you! ❤
A while back, I felt envious of not being able to spend the money on this kettle, but my simple Hario gooseneck kettle, that is heated on the stove hasn't got anything to go wrong and allows me to make beautiful coffee
"industry standard" - something I've heard many times while watching Louis Rossmann
Louis Rossmann is the hero we all need
well get ready for the "industry standard" to get even more predatory over the next few years thanks to a bunch of backwards thinking chucklefucks.
Well done video! I don't have one of these kettles, but i watched this as I am considering a purchase and wanted to know about reliability. I was surprised at the Baratza reference at the end. I have owned my Baratza Virtuoso grinder since it was first released about 20 years ago. Baratza is a great company for providing parts AND KNOWLEDGE for DIY repairs. All companies should model themselves after Baratza.
I found one today at a garage sale for $2.00 Some oldsters were downsizing and were clearing out their house. I brought it home and all the features worked 🤟🏼
I don’t even own one of these kettles but I salute you. The world needs more of this kind of fix the damn thing mentality. Awesome work ✌️
Brilliant. I always try to fix things before giving up and sending to the dump. That’s why we bought a 50 yr old washer and dryer. Because they were designed to be fixed, not replaced.
Fellow not selling repair parts makes them part of the problem. You have every right to rip them a new one. They add to all the waste pollution we have.
I think a title with a more obvious name like "Replacing fuse in Fellow Stagg" would help people with the same issue as you. Right now it's more clickbait and people probably won't find it
agreed
He doing it for money
Thank you for this, great video. Similar issue, I've been trying to repair a Timemore black mirror scale that is out of warranty but I can't find the exact load sensor they use. The ones I've found are either the wrong capacity, the wrong dimensions, or have the wrong size screw holes. I reached out to them and they said "We do not recommend that customers disassemble the scale and replace the relevant parts by themselves. We are sorry that we cannot provide the relevant parts data." I realize not an American company but this is why R2R matters! I'd rather fix the broken one (and I can!) than buy a new one when everything else about the scale still works.
Thanks, fam. My fellow stagg has been crushing it for 4 years now, but I know it can’t last forever. I’ll be rewatching this eventually
Life saver! I already had one fail and spent $75 to get a new kettle (base was fine and they sell/sold just the kettle). I think this one is almost ready to fail based upon its occasional inability to heat water consistently, requiring the occasional off/on toggle. Last time I definitely thought it was the controller inside the base which I was unable to find a replacement for (made by some company in the UK). I'm set for the next failure(s), thanks!
Thank you David and other commenters! I had a Bonavita variable temp sitting in my back closet for 2 years that had the same issue of not heating that was out of the warranty period. Despite not being the same model, I thought the same fix might work and it did! I didn't have any of the tools or parts initially and buying them all was well worth the investment. I had given up hope long ago of fixing it, but now it's not just an expensive paperweight anymore!
One of the reasons I have bought an Eureka and a Sanremo. Their customer service + availability of parts makes it so much better to repair!
The Bonavita kettles work on the stagg base, and versa vice.
Great video!
I had a Bonavita that had a base plastic part that for messed up.
I reached out to them for a replacement part being that it was 3 screws and one plastic part. They said sorry, sucks to be you. But a new one.
I like Bonavita and Brewista. Fellow has never lived up to my expectations for build quality and functionality. Great marketing, some nice ideas, but the execution just hasn't been there for me.
really? Can stagg fellow kettle use a brewista base as well?
I don't have this problem with the kettle yet but I am happy to know about this if it ever does have issues. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, David, for being a friend to your fellow human beings and a friend our Mother Earth! You did good!
Wow I've never heard a customer service story that screamed planned obsolescence louder than this. Breaks just out side the warranty period, the company is sure the only thing you can do is replace it, yet the only thing wrong with it was that a fuse blew.
Cough consumer electronics Cough
Cough professional equipment Cough
Cough automaker Cough
This is not news.
We do have people fighting for it, and some win lately. They are small win but that's a good start.
have you ever heard of apple?
@@jintsuubest9331 lemsip
Not to mention the use of triangle screws and the inaccessible and unsocketed fuse. Simply infuriating. My 1992 clothes dryer had its thermal fuse exposed on the rear of the cabinet and secured with a single Philips screw. My current Kenmore/Samsung requires complete disassembly and would cost the average homeowner a couple hundred dollars for the service. It's absolute maliciousness on the part of the manufacturer and should be criminal.
Happened with my LG fridge. Broke 2 months after a 2 year warranty. Called the official LG hotline to get a repair, they told me 2 weeks to send someone and 30$ for the diagnosis, not the fix. TWO WEEKS WITHOUT A FRIDGE IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER!!??!?!?!
Anyway, I called a random fridge technician, had it fixed the same day.
Same with Timemore. They seenzoned my inquiry on repairs for the base of my Fish kettle. Good thing it’s not as expensive as Fellow but it’s still the principle of it not having to buy a new one every time something gets broken.
You have a nice smooth voice sir. The information you provided was thoughtful and easy to understand. Thank you
Oh my god, threw away my previous Stagg EKG for the EXACT issue and it was just out of warranty. Did some general research to see if I could fix it before tossing it, but couldn't find a solve. Welp - if my EKG Pro ends up having the same issue I'll know how to attempt to fix it this time. Great video - thanks for putting this out.
My basic kettle also has triangle screws. Another screw had come loose by itself inside and was rattling, so I had to open up to see what it was. Once they find out that a torx screwdriver fits, they'll change it. An item with electronics near heat and a plastic body is probably not made to last long. I would have probably shorted the fuse and used it carefully from now on. It's not a part you can go and readily buy without mail order, and a whole box probably won't be needed.
Going to attempt this fix on my Stagg - thank you for this!
wow, mine died shortly after 2.5y the same way. powers on, won't heat. so frustrating, fellow support was not of any help. ordering the spare part, going to give it a try. thanks a lot!
Different brand but I also had a nice electric pouring kettle die on my just outside of warrenty. Now I'm handy with soldering and was able to fix what was a simple issue with the buttons. But it's somthing most people won't do but at likely able
Thank you so much for this! I've had the same issue with two (two!) Brewista Artisan kettles in 18 months and although their website says it's probably the fuse I wasn't sure exactly how to replace it. Can't wait to try it out.
Edit 2024-04-07: Okay so it turns out the Brewista is not set up the same way. I haven't been able to find a thermal fuse in the kettle body or the base, despite what their website says. I tested most of the components with a mulitmeter and everything seems to be in order except the heating element itself which isn't giving continuity. Since it's impossible to replace separately from the kettle and Brewista don't sell spares I guess I'll make do with my £140 paperweights and just never buy from Brewista again.
(For the record I'm still none the wiser as to why my two kettles failed. I never ran it with less than 500ml of water and there were no big noises, smells, obvious short circuits, or other broken appliances. The base and buttons still work, there's just no heating...)
How do you remove the fuse? The video doesn't show how to take the old fuse out. Thanks for sharing, I am at 4:17 in the video and stuck so I appreciate your advice.
It looks to me like he cut it out using wire cutters
How did you open the base?! I see at 1:19 you've gotten it open, but I'm struggling to figure out how to get in. I see the 8 clips, but something seems to be holding on still
3:02 You sound to me like you're from the US. In the US, it is illegal to void warranties as a consequence of an independent repair, due to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. There are many similar provisions in other jurisdictions, particularly regarding legal rights which go beyond the manufacturer's warranty.
The last two kettles I have bought have both failed in a similar manner. They both became unusable due to the lid mechanism ceasing to work. The first was an expensive all stainless steel Magimix which was impossible to get into to fix without demolishing it and the second was a much cheaper Russell Hobbs, where the plastic hinge controlling the lid release snapped off. I grudged paying another £41 ($50) to buy an entire new kettle when the element still worked and all I needed was another plastic hinge so snapped off the broken plastic part and simply flip the lid off with a butter knife now once the kettle has boiled.
I was going back and forth between all these electric kettles and I just kept hearing all these issues after a couple years with most kettles. I know everyone’s experience is different, but I finally just got a stovetop with a thermometer built in. Pretty idiot proof and will last potentially a lifetime. No electronics to worry about. That being said, the ease of use of a quality electric kettle is a huge plus. So lots of pros and cons to consider.
similar thing happened with an old brand name rice cooker my gf's mom liked. just unscrewed it and twisted the ends of the thermal fuse togeather. imo the magnetic button is its own thermal fuse, just at a higher temp rating lol. that was like 6 years ago and theyve been using it ever since.
Thats why i love the moccamaster. Bought A broken one for like 60€ and reached out to technivorm for replacement parts, instead of sending them to me they checked the serial number and told me that the machine still has warranty(5 years) even though I had no receipt or other proof of purchase. I sent it to the netherlands for free and got it back 2 days later working again. Been using this 60€ machine for 3 years now and will absolutely buy one again if it ever breaks and isn‘t repairable
I'm a little anxious about a video about replacing blown fuses, that lacks investigation into why it blew in the first place, and whether the root cause could pose a significant risk to others attempting to follow along. Especially for an appliance like an electric kettle? Could be worth a follow up
Exactly. The main question here is--why did the thermal fuse pop? It's there for a reason, after all--to prevent fires. So the kettle got too hot at that connection--what's going on and why?
sometimes fuses blow randomly, but it would be much better to check the NTC
yeah I wonder about fixing small appliances...... can you inadvertently cause a house fire..... OK, mine was pretty old. Going to home depot or target to get a simple straight forward quick boiling kettle.
I think you are way too kind with a company that took the decision to use triangle head screws to prevent most people from trying to repair their product. To me this is simply evil, just like the oval head screws on Nespresso machines.
Thumbs up for the iFixit bits that help with both of these evil head screws :)
I almost included a segment with all the "unrepairable" things I've fixed recently with the iFixit bits. Would have been a very long video if I had kept it in 😅
triangle screwdrivers are not hard to find, also most of the time they aren't in with any real amount of force needed to remove it. so generally a flat head screwdriver will do the job.
@@justinbouchard Of course they are not hard to find, once you start searching for them, and decide to spend the money.
But they add one more barrier that stops the merely curious people from just having a look themselves, or from sharing pics with someone else who could give advice.
In this day and age, anyone working in manufacturing appliances must know how bad the generated waste can be. The decision to go with about any kind of "security" screws is ethically indefensible.
@@jmsaffroy dude, any "curious" person would go to the dollar store, or do a quick google search and find out that you can fit a flathead in there........
unless that thing was glued together it's not anti repair.
@@justinbouchard or theyd go to their drawer where they most likely have a flat head or phillips head.
David, I do not own a stagg, but good point, I have a simmilar problem, according to manufacturer only a new part could solve ... I highly agree with this right to repair, I researched and there is a chance to fix it with replacement parts from other suppliers. Hopefully I will be able to fix it as well. Thanks for the video!
This is why I got the standard Fellow gooseneck kettle when my last electric one died. Use it with a small induction cooktop which is easily repairable if ever necessary; alternatively, I can just use it on the stove if necessary.
My fellow has the same problem (shows the set temp, but wouldn’t heat), but only after I wipe down the base. Apparently, something gets damp. It works again after I either let it sit and dry out on its own or use a blow dryer for a quicker fix. Hope this helps.
Tri head screws and similar security screws aren't anti-repair, they're tamper evident devices. So when a product comes in for service or inspected later for some other reason say liability, to see whether someone unqualified (without specialist tool) opened the device. Because you'll always get it out if need be, but you'll also give it some characteristic markings in the process.
There is however such a menace as one-way screws, and i have seen some failure prone electronic devices use them.
My first fellow kettle broke just after warranty and they told me to buy a base which were back ordered 6 months due to Covid. Then I remembered I got it from Costco so I took that sucker back for a full refund. I wonder if this was a batch issue as in kettles before a certain date are more susceptible to failure. Great repair vid 👌🏼
Thank you! I got this one around Jan 2020. Sadly the nearest Costco to me right now is super out of the way 😭
Gotta say I was surprised of how easy it was to fix it, im no handy person at all, but i was able to follow along and not its working!!!!
Thanks for making this video, otherwise the kettle would be just another fixable item in the trash!!!!
I had that same issue trying to get a replacement part for my rice cooker. I didn't want to create a bunch of ewaste and knew the heating element went bad some how. So when I sent them an email they told me to just buy a new one. I was completely fine just handing them the full cost for a new rice cooker just for the element.
I was looking for a way to disable the beeping on an electric kettle, but this was also good info to bookmark. Thanks.
This is a life saver but too bad that I only see it now, after I gave away my Fellow kettle. I did get the screwdrivers and remove the bottom but I did not know how to find that fuse. I saw it as chance to try the Harjo V60 electric kettle and I am loving my new kettle.
Can you share link to the fuse and crimp :/ this should have been included without a doubt to make thing easier
Same thing has happened to my kettle but I don't have the tools or the expertise with fuses to fix the thing. If anyone wants a lovely but broken Fellow Stagg and lives in or near Manhattan reply to this and you are welcome to mine. Like David, I am annoyed at the many things that don't last, especially when they are high end. I do not want to add my kettle to already overflowing landfill and would love to give it to someone handy enough to fix it.
I bet theres a makerspace near you that can lend the tools and maybe a hand
Thank goodness for this tutorial! I just recieved my thermal fuse and did this and seems like the kettles working now. Any updates of how your kettle is doing with the new thermal fuse would be helpful! Im still kind of worried somethings going to blow. Ive never done this type of repair before, but I love my kettle and couldnt bare to just get rid/recyle it and buy the replacement body.
This video alone has earned the channel a sub. Saved me so much $$$.
It looks like in one shot you had the base taken apart too? Perhaps you can share a video on that
Good video. But can you cover how you decided the fuse was the problem in the first place?
The rest of the electronics seemed to be working, beyond that it was a guess that was worth spending a few dollars on for a box of fuses. If you have a multimeter, I linked a great video on fault tracing electric kettles
So useful! I have a broken Oxo similar-kettle (my second), and I think they're less helpful than Fellow. Perhaps it has the same issue, and can be fixed easily.
Thank you for figuring all this out. I'm disappointed in Fellow for their lack of willingness to repair their products. It's frustrating after seeing how simple the fix was. How many people dispose of their expensive products when easy and inexpensive solutions could have saved them from being tossed out.
Thank you very much for this. I have the same problem and had the same experience with Fellow.
I have the same issue!!! It's been sitting in storage. Such horiffic quality with Fellow products. They just look so beautiful... I want to like it every time and all of my Fellow products have major tech issues and poor function. They do look good on the counter top though.
Please tell us that you properly covered the new fuse and connectors, in the video it appears that there is some exposed metal. Look around 4:41
Yes! I went back and made sure they got covered. The crimp connectors I bought were much longer than the ones installed previously, and I forgot to point that out. Thank you 😊
@@DavidLikesCoffee What method did you use to cover the connectors? Will heat shrink trip the fuse?
@@jeffsprague3316 good quality electrical tape should work. If using a hair dryer for heat shrink I don’t think that would trip the fuse.
You’re a legend for sharing this fix David 👍🏻🙂
Unfortunately videos like this are the EXACT reason that manufacturers prefer to tell customers to buy a new one. Why on EARTH would they suggest you attempt to repair something which could kill you? For people like us, this kind of repair can be done safely, because we are extremely careful and we apply our depth of knowledge and understanding of electronics, wiring regulations, etc. But for the majority of people at home they absolutely should not attempt this kind of repair, for the same reason that this guy shouldn't post videos online encouraging people to repair this stuff: when you do it wrong it can be dangerous.
The "right to repair" is a fine idea, but with "rights" come "responsibility", and I'm afraid posting a video online showing an exposed live mains conductor about 10mm away from a metal part that gets touched daily in a kitchen, is an abuse of that responsibility.
There's a good reason many videos traditionally use the phrase "don't try this at home kids". Your repair video should at the very least come with an extremely strong safety warning to put the majority of people off doing a repair like this, instead of encouraging any old person to have a go.
I'm sorry if you think I'm being a Karen or a killjoy. You can ignore my comment if you like, but let's look at this objectively: if you post stuff like this which reduces the safety of a household item, then you can expect manufacturers to move into an even more entrenched position when it comes to insisting people replace instead of repair.
there are a ton of products that fail this way - my own kettle had this issue. My All-Clad waffle maker did as well. Get the right thermal fuse temp spec, and you should clamp it in place. $5 has saved me several hundred.
I have the same kettle and pretty often the screen glitches out but it's fine again after being power cycled. One time the heater didn't cut off at the set temp and it started to spray boiling water and steam out the holes in the top 😮. I think the brain board or temp sensor are faulty but I'm not sure where I would get new parts.
I have the same problem with my Brewista Kettle(not the artisan). It has the same screws on the bottom of the base. I’m going to open it and see if it has the same fuse.
I figured it was something like this thank you. You saved my kettle. Something like this should be external and user serviceable . Who makes a “fuse” so hard to replace.
Came to watch for the topic, subscribed for the Pearl sticker. You're strong in the real way, my guy 💪
Excellent video and I am happy to report that my kettle is now fixed with a $5 investment on Amazon. For a $165 kettle, I am shocked it was only 2 years old before this failure.
Nice video! The motor died in my Varia VS3 grinder after an only year of use. I managed to fix it and was pleased that Varia sold me a replacement motor and had a video tutorial but it would be nice if their products were made to last.
when buying an espresso machine I was trying to get something that wouldnt easily break and would be able to be fixed at home if needed. thats why I got the 9barista you can buy nearly all the parts for it that might break and you get instructions on how to do so :)
Hello David, I had a different issue of temperature going wild. I think the sensor contact might be at fault, IMO. I cleaned out the center contact on mine, and the issue hasn't surfaced yet. I thought about your issue, and it could have been related to the issue I had. Without a proper temperature feedback from the on-kettle sensor, the base unit will continue to apply AC to the heating element and it could trip the thermal fuse inside. Just some guess, but something to think about. Thank you!
any update ? do u fix it?
Incredible! I did it and it worked perfectly.
nice video, it was very thoughtfully done and educational. enjoyed the discussion around right to repair
Did this and worked like a charm! Thanks for the vid
Had the plastic display film come off a Brewista Smart Scale 2 because it wasn't waterproofed well enough. They offered me a discount on new scales instead of just sending me a $1 replacement film. No idea why someone would buy a flawed product twice.
Thank You David!
I could fix my Fellow EKG thanks to you!
In design nowadays it's a key part of the process to design for the future. I hate when companies are seen as having a "good design" but miss this key factor. I study design and I alway try to create products that actually take into account how they impact the earth after the customer has bought the item. Also thinking about what happens when the product is not repairable anymore and how we can recycle it is super important. I think a design that doens't take that keyfactor, the Earth into account, isn't a good company...
I didn't watch your whole video yet but will after I wrote this comment.
Little correction, fixing your gear does not void your warranty in most places of the world (except some states in the US). However, the manufacturer is not liable for any damages caused by your repair attempt. With the burden of proof often being with the manufacturer. If you can't repair something yourself, a repair shop can be an option and will usually give you a warranty on the repaint and new parts.
I would love to see Fellow adopt right to repair I love their products and I will continue to enjoy them and it would be nice if they kept this in mind.
A small (but not complete) nod to Fellow: they do sell replacement bodies and bases for the EKG lines (around $80 a pop). Curiously, though, they only list the Pro models for the Stagg.
I think it may depend on who answers when you reach out to support - I was never offered that option.
Fwiw when my base went on my Brewista, I just got sent a new one. (Just) out of warranty but in Australia*.
* Australia has exta consumer protections so I *may* have been eligible under Aus law for a new one
I got mine 2 weeks ago and it stopped heating just now 😅, I’m trying the same 24 hour method, if not I’m gonna have to do it myself
I’m here for a different reason. How did you keep the white lid so perfectly white? It didn’t take long for mine to turn yellow :(
Excellent demonstration
I have the same kettle and some times the power button doesn't work, I have to press it many times before it works. Haven't tried to open if yet. Would be nice if somebody knows about this
Great video and nice channel. Congrats.
Mine is still on warranty but this happened to me a few weeks ago. Fellow is sending me a new base but I think it's likely the fuse because it can read the temp of the water like yours. So maybe I'll try this but since it's still under warranty, I believe they will likely send me a new kettle
@4:21, I saw that. No worries, happens to everyone who crimps wires sooner or later.
Perhaps I was within my warranty period, but I had a much better experience with Fellow when the screen on my base plate stopped working-felt too proprietary to easily replace. I learned to adjust the temperature by the number of clicks (set the kettle to Celsius for less click counting). Fellow, in my case, was great about sending me a new base which has been working beautifully for years since. Now to go see if perhaps it was the thermal fuse which failed on my earlier Bodum kettle. Repairing it would give the kettle a new life with someone else.
Thanks for a great repair video, David. The Right to Repair! Now, if Baratza made an electric kettle we'd be set!
Thanks so much for the video. My Fellow Stagg EKG+ kettle is exhibiting the same behavior - the display lights up and shows the current water temp, but does not heat up. Is there an easy way to isolate this as a problem with the kettle versus a problem with the base? I have a multimeter.
right to repair not not only reduces waste but it also supports the repair service/parts industry which can contribute to a healthier local economy, it should be mandated, not optional.
The fact the problem was a fuse, a part that is supposed to be consumable, and it was not user serviceable. This should be criminal.
How do you open the base?? i´ve got one with malfunction screen, it doesnt show the numbers i thinhk some wire its disconnected or something.
great video
thank you
Thank you for mentioning the right to repair.
Fun fact, for those that find the STAGG pours just a bit too slow, If you look inside there is a little metal piece with holes covering the hole at the bottom of the spout, which further restricts flow. With a mallet and a flat sharp chisel or screwdriver it can be removed easily. It now pours SMOOTHER and just a bit Faster.
Just to give people a heads up, the thermal fuse tends to be a point of failure also for anything appliance with an electrical heating element.
I own a 3rd party refurbished Sage coffe machine (brevile) and was really surprised to find that Sage will send me any kart I need and guides. I feel this is going to last some time