GRINDER · FELLOW OPUS · NOT AN ESPRESSO GRINDER FOR MOST PEOPLE
Fellow says the Opus can grind for a true 9-bar shot. A butter knife can technically cut a steak, too. The question is whether you will enjoy the process.
This page is about the original Fellow Opus Conical Burr Grinder. It is a good-looking, all-purpose grinder for pour-over, drip, AeroPress, and cold brew. For most people who want espresso as their main drink, it is not the grinder we would buy. That view is based on specs, owner reports, and price. We have not tested one.
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- For
- Mostly-filter households that pull an occasional shot and care about a small, tidy grinder.
- Skip it if
- Espresso is your daily drink, you want fine, fast adjustments while dialing in, or you want a grinder built around a portafilter.
- Price band
- Original stock varies; its successor, Opus 2, is under $200 at Fellow (check current price)
- Based on
- Specs, owner reports, and price
Fellow Opus (search results; the original listing is unavailable)
Check current price on Amazon
What Fellow says
Fellow describes the Opus as “a powerful all-purpose grinder” for brewing “from true espresso to the coarsest cold brew.” Its FAQ answers “Is Opus suitable for grinding espresso?” with “Yes! Opus can grind for all brew methods, from the finest espresso for a true 9-bar shot all the way to the coarsest coffee for cold brew.”
- C6-40 burrs: 6-blade, 40mm conical. 6 Nm of torque, 350 RPM.
- “41+” settings: an outer ring numbered 1–11 in quarter steps, plus an inner ring under the load bin for micro adjustment.
- Per Fellow, one outer step moves the burrs about 50 microns; with the inner ring you get roughly 16.7-micron steps.
- 110 g capacity, timed autostop (30, 60, or 90 seconds, or a long press for 2 minutes), anti-static that wants cleaning about every 60 grinds.
- A catch cup insert for dosing into a portafilter comes in the box.
What owners report
Owners on r/espresso report that the printed espresso range on the Opus (1–2) grinds finer than many of them need, and that a lot of people end up somewhere around 3.5–5 instead (thread). A former owner in another r/espresso thread reports the suggested espresso settings ran far too fine, typical shots landed around 4–5, and that the grinder held back roughly 1–2 g of coffee (thread). Units vary, and this is owner experience, not a lab result.
“Espresso-capable” and “espresso grinder” are two different promises.
Why we still say no for espresso-first buyers
- The coarse ring is built to cover every brew method. That means each outer click is a big jump at espresso sizes, and the fine control lives on a second ring under the bean bin.
- Owners describe dialing in as trial and error away from the printed guide.
- Retention of a gram or two, per owner reports, matters more for espresso doses than for a 30 g pour-over.
- For under $200, the Encore ESP spends half its settings on espresso alone.
Opus vs Encore ESP vs Opus 2
| Fellow Opus | Baratza Encore ESP | Fellow Opus 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burrs | 40mm 6-blade conical | 40mm M2 steel conical | 48mm stainless steel conical |
| Adjustment | 1–11 in quarter steps + inner ring | 40 steps, #1–20 espresso | Stepless side dial |
| Burr speed | 350 RPM | 550 RPM | Not listed in our sources |
| Fellow / Baratza pitch | “All-purpose,” “true espresso” | Dedicated espresso range | “Perfect for espresso” |
| Price band | Stock varies (check current price) | Under $200 | Under $200 at Fellow |
Who should actually buy one
Pour-over and AeroPress people who want one grinder on the counter and might pull a shot on weekends. If that is you, and you find one in stock, it is a fine all-rounder. If espresso is the point of the whole setup, start on Grinder First instead.
Fellow Opus (search results)
Check current price on AmazonSources