Fellow Gen 2 Burrs: What Changed and Why It Matters
The biggest knock against the original Fellow Ode was its burrs. They couldn't grind fine enough, the particle distribution was wide, and the Gen 1 felt like a grinder that was limited by its own hardware. Fellow fixed this with the Gen 2 burrs, and the difference is not subtle. I've used both generations side by side, and the Gen 2 is a completely different grinder for cup quality.
I'll walk through exactly what Fellow changed in the Gen 2 burr set, how the grind quality compares to the Gen 1, what the new burrs mean for your daily brewing, and whether it's worth upgrading if you already own a Gen 1. This is one of those cases where a single component swap transformed a good grinder into a great one.
What Are the Gen 2 Burrs?
The Fellow Ode Gen 2 uses 64mm flat burrs manufactured by SSP (Sim Sung Precision), a South Korean company that's become the gold standard for aftermarket and OEM coffee grinder burrs. SSP supplies burrs to several high-end grinder manufacturers and has a reputation for tight tolerances and high-quality steel.
Gen 1 vs. Gen 2: The Key Differences
Gen 1 burrs: - 64mm flat burrs (manufactured by Etzinger, a Swiss company) - Grind range: medium to coarse only - 31 numbered settings - No espresso capability whatsoever - Wider particle distribution at all settings
Gen 2 burrs (SSP): - 64mm flat burrs (manufactured by SSP) - Grind range: fine to coarse (reaches into espresso territory) - 31 numbered settings plus micro-adjustment dial on each setting - Limited espresso capability at the finest settings - Tighter, more uniform particle distribution
The burr geometry is completely different between the two generations. The Gen 1 burrs had a steeper cutting angle that limited how fine the grind could go. The SSP burrs use a shallower geometry that allows for a wider grind range while maintaining uniformity.
Grind Quality Comparison
I ran the same Honduran medium roast through both a Gen 1 and Gen 2 Ode at equivalent settings and brewed V60 pour-overs with each.
The Gen 1 Cup
The V60 from the Gen 1 tasted fine. It was a balanced cup with some chocolate and nutty notes. But it lacked definition. The flavors kind of blended together into a pleasant but unremarkable cup. Drawdown time was 3:15 with 15 grams of coffee, using the same pouring technique for both.
The Gen 2 Cup
The Gen 2 V60 was a different experience. The same chocolate and nut notes were there, but they were sharper and more distinct. I could also taste a caramel sweetness and a slight citrus brightness that was completely absent from the Gen 1 cup. Drawdown time was 3:05, slightly faster, which suggests slightly fewer fines clogging the filter.
What Accounts for the Difference
The Gen 2 SSP burrs create a more unimodal particle distribution. This means most of the ground particles are clustered around the same size, with fewer outlier fines and boulders. When you brew with a uniform grind, water extracts more evenly across all the particles. You get a balanced extraction that reveals more of the coffee's character instead of muddling everything together.
The Gen 1 burrs produced a more bimodal distribution (two clusters of particle sizes). This isn't unusual for flat burrs at this price point, but it means some particles over-extract while others under-extract. The result is a cup that's technically fine but lacks the clarity that good flat burrs can deliver.
The Extended Grind Range
The Gen 2 burrs go significantly finer than the Gen 1. Where the Gen 1's finest setting was roughly a medium grind (suitable for drip), the Gen 2 can reach into fine territory that's borderline espresso.
What This Means in Practice
Setting 5 on the Gen 2 is approximately where the Gen 1's setting 1 was. So the Gen 2 gives you four to five additional settings on the fine end. This opens up brew methods that the Gen 1 simply couldn't handle:
- AeroPress (fine recipes): The Gen 1 couldn't go fine enough for concentrated AeroPress recipes. The Gen 2 handles these easily at settings 3 to 5.
- Moka pot: At settings 4 to 6, the Gen 2 produces a grind that works well for stovetop espresso.
- Turkish: Not quite. The Gen 2 can't reach true Turkish fineness. You'd need setting 0 or finer, and the grinder doesn't go there.
- Espresso: Possible at settings 1 to 3 with the micro-adjust, but with limited dialing range. Works better with pressurized portafilters than unpressurized.
For a deeper look at how the Ode handles espresso, check our best coffee grinder guide.
The Micro-Adjustment Dial
The Gen 2 didn't just change burrs. Fellow also added a micro-adjustment dial inside each numbered setting. You turn the dial to shift between the numbered steps in smaller increments. This effectively gives you about 90+ total grind positions instead of 31.
Why This Matters
On the Gen 1, if setting 15 was too coarse and setting 14 was too fine for your V60, you were stuck. The Gen 2 lets you park between 14 and 15 using the micro-adjust dial. For filter coffee, this level of precision isn't always necessary, but it makes dialing in specific recipes much easier. And for the AeroPress or moka pot crowd working at finer settings, the micro-adjust is a real quality-of-life improvement.
Should You Upgrade From Gen 1 to Gen 2?
This depends on how happy you are with your current Ode experience and how much you're willing to spend.
The Full Upgrade: Buy a Gen 2
A new Fellow Ode Gen 2 costs about $300. If you're selling your Gen 1 (used Gen 1 Odes go for $130 to $160 on the secondary market), the net cost is around $140 to $170. You get the SSP burrs, micro-adjustment, and an updated motor.
The Burr-Only Upgrade
Fellow doesn't sell Gen 2 SSP burrs separately as a direct upgrade kit for the Gen 1. However, you can buy 64mm SSP burrs from third-party retailers (SSP sells direct and through retailers like Lance Hedrick's store). A set of SSP "Brew" burrs for the 64mm platform costs about $100 to $150.
Installing them in a Gen 1 Ode is possible but requires some mechanical comfort. You need to remove the stock burrs, potentially adjust the burr carrier, and realign the new burrs. There are YouTube tutorials covering the process. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
My Recommendation
If you love your Gen 1 Ode and just want better grind quality, the third-party SSP burr upgrade is a good move at $100 to $150. If you want the full package including micro-adjustment and you can sell your Gen 1, buying a Gen 2 makes more sense financially.
Take a look at our top coffee grinder roundup for alternatives if you're considering selling the Ode entirely and switching to a different grinder.
FAQ
Are Fellow Gen 2 burrs compatible with the Gen 1 Ode?
Fellow doesn't sell a direct burr upgrade kit. However, 64mm SSP burrs purchased separately can be installed in the Gen 1 Ode with some modification. It's not a drop-in swap, as you may need to adjust the burr carrier alignment. The Gen 2 Ode was designed around the SSP burrs, so the fit is perfect on that model.
How long do the Gen 2 SSP burrs last?
SSP rates their flat burrs for approximately 1,500 to 2,000 pounds of coffee. For a home user grinding 25 to 30 grams daily, that's roughly 15 to 20+ years. You'll likely replace the grinder itself before the burrs wear out.
Do the Gen 2 burrs make the Ode louder?
The noise level is similar between Gen 1 and Gen 2. The SSP burrs run at about the same RPM as the original Etzinger burrs. If anything, I found the Gen 2 to be slightly quieter at medium settings, though the difference is marginal. Both run at about 65 to 70 decibels.
Can I use Gen 2 SSP burrs for espresso?
You can reach espresso-fine territory at settings 1 to 3 with the micro-adjust dial. It works acceptably with pressurized portafilter baskets and some standard baskets with medium to dark roasts. Light roast espresso is a stretch. For dedicated espresso grinding, a purpose-built grinder is still the better choice.
The Bottom Line on Gen 2 Burrs
The Fellow Gen 2 SSP burrs turned the Ode from a good filter grinder into one of the best filter grinders under $400. The tighter particle distribution, extended fine range, and micro-adjustment dial address every major complaint about the original. If you're buying a new Ode, get the Gen 2 without question. If you own a Gen 1, the SSP burr upgrade is worth the effort and cost. The difference in the cup is real and immediate.