The Only Coffee Canister We've Ever Recommended Got an Electric Upgrade
Fellow recently introduced an electric lid for the Atmos coffee canister, which automatically pumps out air to keep coffee beans fresh. We’ve been using it for months to see how it works.
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It’s well-known that the moment you open up a bag of coffee, it starts to degrade. There’s no way around it. Through a process called oxidation, coffee beans start to lose their flavor and aroma over time once they’re introduced to air. For frequent coffee drinkers, this isn’t a huge problem, since they’ll likely work through a bag of beans in no time. But for casual drinkers who enjoy a cup of coffee here and there, it’s disheartening to have to toss out a bag of stale beans you’ve only scooped from a handful of times.
When we originally tested coffee canisters, it became clear that vacuum-sealed canisters are the only ones worth using if you really want to keep your beans fresh for an extended amount of time. Our top pick, the Fellow Atmos, keeps beans fresh for longer, and it now comes with an electric lid that automatically pumps out air to maintain a sealed environment without you needing to lift a finger.
The Tests
- Coffee taste test: We pulled an espresso shot right after opening a bag of coffee beans and after storing the beans in the electric Fellow Atmos for three months, noting changes in the flavor and aroma.
- Usability: We noted how easy it was to pressurize, depressurize, and otherwise operate the electric Fellow Atmos.
What We Learned
The New Electric Lid Is Even Easier to Use
The manual Fellow Atmos is already easy to operate, needing only a few twists back and forth to pump out air. But the electric Atmos is even easier—after you initially put in your beans, simply press a button, and it expels oxygen. After that, the lid monitors pressure levels and automatically expels air without you having to touch it. To depressurize it when you want to remove your coffee beans, simply push the button again and it will release the seal. It takes only seconds to create a vacuum inside the canister reaching up to 50 pKa, with an LED light flashing green to indicate when it’s sealed.
The battery, which can be recharged with a USB-C cable, also lasts surprisingly long, as we haven’t had to recharge it since putting it to use three months ago. Other thoughtful design features make this lid a welcome upgrade to an existing favorite, like the LED light flashing any time you pick up the canister to indicate the status of the seal and the battery level.
It Works in the Background to Maintain Strong Seal
Every once in a while, you’ll hear a gentle hum coming from the electric Atmos—that’s it automatically pushing out air to maintain a proper vacuum seal, since it knows when to kick in to repressurize the canister. This is especially convenient if you simply want to set it and forget it. Even with other vacuum sealed canisters such as the manual Atmos, you’ll have to check in to manually repressurize the environment.
It Really Does Keep Coffee Fresh Over Months
After storing coffee beans in the Electric Atmos for a period of three months, we depressurized the lid (again, with just another push of the top button) to find the beans smelling impressively fresh. A strong aroma was still present, and when we pulled an espresso shot with the beans, the taste was nearly identical to when we first opened the bag of coffee.
The Verdict
Fellow Atmos Electric Coffee Canister
The electric Fellow Atmos is worth grabbing if you tend to hold onto coffee beans for a while before you’re able to use them all up. It’s also a great option for those who don’t want to have to repressurize the canister every once in a while. Plus, the canister can be used with other prized dry ingredients, like your deluxe baker’s chocolate or your favorite loose-leaf tea. You can also purchase just the lid if you already have a Fellow Atmos canister but want to upgrade to the electric version.
FAQs
Can I get a Fellow Atmos electric lid separately?
Yes, you can! If you already have manual Fellow Atmos coffee canisters, you can grab the electric lids, which fit over any Fellow Atmos canister.
How long does the battery last on the electric Fellow Atmos lid?
According to the brand, the battery lasts up to four months with a full charge. We’ve been using it for three months and haven’t needed to charge it yet.
Can I store other foods inside the Fellow Atmos?
Yes, you can use it to store nuts, grains, teas, and more.
Why We’re the Experts
- An Uong is a commerce writer for Serious Eats and Food & Wine.
- An is married to an ex-barista who’s a coffee gear nerd so she’s accrued quite a bit of secondhand knowledge.
