AeroPress Showdown: Flow Control Filter Cap vs Fellow Prismo

Introduction

Are you a fan of the AeroPress coffee maker? If so, you're in for a treat! The AeroPress has been revolutionary addition for many of us, allowing us to craft a delicious cup of joe in a matter of minutes. But, as with any brewing method, there's always room for improvement, and that's where accessories come into play. 

Recently, AeroPress released a new gadget called the Flow Control Filter Cap, and it's got coffee enthusiasts buzzing! But how does it stack up against the popular Fellow Prismo attachment? 

Let's dive into this AeroPress showdown and see which one comes out on top: the brand-new Flow Control Filter Cap or the tried-and-true Fellow Prismo. Buckle up, folks; it's time for a caffeinated clash!

Table of Contents:

I. Introduction
a. Brief overview of AeroPress coffee maker
b. Importance of accessories for enhancing brewing experience
c. Introduction to the Flow Control Filter Cap and Fellow Prismo
II. Flow Control Filter Cap
a. Description of the Flow Control Filter Cap
b. How it works
III. Fellow Prismo
a. Description of the Fellow Prismo
b. How it works
IV. Comparison: Flow Control Filter Cap vs Fellow Prismo
V. Conclusion

Brief overview of AeroPress coffee maker

The AeroPress, created by Alan Adler back in 2005, is a simple yet innovative coffee maker that has won the hearts of coffee enthusiasts around the globe. Its unique design combines elements of immersion brewing and pressure extraction, resulting in a smooth, rich, and flavorful cup of coffee. 

The AeroPress is compact, portable, and easy to use, making it a favorite among travelers, campers, and those with limited kitchen space. Plus, it's incredibly versatile, allowing you to experiment with various brewing techniques to find your perfect cup.

If you haven't yet got yourself an Aeropress check them out on Amazon: 

Aeropress Original	Aeropress Go

 

Importance of accessories for enhancing brewing experience

While AeroPress is already an excellent brewing device on its own, accessories can take your coffee game to a whole new level. By customizing your brewing process with different attachments, you can fine-tune your coffee's flavor, body, and strength. 

This means you can achieve a range of brew styles, from classic drip coffee to espresso-like creations. Accessories not only provide more control over your brewing process but also encourage you to explore and experiment, ultimately leading to a more personalized and enjoyable coffee experience.

Introduction to the Flow Control Filter Cap and Fellow Prismo

The Flow Control Filter Cap, a recent addition to the AeroPress lineup, is designed to give you greater control over the flow rate during the brewing process. This means you can slow down or speed up the flow of water through the coffee grounds, potentially unlocking new flavor profiles and enhancing extraction for both the AeroPress Oringal and GO versions. 

The Fellow Prismo has been a favorite among AeroPress users for some time, and has built up a good reputation for being the number one pressure actuated valve over recent years . It's an attachment for the Original AeroPress designed to provide a more espresso-like brewing experience, also featuring a reusable stainless steel filter. With the Prismo, you can create a no-drip seal, allowing for full immersion brewing and a more concentrated, full-bodied cup.

Now that you're familiar with both accessories, it's time to see how they measure up against each other. Let's dive into the details and find out which one is the ultimate AeroPress companion!

Flow Control Filter Cap

Aeropress's Flow control filter cap is compatible with both metal and paper filters as standard, whether you want to use them individually or together. With this cap, you'll be able to channel your inner barista and whip up some espresso-like crema or even experiment with coarser-ground coffee.

Fellow Prismo

A fan-favorite AeroPress accessory from Fellow based in San Fransico and born on Kickstarter who’ve been around since 2013. The Prismo features a snazzy pressure-actuated valve, very similar to the Flow Control Filter Cap, which helps you achieve that espresso-style coffee.

The Prismo comes with a reusable stainless steel filter, so you can ditch the paper filters if you prefer. One of the coolest things about the Prismo is its ability to create a no-drip seal, which is tried and tested since 2018, which means you can immerse your coffee grounds in water for a more concentrated, full-bodied brew.

How they both work?

Let's get into the nitty-gritty of how these both work. The secret sauce behind the Flow Control Filter Cap and the Prismo is its pressure-sensitive valve. When you're ready to brew, the valve stays closed until you apply pressure by pressing down on the AeroPress plunger. 

This creates a buildup of pressure inside the chamber, which helps extract a rich, espresso-style coffee. The valve also prevents any unwanted drips, giving you the freedom to extend your brew times and more control.

Comparison: Flow Control Filter Cap vs Fellow Prismo

So, It's time to see how these two accessories stack up against each other! Here's a breakdown of the differences between the Flow Control Filter Cap and the Fellow Prismo:

1. Filter Options: The Flow Control Filter Cap offers greater versatility for brewing options as it is compatible with both paper and metal filters, whereas the Prismo comes with a 150 micron etched fine metal filter as its standard. Some Prismo users opt to use both a metal and paper filter for easier clean up. They place the filters in the order of Prismo -> Metal Filter -> Paper filter. To remove the filter and grounds together, loosen the cap by turning it completely to the right after brewing, then pull the plunger back slightly to create suction.

800 Replacement Paper Filter Packs	Reusable Replacement Paper Filters	Aeropress Replacement Microfilters

 

2. Leaking: According to product reviews and our personal observations, customers of both Prismo and AeroPress Flow Control Filter Cap have expressed concerns about leakage. Although there have been fewer reported issues with the Fellow Prismo over a longer period, the AeroPress Flow Filter Cap has a higher incidence of leakage problems that we’d expect AeroPress to address soon. 

3. Mouthfeel: Users report that the paper filters used with the Flow Control Filter Cap give a slightly cleaner taste and thinner mouthfeel than the Prismo's metal filter. This can be important for those who value a clean and light cup of coffee, especially for lighter and delicate flavors.

4. Compatibility: The Fellow Prismo is compatible only with the original Aeropress, while the Aeropress Flow Control Filter Cap works with both the Original and GO versions.

5. Construction: The Flow Control Filter Cap is one piece, while the Prismo has two parts (gasket and metal filter). This means less chance of losing parts and easier maintenance.

6. Metal filter included: The Prismo includes a metal filter as part of its offering, which costs approximately $30. Whereas, the Flow Control Filter Cap does not include a metal filter. If you want to purchase a metal filter separately from AeroPress, it will cost around $14.99. Therefore, if you want to get a complete setup with a metal filter, the Prismo would be a more cost-effective option. 

We recommend pairing the AeroPress Flow Control Filter Cap with one of the following metal filters:

Aeropress Metal Filter	Reusable Filter Set by Slimm Filter	The MESH: Reusable Metal Filter

 

7. Valve replacement: Replacing the valve of the Fellow Prismo can be done separately and costs less than replacing the entire unit, typically these need replacing every couple of years, depending on usage and other factors. On the other hand, if the valve in the AeroPress needs replacing, you'll have to replace the whole unit because they currently don't offer a spare valve. It’s also too early to tell with regards to the durability of the Aeropress Valve. 

8. Fellow Prismo Filter Quality: It's reported that the metal filter on the Prismo can let a little grit through, but a quality grinder and proper grind size can reduce this. If you prefer a full bodied coffee and enjoy darker roasts the paper filter option is probably the way to go.

9. Price: At the time of writing, the AeroPress Flow Control Filter Cap is priced at $24.95. However, please note that it does not come with any filters included. If you decide to go for a reusable filter, you'll need to pay an extra $14.95 for the official Aeropress metal filter, bringing the total cost to $39.90. Additionally, you have the option to purchase the standard paper filters separately at an additional cost. The Fellow Prismo, which includes the attachment and metal filter for only $30 is the cheaper option if budget is tight.

Fellow Prismo	Flow Control Filter Cap

 

Conclusion

So, there you have it - a showdown between the Flow Control Filter Cap and the Fellow Prismo! While both accessories can enhance your AeroPress brewing experience, they have their respective strengths and weaknesses. 

The Flow Control Filter Cap offers extended, cleaner brewing for both the Aeropress original and GO, compatible with both paper and metal filters. While the Fellow Prismo is a tried and tested attachment for the original AeroPress coffee maker, helping to produce great coffee for a slightly cheaper all in with the metal filter included. 

At the end of the day, the choice between the Flow Control Filter Cap and the Fellow Prismo comes down to your personal preference and brewing goals. If you own the Aeropress GO and you're looking for a more versatile accessory that can work with both paper and metal filters, the Flow Control Filter Cap is definitely the way to go. 

On the other hand, if you have the original Aeropress and prefer the convenience of a reusable metal filter, best to go for the Fellow Prismo. 

Whichever accessory you choose, we hope this showdown has given you a better idea of what each one brings to the table. Happy brewing!

If you enjoyed this article, you'll surely love our post about the differences between metal and paper filters, check the article here!