One thing i noticed is that you aren't filling the chamber with water. You should fill it up and only pull the amount you need into the shot, measured with a scale under the shot. The chamber is made to function without any air in it.
Flair Classic Signature owner and fresh subscriber here! Love the video, and will be watching more. What I love about my Flair is the amount of control you get. Seems a lot of reviews dismiss the Flair as trinkity or novel, but for the price you can get fantastic shots and really once you get the feel for it you can get good repeat-ability. I like to dose 17-18 grams and target slightly longer shots myself. I've gotten great flavors up to and even exceeding 45sec extractions. I think the big thing to get around with the Flair is heat management (referenced by James Hoffman), as well as fuss around pulling more than a couple shots. It can be time consuming and a pain if you need to make 3-4 coffees for friends. I've invested in 2 brew chambers myself, and use both each morning. My routine takes around an hour from starting my boil to cleaning all the parts. But I've done a great job of integrating this into my morning routine by kicking things off before I shower. No getting around the cleaning, but perhaps the evolution of the brand will bring better-sorted "portafilter" technology into the mix at some point.
Thanks for watching and the thoughtful comment! Like you I find the a Flair to be a great option for pulling really solid shots. I wouldn’t call it a trinket that’s for sure. The build quality is super solid. I do agree that the workflow needs some help. A separate portafilter that could be removed without taking off the brew boiler and being able reset quickly would help a game changer on repeatability. In my actual review of the Flair Pro I covered that the time it takes to make a shot or two is the reason why I wouldn’t make the Flair my daily espresso machine.
@@Sprometheus I've been daily driving a Flair (originally the non-pro, and now the pro for over a year), and this is the only reason I'm considering buying a $3000 espresso machine. Combined with having to use my stovetop Bellman for milk steaming, it takes over half an hour to make espresso for four people. That being said, if you just need to pull one shot, it's just about the best price to performance you can get. It's especially strong in the iced-espresso-drinks game, since you don't have to steam milk in that scenario.
That is a nice clear concise video. I have just gotten this machine from a friend. I have spent a few hours playing with different grinds and amounts but end up with the same result, absolutely no pressure at all. 5 seconds to pull and no bars. What am I doing wrong?
I didn't come here to be amazed by your horrendous taste in music and inability to properly adjust volume levels, I came here to learn about your craft. I almost made it to the end (8:44), but I just had to stop, the music is way too annoying and loud.
I appreciate this video so much! Very clear and concise. Showing what either end of the grind spectrum looks like helped a visual learner like myself. Cheers
@@jimmylyu4714 if you've used a la pavoni you will be right at home. I cannot speak for someone coming from more traditional machines. I used the same grind as I would for a la pavoni and got a remarkable shot, first try. I have not turned on my la pavoni since. Be careful if you go too fine with the grind. You will have to hold brew head with one hand(its hot) while slowly releasing the lever. If you just let go after applying pressure, it will...... explode. Biggest win over the la pavoni is consistency. The best shots are on the same level, its just easier to achieve with this machine. Enjoy!
@@profjohnfrinks flair pro will be my first espresso machine, i also got flair's new manual grinder, I was originally eyeing for sette 270 and niche zero, but manual grinder and machine just fit my budget. I have heard about the grind size for flair, also its a more forgiving machine for espresso shots, is that what you mean by easier to dial consistent shots?
So why do you not put the porta filter with the grinds on a scale and tamp down to an exact pressure. Would not a incorrectly done tamp create a higher or lower pressure ?
Manuel Dornbusch if you pick one up you’ll definitely enjoy it! I’ve got a review for it coming out next Month as well. Just wanted to spend a little time with it before I came to a full conclusion.
So basically 1-2 on Encore might get us a good result, haha. As for me, I try using 4 with Dark Roast bean before : it wouldnt be too difficult to produce a nice shot, but can't really say the same for medium-light roast bean.
Hi 👋 do you think my wilfa uniform (I use for pour over) would be adequate paired with the Flair ? Or would you recommend a specific espresso grinder as well ? Much appreciated 😊
Hey, not Sprometheus, but according to what James Hoffmann (another coffee youtuber just in case you're not familiar with) says about the Wilfa uniform, espresso *can* be done with it, but it's not designed *to be* an espresso grinder: it's not easy to pour the grounds to the portafilter from the little container because of the static when it grinds that fine, it's not easy to calibrate the grind size for espresso and it will get frustrating to work with. He recommends to buy a dedicated espresso grinder if you're planning to do espresso in a regular basis, but if you exceptionally need to do espresso it will do it.
Love your video...i use hand grinder slim timemore, do you have experience to used this grinder on the flair pro? If yes...could you advise me the grind setting? Thanks alot
can you make same video for cafflano kompresso? it is very good brewing equipment when you know how to do, but there are very few complete guides in internet. thanks.
Pulling an espresso shot from a manual machine is def for those who enjoy the process and the aesthetics of pulling a shot manually. It takes a bit of time for the setup and the cleanup but its all part of the enjoyment. I cant do this if I am trying to rush out the door.
hi iam new in espresso and got me the flair. iam a bit confused about dose ratio and result. ive used 16g grind filled the chamber to the top with 60ml water but only got 38ml espresso out of it. is that a good value? and what is it...an espresso doppio or just an espresso. a 1:2 ration would mean 30g grind to get the 60ml for the doppio. but that doesnt feel right to use such much amount of grind. u see i need help :))
I've found the water temp is highly bean-dependent. I've had coffees where it would taste stable anywhere from 80C to 93C (namely dark roasts), coffees where it would taste great as long as I use boiling water, and coffees that if I don't get the temperature exactly at 96C it would taste terrible. I feel that light roasts and dark roasts are easier for me, it's either 100C water or 90C/below respectively. It's the medium roasts that I have to test a bunch to dial in fiddling with temperatures. The temperature also drops a few degrees from the kettle to the cylinder so I've had to account for that.
Do you think this would be a good buy for someone who want to start in the espresso world instead of a cheap (same tag price) Electric machine like Delonghi dedica? I want to learn to dial in a good espresso and make some drink (let's par this with some milk frother) but dont what to spent too much money on the start line.
I think this is a great machine for learning the espresso ropes. It requires lots of care and focus, much more than a standard machine. Yet, just like all espresso machines you need to make sure you pair it with a nice grinder. I'd recommend the Baratza Sette 270w, Mazzer Mini, or La Marzocco Lux D. Thanks for the question, and if you can wait there will be a review for the Flair dropping Friday.
I‘d say it‘s perfect. Especially on the long run. With machines you want to do a service, get a new pump, new hoses every couple of years. The flair has no pump, no hoses and will last forever.
Is that a kettle all these coffee people use with the thin spout or do they boil the kettle then pour it into that? It’s just a never see kettles with spouts that thin!?
That’s possible! I’ll ask my contact if that’s something they’re planning on. They are actually at the World of Coffee event in Berlin right now Celebrating their honorable mention for best new product.
I have been having great shots on my flair by using Scott Rao's aeropress filter technique, both above and below the puck. It lets you grind finer and the cleanup is much easier. I also do an 11 second preinfusion and WDT with a needle. There are so many variables I can play with in this manual machine I don't know if I want to "upgrade" to a pump machine unless it's a DE1+.
mexicanhalloween have you had a chance to test any of the TDS numbers coming out of those shots? Trying to max out TDS is something I plan on trying to do with the Flair at some point in the future. It does have an amazing amount of controllability, definitely more than a standard pump machine. But outside of my videos my home espresso habit is more of a leisurely endeavor, so the amount of time and prep for the Flair is a considerable factor for me in why I still love my Mini. Having used the DE I can say that the amount of variables that are adjustable is impressive, but I’d never see the light of day if I dove into that rabbit hole.
@@Sprometheus I'm far too cheap to get a VST for that kind of measurement, but I'd love to see your results, hopefully with their sponsorship. It is more fiddly, however I do appreciate that even if I mess up I can still get something quite drinkable by adjusting pressure without having to throw coffee away. I'll probably eventually get a DE1+, but you're right, it's more about budgeting the time than the money and I'm not sure if I'll ever have the time.
Can you suggest a good grinder ?? I have a grinder with 18 options .. but even with finest flair doesn’t get resistance so not creme at all... really frustrating ... the rare thing is the first thing I did I got the pressure .. after that not right result and zero resistance to piston .., can be another mistake ?? Many thanks
There’s lots of great grinders. Depends on your budget. The baratza Sette 270 is a great one to start with. If you want to invest a little more, the Mazzer mini is what I use.
The Real Sprometheus sorry to ask too many things but in flair support just say to me “it’s the grinder”. ... but can be another problem because i got just coffe like you put with not fine grinder.. first time it worked perfect and after that nothing .. I brought that machine to chile and here is reallle difficult to get the exact grinder .. can you recommend me another thing to test what’s wrong... sorry and many thanks for answering
@@cristianserrano5072 pressurized brewing requires a precise grind. 18 selections between turkish and french press is not at all "precise". step-less adjustment or at least steps in the hundreds is ideal. why did you have luck that one time? impossible to say. when you run out of options with grind size, you have left really on dose and to some small extent, tamp. was your dose consistent between the good and bad shot? are you weighing your coffee? you should for espresso. do not eyeball it or use spoon measurements
Here is what I do not get about these kinds of espresso machines, prior to the explosion of these types of coffee machines the trend had been to updose coffee shots when making an espresso in a conventional machine. In fact over the last few years the advice from top baristas has been to dose from 18 grammes to 20 or 21 grammes of coffee. Now we have a machine or machines where one can only use 14 or 15 grammes of coffee, not based on any taste reasoning but on size and portability. If someone had required your assistance in obtaining a good shot, had they been having issues and told you they were using 14 grammes of coffee the first thing you would do is ask them to use 18 or 19 grammes of coffee. Why now is 14 grammes of coffee an acceptable dose.
Anyone see/find a coffee distribution device (ie. super cool OCD device I see throughout you tube) for the 40mm size w the Flair? Most of my issues are with even distribution of the grounds and tamping not the Flair product itself but this is a smaller portafilter than the usual 50-56mm ones.
One of the cheapest way of getting one is to ask someone who has an access to a lathe. It can be simply machined out of an aluminum chunk. Distribution really matters with this type of baskets.
Love your videos! I've had my eye on the Flair for a while and close to pulling the trigger. Currently have an Encore grinder. Which grinder are you using?
It’s a great little machine! I’m using the La Marzocco Lux D, which is basically a rebranded Mazzer Mini. If you want the best espresso experience though I highly recommend getting a stepless grinder. The Encore doesn’t have enough adjustments to dial in espresso really well.
No pressure to do so but would you consider doing a video on the Bellman CX25-P? You’re videos are so informative and helpful and there aren’t really many videos out there on the product. Regardless of that, awesome video as always! I’ve been watching your channel for about a month now and as a very new barista I’ve really really found your content helpful. Thank you for everything and please keep it up!!
Thanks a lot Titus! I appreciate the positive feedback and the suggestion. I’ll drop Bellman a line and see if they can help me out on that. I’ve had requests for that and the steamer over the past few months. Thanks again for watching and taking the time to comment!
Yeah I'd love to get more detail on the steaming ability/practicality of the bellman. Pairing it with the flair seems like a decent alternative to the seemingly endless hassles/expenses of an espresso machine
The Flair is amazing. I got mine from them at the SCA expo this year. Great people. I preheat my chamber twice to make sure its plenty hot. I also preheat the porta filter and cup to everything is heat optimal. I find the shots I get from this are far beyond my Breville Infuser. I'd say you have an equal quality shots to a higher end machine (with a little effort on users part). Paired with a Bellman steamer BOOM! Lol How did you find shot quality compared to your Linea Mini? Cheers from Boston! -Dorian
Hi Dorian! I saw your order come through today! I’m roasting and shipping it personally tomorrow, thanks for trying out my coffee! I do think the Flair has shots similar to, if not just as good as the mini. The biggest drawback, as you mentioned, is the amount of effort and time needed to pull a shot. It’s worth it, but also i love the convenience of the mini since I can just walk up on a whim and whip up anything I want. And if the first shot doesn’t go to plan I can crank out a second, third, or fourth in the time it would take to make one with the Flair. But, I do think that process has something very zen about it and really is unique and worthwhile. It just won’t ever be my everyday machine. Thanks again for the order, and always providing thoughtful comments!
