Flair Signature Espresso Maker - An all manual espresso press to handcraft espresso at home (Pressure Kit, Chrome)

Product Information

You regulate the intensity of the pressure by your own force; for an optimal ratio of pushing on the lever, the coffee machine also has a built-in manometer. The included stainless steel tamper ensures perfect coffee suppression. Whether it’s the Flair NEO, Classic, PRO, or Signature, each has features in common. However, they all share disadvantages too. Let’s details them: One Serve Only The Flair NEO is an attractive option for people on a smaller budget or who are inexperienced. However, the PRO is a one-off investment for experienced espresso brewers. The two models have identical handle designs, but the materials and quality of the builds differ elsewhere. The good thing about this machine is this: it doesn’t take long to figure out how to use it, and what kind of grind to use. Then, you can only get better with it.

Yes, the basket and (especially) the dispersion screen on the Signature feel a bit cheaper compared to the stainless steel bonanza on the Pro. How To Make an Espresso It's the big kahuna of our How To guides, and the basis on which to build hundreds of drinks: our Espresso How To! Updated Oct 1, 2023. Just so that everything is upfront: I did pay full price for the Pro. The conversion kit and Flair Signature brew head, on the other hand, I got free of charge) Does it make authentic espresso? If you only drink espresso and want a durable, manual espresso maker that won’t break the bank, the Flair espresso maker could be a perfect choice.Both versions of the Flair have pros and cons regarding the workflow. The preheating is different, but I can’t say that one is better or worse. You have to be more thorough with the Pro brew-head, but since it has the silicone cap, it’s relatively easy.

This model has a professional grade 58 mm portafilter (hence the name) with a wooden handle. It’s the same portafilter of typical semi-automatics. The espresso maker has a robust build and a new lever design that further adds to ease of use. If you’re new to brewing espresso and don’t mind a little manual effort, a lever machine like NEO is worth considering. However, your ability to pull the highest quality espresso shots will be compromised by the small brew head and pressurized portafilter. However, you’ll have less coffee bean waste as you won’t need to dial in your coffee. The NEO is also ideal if you’re only an occasional espresso brewer and don’t own a grinder.Where does the Flair Espresso Maker win out over the Handpresso? In two words: cup quality. It completely destroys the Handpresso on cup quality. It’s like comparing cheap grape juice to a complex California Pinot Noir. Like the ROK vs. Flair comparison, the Flair wins because of much better brewing temperatures, but also wins on brewing pressure and on volume of coffee grounds used. Indeed, this is where the Handpresso has always had problems: it can only hold, at extreme maximum, 7g of coffee inside it’s rubberized plastic and steel mesh “filter basket”. In reality it’s more like 5.5g. The resulting shots are weak, tepid, and with very blond, thin crema. And while the gauge indicates there could be up to 15BAR of “stored” pressure from your bicycle pumping, reality is the pressure on the water is much, much lower when it’s pushed through the bed of coffee. I’d be surprised if the Handpresso brews with more than 2bar of pressure. In general, the sheer amount of upgrades and bundles is a little bit confusing with the Flair line-up. For their own sake, I hope they can streamline it a bit more. You get a preheat cap with Pro models. This silicone lid easily slides onto the bottom of the brew head, so you can pour water into the cylinder — there’s no need to use the bowl as is the case with the more basic Flair espresso maker. Flair Pro 2 also has a built-in pressure gauge, which is especially useful in the beginning. I liked the silicone grip on the handle for easier operation, a removable portafilter spout, and a stainless steel tamper. This model has a bottomless portafilter which lets you see every bit of the extraction process. Taste wise, the shots I pull with the PRO 2 are just so much better across the board: the extraction is higher, the output is hotter and there is a load much more range in ratio. The workflow and ritual experience are also great: the materials feel just that little bit heftier and durable, the bottom of the portafilter has better visibility, shots look great and the increase in pressure makes me connect with the brewing process even more.

Let’s look at the process of brewing espresso with the Flair NEO – a process that bears similarities with other espresso machines. 1.Preheating Bottom line is this: if your goal is an authentic shot of espresso brewed at proper temperatures, the Handpresso can’t hold a candle to the Flair.How do you use it? We have a video below showing the step by step, but let’s try to outline it in text for now. Finally, there’s a five-year limited warranty, which inspires confidence, especially considering most more expensive machines only have one or two-year warranty. Key Features Of The Flair Espresso Maker