Summary: For the price, portability, and simplicity of the Flair, it produces great espresso with control over temperature and pressure. This combination cannot be beat. It is hard to find this much control unless you spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on an espresso machine, which would permanently sit on your counter. I can easily make good quality espresso with the Flair, the process is simple, quick, and easy. You have to let expensive espresso machines heat up for half an hour to get a good temperature (but can still have little control over the precise temperature). But with the Flair, you can heat the parts up in minutes and easily control the temperature. The process takes about 5 minutes, including setup, hand grinding, heating up parts and water. Cleanup is quick and simple. Flair allows me to enjoy hand-crafted espresso even when I travel. If I had purchased a typical espresso machine, I would have spent hundreds more, would have to wait longer to let the machine heat up, and at best I would have had the same level of control over temperature but without control over pressure throughout the shot. The Flair is also a great looking device, and I can't stop taking pictures of it for my Instagram!
I've owned the Flair (Signature, Black) for just over a week now. When I was first looking for an espresso machine, things quickly got out of budget. Sure, you can find inexpensive machines (at least twice the cost of the Flair), but they offer very little control. Basic setups that included control over temperature were looking in the $600 range for used machines, and for a new machine with a good quality of parts and features you can expect to spend $1,500+. With the Flair, you can get control over the temperature and the pressure very easily, and for a fraction of the price. If you want to make milk drinks with the espresso, you can purchase other products to pair with your Flair in order to achieve that, and still be under the cost of even the lower-priced semi-automatic machines, and overall you'd have more control and better milk steaming capability than those lower-priced semi-automatic machines could offer.
To get control over temperature with the Flair, you simply need a thermometer and a way to heat up some of the parts (mainly the brew cylinder). You can simply preheat by boiling the parts in water, or for metal parts you can use a direct heating method if you like (this is my preferred method because you can get temperatures above the boiling temperature of water, to better maintain higher brewing temperatures). Please note that if you use a direct heat/dry heat method, that you need to be careful not to get the metal parts too hot, because it will flash boil the water when you add it. For best results, heat it slowly and no higher than 250° F. This takes only a couple minutes. Before you insert the piston, you can use a thermometer to check the water temperature, which allows you to control at what temperature you begin brewing.
You have control over pressure through how fine you grind, how hard you tamp, and how hard you press the lever. You are able to change the pressure throughout the press, which can give you different taste results. With the ability to control temperature and pressure, you can easily customize the taste of your espresso to how you like it.
I am brand new to espresso making, so I had to hunt for the right grind size to use (which is typical for any espresso machine). Once you find the grind size that gets you the right amount of pressure; the taste, mouthfeel, and crema production of the shots are very similar to what you will find in coffee shops produced by equipment that costs thousands of dollars. The only requirements you need at home are the Flair, a good quality burr grinder, fresh coffee, water, and a heat source.
Overall it only takes about 5 minutes from setting up the Flair to enjoying your shot of espresso, and that's at a relaxed pace. Cleaning up is also quick and simple.
The quality of the parts are good. The only thing is that if you are not careful, you can damage the plastic parts. I have somehow managed to gouge the plastic on my portafilter. Luckily all the individual parts are available from the company, and I can replace that portafilter if I want to for a very low cost. The damage does not affect use, so I don't mind for now. If you are less clumsy, you should have no problems. I would appreciate seeing all-metal premium parts in the future, for those of us that are clumsy :)
My biggest struggle with the Flair has simply been the learning curve for getting the right temperature, the right grind size, the right tamp pressure, the right lever pressure, and the right brew time. I had staler coffee for this first week of ownership and that makes a huge difference, especially with light roasts, so I'm looking forward to using fresh coffee that's roasted a little darker for espresso.
Another big selling point for the Flair is its portability. If I had purchased a semi-automatic machine, it would have to sit on my counter taking up space. With the Flair, I could leave it set up if I want to, or just pack it away in its case so it isn't in the way. Setup takes no time at all. For this first week of ownership, I actually traveled with it and made espresso very easily while I was away from home—you can't do that with a typical espresso machine.
The Flair is very impressive for how simple the design is and for what it can produce for such a low price. The biggest challenge is getting a good brew temperature, which is vitally important for lighter roasts but not so much for darker roasts. Temperature management for light roasts is easy enough to achieve, and should be easier with the stainless steel piston option and through the use of dry heat on the metal parts.
The only true con I can think of is that you are doing a lot of the individual parts of espresso yourself, rather than the machine doing it. Such as heating up the water and parts, and applying pressure. However, these are also benefits, since they give you more control than you could affordably find in a typical espresso machine. The only other con is durability of the plastic, since I'm surprised at how quickly I gouged a part, but that is also my fault for being clumsy.
Overall, I'm very happy with the Flair. I'm able to produce quality espresso after only a few days with it. I can put it away so it isn't taking up space on my counter in my tiny apartment kitchen, and I can take it with me when I travel since I have a hand grinder. I easily get good control over temperature and pressure, which are features that you only get otherwise on very expensive machines, and rarely together. The Flair can also do cold-pressed espresso, which will be fun to play with for cold drinks. I'm surprised at how quickly and easily I can produce espresso with the Flair. I'm finally able to make cafe quality cappuccinos and drinks for my wife (since I already had a separate milk steamer), as well as affogatos and straight espresso for myself!
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Product Description
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Our Design Distinguishes UsWe designed the Flair to make the best espresso possible. The result is a strong and beautiful press, made with quality materials like stainless steel and aluminum, that delivers consistent quality without the need for electricity. And as the Flair features the only detachable brewing head on the market, clean-up is simple and fast. |
Custom Travel CaseEvery Flair comes standard with our custom fitted travel case to ensure safe transport either to a friend's, to work, or across the globe. The Flair breaks down into three major components: the base, the post and the brewing head. Together with the funnel and measuing cup you have everything you need for espresso anywhere. |
The Taste Defines UsMaking espresso is an art form. Espresso made manually with the Flair is a work of art. Consistently regarded by customers as having quality that rivals any other machine, our espresso shots are complex and full of flavor with delicate crema that blooms in your cup as you brew. The Flair is simply, purely, espresso. |
Technical Specifications:
- Weight: 5lbs (2.27kg)
- Case Size: 12.5"L x 9"W x 3.25"H (32cm x 23cm x 8cm)
- Assembled Size: 12"L x 6"W x 10"H (30cm x 15cm x 25cm)
- Cylinder Water Capacity: 60ml
- Lever Pressure: 6 BAR to 9 BAR
- Shot Extraction Time: Target between 30 and 45 seconds
- Shot Volume: Roughly 45ml
- Coffee Grounds Input Weight: Recommend between 13 and 18 grams
Inputs Needed:
- Your favorite Coffee Beans, freshly roasted within a few weeks of using
- A burr grinder, to freshly grind your beans minutes before brewing
- Rapid boiled water, at a target temperature range between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit
- A love of making your own espresso and a bit of gusto to press down the lever
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| Flair Espresso NEO Manual Espresso Maker | Flair Espresso Classic Manual Espresso Maker | Flair Espresso Signature Manual Espresso Maker | Flair Espresso PRO 2 Manual Espresso Maker | |
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| Customer Reviews |
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| Price | — | $165.00 | — | $325.00 |
| Standard Brew Head | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| PRO 2 Brew Head | ✓ | |||
| Carrying Case | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Pressure Gauge | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Stainless Steel Tamper | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Flow Control Portafilter | ✓ | |||
| Bottomless Portafilter | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Color Options | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Stainless Steel Accents | ✓ | |||
| Burr Grinder Required | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Videos
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Flair Espresso Maker - Manual Press
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MUST knows before purchase. Tips & Tricks
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Customer Review: Fun, inexpensive way to make decent espresso!
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Manual Espresso with the Flair Signature #coffeemaking
Tanner Colson
Compare with similar items
This Item  Flair Espresso Maker - Classic: All manual lever espresso maker for the home - portable and non-electric |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $165.00 | $299.95 | -10% $107.00 List: $119.00 | -19% $129.99 List: $159.99 | $44.00 | $129.99 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 | Get it as soon as Monday, May 13 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 | Get it as soon as Monday, May 13 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Easy to clean | ||||||
| Easy to use | ||||||
| Blending power | ||||||
| For traveling | ||||||
| Sold By | Flair Espresso | Amazon.com | Flair Espresso | STARESSO | Crema Coffee Products | HUGH Inc |
| capacity | 0.04 liters | 47 fluid ounces | 60 milliliters | 180 milliliters | 3 ounces | 60 grams |
| material | Aluminum | Stainless Steel | Plastic | Aluminum | Stainless Steel | Plastic |
| input interface | buttons | buttons | dial | buttons | buttons | buttons |
| wattage | 1455 watts | 1560 watts | — | 1000 watts | 0 watts | 0 watts |
| model name | Flair Classic Solo | the Bambino® Brushed Stainless Steel | — | SP-300 | — | Leverpresso V4 |
| weight | 4.9 pounds | 10.9 pounds | — | 1.03 pounds | — | 1.59 pounds |
Reviews with images
Stoked that it works!! Great lil shots
Update: Week 2. Still haven't used my Espresso Machine. Still brewing just with Flair. I switched up my bean to a medium roast Nicaraguan i got on a Surf Trip to Popoyo in May. I've found between both medium roast beans i've been experimenting with that the flair like a medium to fine grind. Not too medium not too fine. Like 5/8 to 3/4 to under 7/8ths. Really Tasty shots with a thin créma on top. I would like to see version two with a fatter brewhead. But this thing works great so far. It's compact. Upgraded to a 5 star. I'm really surprised how well it works. And it's consistent. You can get consisent results. Consistently bad. Will point you to a direction for consistently good and I'm there now. I've tasted the jet fuel. Which you can add hot water to and have an Americano Coffee. But i've slao had tasty shots. I'm always surprised about just how good they are. From this cheap little assembly? Genius craftsmanship! Why didn't I think of this. It's so simple. The Italian's with their extremely complicated machines. I spent a week trying to fix a broken Espresso La Pavoni in France last year. Never could get it to start. But it shorted all the power in the house everytime I plugged it in. Won'thappen this year hah. No electricity needed. Okay I need to grind the beans. ⚡️ Espresso. It's great. I love it. It's coffee for purists. People who enjoy undoctored beautiful raw flavors. It's passion. It's patience. It's not for everyone. I've been practicing the art of crafting delicate espresso flavors since 2011 when I quit having Lattes & Mochas. I wanted to enjoy a pure goût as it was meant to be enjoyed. Unaltered. No cream. No sugar. To get there you have to embrace another side of coffee. The lighter side. Now I am almost a Coffee Jedi, but still a Padawan learner.With Drip Coffee, you can just grind and pour hot water over it and you get what you get based on the kind of love and attention you put in. It's almost always light, hot, and drinkable.With Espresso there's a lot more variables and nuances. You have to have a lot of Patience. It's a lot like tuning a guitar, except you don't have a little digital box telling you when you've hit the right note. It's probably more like compiling software and testing it to make sure everything is working as it should.With Drip Coffee you can just grind and go.With Espresso you've got to make several iterations to figure out the right grind (coarse or fine) that works best with your bean. Each bean is different. Personally I find freshly roasted beans to be the most brittle. So try to buy your beans from a place where you can actually smell them roasting the beans. This means not starbucks. 🦉. With Espresso. When you find a bean that you love it's because you've made several iterations of espresso. You've made bad ones and good ones and great ones and now you know the temperature of the water you need, the grind size that works best, etc. Espresso requires your due diligence to master.Do not expect great results on grind number one whether you have a $10,000 machine, a $3,000 machine, a $1000 machine, or an $170 hand crank like the Flair.It'll take patience and practice to get it right. Everytime you switch bean you have to restart the process. Personally I find a bean and stick with it, for this exact reason.You've opened the box...Step 1. Super Glue? It should be kept in the fridge, I keep mine on the top door shelf. Grab yours and you want to put a dab of glue on each of the rubber feet. They are basically falling off right out of the box. Personally I do this to everything that needs a felt pad or rubber pad, i hate that they're always falling off. Do it once. And be content forever is my MOTTO!I'm on day 3 of Flair use. I haven't turned on my Breville dual boiler in three days. Woo.The package says : DO NOT USE ULTRA FINE GRIND. I did. Because I drink MEDIUM ROAST coffee which is NATURALLY SWEETER. YOU DON'T need to add any sugar or cream. And I pressed slowly. And got what i've come to know as coffee JET FUEL. It's strong and acidic, but not quite espresso. Day 2. Did it all again. Warm up the shot. Warm up my cup. Boil some water. Testing out how much pressure i can put using the tamper. Testing out if I can do a little pre wetting of the grinds by doing a short press with no water output. Count 12 seconds then resume pressing. This is what my Breville will do for my daily Swiss Café style espresso brews.Day 3. I changed to a coarser grind and got a lil créma on top. And a smooth and tasty espresso and thought I'd write a quick review.Suggestions. I think I would suggest the $199 version. I bought the cheaper one with the Tamper, but now I want an extra cylinder for my double shot action. Or if someone else wants a shot.Video: My first flair facial reactions. Sadly it didn't wipe away the bags under my tired 👀.ConYou can't warm up the group head. It's plastic. It should be stainless steel. But this is a kickstarter project so they're strapped for cash and testing the market. Plus i need it for travelling so. I guess it's lighter. They'll get it right with the next product release.Shot size is a little small for my liking. But then everything would be that much bigger and heavier so I'm content that it's my travel espresso.Sure there's room for improvement. But I find that in everything for a first draft. This kickstarter nailed it. Most kickstarter's i find are just beautiful belly flops, but this is a swan dive. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2018
Top reviews from other countries
René Gast
Exzellenter Espresso dank Hebelwirkung
Reviewed in Germany on March 28, 2022Size: Pressure KitColor: Black and RedVerified Purchase
Sascha
Hiermit baut man sich den Kaffee
Reviewed in Germany on May 2, 2021Size: SoloColor: Black and RedVerified Purchase
Manuela Costa
It will make you understand the process of espresso making
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2021Bret silver
Great Espresso! Love it.
Reviewed in Canada on September 27, 2018Size: SoloColor: Black and RedVerified Purchase
