If you’re a true manual espresso enthusiast, then the latest addition to the Flair Espresso range definitely needs to be on your Christmas wish list. Together with the familiar high-quality construction and minimal aesthetic that Flair is known for, the newest model also boasts key new features that the coffee community is drooling over.
As its name suggests, the Flair 58 has been designed with Flair’s first industry-standard 58mm detachable portafilter. This shift in design creates a much faster and fluent workflow and allows users to pull multiple shots one after the other, without the need to fully remove and clean out the brew chamber as with previous models. This addition also means that you can pair your Flair with any standard 58mm barista accessories such as distribution tools, tampers, dosing cups and different sized filter baskets for alternative doses. So, as long as that fancy new tamper you’ve been eyeing off is sized to suit 58mm portafilters, you will be able to use it with your new Flair.
The Flair 58 also features a retractable piston that lifts up with the lever, an integrated pressure gauge for immediate extraction feedback, and an extended lever with an ergonomic t-grip handle for increased brewing leverage. These new design elements provide users with more control over the extraction time and shot pressure, as well as simplifying the brew process from start to finish, increasing workflow significantly. However, it’s the addition of one component that is a total game-changer in the eyes of coffee-lovers everywhere: the electric preheat controller.
With previous models of the Flair, one of the most time-consuming and water-wasting elements of the brewing process was the preheating of the brew cylinder. On the Classic, Neo, Signature, and Pro models, users need to preheat the brew cylinder prior to brewing, by pouring hot water over the entire component in a bowl or a sink. They then need to let the components heat up in the water before adding the coffee and placing them back on the base of the Flair to brew. Not only is this process time-consuming, but it allows for too much potential temperature loss, which can lead to an unbalanced extraction. The preheat controller on the Flair 58 removes these steps entirely and allows users to preheat the brew cylinder, stem, portafilter, and filter basket within a few minutes with the press of a button.
The preheat controller has three settings: low for dark roasted coffee (85°C), Medium for medium roast (90°C), and high for lighter roasts (95°C). One long press on the preheat controller button will turn it on and start the preheat process to Low. One more press and it will set to Medium, and one final press will set it to High. You’ll know the brew cylinder has reached the optimum set temperature when the green light stops flashing, and you’re ready to begin your brew. This will only take a few minutes, and will give you time to prepare your fresh coffee beans and boil your kettle for the brew water.
When your components have reached the optimum set temperature, add your freshly ground beans to the filter basket (between 16-22 grams is recommended). As with any espresso brewing, take care with your coffee bed preparation, ensuring an even distribution and a flat tamp. Add the Puck Screen to the portafilter and add the portafilter to the brewing head, locking it in by turning it to the right. Fill the brew chamber with hot water from your kettle, insert the Stem with a slight twist and push to secure, and hook the Stem to the lever. Now you can start your extraction by pushing down on the handle, keeping an eye on the pressure gauge. Your shot should range between 35-45 seconds and should remain in the optimum espresso pressure range on the pressure gauge (6-9 BAR).
If you’re a Flair-lover who would usually pull multiple espresso shots one after the other, the preheat controller together with the new portafilter design will be your new best friends. When brewing with previous models, it was common to take several minutes between each shot to remove the brew head, dispose of the coffee puck, and fully rinse out all of the components before replacing and preheating – and you haven’t even got to dosing your second shot yet! Brewing on the Flair 58 removes almost all of these steps to create a seamless transition between multiple shots, with less time and water wasted cleaning components. Once you’ve pulled your first shot, simply tap out the puck from the portafilter, wipe the basket with a dry towel, and you’re ready to dose again. The preheat controller will continue to keep everything at the right temperature until you turn it off, so your brew cylinder will be preheated and ready to go.
Even with the addition of an electric component, the Flair 58 still remains a completely manual lever espresso maker, with the user being in control over the extraction pressure and time, from start to finish. The preheat controller simply removes the potential for inconsistent brew temperature between extractions, gives the user more control over brew profiling, and creates a faster and more efficient workflow. Brewing on the Flair 58 will not only give seasoned baristas an easy, fast espresso experience, but it also gives novice users the opportunity to enjoy café quality espresso at home, without the price tag and large footprint of traditional home espresso machines.
If you like the sound of some of the fancy new features of the Flair 58 but would prefer to brew without the electric preheat controller, the Flair 58X is the non-electric version and is also available from Bombora Supplies. Alternatively, the Flair 58 can also still be used effectively if you don’t have access to electricity, by heating the brew cylinder with the steam from your kettle. For more information on the Flair range and to place your order, feel free to send us an email at [email protected] or simply give us a call on 1300 724 249.
