Just want to say thanks for the video! I'm coming to the Flair 58 from an automatic espresso machine. The full manual process feels overwhelming at first. This video helped us focus on the important parts and not stress too much.
58mm portafilter; PID controls (sort of); 9 bar pressure controls; Pre-infusion controls ; No boiler to descale; No Pump to replace; No wires to check; I'm sold !
I love my 58 (I have a Pro 2 for travel, which I also love). This is a good over view usage video. Regarding baskets, the high flow is what I ordered, and it looks perfectly fine, but I immediately replaced it with an IMS 22 Competition basket. I have both the Bellman and the NanoFoamer. The Bellman rules and the NanoFoamer is effective, if a little frustrating.
Having a setup that can produce commercial quality expresso at home for less than 1000$ with a dedicated grinder is really attractive. I already have a nice v60 filter coffee setup with a Mahlkonig X54 that will be plenty enough to grind in the expresso range. I am really looking forward to buy one amof these in the future to begin dialing into expresso.
I can understanding what you're suggesting - with Dark Roasted coffee - being best to brew at cooler temps to offset over-extraction and harsh bitter flavours. I would just recommend a good Pre-heating routine with the non-electrical still - as the biggest benefit to the electrical is there is very stable temperature - even low temperatures - vs that of no heating, where heat loss can be a factor of inconsistency.
You fill the water chamber by having the lever down and then slowly raise the lever to suck the water into the brew chamber. Would this disturb your puck? I’ve seen others unscrew the top and remove it(piece including pressure gauge) and fill the brew chamber with water, then twist the top back on, pull your shot. Have you done it both ways? Is there a difference?
The Flair 58 has since been updated, so you no longer have to unscrew and remove any parts before brewing - JUST ADD WATER! You are right though - you must be careful when lifting the lever, as it can disturb the puck. So long as you are using a PUCK screen, which you should always use a puck screen 😀 , it will minimise any issues here.
@@AlternativeBrewing I appreciate the response, I figured there was an update as you pulled an impressive shot on it, certainly no indication that the prepared puck had been disturbed. Cheers, all the best, like your content!
Hi well presented video as always. I found the 25grm VST ridgeless basket when fully loaded was a tight fit for the puck screen. The screen wouldn't sit flat and needed assistance to bed in flat. With the stock basket there was no fitting issues.
@@Assenayo I should clarify my comment. The snug fit was around the diameter of the puck not the depth. There is plenty of "head" space when I load the full 25 grams into the 25grm VST basket for the puck screen. I'm assuming the other capacity baskets would offer the same fit respectively. When I load the shot and place the puck screen in it doesn't sit flat, i give it a light push down with the tamp so that it seats flat on the puck. I'm happy with the shot produced from the VST basket so I'll more than likely take to the puck screen edge with some fine emery sandpaper to fine tune the fit.
I am planning to buy 58 and the gemilai espresso machine ( I will be using them as frother! The budgetfi) and my hand grinder, which is m47 simplicity.
Largest Yield I have brewed is about 55-60ml shots using a lower dose helps a little (minimising water retention in the basket) and than pressing multiple times down until nothing comes out.
Are those the real grind setting you use on the Niche for the F58? I find it that any setting below 11 becomes difficult to pull without having channeling issues. The difficulty lies in distribution & tamping… any little imperfection in that fine of a grind amplifies any small channeling issue.
Agree with your last statement 100%. The grind setting will depend mostly on the coffee you're using. A harder beans will require a coarser grind than a softer bean, generally speaking.
Hi, can I ask what would be the setting on Kinu grinder for Flair 58x? I dialled it at 1.8.0 but for some reason, I believe, still coarse. Please advise. Thank you
Yes - this may be due to the beans you're using too. I've found this to be the case myself, especially fresh beans. But if you have to go coarser than 1.8.0 to get a nice 7-9 bar slow extraction. - GO FOR IT! 😀
The 58X is sold without the puck screen, but from what I can see it would also benefit from a puck screen. Are there any particular differences between the 58 and 58X that make the screen a necessity in the 58 and not the 58X. If the only difference is the heating element around the chamber then if going with the 58X, is it worth budgeting for a puck screen as an accessory?
100% yes. I'm not sure why Flair have not included it in the 58X, but I would consider this a must. Other than the fact that - by nit using the puck screen you will need to possibly clean the grouphead, by removing it all and rinsing it, more often, and the fact the 58 has all the electrical components - this is best avoided as often as possible - whereas the 58X you do not have this concern. Having the Puck screen, will make better espresso and help minimise cleanup after 👍
😂 it's true yes, start with a top end budget than you want to focus on your preferred style of drinking coffee and the amount of coffees you drink in a day - this should help you land on a machine that suits you. If there's anything I can help with, let me know
I like espresso but I like it, in simple mochas or flat white I also have no idea why the recipes don't say how much water you're supposed to really add or if it's supposed to be hot water it's very strange
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Just want to say thanks for the video! I'm coming to the Flair 58 from an automatic espresso machine. The full manual process feels overwhelming at first. This video helped us focus on the important parts and not stress too much.
Glad I could help!
58mm portafilter; PID controls (sort of); 9 bar pressure controls; Pre-infusion controls ; No boiler to descale; No Pump to replace; No wires to check; I'm sold !
hahaha 😂 pretty much. If you're a black coffee only drinker this is a very neat way to go 👌
I note the electrics run through a transformer. What is the output voltage as Im thinking it could be pluged direct to a 12v system in a caravan?
Great video! Would love a video when different shots pulls with different techniques. Different pressure profiles
Great suggestion!
I love my 58 (I have a Pro 2 for travel, which I also love). This is a good over view usage video.
Regarding baskets, the high flow is what I ordered, and it looks perfectly fine, but I immediately replaced it with an IMS 22 Competition basket.
I have both the Bellman and the NanoFoamer. The Bellman rules and the NanoFoamer is effective, if a little frustrating.
Thanks for sharing!
Having a setup that can produce commercial quality expresso at home for less than 1000$ with a dedicated grinder is really attractive. I already have a nice v60 filter coffee setup with a Mahlkonig X54 that will be plenty enough to grind in the expresso range. I am really looking forward to buy one amof these in the future to begin dialing into expresso.
Well said!
If I’m a dark roast fan, does it mean that getting the non-electric one will do?
I can understanding what you're suggesting - with Dark Roasted coffee - being best to brew at cooler temps to offset over-extraction and harsh bitter flavours. I would just recommend a good Pre-heating routine with the non-electrical still - as the biggest benefit to the electrical is there is very stable temperature - even low temperatures - vs that of no heating, where heat loss can be a factor of inconsistency.
Man I love these videos! I like every single one of them. Wish I could get a Flair in South Africa
If you have the opportunity do it. It's amazing.
Thanks 😀 ... Alternative Brewing ship worldwide - if you're interested
Just received mine and cannot wait to use it! Thanks for the video!!
You're welcome !
You fill the water chamber by having the lever down and then slowly raise the lever to suck the water into the brew chamber. Would this disturb your puck? I’ve seen others unscrew the top and remove it(piece including pressure gauge) and fill the brew chamber with water, then twist the top back on, pull your shot. Have you done it both ways? Is there a difference?
The Flair 58 has since been updated, so you no longer have to unscrew and remove any parts before brewing - JUST ADD WATER! You are right though - you must be careful when lifting the lever, as it can disturb the puck. So long as you are using a PUCK screen, which you should always use a puck screen 😀 , it will minimise any issues here.
@@AlternativeBrewing I appreciate the response, I figured there was an update as you pulled an impressive shot on it, certainly no indication that the prepared puck had been disturbed. Cheers, all the best, like your content!
Hi well presented video as always. I found the 25grm VST ridgeless basket when fully loaded was a tight fit for the puck screen. The screen wouldn't sit flat and needed assistance to bed in flat. With the stock basket there was no fitting issues.
Legend Thanks for the advice! good point to make - and I don't think I'd ever brew without the puck screen
@@AlternativeBrewing i still use the puck, it's a little snug but doesn't effect the crema goodness at all.
@@mikedakiwi I've been wondering this myself, if I want to dose 20g do I get a 22g VST to make up for the space of the puck screen?
@@Assenayo I should clarify my comment. The snug fit was around the diameter of the puck not the depth. There is plenty of "head" space when I load the full 25 grams into the 25grm VST basket for the puck screen. I'm assuming the other capacity baskets would offer the same fit respectively. When I load the shot and place the puck screen in it doesn't sit flat, i give it a light push down with the tamp so that it seats flat on the puck. I'm happy with the shot produced from the VST basket so I'll more than likely take to the puck screen edge with some fine emery sandpaper to fine tune the fit.
@@mikedakiwi ah thanks for the tip. I've got a Pullman basket on the way so I wonder how that will turn out.
About pre heat of flair 58, there's a cable connector for preheat. But if we wanna make it without preheat, it still working as well, right?
100% yes you can use the electric Flair 58 unplugged 👌
@@AlternativeBrewing can i use flair 58 for sharing or is it meant for personal?
What would be a good grinder for this without spending past the point of diminishing returns…
Kinu M47 Classic or the Eureka Mignon Specialita with Single Dosing Hopper.
I am planning to buy 58 and the gemilai espresso machine ( I will be using them as frother! The budgetfi) and my hand grinder, which is m47 simplicity.
nice! 👌
What's the largest yield shot I can pull with the Flair 58? I want to make Americanos around 12 ounces. Thanks!
Largest Yield I have brewed is about 55-60ml shots using a lower dose helps a little (minimising water retention in the basket) and than pressing multiple times down until nothing comes out.
@@AlternativeBrewing thank you!
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Are those the real grind setting you use on the Niche for the F58? I find it that any setting below 11 becomes difficult to pull without having channeling issues. The difficulty lies in distribution & tamping… any little imperfection in that fine of a grind amplifies any small channeling issue.
Agree with your last statement 100%. The grind setting will depend mostly on the coffee you're using. A harder beans will require a coarser grind than a softer bean, generally speaking.
I am usually around 8-10 or so on my Niche for my regular 9 bar auto dual boiler machine
I am on 17 on the Niche for my medium roast.
Hi, can I ask what would be the setting on Kinu grinder for Flair 58x? I dialled it at 1.8.0 but for some reason, I believe, still coarse. Please advise. Thank you
Yes - this may be due to the beans you're using too. I've found this to be the case myself, especially fresh beans. But if you have to go coarser than 1.8.0 to get a nice 7-9 bar slow extraction. - GO FOR IT! 😀
Flair 58+ vs 9barista, i terms of flavour quality, which one is better?
I've never tried a 9barista :(
for some reason with the low flow I had a lot of channeling, with an ims pro basket there were no issues whatsoever
The 58X is sold without the puck screen, but from what I can see it would also benefit from a puck screen. Are there any particular differences between the 58 and 58X that make the screen a necessity in the 58 and not the 58X. If the only difference is the heating element around the chamber then if going with the 58X, is it worth budgeting for a puck screen as an accessory?
100% yes. I'm not sure why Flair have not included it in the 58X, but I would consider this a must. Other than the fact that - by nit using the puck screen you will need to possibly clean the grouphead, by removing it all and rinsing it, more often, and the fact the 58 has all the electrical components - this is best avoided as often as possible - whereas the 58X you do not have this concern.
Having the Puck screen, will make better espresso and help minimise cleanup after 👍
Nice one Josh 💪💪💪💪💪💪
Thanks 👍
Flair is not as functional as a Cafelat/ROK/Leverpresso, the Cafelat robot and ROK being my favorites.
I'm not sure I understand your statement - "Flair is not as functional" - how is it not?
All of the different espresso machines and prices are giving me an existential crisis...
😂 it's true yes, start with a top end budget than you want to focus on your preferred style of drinking coffee and the amount of coffees you drink in a day - this should help you land on a machine that suits you. If there's anything I can help with, let me know
I like espresso but I like it, in simple mochas or flat white I also have no idea why the recipes don't say how much water you're supposed to really add or if it's supposed to be hot water it's very strange
Making espresso at home, making good espresso is close to taking on a new hobby 🫶
an expensive overbuilt Aeropress!
Obvious troll is obvious.
So espresso machines are as well?
Ah the validity of this comment further reinforced by his picture : a starbucks logo that says "i love guns and coffee"
A true connoisseur of course.
I would love see you press 9 bar with the aeropress 😅🥳
Wrong