Flair Signature PRO Review
-
drgary
- Team HB
by Gary Seeman
The Flair Signature PRO is a new model based on the company's highly successful Flair Classic Espresso Maker and its functionally equivalent Flair Signature Espresso Maker.* Like the original Flair, the PRO can consistently brew fine-tuned espresso at a variety of roast levels. With all Flair models you can adjust dose, grind, temperature and pressure.** The PRO's enhancements include:
In this follow-on review to the Flair Espresso Maker, I offer impressions of the PRO compared to the original Flair. I describe workflow and any likes and dislikes. This review unfolds in successive posts and will provide a brief temperature guideline to get you started on fine-tuning your espresso. I will discuss the level of grinder needed for proper use and to help prospective buyers estimate overall costs. The review will conclude with a summary.
Thank you, Sergio Landau, inventor of the Flair, for donating two units for review that Home-Barista will auction for charity when the review is complete.
To ask questions or comment, please go to this thread:
User Experience: Flair Signature PRO
* The Signature versions of the Classic come with a copper-plated brewhead stand. One Signature version has a black base and the other has a chrome-plated base and post.
** The original Flair can be enhanced with a pressure gauge add-on kit. A pressure gauge is standard with the PRO model.
The Flair Signature PRO is a new model based on the company's highly successful Flair Classic Espresso Maker and its functionally equivalent Flair Signature Espresso Maker.* Like the original Flair, the PRO can consistently brew fine-tuned espresso at a variety of roast levels. With all Flair models you can adjust dose, grind, temperature and pressure.** The PRO's enhancements include:
- More massive, stainless steel brew group, for better temperature stability with repeated shots
- Bottomless portafilter to evaluate proper coffee distribution and monitor flow rate
- Improved preheating of the brew group with a silicone cap, so it can be filled at the counter; this is very convenient
- Included pressure gauge that is large and easily viewed for pressure profiling
- Attractive stainless steel drip tray and drip grate
- Heavy duty frame
- Stainless steel tamper with silicone grip
In this follow-on review to the Flair Espresso Maker, I offer impressions of the PRO compared to the original Flair. I describe workflow and any likes and dislikes. This review unfolds in successive posts and will provide a brief temperature guideline to get you started on fine-tuning your espresso. I will discuss the level of grinder needed for proper use and to help prospective buyers estimate overall costs. The review will conclude with a summary.
Thank you, Sergio Landau, inventor of the Flair, for donating two units for review that Home-Barista will auction for charity when the review is complete.
To ask questions or comment, please go to this thread:
User Experience: Flair Signature PRO
* The Signature versions of the Classic come with a copper-plated brewhead stand. One Signature version has a black base and the other has a chrome-plated base and post.
** The original Flair can be enhanced with a pressure gauge add-on kit. A pressure gauge is standard with the PRO model.
Gary
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
-
drgary (original poster)
- Team HB
What's New with the Flair Signature PRO?
The Flair Signature PRO is functionally equivalent to the Flair Classic but is a definite upgrade. "Signature" designates a polished finish. The version with a black frame has a copper-plated brew group platform. As this review is being written, both versions of the Signature PRO cost $299 with free shipping within the continental United States (CONUS). The chrome model adds a chrome-plated base. This compares to Flair's least expensive current model, the Classic Solo, which includes the carrying case and all essential components and sells for $159 and ships for free in the CONUS.
Image is courtesy of Flair Espresso and (c) of Intactidea
Both Signature PROs have an attractive stainless steel drip grate featuring the Flair logo and backed by a stainless steel drip tray.
Brew Group Differences
The Flair Signature PRO's brew group functions like the Flair Classic brew group, with the same number of components, although some items have been re-engineered. Here's the brew group for the PRO. A bottomless filter basket holds coffee grounds that are secured under an inserted shower screen. The cylinder is held onto the basket with a silicone o-ring. The piston is now held captive within the cylinder. It can be easily serviced by removing the o-ring that secures the filter basket. The piston is activated by a plunger, which has a pressure gauge attached. The plunger fastens onto the piston with an o-ring.
Image is courtesy of Flair Espresso and (c) of Intactidea
Here is the Flair Classic brew group by comparison, although now you can order a pressure gauge kit for the Classic for $50 as seen below.
Image is courtesy of Flair Espresso and (c) of Intactidea
This is the pressure gauge kit for the Flair Classic models, consisting of the stem, pressure gauge and steel piston where the stem inserts. The pressure gauge is large and can be easily turned for viewing while pulling a shot.
Image is courtesy of Flair Espresso and (c) of Intactidea
The PRO's supplied portafilter is now bottomless and has a larger capacity than the Classic model. Flair's promotional materials list the PRO's capacity at 14 - 24 gm of coffee grounds. The sweet spot for different coffees is usually somewhere between the lower and upper limits. The Classic has maximum portafilter capacity listed at 16 gm. In his review of the Classic, Dominick was most comfortable brewing with 12.5 to 14 gm of dry coffee.
You can now order a bottomless portafilter with removable spout for the Classic for $23. The bottomless portafilter with spout comes standard on the Flair Classic Signature model.
Image is courtesy of Flair Espresso and (c) of Intactidea
One of my favorite features of all Flair products is the thoughtful use of silicone casing for handling hot surfaces. Here are the new cylinder and portafilter fastened together.
It's now much easier to pre-heat the PRO's cylinder and piston, using a provided silicone cap that fastens securely and is easily removed with a grip tab. The ease of pre-heating the group is one of my favorite features in the Signature PRO upgrade. Here is the cap (pardon the coffee bits, I've been using this a lot!).
Image is courtesy of Flair Espresso and (c) of Intactidea
Here it is fastened onto the bottom of the cylinder for pre-heating.
The tamper offered as an accessory or bundled with the Classic models is a nice, heavy, stainless steel.
Image is courtesy of Flair Espresso and (c) of Intactidea
The tamper that is included with the PRO is similar in weight and feel but has a more ergonomic grip, and the top is finished in black silicone.
Image is courtesy of Flair Espresso and (c) of Intactidea
When I was first approached to review the PRO I was told that the frame is 50% stronger than on the Classic. The frame has been up to the task. It's much more stable when you use the included set screw and hex key to fasten the base onto the post. Is it 50% stronger? I'll take the Flair crew at their word.
The next installment will show what's in the box when you order the Flair Signature PRO. Then I'll give a sense of workflow.
The Flair Signature PRO is functionally equivalent to the Flair Classic but is a definite upgrade. "Signature" designates a polished finish. The version with a black frame has a copper-plated brew group platform. As this review is being written, both versions of the Signature PRO cost $299 with free shipping within the continental United States (CONUS). The chrome model adds a chrome-plated base. This compares to Flair's least expensive current model, the Classic Solo, which includes the carrying case and all essential components and sells for $159 and ships for free in the CONUS.
Image is courtesy of Flair Espresso and (c) of Intactidea
Both Signature PROs have an attractive stainless steel drip grate featuring the Flair logo and backed by a stainless steel drip tray.
Brew Group Differences
The Flair Signature PRO's brew group functions like the Flair Classic brew group, with the same number of components, although some items have been re-engineered. Here's the brew group for the PRO. A bottomless filter basket holds coffee grounds that are secured under an inserted shower screen. The cylinder is held onto the basket with a silicone o-ring. The piston is now held captive within the cylinder. It can be easily serviced by removing the o-ring that secures the filter basket. The piston is activated by a plunger, which has a pressure gauge attached. The plunger fastens onto the piston with an o-ring.
Image is courtesy of Flair Espresso and (c) of Intactidea
Here is the Flair Classic brew group by comparison, although now you can order a pressure gauge kit for the Classic for $50 as seen below.
Image is courtesy of Flair Espresso and (c) of Intactidea
This is the pressure gauge kit for the Flair Classic models, consisting of the stem, pressure gauge and steel piston where the stem inserts. The pressure gauge is large and can be easily turned for viewing while pulling a shot.
Image is courtesy of Flair Espresso and (c) of Intactidea
The PRO's supplied portafilter is now bottomless and has a larger capacity than the Classic model. Flair's promotional materials list the PRO's capacity at 14 - 24 gm of coffee grounds. The sweet spot for different coffees is usually somewhere between the lower and upper limits. The Classic has maximum portafilter capacity listed at 16 gm. In his review of the Classic, Dominick was most comfortable brewing with 12.5 to 14 gm of dry coffee.
You can now order a bottomless portafilter with removable spout for the Classic for $23. The bottomless portafilter with spout comes standard on the Flair Classic Signature model.
Image is courtesy of Flair Espresso and (c) of Intactidea
One of my favorite features of all Flair products is the thoughtful use of silicone casing for handling hot surfaces. Here are the new cylinder and portafilter fastened together.
It's now much easier to pre-heat the PRO's cylinder and piston, using a provided silicone cap that fastens securely and is easily removed with a grip tab. The ease of pre-heating the group is one of my favorite features in the Signature PRO upgrade. Here is the cap (pardon the coffee bits, I've been using this a lot!).
Image is courtesy of Flair Espresso and (c) of Intactidea
Here it is fastened onto the bottom of the cylinder for pre-heating.
The tamper offered as an accessory or bundled with the Classic models is a nice, heavy, stainless steel.
Image is courtesy of Flair Espresso and (c) of Intactidea
The tamper that is included with the PRO is similar in weight and feel but has a more ergonomic grip, and the top is finished in black silicone.
Image is courtesy of Flair Espresso and (c) of Intactidea
When I was first approached to review the PRO I was told that the frame is 50% stronger than on the Classic. The frame has been up to the task. It's much more stable when you use the included set screw and hex key to fasten the base onto the post. Is it 50% stronger? I'll take the Flair crew at their word.
The next installment will show what's in the box when you order the Flair Signature PRO. Then I'll give a sense of workflow.
Gary
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
-
drgary (original poster)
- Team HB
What's in the box
This is the packing list from Flair's site:
Here's the workflow, assuming you've set up the PRO, and it's ready to brew with the stand inserted on the base and the drip tray and grate inserted. Place a cup on the drip tray.
Here are the basic steps.
Preheat cylinder, first fill: Set the kettle to just off the boil at 99°C/211°F. No need to measure water carefully, because I'll preheat the cylinder once or twice before the shot. I prepare the cylinder by making sure the piston is at the top of its travel -- for denser shots you can pre-set the piston a bit lower in the cylinder to reduce the fill. The piston is easily pushed into place by hand or with the included plastic dosing cup. Place the bottom of the cylinder in the silicone warming cap. Pour water until it fills into to the top reservoir and let the cylinder sit for 30 to 45 seconds. Since I'm going to refill, I'm not timing this carefully.
Prepare coffee puck, dose and grind: Measure coffee beans into the dosing cup on a scale. Add a few drops of water before pouring the beans into the grinder chute (Ross Droplet Technique, aka RDT, reduces static cling of the grounds). Grind the beans.
Preheat cylinder, second fill (if needed): Turn the cylinder upside down over the sink to drain it, and refill with hot water. If you're using a medium to dark roast a second fill may not be necessary. With some dark roasts, preheating isn't needed -- more on this later.
Prepare coffee puck; dose, distribute, and tamp: Set the funnel over the portafilter, add coffee grounds, stir with a probe (WDT mixes particle sizes that differ from start to finish with a single-dosing grinder). Insert provided tamper into the top of the portafilter with the dosing funnel still attached. Do a soft, nutating tamp* to evenly distribute grounds. Remove the dosing funnel.
Assemble brew group: Place the shower screen on top of the coffee grounds. The smaller holes face down so the screen is easier to clean. The shower screen allows even infusion of water into the coffee and keeps the wet grounds in place to help prevent channeling. Pour water out of the cylinder, inverting it over the sink. Turn it over, and remove the warming cap, keeping your hands away from the hot water runoff. Place the cylinder on top of the portafilter. Raise the lever and seat the assembled cylinder and portafilter on the brew group base.
Pre-infuse: Gently pour hot water into the cylinder until it starts filling into the reservoir. Filling slightly into the reservoir helps prevent an air gap above the coffee at the end of the pull. Gently insert the plunger and engage the lever at the top of the plunger, applying minimal pressure for about 15 seconds. As the coffee becomes infused with water, you'll see droplets start into the cup.
Pull through: When those droplets are falling evenly, increase pressure to pull your shot. I like to apply highest pressure here, whether it's 6 bar or 8 to 9 bar on the gauge. Higher pressure requires some effort, so I may be using two hands on the lever. I gradually ease the pressure during the shot to mimic a spring lever pull and avoid overextracting the coffee. Use your taste as a guide to how much maximum pressure you need.
Release pressure: I don't do a hard push to squeeze out every last bit of water but do take the lever wheel past the top of the plunger. Then I ease up at the end. Watch the gauge to see that the pressure has released but also keep the lever engaged while easing pressure. The cylinder may lift slightly off of one side of the portafilter, but it will not break the seal. If your dose and grind are dialed in this may not happen. Now the pressure is released.
Clean: Remove the plunger from the top of the group. Hold the cylinder assembly over your knockbox. Turn it sideways. Gently unfasten the portafilter and allow remaining water to run off into the knockbox. Press against one side of the shower screen so you can grip an edge and lift it out. Knock out the spent coffee grounds. Rinse these parts at the sink. Flair's instructions advise you to wash by hand, without soap that could flavor your coffee. They also warn against putting any components of the Flair into a dishwasher.
For tuning your shot, you can reference the chart in the Quick Start Guide, which I show here. I don't automatically assume I'll need to pull at full 9 bar pressure at the start. Depending on the roast level and coffee and the amount of effort you want to exert, you can pull lever shots at about 6 bars to start. Again, let your shot quality be your guide.
Image is courtesy of Flair Espresso and (c) of Intactidea
The Quick Start Guide recommends dialing in dose and grind with inexpensive beans. That may be good to get into a general range as long as the beans are fresh and are similarly roasted and processed to what you'll be using. But for dialing in your intended coffee, you'll need to use that coffee. Otherwise your shot may not be sufficiently tuned.
Fine-tuning flavors and mouthfeel is a basic skill applicable to any espresso machine. Here's a link to the guide on Home-Barista.
Espresso 101: How to Adjust Dose and Grind Setting by Taste
This is the packing list from Flair's site:
- Base
- Post & lever with copper portafilter base
- Stainless steel portafilter with screen
- Stainless steel brew cylinder with plunger
- Preheat and tamping cap
- Stem with pressure gauge
- Dosing cup
- Funnel
- Two-piece stainless steel drip tray and branded polishing pouch
- Stainless steel tamper
- Carrying case
- Screw for affixing post to base permanently
- Brewing guide
Here's the workflow, assuming you've set up the PRO, and it's ready to brew with the stand inserted on the base and the drip tray and grate inserted. Place a cup on the drip tray.
Here are the basic steps.
- Preheat cylinder
- Prepare coffee puck
- Assemble brew group and position on stand
- Pre-infuse
- Pull through
- Release pressure
- Clean
Preheat cylinder, first fill: Set the kettle to just off the boil at 99°C/211°F. No need to measure water carefully, because I'll preheat the cylinder once or twice before the shot. I prepare the cylinder by making sure the piston is at the top of its travel -- for denser shots you can pre-set the piston a bit lower in the cylinder to reduce the fill. The piston is easily pushed into place by hand or with the included plastic dosing cup. Place the bottom of the cylinder in the silicone warming cap. Pour water until it fills into to the top reservoir and let the cylinder sit for 30 to 45 seconds. Since I'm going to refill, I'm not timing this carefully.
Prepare coffee puck, dose and grind: Measure coffee beans into the dosing cup on a scale. Add a few drops of water before pouring the beans into the grinder chute (Ross Droplet Technique, aka RDT, reduces static cling of the grounds). Grind the beans.
Preheat cylinder, second fill (if needed): Turn the cylinder upside down over the sink to drain it, and refill with hot water. If you're using a medium to dark roast a second fill may not be necessary. With some dark roasts, preheating isn't needed -- more on this later.
Prepare coffee puck; dose, distribute, and tamp: Set the funnel over the portafilter, add coffee grounds, stir with a probe (WDT mixes particle sizes that differ from start to finish with a single-dosing grinder). Insert provided tamper into the top of the portafilter with the dosing funnel still attached. Do a soft, nutating tamp* to evenly distribute grounds. Remove the dosing funnel.
Assemble brew group: Place the shower screen on top of the coffee grounds. The smaller holes face down so the screen is easier to clean. The shower screen allows even infusion of water into the coffee and keeps the wet grounds in place to help prevent channeling. Pour water out of the cylinder, inverting it over the sink. Turn it over, and remove the warming cap, keeping your hands away from the hot water runoff. Place the cylinder on top of the portafilter. Raise the lever and seat the assembled cylinder and portafilter on the brew group base.
Pre-infuse: Gently pour hot water into the cylinder until it starts filling into the reservoir. Filling slightly into the reservoir helps prevent an air gap above the coffee at the end of the pull. Gently insert the plunger and engage the lever at the top of the plunger, applying minimal pressure for about 15 seconds. As the coffee becomes infused with water, you'll see droplets start into the cup.
Pull through: When those droplets are falling evenly, increase pressure to pull your shot. I like to apply highest pressure here, whether it's 6 bar or 8 to 9 bar on the gauge. Higher pressure requires some effort, so I may be using two hands on the lever. I gradually ease the pressure during the shot to mimic a spring lever pull and avoid overextracting the coffee. Use your taste as a guide to how much maximum pressure you need.
Release pressure: I don't do a hard push to squeeze out every last bit of water but do take the lever wheel past the top of the plunger. Then I ease up at the end. Watch the gauge to see that the pressure has released but also keep the lever engaged while easing pressure. The cylinder may lift slightly off of one side of the portafilter, but it will not break the seal. If your dose and grind are dialed in this may not happen. Now the pressure is released.
Clean: Remove the plunger from the top of the group. Hold the cylinder assembly over your knockbox. Turn it sideways. Gently unfasten the portafilter and allow remaining water to run off into the knockbox. Press against one side of the shower screen so you can grip an edge and lift it out. Knock out the spent coffee grounds. Rinse these parts at the sink. Flair's instructions advise you to wash by hand, without soap that could flavor your coffee. They also warn against putting any components of the Flair into a dishwasher.
For tuning your shot, you can reference the chart in the Quick Start Guide, which I show here. I don't automatically assume I'll need to pull at full 9 bar pressure at the start. Depending on the roast level and coffee and the amount of effort you want to exert, you can pull lever shots at about 6 bars to start. Again, let your shot quality be your guide.
Image is courtesy of Flair Espresso and (c) of Intactidea
The Quick Start Guide recommends dialing in dose and grind with inexpensive beans. That may be good to get into a general range as long as the beans are fresh and are similarly roasted and processed to what you'll be using. But for dialing in your intended coffee, you'll need to use that coffee. Otherwise your shot may not be sufficiently tuned.
Fine-tuning flavors and mouthfeel is a basic skill applicable to any espresso machine. Here's a link to the guide on Home-Barista.
Espresso 101: How to Adjust Dose and Grind Setting by Taste
Gary
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
-
drgary (original poster)
- Team HB
The Flair Signature PRO brew group's unconventional design
The Flair Signature PRO has a brew group that performs all of the functions of a lever espresso machine. It has a piston that travels down a cylinder containing hot water that's forced under pressure through coffee grounds below. Conventional designs attach the center of the piston to a piston rod that is pressed downward. The piston rod is typically penetrated by a pin that attaches to a lever. The lever is attached to another pin behind the piston rod, creating a pivot that makes it easier to drive the piston downward.
Here's the piston from one of my restorations. You can see it attached to a piston rod. Soft gaskets on the piston engage the cylinder. The gaskets here are traditional v-cups that flare outward to create a good seal.
The Flair Signature PRO's piston uses o-rings instead of flare seals. This type of seal isn't new. It was used on some versions of the Arrarex Caravel manual lever in the 1960s. But unlike most manual levers, the PRO uses a wheel on the lever to press the piston down.
The piston rod equivalent is the stem that has an attached pressure gauge. The lever wheel presses down, but as it travels across the top of the stem, it also exerts some force front to back. This can cause the o-ring to slightly catch inside the cylinder during the pull, creating a jittery feeling that doesn't noticeably affect the quality of the shot. I use a food-grade lubricant to smooth the ride. Would flared seals provide a smoother travel or accentuate the catch? I don't know, but o-rings are much less expensive, reducing production and maintenance costs.
Another way all Flair espresso makers differ from traditional machines is the way the portafilter attaches to the cylinder. In traditional machines, the portafilter has a handle so you can turn it into the group. It has tabs that engage holes in a groove. When you tighten the portafilter onto the group, the top rim seals against a gasket and it locks in place. The coffee is held in a filter basket contained within the portafilter.
All Flair versions combine the filter basket and the portafilter in one piece. The PRO's portafilter is held onto the cylinder by an o-ring in the cylinder (it's best not to lubricate that o-ring for a stronger grip). The portafilter and cylinder are fixed securely from the bottom by the brew platform. It's held in place on top by the lever engaging the stem. The cylinder and the portafilter aren't locked together but have a good seal. Because of this, the cylinder can tilt slightly where it engages the portafilter. This does not leak or affect the pull. Pressure inside the brew chamber is in all directions, so the pressure exerted through the coffee bed is unaffected. Here's what that can look like:
For typical lever users, the unconventional design of the Flair Signature PRO brew group has a flexing action and an occasional jittery feel that take getting used to. These are inherent to the design, and after awhile I got used to it. Also, more rarely, if excess pressure is left inside the brew group and the lever is suddenly released, the cylinder can slightly disengage from the portafilter. The brew group is still held in place, and the pressure released is small, so it does not create a mess or spray hot coffee grounds. This disengagement at the end of the pull can be eliminated entirely by watching the pressure gauge to make sure all pressure is released, as I'll show below. With a little attention to technique you can reduce the flexing of the cylinder on the portafilter and make the pull smoother. These are topics of the next section.
The Flair Signature PRO has a brew group that performs all of the functions of a lever espresso machine. It has a piston that travels down a cylinder containing hot water that's forced under pressure through coffee grounds below. Conventional designs attach the center of the piston to a piston rod that is pressed downward. The piston rod is typically penetrated by a pin that attaches to a lever. The lever is attached to another pin behind the piston rod, creating a pivot that makes it easier to drive the piston downward.
Here's the piston from one of my restorations. You can see it attached to a piston rod. Soft gaskets on the piston engage the cylinder. The gaskets here are traditional v-cups that flare outward to create a good seal.
The Flair Signature PRO's piston uses o-rings instead of flare seals. This type of seal isn't new. It was used on some versions of the Arrarex Caravel manual lever in the 1960s. But unlike most manual levers, the PRO uses a wheel on the lever to press the piston down.
The piston rod equivalent is the stem that has an attached pressure gauge. The lever wheel presses down, but as it travels across the top of the stem, it also exerts some force front to back. This can cause the o-ring to slightly catch inside the cylinder during the pull, creating a jittery feeling that doesn't noticeably affect the quality of the shot. I use a food-grade lubricant to smooth the ride. Would flared seals provide a smoother travel or accentuate the catch? I don't know, but o-rings are much less expensive, reducing production and maintenance costs.
Another way all Flair espresso makers differ from traditional machines is the way the portafilter attaches to the cylinder. In traditional machines, the portafilter has a handle so you can turn it into the group. It has tabs that engage holes in a groove. When you tighten the portafilter onto the group, the top rim seals against a gasket and it locks in place. The coffee is held in a filter basket contained within the portafilter.
All Flair versions combine the filter basket and the portafilter in one piece. The PRO's portafilter is held onto the cylinder by an o-ring in the cylinder (it's best not to lubricate that o-ring for a stronger grip). The portafilter and cylinder are fixed securely from the bottom by the brew platform. It's held in place on top by the lever engaging the stem. The cylinder and the portafilter aren't locked together but have a good seal. Because of this, the cylinder can tilt slightly where it engages the portafilter. This does not leak or affect the pull. Pressure inside the brew chamber is in all directions, so the pressure exerted through the coffee bed is unaffected. Here's what that can look like:
For typical lever users, the unconventional design of the Flair Signature PRO brew group has a flexing action and an occasional jittery feel that take getting used to. These are inherent to the design, and after awhile I got used to it. Also, more rarely, if excess pressure is left inside the brew group and the lever is suddenly released, the cylinder can slightly disengage from the portafilter. The brew group is still held in place, and the pressure released is small, so it does not create a mess or spray hot coffee grounds. This disengagement at the end of the pull can be eliminated entirely by watching the pressure gauge to make sure all pressure is released, as I'll show below. With a little attention to technique you can reduce the flexing of the cylinder on the portafilter and make the pull smoother. These are topics of the next section.
Gary
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
-
drgary (original poster)
- Team HB
Good shot technique with the Flair Signature PRO
Like any traditional manual lever, the Flair Signature PRO requires fresh ground coffee with appropriate fineness, particle size and dose. These need to be evenly distributed in the portafilter and tamped lightly but level. You'll need a burr grinder of sufficient quality for the consistent fineness and particle size required. I'll get into comparing grinders later, but anyone who has a grinder that's producing repeatable and tasty espresso shots with another machine should find that adequate to the PRO. Be sure to insert the shower screen on top of the coffee cake to ensure an even extraction.
The keys to minimizing the jittering and cylinder displacement are sufficient dose, avoiding creation of an air pocket above the coffee, sufficient time for preinfusion under low pressure, and a consistent pressure profile during the pull, without extra pumps or letting up while the brew chamber is under pressure. Sufficient resistance in the coffee grounds are provided by particle size tuned to dose, so lower doses will have finer grounds to create the same resistance as larger doses with coarser grounds.
Reducing channeling and sprites
Too low a dose or uneven distribution can cause channeling and sprites with any espresso machine. Channeling is when the water flow breaks through a less resistant part of the coffee cake. This causes overextraction along the channel and bitter tastes. It promotes underextraction through the rest of the coffee bed that can yield bland flavor. Sprites are finer streams than channels but are a similar phenomenon and can spray coffee outside the coffee cup. If you start to encounter channeling or sprites, ease up on lever pressure by 1 - 2 bar for at least a second or two to allow the coffee to more fully infuse before bearing down again. With stubborn channeling or sprites you may need to do a lower pressure pull and rethink your dose and grind for the next shot.
Reducing cylinder separation
You may not completely eliminate cylinder separation, but keep in mind that a slight tilt in the cylinder won't degrade shot quality. It's a characteristic of this design. Again, do not lubricate the o-ring that holds the cylinder to the portafilter, otherwise you ease the separation.
You'll reduce cylinder separation further by a very light and level tamp followed by a sufficient preinfusion, where you'll see coffee drips slowing a bit and dispersed around the bottom of the cup. Then do a gradual ramp up in pressure. Pulling at 6 - 7 bar is a sweet spot that's more forgiving than higher pressure. A harder tamp may induce side-wall channeling. A good guideline for easing up on pressure to avoid overextracting is to try and keep the coffee stream to a consistent thin width, often called a mousetail. You'll know you're at proper fineness of grind and dose if your pull takes about 40 - 45 seconds, overall, including pre-infusion.
To eliminate cylinder separation at the end of the pull, make sure you avoid an air pocket by filling the brew water as you prepare your shot, until it starts to fill the reservoir at the top of the piston. Then insert the stem. As you near the end of the shot, At the end of the pull, keep your eyes on the pressure gauge. Maintain lever pressure by keeping it in place until the pressure reading goes to zero. Then ease off the pressure on the lever for a second or two. In my experience the "worst case" is pretty mild, and the cylinder does not completely separate from the portafilter. It looks like this -- and can be entirely avoided.
During cleanup there can be a small amount of water left in the brew group. If you have precisely dialed in your dose and grind, the Flair team tells me you can start with the piston positioned slightly lower to reduce the water fill. The residual water doesn't bother me, so I haven't experimented with that.
A rough temperature guide
This is a rough guide showing lower and higher temperature shots. I've found that with a dark roast (to second crack, where oil is starting to release from the beans), I can start with a cylinder at room temperature and pour in water at 193°F/89°C. This was measured only by taste and produced a shot that was mild and sweet and hasn't extracted the bitter roast flavors. How large a dose? It depends on the coffee. Use the guidelines in the earlier posts to dial in.
For a very light roast that I find hard to extract without sourness, I like to position the cylinder in the silicone pre-heating cap and fill it twice with water off the boil, letting it rest at least 30 seconds each time. When emptying the second batch of preheating water, I turn the cylinder bottom side down and remove the cap with my hands out of the way. This drains the remaining water. I then place the cylinder on the portafilter and onto the brew platform, fill with water off the boil, insert the stem and pull. For light* roasts I grind very fine and may dose as low as 14 gm, filling the cylinder with the piston positioned at the top. This balances sweet and sour and brings forward the complexity of the coffee.
* I'm aware that "light" is a subjective description. I am not pushing the envelope for commercial Nordic roasts for filter brewing that some people also use for espresso.
Like any traditional manual lever, the Flair Signature PRO requires fresh ground coffee with appropriate fineness, particle size and dose. These need to be evenly distributed in the portafilter and tamped lightly but level. You'll need a burr grinder of sufficient quality for the consistent fineness and particle size required. I'll get into comparing grinders later, but anyone who has a grinder that's producing repeatable and tasty espresso shots with another machine should find that adequate to the PRO. Be sure to insert the shower screen on top of the coffee cake to ensure an even extraction.
The keys to minimizing the jittering and cylinder displacement are sufficient dose, avoiding creation of an air pocket above the coffee, sufficient time for preinfusion under low pressure, and a consistent pressure profile during the pull, without extra pumps or letting up while the brew chamber is under pressure. Sufficient resistance in the coffee grounds are provided by particle size tuned to dose, so lower doses will have finer grounds to create the same resistance as larger doses with coarser grounds.
Reducing channeling and sprites
Too low a dose or uneven distribution can cause channeling and sprites with any espresso machine. Channeling is when the water flow breaks through a less resistant part of the coffee cake. This causes overextraction along the channel and bitter tastes. It promotes underextraction through the rest of the coffee bed that can yield bland flavor. Sprites are finer streams than channels but are a similar phenomenon and can spray coffee outside the coffee cup. If you start to encounter channeling or sprites, ease up on lever pressure by 1 - 2 bar for at least a second or two to allow the coffee to more fully infuse before bearing down again. With stubborn channeling or sprites you may need to do a lower pressure pull and rethink your dose and grind for the next shot.
Reducing cylinder separation
You may not completely eliminate cylinder separation, but keep in mind that a slight tilt in the cylinder won't degrade shot quality. It's a characteristic of this design. Again, do not lubricate the o-ring that holds the cylinder to the portafilter, otherwise you ease the separation.
You'll reduce cylinder separation further by a very light and level tamp followed by a sufficient preinfusion, where you'll see coffee drips slowing a bit and dispersed around the bottom of the cup. Then do a gradual ramp up in pressure. Pulling at 6 - 7 bar is a sweet spot that's more forgiving than higher pressure. A harder tamp may induce side-wall channeling. A good guideline for easing up on pressure to avoid overextracting is to try and keep the coffee stream to a consistent thin width, often called a mousetail. You'll know you're at proper fineness of grind and dose if your pull takes about 40 - 45 seconds, overall, including pre-infusion.
To eliminate cylinder separation at the end of the pull, make sure you avoid an air pocket by filling the brew water as you prepare your shot, until it starts to fill the reservoir at the top of the piston. Then insert the stem. As you near the end of the shot, At the end of the pull, keep your eyes on the pressure gauge. Maintain lever pressure by keeping it in place until the pressure reading goes to zero. Then ease off the pressure on the lever for a second or two. In my experience the "worst case" is pretty mild, and the cylinder does not completely separate from the portafilter. It looks like this -- and can be entirely avoided.
During cleanup there can be a small amount of water left in the brew group. If you have precisely dialed in your dose and grind, the Flair team tells me you can start with the piston positioned slightly lower to reduce the water fill. The residual water doesn't bother me, so I haven't experimented with that.
A rough temperature guide
This is a rough guide showing lower and higher temperature shots. I've found that with a dark roast (to second crack, where oil is starting to release from the beans), I can start with a cylinder at room temperature and pour in water at 193°F/89°C. This was measured only by taste and produced a shot that was mild and sweet and hasn't extracted the bitter roast flavors. How large a dose? It depends on the coffee. Use the guidelines in the earlier posts to dial in.
For a very light roast that I find hard to extract without sourness, I like to position the cylinder in the silicone pre-heating cap and fill it twice with water off the boil, letting it rest at least 30 seconds each time. When emptying the second batch of preheating water, I turn the cylinder bottom side down and remove the cap with my hands out of the way. This drains the remaining water. I then place the cylinder on the portafilter and onto the brew platform, fill with water off the boil, insert the stem and pull. For light* roasts I grind very fine and may dose as low as 14 gm, filling the cylinder with the piston positioned at the top. This balances sweet and sour and brings forward the complexity of the coffee.
* I'm aware that "light" is a subjective description. I am not pushing the envelope for commercial Nordic roasts for filter brewing that some people also use for espresso.
Gary
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
-
drgary (original poster)
- Team HB
Rough temperature guide (continued)
To give you a start for dialing in shot temperature, I measured maximum and minimum recommended temperatures and did this with and without preheating the cylinder. "Maximum" was as hot as I could get it for a light roast. "Minimum" was targeting approximately 175°F/79°C as needed for some dark roasts (some of which brew well at "standard" shot temperatures of 202°F/94°C.)
Here's a summary of the plots that follow. The starting temperatures are from the reading in my gooseneck kettle:
This is a "rough" temperature guide, as my measurement gear was limited, as described below. Please note that measuring temperature in the coffee is an extra step because the accepted standard is to measure the brew water only. I tried here to get an overview of what happens with and without preheating the cylinder. I was surprised to find that brew water temperature declined gradually whether the group was preheated or not, as long as the water poured in was hot enough that it exceeded the absorption capacity of the metal. Pouring cool enough water into a group that isn't preheated yields a much greater temperature decline, which may be helpful when brewing dark roasts where you want to reduce harshness. This post completes with Artisan plots of the shots in the table, with commentary.
Measurement limitations
Measuring temperature inside the brew group of the Flair Signature PRO "should" be easy, but it was challenging in practice. I offer estimates of temperatures in the brew water and coffee bed, given these limitations:
I drilled the bottom screen of one portafilter to insert thin wire thermocouples ("probes," or "TCs"). One TC was inserted into the middle of the coffee cake. It appears as BT (Bean Temperature) in Artisan. The other TC was inserted further and threaded through a tiny hole drilled in the shower screen. It appears as ET (Environmental Temperature) in Artisan. These photos will help you visualize probe placement.
Other measurement details
Here are Artisan plots of several shot profiles, with commentary. The brew water temperature drop at the end of each shot indicates that water has been drained from the cylinder.
Artisan missed the peak here, where brew water peaks at 202°F/94°C. With a fully preheated cylinder, temperature decline is very gradual, going to 188°F/87°C one minute in. Keeping in mind the lag time for Artisan sampling, low pressure preinfusion ran for 15 seconds, followed by full pressure. So this covers about a 45 second full pressure pull until the shot completed. Temperature in the coffee cake peaked at 189.5°F/87.5°C (after adjusting for TC calibration). Remember that SCA guidelines measure brew water, not water in the coffee bed, but I thought readers would find that reading interesting, because the ground coffee, the portafilter and the shower screen are also absorbing heat.
Here, brew water is estimated to reach a maximum of 183°F/84°C and declines gradually to 172°F/78°C as the shot nears completion at 49 seconds. The shot fully completes at 55 seconds. The maximum coffee temperature is 147°F/64°C.
In this plot water was added at 211°F/99°C to a brew group that wasn't preheated. Brew water temperature is estimated to peak at 186°F/86°C and declines to 170.5°F/77°C at 49 seconds when the shot is nearing completion. Coffee temperature peaks at 152°F/67°C. The shot is fully complete at 1:05. With water just off the boil poured into a room temperature brew group (about 74°F/23°C), the brew group is sufficiently heated that temperature decline is gradual. Compare this plot to the next one, where cooler water is poured into a room-temperature brew group.
This plot shows a 193°F/89°C shot where the cylinder was not preheated. It was made before receiving my new thermocouples, so there was only one TC in the brew water, and it calibrated correctly in boiling water. Assuming that Artisan still truncates peak temperature, brew water starts at 175.5°F/80°C and steeply declines to 153°F/67°C 25 seconds in -- actual pour-in started 10 seconds after Artisan started recording -- and settles into a more gradual decline as the brew water and brew chamber temperatures approximate each other. The shot ran long because the grind was too fine. The key point here is that this shot tasted good with a coffee home-roasted into 2C (second crack) where oil was starting to show on the beans. The combination of low start temperature and rapid decline reduced harshness for a very mellow, traditional shot.
To give you a start for dialing in shot temperature, I measured maximum and minimum recommended temperatures and did this with and without preheating the cylinder. "Maximum" was as hot as I could get it for a light roast. "Minimum" was targeting approximately 175°F/79°C as needed for some dark roasts (some of which brew well at "standard" shot temperatures of 202°F/94°C.)
Here's a summary of the plots that follow. The starting temperatures are from the reading in my gooseneck kettle:
This is a "rough" temperature guide, as my measurement gear was limited, as described below. Please note that measuring temperature in the coffee is an extra step because the accepted standard is to measure the brew water only. I tried here to get an overview of what happens with and without preheating the cylinder. I was surprised to find that brew water temperature declined gradually whether the group was preheated or not, as long as the water poured in was hot enough that it exceeded the absorption capacity of the metal. Pouring cool enough water into a group that isn't preheated yields a much greater temperature decline, which may be helpful when brewing dark roasts where you want to reduce harshness. This post completes with Artisan plots of the shots in the table, with commentary.
Measurement limitations
Measuring temperature inside the brew group of the Flair Signature PRO "should" be easy, but it was challenging in practice. I offer estimates of temperatures in the brew water and coffee bed, given these limitations:
- The Artisan software sampling rate at 3.5 seconds for my computer was slow enough to miss peak temperatures - I compared this to eyeballing the thermometer during one of the maximum temperature trials
- Probes measured 2°F high when immersed in water at a rolling boil
- Probe placement was approximate because the thin wires are flexible
- Shots were pulled manually, so they aren't identical
- The portafilter holding the coffee and the shower screen aren't preheated
I drilled the bottom screen of one portafilter to insert thin wire thermocouples ("probes," or "TCs"). One TC was inserted into the middle of the coffee cake. It appears as BT (Bean Temperature) in Artisan. The other TC was inserted further and threaded through a tiny hole drilled in the shower screen. It appears as ET (Environmental Temperature) in Artisan. These photos will help you visualize probe placement.
Other measurement details
- Brew water was pre-poured for 3 seconds to fully heat the gooseneck kettle spout before pouring into the cylinder top, slightly filling the well where the stem inserts
- 18 gm home-roasted coffee ground for a shot of 25-35 seconds following preinfusion
- Artisan 2.0 software
- MacBook Air 2015 version running MacOS Mojave
- Amprobe TMD-56 data logger and thermometer
- Typical shot profile of 10 - 15 second preinfusion at 1.0 bar, 25-35 second shot at 5 - 6 bar pressure that declined to about 3 bar before remaining pressure was released at the end of the shot
Here are Artisan plots of several shot profiles, with commentary. The brew water temperature drop at the end of each shot indicates that water has been drained from the cylinder.
Artisan missed the peak here, where brew water peaks at 202°F/94°C. With a fully preheated cylinder, temperature decline is very gradual, going to 188°F/87°C one minute in. Keeping in mind the lag time for Artisan sampling, low pressure preinfusion ran for 15 seconds, followed by full pressure. So this covers about a 45 second full pressure pull until the shot completed. Temperature in the coffee cake peaked at 189.5°F/87.5°C (after adjusting for TC calibration). Remember that SCA guidelines measure brew water, not water in the coffee bed, but I thought readers would find that reading interesting, because the ground coffee, the portafilter and the shower screen are also absorbing heat.
Here, brew water is estimated to reach a maximum of 183°F/84°C and declines gradually to 172°F/78°C as the shot nears completion at 49 seconds. The shot fully completes at 55 seconds. The maximum coffee temperature is 147°F/64°C.
In this plot water was added at 211°F/99°C to a brew group that wasn't preheated. Brew water temperature is estimated to peak at 186°F/86°C and declines to 170.5°F/77°C at 49 seconds when the shot is nearing completion. Coffee temperature peaks at 152°F/67°C. The shot is fully complete at 1:05. With water just off the boil poured into a room temperature brew group (about 74°F/23°C), the brew group is sufficiently heated that temperature decline is gradual. Compare this plot to the next one, where cooler water is poured into a room-temperature brew group.
This plot shows a 193°F/89°C shot where the cylinder was not preheated. It was made before receiving my new thermocouples, so there was only one TC in the brew water, and it calibrated correctly in boiling water. Assuming that Artisan still truncates peak temperature, brew water starts at 175.5°F/80°C and steeply declines to 153°F/67°C 25 seconds in -- actual pour-in started 10 seconds after Artisan started recording -- and settles into a more gradual decline as the brew water and brew chamber temperatures approximate each other. The shot ran long because the grind was too fine. The key point here is that this shot tasted good with a coffee home-roasted into 2C (second crack) where oil was starting to show on the beans. The combination of low start temperature and rapid decline reduced harshness for a very mellow, traditional shot.
Gary
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
-
drgary (original poster)
- Team HB
Thoughts on choosing a grinder
You'll need a grinder that adjusts sufficiently fine to choke the PRO, so you can back it out to the desired setting. Flavor separation will be improved by well-aligned grinders, and dialing in the grind will be easier with one that has more adjustment choices within the espresso range. With lighter roasts, the Flair Signature PRO tended to produce channeling and sprites. But these can be addressed by slightly backing off the pressure while continuing with the pull. That allows the channels to fill and eliminates sprites too. In short, the Flair Signature PRO does better with a better grinder that is well aligned, especially with lighter roasts.
I tried several grinders with the PRO, and here's what I experienced. My vintage Trosser box grinder works with my Arrarex Caravel lever, but it won't adjust fine enough for the PRO. I was able to pull good shots with a LIDO 2 hand grinder, but I didn't try it with light roasts. I had side channeling and sprites with a Fiorenzato Doge Conico, with 71 mm conical burrs similar to some versions of the Mazzer Robur. But this was not due to the PRO. I discovered that the burrs were worn. When I switched to a 68mm conical Pharos 1.0 with voodoodaddy modifications, similar to a Pharos 2.0, shots went well except for a light-roasted, dense coffee, when I had some sprites. The same was true for the HG-1 with 83 mm burrs, even after I aligned it. With a Niche Zero grinder, I easily pulled light-roasted coffee without channeling or sprites. In all cases I used WDT to evenly distribute grounds. I'll be interested to see what people find in the user experience thread.
You'll need a grinder that adjusts sufficiently fine to choke the PRO, so you can back it out to the desired setting. Flavor separation will be improved by well-aligned grinders, and dialing in the grind will be easier with one that has more adjustment choices within the espresso range. With lighter roasts, the Flair Signature PRO tended to produce channeling and sprites. But these can be addressed by slightly backing off the pressure while continuing with the pull. That allows the channels to fill and eliminates sprites too. In short, the Flair Signature PRO does better with a better grinder that is well aligned, especially with lighter roasts.
I tried several grinders with the PRO, and here's what I experienced. My vintage Trosser box grinder works with my Arrarex Caravel lever, but it won't adjust fine enough for the PRO. I was able to pull good shots with a LIDO 2 hand grinder, but I didn't try it with light roasts. I had side channeling and sprites with a Fiorenzato Doge Conico, with 71 mm conical burrs similar to some versions of the Mazzer Robur. But this was not due to the PRO. I discovered that the burrs were worn. When I switched to a 68mm conical Pharos 1.0 with voodoodaddy modifications, similar to a Pharos 2.0, shots went well except for a light-roasted, dense coffee, when I had some sprites. The same was true for the HG-1 with 83 mm burrs, even after I aligned it. With a Niche Zero grinder, I easily pulled light-roasted coffee without channeling or sprites. In all cases I used WDT to evenly distribute grounds. I'll be interested to see what people find in the user experience thread.
Gary
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
-
drgary (original poster)
- Team HB
My Conclusions
What I like. The Flair Signature PRO is an improvement over the Flair Classic series, although both are capable of making excellent espresso. The features I like most in the PRO include the substantial stainless steel cylinder with a silicone cap for preheating. I like the containment of the piston within the cylinder, and the large pressure gauge with an adjustable angle. I like the bottomless portafilter but would also want to be able to attach a spout, so that if I were using a less capable grinder, I could contain sprites within the stream. Pourover espresso makers like this have two advantages over some home levers. Temperature control is simplified by carefully measuring water preheated externally in a gooseneck kettle. Also, when you pour into the brew head and allow some water to go into the well, you virtually eliminate any air gap, and with that, you eliminate spongy pulls that can be challenging to overcome in some closed boiler levers. With all Flairs, the carrying case and accessories make for a complete and very portable kit for an economical price.
Unconventional design that can take getting used-to. There are some aspects of the design that take getting used to. One of those is a lever that engages the piston with a wheel to transfer force across a flat surface. This creates pressure that migrates from front to back. Silicone o-rings instead of a more traditional flaired piston gasket allows the o-rings to slightly skip within the cylinder. As they lose and regain their grip at the front or back, there is no leakage of coffee above the piston, so I doubt the shot is affected. But this is different from the smooth feel of most home manual levers. Also, it can be unsettling at first to see the cylinder shift its grip on the portafilter and create a slight gap. This also does not change shot quality, because force inside the brew chamber goes in all directions. It is also a clever way to reduce uneven pressure on the front and back of the o-ring that serves as a piston seal.
Lever ergonomic is less than ideal. The feature I like least is the lever handle that curves downward. It's an elegant-looking curve, but at higher pressures of 8 - 9 bars, I need to use two hands on the lever to make the pull easier. As the lever travels downward, the angle is steeper, but pressure is reduced, so I may shift from two hands to one, and then change hands again near the end to grip the lever higher and keep the pull going steadily. A lever that curves away from exerted pressure is not a problem if pulling at 5 - 6 bars, which still produces delicious shots.
Overall, I believe the Flair Signature PRO is a successful design for pulling controlled shots of fine espresso. It's attractive to look at too.
Who will like this? You'll like this very capable espresso maker for travel with its relatively light weight, its flat profile when the base is removed, and its attractive, included case for the PRO and its accessories. You'll also like it if you have sufficient hand strength and a good enough grinder. If light roasts are your strong preference, you'll require a very good grinder. Then you may find that the downward-curving lever is awkward for higher pressure pulls, and you won't be able to raise brew temperature to the levels you can with closed-boiler machines. The ability to reach higher temperatures with a closed-boiler lever is also a better choice for those who live at high altitudes.
What I like. The Flair Signature PRO is an improvement over the Flair Classic series, although both are capable of making excellent espresso. The features I like most in the PRO include the substantial stainless steel cylinder with a silicone cap for preheating. I like the containment of the piston within the cylinder, and the large pressure gauge with an adjustable angle. I like the bottomless portafilter but would also want to be able to attach a spout, so that if I were using a less capable grinder, I could contain sprites within the stream. Pourover espresso makers like this have two advantages over some home levers. Temperature control is simplified by carefully measuring water preheated externally in a gooseneck kettle. Also, when you pour into the brew head and allow some water to go into the well, you virtually eliminate any air gap, and with that, you eliminate spongy pulls that can be challenging to overcome in some closed boiler levers. With all Flairs, the carrying case and accessories make for a complete and very portable kit for an economical price.
Unconventional design that can take getting used-to. There are some aspects of the design that take getting used to. One of those is a lever that engages the piston with a wheel to transfer force across a flat surface. This creates pressure that migrates from front to back. Silicone o-rings instead of a more traditional flaired piston gasket allows the o-rings to slightly skip within the cylinder. As they lose and regain their grip at the front or back, there is no leakage of coffee above the piston, so I doubt the shot is affected. But this is different from the smooth feel of most home manual levers. Also, it can be unsettling at first to see the cylinder shift its grip on the portafilter and create a slight gap. This also does not change shot quality, because force inside the brew chamber goes in all directions. It is also a clever way to reduce uneven pressure on the front and back of the o-ring that serves as a piston seal.
Lever ergonomic is less than ideal. The feature I like least is the lever handle that curves downward. It's an elegant-looking curve, but at higher pressures of 8 - 9 bars, I need to use two hands on the lever to make the pull easier. As the lever travels downward, the angle is steeper, but pressure is reduced, so I may shift from two hands to one, and then change hands again near the end to grip the lever higher and keep the pull going steadily. A lever that curves away from exerted pressure is not a problem if pulling at 5 - 6 bars, which still produces delicious shots.
Overall, I believe the Flair Signature PRO is a successful design for pulling controlled shots of fine espresso. It's attractive to look at too.
Who will like this? You'll like this very capable espresso maker for travel with its relatively light weight, its flat profile when the base is removed, and its attractive, included case for the PRO and its accessories. You'll also like it if you have sufficient hand strength and a good enough grinder. If light roasts are your strong preference, you'll require a very good grinder. Then you may find that the downward-curving lever is awkward for higher pressure pulls, and you won't be able to raise brew temperature to the levels you can with closed-boiler machines. The ability to reach higher temperatures with a closed-boiler lever is also a better choice for those who live at high altitudes.
Gary
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
-
drgary (original poster)
- Team HB
Rating the Fair Signature PRO
Here's how I rate the Flair Signature PRO, and how I got there.
Let's start with espresso performance. There's no doubt that the PRO can consistently produce excellent espresso. Its primary limitation is at higher pressures where the downward curve of the lever requires a strong grip and benefits from a double-handed approach. Temperature control is greatly enhanced by the heavy stainless steel cylinder that can be preheated in a silicone cap. Pressure readings are easy too. An inability to reach the highest temperatures is inherent in any unheated pourover espresso maker.
The forgiveness factor considers several features. You'll need a capable grinder, which is a given with any serious espresso brewing. The ease of preheating the cylinder and easily readable pressure gauge are strong pluses. The well-designed dosing funnel helps prevent spills and the included tamper is high quality and easy to level visually. I really like the silicone grips that help prevent burns. The user experience thread shows some awkwardness with the flat shower screen, which is entirely flat, lacking a center grip to place it over the coffee cake. And although an attachable portafilter spout could prevent sprites, that's a minor issue.
Here's how I came up with my overall rating. On the plus side, the included travel case and full complement of components are a great value. The stand, base, and brew group parts are solidly built to last and the cast parts eliminate extra metal so the kit doesn't add excessive weight to luggage.The metal parts are either stainless steel or aluminum, so there's nothing to rust. The visual design is sleek and attractive, including the removable metal drip grate and tray. What's not to like, or in some instances different from what I would prefer? The PRO can be tippy for a beginner not used to attending to that. The slight lifting of the cylinder off the portafilter seems to be an intentionally designed feature that can be distracting as you get used to the PRO. I would prefer a lever that engages the piston by pushing straight downward, even though the current design doesn't impact espresso quality. Something like that could be accomplished with a part that swivels on a shaft and bearing at the upper end and terminates in a flat surface that engages the top of the stem. Although the look of the PRO would be very different with a redesigned lever, the downward curve is a minus under higher pressures. However, I think a device is best used within its sweet spot, so this suggests applying less pressure that is very sufficient for pulling excellent espresso. Given enough physical strength and good technique, the PRO is capable of higher pressures that are well within its operable range. As an experienced lever user, I am used to a smooth feel in the pull that provides direct feedback of the pressure I'm applying. With the PRO this is mostly the case, but with substantial pressure there can be some skipping of the piston inside the cylinder. When I've acclimated to a machine I prefer to rely on feel rather than checking a gauge. When it happens, the skipping briefly disrupts the feel of pressing against the lever. In all, the Flair Signature PRO is an attractive, very capable kit that can travel and can repeatedly brew excellent espresso across the full range of roast levels.
Espresso Performance:
Forgiveness Factor:
Overall:
With completion of this review, I am opening the thread for comments and we are offering the two Flair Signature PRO review machines for causes that help coffee farmers. Please see the announcement in the Buy/Sell forum for more details:
[FS] Flair Signature PRO review machines - proceeds will be donated
Here's how I rate the Flair Signature PRO, and how I got there.
Let's start with espresso performance. There's no doubt that the PRO can consistently produce excellent espresso. Its primary limitation is at higher pressures where the downward curve of the lever requires a strong grip and benefits from a double-handed approach. Temperature control is greatly enhanced by the heavy stainless steel cylinder that can be preheated in a silicone cap. Pressure readings are easy too. An inability to reach the highest temperatures is inherent in any unheated pourover espresso maker.
The forgiveness factor considers several features. You'll need a capable grinder, which is a given with any serious espresso brewing. The ease of preheating the cylinder and easily readable pressure gauge are strong pluses. The well-designed dosing funnel helps prevent spills and the included tamper is high quality and easy to level visually. I really like the silicone grips that help prevent burns. The user experience thread shows some awkwardness with the flat shower screen, which is entirely flat, lacking a center grip to place it over the coffee cake. And although an attachable portafilter spout could prevent sprites, that's a minor issue.
Here's how I came up with my overall rating. On the plus side, the included travel case and full complement of components are a great value. The stand, base, and brew group parts are solidly built to last and the cast parts eliminate extra metal so the kit doesn't add excessive weight to luggage.The metal parts are either stainless steel or aluminum, so there's nothing to rust. The visual design is sleek and attractive, including the removable metal drip grate and tray. What's not to like, or in some instances different from what I would prefer? The PRO can be tippy for a beginner not used to attending to that. The slight lifting of the cylinder off the portafilter seems to be an intentionally designed feature that can be distracting as you get used to the PRO. I would prefer a lever that engages the piston by pushing straight downward, even though the current design doesn't impact espresso quality. Something like that could be accomplished with a part that swivels on a shaft and bearing at the upper end and terminates in a flat surface that engages the top of the stem. Although the look of the PRO would be very different with a redesigned lever, the downward curve is a minus under higher pressures. However, I think a device is best used within its sweet spot, so this suggests applying less pressure that is very sufficient for pulling excellent espresso. Given enough physical strength and good technique, the PRO is capable of higher pressures that are well within its operable range. As an experienced lever user, I am used to a smooth feel in the pull that provides direct feedback of the pressure I'm applying. With the PRO this is mostly the case, but with substantial pressure there can be some skipping of the piston inside the cylinder. When I've acclimated to a machine I prefer to rely on feel rather than checking a gauge. When it happens, the skipping briefly disrupts the feel of pressing against the lever. In all, the Flair Signature PRO is an attractive, very capable kit that can travel and can repeatedly brew excellent espresso across the full range of roast levels.
Espresso Performance:
Forgiveness Factor:
Overall:
With completion of this review, I am opening the thread for comments and we are offering the two Flair Signature PRO review machines for causes that help coffee farmers. Please see the announcement in the Buy/Sell forum for more details:
[FS] Flair Signature PRO review machines - proceeds will be donated
Gary
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
-
rebski
Superb effort. Thank you for taking the time to do this. I have a Flair Signature Pro and am in agreement with what you say. After a few months of use the little quirks and idiosyncrasies are second nature now.
I love the simplicity of the manual aesthetic, with all the feedback and control that it brings. Presently running-in a new Lyn Weber HG-1 and adjusting the grind to suit. The combination of the two manual devices is very satisfying to me. The resulting coffee is first rate.
I love the simplicity of the manual aesthetic, with all the feedback and control that it brings. Presently running-in a new Lyn Weber HG-1 and adjusting the grind to suit. The combination of the two manual devices is very satisfying to me. The resulting coffee is first rate.