All that said, the company has redesigned its brewing head, filter and piston, and this could be a non issue with the new brewing groups (I have not tested those new brewing groups). Crema? Yes, the Flair does make genuine espresso with crema and all. It performs well around 6-9 bars of pressure. Going even higher up is possible, but the company does not advise this. We love manual, portable, non electric espresso, at CoffeeGeek. The ability to make a true espresso shot at your weekend cabin, or while travelling and staying at hotels, is a bit of a quest for us. For the longest, time you had to rely on “faux” espresso devices — like moka pots, both electric and stovetop — to get anything close to that experience while out and about; then in the mid ‘aughts (around 2005), a device called the Handpresso was introduced, which essentially was a bicycle pump espresso maker. It had problems. The first variant only used ESE pods (an older espresso pod system developed by Illy). The next let you use your own ground coffee, but you could barely get 7 grams into the basket, resulting in a very weak, tepid shot.

No lattes: I know you already know this, but just for the 1 % out there still wondering: There’s no steamer here. That means no lattes or cappuccinos. You’ll have to buy a standalone steamer if you’re into that stuff. Both versions of the Flair have pros and cons regarding the workflow. The preheating is different, but I can’t say that one is better or worse. You have to be more thorough with the Pro brew-head, but since it has the silicone cap, it’s relatively easy. Don't get me wrong: I've been, and am, very happy with my Flair Signature Espresso Maker. I was well aware of the PRO 2 when I first got the signature, and I still don't regret following the upgrade path, and might even have increased my appreciation of the PRO 2's qualities. The upgrade path that works wonders Regardless of which Flair Signature you choose, you can be confident in the quality of shot as all use the same mechanics. Each Flair Signature is:The PRO 2 is an upgrade to the PRO with an enhanced bottomless portafilter, a removable spout, a silicone grip for improved ergonomics, and a gauge guard, making it more durable. The Cost The Flair Espresso Maker has a learning curve, and it includes the kind of grind to use, the tamp pressure to apply, the way to apply hot water (both the how and when), and how to deliver force to the piston arm to get the best possible shot. But that’s what makes it so much fun: you are the machine that drives this device. Where does the Flair Espresso Maker win out over the Handpresso? In two words: cup quality. It completely destroys the Handpresso on cup quality. It’s like comparing cheap grape juice to a complex California Pinot Noir. Like the ROK vs. Flair comparison, the Flair wins because of much better brewing temperatures, but also wins on brewing pressure and on volume of coffee grounds used. Indeed, this is where the Handpresso has always had problems: it can only hold, at extreme maximum, 7g of coffee inside it’s rubberized plastic and steel mesh “filter basket”. In reality it’s more like 5.5g. The resulting shots are weak, tepid, and with very blond, thin crema. And while the gauge indicates there could be up to 15BAR of “stored” pressure from your bicycle pumping, reality is the pressure on the water is much, much lower when it’s pushed through the bed of coffee. I’d be surprised if the Handpresso brews with more than 2bar of pressure. All five models have a similar aesthetic of smooth curves, almost resembling a sculpture. Design is a matter of preference, but I felt this was a showpiece for my counter, and I didn’t want to store it away between brews (Signature and Pro 2 models have copper-plated group heads that I felt were especially gorgeous). Using The Flair

Whether it’s the Flair NEO, Classic, PRO, or Signature, each has features in common. However, they all share disadvantages too. Let’s details them: One Serve Only However, the more elongated portafilter and the more shallow thermal mass seem to make everything a bit easier on the Flair Signature.Overall, the fit and finish of the Signature model is very impressive (except for the minor scuffing on the handle from the spare piston / grouphead). A lot of care and attention went into the finish of this product. It looks gorgeous and, dare I say it, “mature”. It strikes a nice, elegant look on the counter, and definitely will illicit “what’s that!!!” reactions from guests to your home. Size, Weights and Measures There is a range of other add-ons available too. This means that you can buy the NEO as a beginner and upgrade it as you gain experience without needing a new, more expensive espresso maker. However, if you do want a new machine, the PRO has all those extras included. The Flair NEO is an attractive option for people on a smaller budget or who are inexperienced. However, the PRO is a one-off investment for experienced espresso brewers. The two models have identical handle designs, but the materials and quality of the builds differ elsewhere. Just so that everything is upfront: I did pay full price for the Pro. The conversion kit and Flair Signature brew head, on the other hand, I got free of charge) Does it make authentic espresso?

You get a preheat cap with Pro models. This silicone lid easily slides onto the bottom of the brew head, so you can pour water into the cylinder — there’s no need to use the bowl as is the case with the more basic Flair espresso maker. MAJOR BREWING UPGRADES – The Flair PRO 2 features three upgrades over Flair’s other manual espresso makers including a removable stainless steel spout, an enhanced all-stainless steel bottomless portafilter with improved flow dynamics, and a silicone lever grip for better brewing ergonomics. There are add-ons, too, with a dosing cup that doubles as a tamper, a dosing ring that helps prevent mess, and a removable drip tray. As with every Flair manual espresso maker, there are several steps to pulling a shot: preheat the portafilter, measure and grind the coffee beans, put together the brew head, pour in the water, and press the lever. If you’re a beginner, the NEO allows room for error and isn’t too expensive. You can also invest in more accessories as you gain experience. However, with the PRO, all those accessories are included, so for those for whom money isn’t an issue, it is a good option too.The NEO differs from other Flair products in some significant ways. The pressurized portafilter is far more forgiving to different grind sizes than an unpressurized one, making the NEO a good option for beginner espresso brewers. In my experience, these two side effects were positive. With the standard, it felt like I could use less strength when pressing down the lever. Superkop Lever Espresso Machine One of the most unique espresso makers currently on the market, this is our First Look at the Superkop ratchet lever espresso machine. While the Flair Classic and the Signature are more or less the same product (the difference is mainly down to looks), the gap between the latest generation, the Pro, and the original is more significant. In the following section, I’ll break down the pros and cons of each of these offerings