If you've checked out my review of the Flair Classic Espresso Maker, you'll know I rate it as one of the best manual espresso makers on the market. In fact, I was able to pull some of the best espresso shots I've ever tasted.
If you’ve checked out my review of the Flair Classic Espresso Maker, you’ll know I rate it as one of the best manual espresso makers on the market. In fact, I was able to pull some of the best espresso shots I’ve ever tasted.
With that in mind, I’m incredibly excited to embark on a Flair 58 review. After all, this manufacturer doesn’t rest on its laurels. Rather, Flair continues to push the envelope by releasing better and more sophisticated manual machines.
The subject of today’s review will be particularly interesting to those who want complete control over their espresso extractions, safe in the knowledge that they’re using a manual machine with professional-grade components.
Personally, I can’t wait to get my hands on the Flair 58, but I’m gonna have to wait until the box arrives from Seattle Coffee Gear. In the meantime, let’s take a first look at what this incredible piece of kit is all about.
A true masterpiece
Flair 58 Manual Espresso Machine
Professional-grade manual espresso machine
58mm portafilter
Electric heating element
Huge lever arm
Stunning design
Rather expensive
Overview: Flair 58 Review
I can tell you right off the bat that you’ll have to consider yourself the geekiest of espresso nerds to justify owning the Flair 58 Manual Espresso Machine. After all, you’re going to have to shell out a whopping $580 to get hold of the thing.
Plus, the Flair 58 doesn’t have a steam wand, so you’ll have to buy a separate frother if you enjoy milk-based drinks. As it happens, Flair produces a stovetop milk frother that looks seriously cool. Or you could check out my guide to the best milk frothers for electric options.
At the end of the day, though, the Flair 58 is meant for dedicated connoisseurs who want to extract the perfect espresso in the purest way possible. And seeing as the best prosumer espresso machines cost a lot more, the Flair 58’s asking price is entirely reasonable given its superb design and professional-grade features.
Unlike the Flair Classic, this model features a dedicated 58mm portafilter as well as improved components and even a heater for the brewing chamber. These upgrades make the Flair 58 truly remarkable machine that’ll be able to produce espresso of the highest quality.
Sure, there’s going to be a steep learning curve, but that’s part of the fun for espresso maniacs like me! And take it from me, having the ability to heat the brew chamber without needing to submerge the thing in hot water is huge!
Ultimately, the Flair 58 is a stunning, innovative espresso maker that’s about as premium as it gets.
Flair 58 Espresso Maker Features
Let’s dig deeper into this Flair 58 review by taking a closer look at the machine’s most notable features.
Size and Design
There can be no doubt that the Flair 58 is a beautiful machine to behold. Heck, even if you aren’t a fan of its rather steampunk-esque aesthetics, you have to admit that the Flair 58 looks impressive.
Featuring a large, die-cast aluminum frame, the Flair 58 clocks in at 12 pounds (5.4 kilograms), making it much sturdier than the company’s entry-level models. What’s more, Flair justifiably boasts of the plastic-free brew path, which instead consists of all stainless steel parts.
I’m a particular fan of the classy wood accents on the portafilter and lever, which contrast really nicely with the black frame. Plus, there’s even a little drip tray included with the machine, which only amplifies its appeal.
Brew Chamber
As much as I loved making espresso with the Flair Classic, I did feel restricted by its maximum shot volume. That’s why I’m pleased to see that the Flair 58’s brew chamber has a much more generous 3-ounce (90 milliliter) capacity.
What’s more, Flair has responded to customer feedback by improving the valve plunger and including an optional puck screen. The latter addition will please espresso nerds, seeing as it encourages better water distribution across the coffee puck surface. Plus, it makes cleanup a lot easier which will please everyone.
Flair Espresso Portafilter
One of the features that really sets this manual espresso maker apart is its 58-millimeter bottomless portafilter. Fitted with a gorgeous wooden handle, the portafilter adds a real sense of professionalism to proceedings. And seeing as it’s bottomless, you’ll be able to watch in awe as your beautiful shots flow into your best espresso cup.
The Flair 58 portafilter comes with a low flow basket with an 18 gram capacity as standard, which makes it easier to dial in your shots. However, you do have the option to upgrade to a straight-walled basket. Be warned, though – you’ll need a seriously good espresso grinder if you go this route.
Pressure Gauge
I remember mentioning that the pressure gauge was absolutely essential to achieving good results during my Flair Classic review. With that model the gauge is an add-on, but it comes as standard with the Flair 58. To be honest, that’s the least I’d expect given the machine’s price tag.
Anyway, the pressure gauge attaches to the body of the machine via a stainless steel stem and will prove invaluable as you’re learning the manual espresso ropes. And once you’re feeling comfortable, it’ll help you geek out with pressure profiling, wherein you can precisely control every aspect of your shot’s progress.
Electric Preheating
As I mentioned earlier, the inclusion of a heater for the brew chamber is a really big deal. Of course, you don’t have to use the thing, but it’ll certainly make using the Flair 58 a lot easier. What’s more, you’ll be able to maintain consistent temperatures for brewing, which is essential for successful extractions.
Flair’s Temperature Preheat Controller plugs into the brew chamber and includes three temperature settings. Of course, you’ll still need to pour hot water into the chamber, but you won’t have to go through the whole process of preheating the thing manually beforehand.
Manual Lever
Flair has equipped the 58 with an absolutely huge manual lever, featuring a paddle with alluring wooden accents. From what I can gather, this design doesn’t just look amazing – it will help you attain the maximum possible control over the amount of pressure you’re exerting.
Ultimately, you should be able to gently pre infuse your coffee puck before ramping up the pressure then gently reducing pressure toward the end of your extraction. And the result? A carefully crafted shot of espresso that’s going to taste exactly how you want it to!
Tamper
The Flair 58 Manual Espresso Machine comes with a rather peculiar mini-tamper. Sure, the tamper is weighted and made of metal, but why did the manufacturer decide to reinvent the wheel? Seriously guys, a regular sized espresso tamper would have been fine!
I guess I can’t yet comment on how the tamper feels and performs, but I have a sneaking suspicion I’ll end up using my Normcore tamper when I’m testing the 58.
How to Use the Flair 58 Lever Machine
As I’ve mentioned elsewhere in this Flair 58 review, there’s quite a steep learning curve involved in mastering this machine. So, prepare yourself for quite a bit of trial and error as you’re setting out on your manual espresso journey. Don’t be intimidated though; using the Flair 58 is actually very straightforward.
Of course, I should remind you that it’s essential to own a high-quality espresso grinder if you want to get the best out of the Flair 58. The manufacturer recommends using its own Flair Royal Coffee Grinder, which costs $159.00.
However, there are plenty of other good options out there. You’ll also need a gooseneck kettle for precision pouring into the brew chamber. I mean, you could use a regular kettle, but it’ll be a lot more difficult to avoid making a mess.
Coffeeness Signature Espresso Blend
High-quality beans through direct trade
Notes of Chocolate & Hazelnut
Easy on the stomach
Freshly roasted right in Brooklyn
Medium roast
Good Espresso Preparation
I’ll leave it to the user manual to explain how to put the machine together seeing as it is a little complicated. But once it’s assembled, here’s a quick overview of how to pull a shot:
Switch on the Temperature Preheat Controller and set it to maximum. Then, lift the brew lever and wait for around 10 minutes until the brew chamber is at the correct temperature. While you’re waiting, set your kettle to boil.
Next, remove the portafilter and dose it with 18 grams of ground coffee. I’m assuming you own a coffee scale and all the best espresso accessories for preparing a nice espresso puck.
Place the puck screen on top and insert the portafilter into the group head, before gently lowering the lever arm.
Now, slowly pour boiling water into the brew chamber then gently lift the brew arm to the full upright position.
Now it’s time to pull your shot. Set a timer and place a cup on your scale. Then, start to pull the lever down, slowly but surely. If everything is correctly dialed in, espresso will start showing up when the gauge reaches around 3 bar. At this point, increase the pressure to 9 bar and hold until you’re happy. Then, start ramping down during the last 10 seconds.
If everything went well, you’ll have a 36-gram shot of espresso that is extracted in around 25 seconds.
Flair 58 Cleaning
To be honest, there’s very little to do when it comes to cleaning the Flair 58. With that said, make sure to thoroughly rinse the portafilter and puck screen after every shot. What’s more, I’d recommend deep cleaning the filter basket and puck screen once a week or so.
Elsewhere, remove the brew head and reservoir every once in a while and give them a good rinse under hot water.
Flair 58 Lever Espresso Machine Specifications
| Flair 58 Manual Espresso Machine | |
| Manufacturer | Flair Espresso |
|---|---|
| Model number | Flair 58 |
| Product category | Manual espresso machine |
| Housing material | Aluminum |
| Color options | Black |
| Milk frother | None |
| User interface | None |
| App | |
| User profiles | Memo function only |
| Portafilter size | 58 mm |
| Tamping | Manual |
| Removable water reservoir | |
| Water reservoir capacity | 3.4 fl oz / 0.1 l |
| Number of boilers | 1 |
| Pump pressure | 10 bar |
| Maximum cup height | 5.0 in / 12.7 cm |
| Grinder | N/A |
| Grind adjustment levels | N/A |
| Bean hopper capacity | N/A |
| Specialty drinks | 1 |
| Pre-infusion | |
| Adjustable coffee temperature | |
| Adjustable milk foam temperature | |
| 2-cup function | No |
| Hot water function | |
| Hot milk function | |
| Milk foam only option | |
| Water filter | |
| Power consumption | 96 W |
| Weight | 12.0 lb / 5.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 11.0 x 7.5 x 13.5 in |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Notes | Included Accessories: User manual, 1 x filter basket, detachable preheat controller, tamper, puck screen, drip tray |
| All specifications | |
Flair 58 vs Other Manual Espresso Machines
For the sake of completeness, let’s take a quick look at how the Flair 58 measures up in comparison to a couple of other manual espresso makers.
Flair 58 vs Flair Pro
For $325.00, the Flair Pro 3 is a good deal more affordable than the 58. Still, it has the same kind of setup as the Flair Classic, making it more fiddly and difficult to work with.
That’s not to say you won’t get exceptional espresso shots from the Flair Pro. Plus, it has a larger brew chamber capacity and better lever than the Classic. Overall, deciding between the Flair Pro and 58 comes down to personal choice and how often you’ll be making manual espresso shots.
Essentially, the Flair 58 could be your daily driver, thanks to its improved workflow and more “permanent” feel. On the other hand, the Flair Pro is more of a novelty machine that can easily be taken apart and stored when not in use.
Related: Flair Espresso Maker Review
Flair 58 vs Cafelat Robot
Costing around $350, the Cafelat Robot is a hugely popular manual machine. I can definitely see why – this elegant espresso maker is an absolute stunner thanks to its classic retro stylings. Apparently, the Cafelat Robot is also capable of producing delicious espresso, although it’s still not as easy to use as the Flair 58.
Like other manual machines, you’ll need to manually preheat the Robot’s portafilter and brew chamber before pulling a shot. What’s more, the Cafelat Robot can’t compete with the Flair 58 when it comes to lever action. Rather than a single lever, the Robot features a two-lever system that’s reportedly less responsive.
Verdict: Flair 58 Review
A true masterpiece
Flair 58 Manual Espresso Machine
Professional-grade manual espresso machine
58mm portafilter
Electric heating element
Huge lever arm
Stunning design
Rather expensive
During my Flair Classic review I really struggled to get to grips with the machine, which kind of turned me off. Sure, it made excellent espresso, but I couldn’t imagine having to use the thing every day. With that in mind, I’m really excited to test out the Flair 58. After all, it promises a much more straightforward operation, without the need for burned fingers and water spills.
The manufacturer seems to have hit a home run by including a real 58mm portafilter and brew group heater. I just hope everything works as advertised. I’ll make sure to update this initial review as soon as I’ve tested the Flair 58 in the Coffeeness kitchen. So, keep checking back in if you want to know what I think!
I hope you’ve enjoyed my initial Flair 58 review. Do any of you own this awesome manual machine? Feel free to share your experiences using it in the comments section!
Flair 58 Review FAQ
While the Flair 58 comes with a heating element that requires electricity, you can certainly use the machine without it.
Learning to use the Flair 58 requires time and patience. Still, once you’ve put in the effort, you’ll find that it’s actually very easy to use.
Depending on the coffee you’re using and your dose, the maximum output of the Flair 58 is 70 grams.
