The Beginner Guide to Flair Hand Espresso Machines
The Flair espresso maker is a striking piece of equipment—sleek, minimalist, and completely manual. It doesn’t buzz, beep, or steam. There’s no electricity involved at all. At first glance, it looks like a piece of industrial design or sculpture, but it’s actually one of the most thoughtful espresso machines ever made for home use. With just a lever, heat, and your hands, the Flair delivers the kind of rich, crema-capped espresso you’d expect from a far more expensive machine.
The story of Flair begins not in Italy, but in California. Founded in 2017, Flair Espresso emerged from a background in medical device engineering. Its creators asked a bold question: what if a home espresso machine stripped away everything unnecessary—no boiler, no motor, no electronics—just the essential components needed to create pressure and extract a great shot? What they ended up with was a hand-powered device that uses a true 9-bar pressure profile, just like professional machines, but is fully manual and totally portable.
So how does it work? The Flair uses a piston-style lever to generate pressure. After loading a portafilter with ground coffee and adding hot water to the brew chamber, the user applies downward force on the lever, which pushes the water through the coffee puck and extracts espresso. There’s no pump—you are the pump. It’s espresso in its most distilled form, and it puts the barista in full control of the brewing process. This level of manual interaction does mean there’s a learning curve. But that’s also where the joy lies. You’re not just making coffee; you’re building an understanding of grind size, pressure, temperature, and timing. Once you’ve brewed a few successful shots, you’ll notice how intuitive it becomes—and how rewarding. The Flair isn’t just a machine; it’s a method, a rhythm, and a ritual.
Equipment You’ll Need
To brew with a Flair espresso maker, you’ll need the following tools:
Flair Espresso Maker (any model—Neo, Classic, Pro, or 58)
Burr Grinder for consistent, fine espresso grind
Fresh Coffee Beans, ideally roasted for espresso
Kettle for boiling water (gooseneck optional)
Digital Scale to measure dose and yield
Timer or phone to track brew time
Tamper (usually included with the Flair)
Cup or Shot Glass
Optional: Thermometer for better control over water temperature
Step-by-Step Brewing Guide
Boil your water.
Heat your water to around 200–205°F (93–96°C). You’ll need enough for both preheating and brewing.
Preheat your brew cylinder and portafilter.
Pour boiling water into the metal brew cylinder and over the portafilter to warm them up. This helps maintain temperature stability during brewing.
Grind your coffee.
Use a fine espresso grind—something like table salt. Weigh out your dose:
12–18g for most Flair models
16–24g for the Flair Pro or 58
Adjust the grind as needed based on how your shot flows.
Load and tamp the coffee.
Add your ground coffee to the portafilter. Tap it gently to level, then tamp evenly and firmly. A flat, compressed puck is key to even extraction.
Assemble the Flair.
Place the portafilter in the base. Attach the preheated brew chamber. Set your cup under the spout.
Add hot water.
Fill the brew chamber to the fill line with hot water. Be careful not to disturb the coffee bed below.
Insert the piston.
Gently lower the piston into the brew chamber so it rests just above the water.
Pull your shot.
Slowly press down on the lever. Use steady, even pressure. The espresso should begin flowing after a few seconds and continue for about 30–45 seconds.
Finish and clean up.
Once your shot is complete, raise the lever. Let the parts cool slightly, then remove the portafilter and knock out the puck. Rinse all parts with warm water and let them dry.
The Flair espresso maker is more than just a tool—it’s a gateway into the craft of espresso. For beginners, it’s a hands-on way to learn the fundamentals of pressure brewing. For enthusiasts, it offers purity, control, and a tactile brewing experience few machines can match. While it takes time to master, the journey is part of the joy. Each shot you pull is the result of your technique, your timing, and your attention—and with practice, the results are exceptional.