Flair Classic Espresso Maker Setup Guide

Congratulations on your new Flair Classic Espresso Maker! In this guide, you should find everything you need to set up and operate your manual espresso maker.

Remove the Flair Espresso Maker's carrying case from the box and place it on a stable, level surface.
Before assembling the espresso maker, inspect for damage that may have occurred during shipping. If you notice any damage, contact us immediately.
Save all packaging, as this is needed for returns and repairs.
Set aside the included quick start guide for reference.

Before introducing water to your Flair Classic espresso maker, it's essential to test it to ensure it's adequately soft, around 50 ppm (parts per million). Use the included water test strips from your home barista starter kit to verify the hardness of your water. To learn more about our recommendations for water quality, check out our blog post, The Importance of Water and Your Espresso Machine.
Once you've confirmed your water quality is adequate, you can fill the brew head cylinder with boiling water and pre-heat for 30 seconds before brewing espresso. Note: do not use Zero water or reverse osmosis, as this will negatively impact the flavor of your espresso.

Insert the post and lever with red portafilter base into the espresso maker's base. Next, install the drip tray onto the Flair's base. Remove the 2-in-1 stainless steel brew head. If converting to bottomless brewing, remove the brew head's spout by pulling down on the spout.
Grind your beans with a burr grinder (hand grinder or electric) that can grind fine enough for espresso. Grind between 12-18g of espresso and attach the dosing funnel to the portafilter. Tamp the espresso grounds, remove the dosing funnel, and affix the portafilter on the post (optionally, add the puck screen on top of the coffee bed).
Prep the brew head and place the plunger on top of the brew cylinder. Invert the brew cylinder and fill it with boiling water. Preheat the cylinder for 30 seconds. Empty the preheated water and add the brew cylinder to the base. You are now ready to pull your first shot!

Add brew water (198-208˚F, 92-97 ˚C) until it enters into the plunger well. Add up to 60ml of water. Do not underfill the plunger well. If you have the pressure kit add-on, plug the gauge stem into the plunger at the top of the brew cylinder. Lower the brew lever lever. The total extraction time should be around 35-45 seconds and at 6-9 BAR pressure if the grind and dose are optimal.
Remove used espresso grounds from your brew cylinder. Once grounds are removed, rinse all brewing parts in cool water. Do not put any Flair components into the dishwasher as they are not dishwasher safe.

For help dialing in your equipment or pulling shots, check out the articles below or reach out to our team of coffee experts and technicians.