Review on Flair Signature Espresso Maker - The Ultimate Manual Espresso Press for Authentic Home Brewing (Pressure Kit, Black) by Jason Richardson

I love this product and its design. I was looking for a compact espresso machine to be closer to what I use at home. I had the Ranchilio Silvia, then the Breville Oracle which I love but can't take with me when I travel. I've tried many portable devices. I've tried ROK and a few other less expensive brands like Handpresso and Minipresso, which work but don't offer the quality or lather of a homemade kit that costs $1000-$2000 at least. I also found another small plastic device called the Prexo (from Korea) which fell apart after a few months and is now out of production. I was a bit skeptical at first about using any other gadget, but after watching a few videos I decided to give it a try. Everything in this manufacturer is beautifully made. It's very strong (puts together in seconds, top and bottom stands can be attached with an extra screw for extra stability). All you need is boiling water and freshly ground coffee beans. I always use beans that have been roasted within the last 7-14 days. This is how you get the best crema, and there are plenty of those if you set the grind correctly. I also have a portable high quality manual coffee grinder from Orphanespresso called the Lido ET. You can use any coffee grinder (electric or manual) that gives you enough control to adjust the grind for a fine espresso grind. At first glance, the number of individual parts can be daunting. But it's quick to assemble and washing is easy in the sink under running water. Its diameter is smaller than the average portafilter (around 40mm), but that doesn't seem to affect the quality. The important thing is to heat the steel cylinder, either by boiling it or by assembling it using an inverted flask as a base and filling it with boiling water. If you choose the latter, some users recommend repeating this 2-3 times to bring the cylinder up to the recommended temperature of around 200F, which is optimal for a great shot. With this bundle you can prepare two portafilters at the same time for 2 shots in a row. The recommended dose of beans is 14-17 grams. I used a bit more but wouldn't recommend using more than 18 grams. Believe me, that's enough. Flair reports that one user managed to fit 30 grams of light roast for a triple shot. But I can't imagine how. In my opinion, the portafilter and cylinder are too small for that. The steel in the cylinder gets very hot and holds that temperature well, and the addition of a silicone sleeve is very helpful for being able to handle the device with bare hands. Everything folds up into the included storage and carry bag. The manufacturer's excellent service deserves special mention. Initially found a small defect, the top was slightly misaligned. It still worked great but I was just concerned. I contacted Flair. They apologized and sent a new part almost immediately and now it's perfect. I used it for a few months, I really liked it and I even liked using it at home. It gives me more control than my $2,000 car.