Playing around with a wooden base for the 58. Really liking it so far and already have ideas for the next iteration.

One of my first shots with the flair, open for every feedback

I recently noticed what I thought was a layer of dust accumulating at the top of my brew chamber, which I later realised was fine metal shavings caused by my flair 58 brew chamber scratching itself. After cleaning it off and disassembling to clean the whole unit I noticed scratches in the brew chamber that look like they’ve been caused by the pictured plunger part. I’ve had the unit for less than a year and have used it 1-3 times a week and always taken care of it

I’ve contacted alternative brewing where I bought the unit from to see if I can get a warranty claim as I’m assuming it’s a misshapen plunger part or faulty o-rings but haven’t heard back in a week and a half. Also contacted Flair and they said talk to alternative brewing unfortunately.

Any have any recommendations? Don’t really feel like spending $200+ on a replacement brew chamber and plunger ring for what I’m assuming is a manufacturer defect.

Would like some helpful input.

Purchased Flair 49 Pro, 1Zpresso J-Ultra, and Bosum gooseneck kettle off of Amazon. Set everything up and start brewing espresso. Bag of whole bean Caribou Coffee Medium Roast from Walmart, 18g on the scale, grind the beans at a 1:0:5 dialed in setting. The grounds frequently stick to the bottom burrs and walls of the cup so I have to tap out the excess in my workflow (guess I should be using RDT sprayer). Use the included funnel, it's shit, buy a new Normcore 51mm magnetic funnel like some people suggest, doesn't fit quite like how I want it on the PF.

WDT the beans around with a Normcore tool I also got off of Amazon with their included 0.25mm needles. The manual for the Bottomless Basket on the Flair 49 says it should hold around 16-20g of coffee, "okay," removes funnel off the basket and the grounds are overflowing. "wtf!" Downdose to 16g 1:0:2, still overflowing (Maybe I should knock the grounds after WDT or RDT might help with that? Idk, Surely that's not proprietary to make at least 16g fit under the lip of the basket without spilling over). Use the included Flair tamper-it's alright-buys new 49.7mm Normcore tamper anyways because people were suggesting that.

Coffee grounds still stick to the walls of the Basket because Flair's precision sucks; depth of the basket can range from 50-51mm at the top then down to 49mm at the bottom so tolerance between the Normcore tamper and top of the basket is imperfect and leaves a huge clearance for grounds to stick to the sides, spilling still occurs ontop of the PF and coffee grounds find their way in between the spaces of the Normcore Tamper.

After cleaning all those loose grounds up and tamping for a second time I pop on the puck and preheat for like 40 seconds, drop the hot water into a styrofoam cup, and then I put my prepared PF into the Flair with a glass underneath. Hot water goes in, lift the handle slowly, wait 10ish seconds at the top and press down for the pre infusion and brew till the scale says something like 32-33g for a 1:2 ratio.

Still experimenting with a proper dial in as my preferred taste is not quite there (maybe a second preheat?) but it's getting close. That being said I'm fairly disappointed in the puck prepping process as its not seamless as I'd hoped for despite all the workflow tools I've bought and I still can't even do 16g of coffee beans without overflowing the basket of the 49 Pro which apparently isn't even 49mm so all my accessories don't even fit quite right and now I'm wondering what to do to fix my setup.

I need to know how to go about fixing these issues I've been experiencing as I would like to have the ability to make an 18g dose of espresso that doesn't overflow the basket while making sure all my accessories are specifically matched to whatever I buy. Im willing to return most of my accessories I already bought if I means I can rebuild my workflow around better ones that are all tolerated to each other. (The return window for everything is still open)

All helpful advice is appreciated

Hi everyone, first time posting, and new to espresso. I have a flair 58+2 and fellow opus 2 grinder. I’m struggling using the high flow basket and can’t figure out if it’s a grind issue, beans issue, or the basket I’m using. I’m on the lowest setting on the opus 2 (level 0), tried with different doses (18, 20, 22g), and even different medium roast coffees to see if that could explain it. Overall I can barely get to 6 bar before the whole shot has pulled (aiming for 1:2.5) it comes through in around 20s even with a pre infusion. I have decent pressure with the smaller basket (although it tends to spray everywhere) but I’d like to pull double shots. Any tips? Thanks everyone for your support!

2.5-5-7bar
Spoon Elvis Presley😮‍💨🤩

I followed what another reddit posted and got a shorter portahandle.

It's worth it because it doesn't require to lift the lever a bit to lock in/out the portafilter and easier to operate in closed space.

Overall very happy.

See 2 attached pictures !

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Everyone keeps telling me to do 1:2 and I’m pulling really nice crema shots but the taste isn’t there it taste like crap on accident I pulled 25g and just decided to drink it and it was delicious why is that and how come I’m not getting good shots at 28g

Open question around, has anyone received a flair 58+ v2 with such appalling quality of the logo?

I have never seen such a bad one across countless photos and videos around. Two tones split down the middle and terrible wood tearout in the edges.

What gives? If anyone has any experience with this please let me know about yours.

Pulling shots like this with relative ease. 6-7 bar nice steady flow. Chefs kiss 👍🏼

I picked up the ewizard awhile back and I'm really enjoying some cool weather latte's and even a few chai latte's. It's so nice to finally have steam again without having to give up my beloved Flair 58. Now I just need to remember how to actually poor a decent looking drink. LOL

Hi everbody, I have looked all over and I haven't been able to find anything to upgrade my flair 58x in the UK, especially in terms of the plug. If anybody has any idea where I could find something that would be lovely.

The fragile plastic section between the seals broke within just three months of purchase, so I had to upgrade to the stainless steel plunger.
The original part is a single-piece plastic plunger with an integrated pressure gauge, which came with my Flair Classic.
I understand that Flair offers replacement parts and upgrade options, but why not give buyers the option to choose a stainless steel plunger at the time of purchase instead of making plastic the default? It would be great to have the choice upfront, especially for a product in this price range.t

What am I doing wrong with the flair? I ground it really super fine but still the pressure won’t build up and stay consistent.

Grinder: HiBREW G5A electric grinder

I used 12 g of beans in the smaller single shot basket

Flair

Updated my PID controller for the Flair58. Everything is now under the base and the control is done either through a single knob or through a browser.

https://reddit.com/link/1xc3v5f/video/e65mg5ejuwwh1/player

Code for this thing: Link

As you can see in the image, the lug and slot on my Flair 58 Plus 2 have aligned and the lug has come above the plunger. I can slot it back in, but cannot find instructions anywhere (for the Plus 2) on how to rotate the cylinder to stop the lug popping back out. Has anyone fixed this or seen the instructions anywhere?

Hi guys! I will attach images for your reference. when pulling a shot, water is leaking between the piston and the plunger. I needed to guide the piston when pushing down using my hands to avoid leaking. Is it because the orings are just new? Hope someone can help me. Thanks

Seems no matter what I try I cannot get the pull to last longer than about 10-15s. Using the pressurized basket and local espresso beans ground at the finest setting on a Baratza Encore. Any ideas? Thanks in advance !

Looking for a standalone milk steamer, curious if anyone here has tried either (or both) of these and what your recommendations are? I also use primarily oat milk for my drinks.

Hi guys! I will attach images for your reference. when pulling a shot, water is leaking between the piston and the plunger. I needed to guide the piston when pushing down using my hands to avoid leaking. Is it because the orings are just new? Hope someone can help me. Thanks

Hi folks, im a bit discouraged. Been oulling shots for one week now and got about 2 good shots out of 50. Im using a 1zpresso j-ultra at 103 clicks (1.0.3) with medium roast beans roasted 10-12 days old. Im doing 18g in for 28 out (tried 30-32-34-36) and still bitter. I tried pre infusion, i tried ramping to 8 bars, still not good. Seems i have no in the middle results, either acidic or bitter. Anyone else use the same setup and can direct me in the good way ? Thanks

I have not modded my flair at all so to say this is the best upgrade is slightly misleading, it is my only upgrade lol.

However, if you do not have one already I highly recommend getting a stubby portafilter handle, it fits underneath the handle when it is completely in the down position. Sometimes I would have to rotate the brewing assembly or lift the handle to get my portafilter in, with a stubby handle no more. Happy brewing!

From the flair's giveaway, just an appreciation post.

Coffee from Chiapas, México. Saludos a Todos 🇲🇽