The Flair 58: Frustratingly Close To Outstanding

This is just silliness. Anyone who buys this is not a coffee lover; they are someone who likes to tell everyone how much they love coffee.

The execution is not bad, considering that you can use a battery if you dont have electric power. Use a battery and you will get it. I just bought the Flair 58x and is really cool to use an inexpensive machine to start replicating fancy stuff, understanding all the variables and being able to play with them. And the best thing, using this machine at home or on vacation.

A good review for a product that I can only say (And probably to my own narrow-minded intolerance of super-duper micro-edge hobbies-obsessions): "WTF!?! Really?!?"
I am sorry, I truly am for my narrow mindness, but...REALLY?!? $600 for..."bench brewing"? Really?

This product is for the hobbyist. If you're seriously considering this in a commercial setting then I have a bridge to sell you.

The David Attenborough of the coffee world

why would you choose this over another expresso machine? especially at that price point

everyone says pull a shot, but the shot is, in fact, pushed out 💩…

“It’s not the size that counts, it’s how you you use it.” - Sheriff of Nottingham ( Mel Brooks Robin Hood: Men in tights)

Regarding cleaning the mesh puck protector, is espresso machine cleaner anything like CLR, a product for rust, lime, etc. removal?

That reminds me of something from the high end audio world. Keep the control and the power supply separate. The sequence reminds me of what I have to do for my tube audio. I turn the preamp on, wait 30 seconds (it has a timer) and then turn the amplifier on. When I power down, I reverse it by turning the amplifier off and then the preamp. Allows for discharge and eliminates the "thump".

🌎🇪🇨🙂👍

I was thinking on buying one. This one was tempting me before I saw the video. Now that I saw it, I'd rather buy one of the classic ones without fancy electronics. But I'm holding off for the moment, I really want to see what they evolve to first. What I'd really like at home is a device with a steaming wand, to make capuccino. I'm either using a Mocca Pot or my Nespresso machine for the coffee and that's good enough for my breakfast.

Great machine less mess as traditional machine

One thing other comments are missing is that the power supply unit brick allows the 58 to be used internationally (110-240V). This is a godsend for those of us in parts of the world where electric espresso machines are extremely expensive (we pay at least twice the retail price of the US and UK). So being able to buy the 58 in the U.S. and bring it anywhere overseas, and not need a voltage converter is AMAZING.

Maybe I'm just new to espresso but why the hell would anyone pay nearly 600 dollars for a machine you have to press yourself? With that price tag I don't see why you wouldn't just buy a machine that does the extraction work for you.

They should have a switch on the controller.. literally a 10c modification..

Hearing VST basket as someone into music production makes me wonder how software plugins can hold coffee.

Ideally a wireless, rechargeable heater would be perfect. That needs to happen. That way the whole unit can be placed in more areas without ugly cords.

It beimg designed with acaia lunar in mind is unsurprising as it would also pair nicely with the weber HG-2 creating a very manual yet simple and easy workflow

I would love to see a comparison between the “Aram Espresso Maker” and the Flair 58. Nice vid by the way.

Very informative and helpful. Thanks.

I’m a product designer, and all Jim’s comments would resonate with me if it was a $800 machine.
For the price and what it produces , as a owner, I enjoy it a lot and almost no complaints. ❤

Excellent review. I loved the shots from my Robot, but my old age shoulders had a bit of an issue with the arms. Not the machine’s fault, mine.

As to the chamber being hotter at the top, would pulling 50 ml of brew water through the group, Then inserting the coffee/PF in the group then pulling the shot.. would that help?

James, will you be reviewing the new 58plus? Cheers.

600 dollars to make a tiny spresso?
If you invite people to take a coffe you need to make 3 or 4 times the process, cleaning, pressing, etc.
Not worth it, let my with my old Bialetti, cost 20 bucks and last for a lifetime.

How he predicted the Puck Screen😳 wow

I have the flair 58 and I ordered the flair 58+. Outside of the PSU and temp controller I really like this machine, but I agree 110% on those electronics though after time with the 58 I enjoy using a manual lever based espresso machine. I only drink espresso or my coffee black so the more minimal the better. I know there is better machines out there but this was just what I settled on and really enjoy using the flair.

I got a pre-roll ad by James Hoffman… Took me a while to notice it was an ad 😅

Hi James. We don't know each other but here's a dream I had:
I was hanging out in my kitchen, as we all do, and you came in and asked for a cup of coffee. I was so embarrassed because I only have a simple Nespresso machine and I've seen enough of your videos to know that wouldn't be the best. So I asked you what coffee maker I should use and you just smiled and said "It depends". Then you just left!!!

Well I woke up very frustrated (about the coffee!) so now I'm suggesting this:

Please do a video where you name a few specific coffee makers that - were you to find them in someone's home where you were visiting - you'd ask for a cup of coffee.

The Rules
1. The coffee maker must not cost more than $250 USD
2. The coffee maker must be easy to use and clean - every day
3. There must be very little risk of producing a coffee that would disappoint a guest
4. The maker does not need to produce a particular style of coffee (e.g. espresso or drip is fine)

I've seen a LOT of your other reviews, but none of them focus on how you'd react if you found those machines in someone else's home. My dream suggests that this is important.

do you ever use the damn thing?

17 minutes and doesn’t even take one coffe out of the machine

As with the Robot… can one preheat the ports filter and get the group hotter?

Does it need to be unplugged end of day?

The only reason why it is so expensive is because it is a coffee product. You could get a handpress moulding machine that can create pressures upwards of 50 tonnes (unlike just 10 bars that this creates) for just couple of hundred bucks above that price.

James could you please make a review for the staresso sp-300

what machine did you use to make the best cup you have ever made ? :)

Keren flair 58 mung di Indonesia harga ya lumayan mahal

Agree with James here, mandatory plugging sequences for heating devices screams "ain't gonna last".

SPOILER ALERT: James only drinks decaf. I have sauces.

Waste of time

It feels so surreal seeing espresso being pulled without the buzz of an electric compressor working.

500 dollars lmao
meanwhile a italian coffee pot: 20 bucks

James! This is your mother. Stop being so picky with your food son.

Would the puck screen attach to a magnet?

$600 bucks to make shitty coffee lol. Coffee snobs are almost as pretentious as wine snobs.

Coffee Friends! I want the best possible espresso and less finicky is better-- question is: cafelat robot or flair 58???

thanks!!!

James Hoffman - "frustrating close to outstanding." Which, for me and my much, much lower level of sophistication - "totally outstanding!" James! Thanks for the wonderful content!