I’ve had my flair for over a year now. I never noticed any burnt rubber smell. For those that have the SE profiler app and the accaia scale you can flow profile shots. I think that’s the banger there. Amazing shots. The heading element did break within 6 months and I got a replacement. So far no other major issues. The suggestions you make a good, but I imagine they are costly to implement while keeping the same price point. I imagine an upscale version with your suggestions. But at that one would have to really want bling 💍 over cost. Great review.
i personally own the Flair58 for almost a year now here are my thoughts: 1. I don't have a problem preheating the machine, I can go as fast as 5 mins, optimal to heat it for 15 minutes ofc but I don't have problems with shots turning sour. 1.a also not recommended to always use the highest setting (unless brewing light roast) I've had great success with the low (dark roast) and medium setting (for medium). Making the brew chamber hotter than the water poured will result to trapping air inside the brew chamber causing fluctuations in pressure (happens in V2 filling method) 2. The squeaking sound comes from unlubricated plungers - you need to apply molykote or vegetable oil or some food safe silicon. I haven't noticed the burned rubber smell, will have to check mine again. 3. I agree with the eye sore of the electrical 4. But love the aesthetics and brutalism of the machine. 5. It's not an entry level budget espresso machine, it certainly punches way above it's price point. So I guess it's not recommended for total beginners. It definitely requires a better grinder since the pressure/flow profiling will require finer grinds in general. Thanks for the review - looking forward to your next video :D
Wow, spot on review! Bought mine recently to compliment my QM, but I’m strongly considering returning it for the reasons you’ve mentioned (especially the temperature part).
Hi Ken! Nice hearing from you man. Thank you so much. Got lots planned out so definitely more to come :D Also looking forward to seeing more of your content and new strength stuff space soon!
I wonder if the new 2023 iteration of the machine made any significant quality changes. If you get your hands on one, I'd be interested in comparing old vs new.
In terms of build quality, workflow, maintenance, ease of use and joy in use I think the Cafelat Robot blows the Flair out of the water. Aesthetics are of course very subjective but I love the neo-retro swedish take on a 50s Italian design. The learning curve was quite steep for a (then) beginner in home espresso brewing but now I just enjoy delicious espresso every day. When I go to a coffee bar to buy the beans they use, I can match and sometimes even improve on the espresso they serve when I get home.
it does not blow it out of the water, it's pretty much the same thing. Robot does not generally require heating, which the 58 does but it has the advantage of electric heating with its stability perks that the Robot does not have. You cannot pull a 1 minute shot on a Robot and expect the grouphead to be heated properly througout. Robot is also not a 58mm standard, which means you need to get specific accessories that only work for the Robot. With the 58 it carries over to the next machine in this standard.
@@Cenot4ph I did not mean to belittle the Flair. No doubt it is a capable espresso machine with the advantages that come with a heated grouphead. Although if I wanted a lever machine with a plug I'd probably go for the nostalgia and elegance of a Europiccola. No, as the beginning of my sentence indicated, I was merely referring to the fact that the minimalistic design, not only in form but also definitely in funtion, makes it a very easy and enjoyable machine to work with in terms of workflow and maintenance. Preheating generally isn't necessary but by putting the basket on top of your kettle when heating the water, it's a very easy thing to do when you would want to. Some people use sealed baskets to preheat the piston as well, but I have never felt the need. I generally gravitate towards faster shots, but I have done 1 minute + shots before with very little heat loss.
@@brunocyclist The Europiccola is almost twice the price (in my region),. I'm aware of the Robot function and feature set, this is about preference and what you find to be important. For me, it's an inferior choice because of my preferences. For others, it's the opposite. In terms of what you can get out of it for the same price, is very much the same cup of espresso
@@Cenot4ph indeed, preferences differ. It's great you're as happy with your espresso machine as I am with mine. Have a great day - and maybe another tasty shot of espresso. ;)
Hello, I find your review interesting. You speak in a negative fashion about the time it takes to get the group head up to temperature and stable as 20 minutes, yet that is same time frame of many other machines...also, your daily driver is a machibe that costs over 3 times as much as the Flair 58. Additionally you speak negatively about the asthetics of the Flair 58, yet also say you were waiting with anticipation for its release and were excited that someone had loaned you one to try .. had you not seen the F58 before? Anyway, this is clearly not your style machine and you stated such. Thank you for the review and I wish you all the best.
Hello! Thank you for the comment. I think 20mins is still a pretty long time to wait given that the amount of metal required to heat the Flair group head is way less than the E61 machine group head which ways 4.5kg. For the aesthetics, the experience of seeing press photos and videos compared to having the machine in person and using it for a while is very different. I think it looks prettier in the press photos and videos than it does in person! Yes, I really wanted to like the Flair 58 but I just don't find it that fun to use. But I do see why other people would like it! You take care too. Thank you for watching!
the group head heating does not take 20 minutes, it's warm in about 5 minutes. The only thing that is "cold" is the portafilter which you could heat with your kettle in advance. So no, it's definittenely faster than E61 machines
I'm actually surprised to finally see a pretty much totally negative review of the 58. I just picked it up recently and it's my very 1st espresso maker. Pretty much the only negative I agree with is the look of the electrical components. Also, I would like to see some sort of temp gauge so we know exactly how hot the brew head is but it's not a huge deal. I haven't had any issue reaching temps that I want as the only real issues I've had was when I first got the machine and had to dial in my JX-Pro hand grinder to grind a bit finer than expected. Haven't had any of the weird smell issues either. It's really quite a bit cheaper than most other machines besides absolute budget choices and can make cups far beyond what other entry level machines can do. When you have to start comparing it to machines that are in the thousands of dollars range I think it lets you know how great the 58 really is. It might not be great for someone who isn't technically minded and just wants a "set it and forget it" mentality. But for someone like myself who has a background in chemistry as a hobby it's right up my alley and was a perfect choice for me.
A background in chemistry is definitely not required for such a simple lever machine, or even just making espresso in general. Workflow is very important… I bought mine for when I only want to pull one shot of espresso for myself and I’m not making a milk based drink. To extended the life / maintenance schedule of my primary machine. Also this will be great for travel along with or as a sub to my Picopresso . I love my traditional style espresso machine so much I got this mostly to complement and extend its life. Looks as new as the day I bought it almost 2 years ago. So far so good.
I’ve had my flair for over a year now. I never noticed any burnt rubber smell. For those that have the SE profiler app and the accaia scale you can flow profile shots. I think that’s the banger there. Amazing shots. The heading element did break within 6 months and I got a replacement. So far no other major issues. The suggestions you make a good, but I imagine they are costly to implement while keeping the same price point. I imagine an upscale version with your suggestions. But at that one would have to really want bling 💍 over cost.
Great review.
i personally own the Flair58 for almost a year now here are my thoughts:
1. I don't have a problem preheating the machine, I can go as fast as 5 mins, optimal to heat it for 15 minutes ofc but I don't have problems with shots turning sour.
1.a also not recommended to always use the highest setting (unless brewing light roast) I've had great success with the low (dark roast) and medium setting (for medium). Making the brew chamber hotter than the water poured will result to trapping air inside the brew chamber causing fluctuations in pressure (happens in V2 filling method)
2. The squeaking sound comes from unlubricated plungers - you need to apply molykote or vegetable oil or some food safe silicon. I haven't noticed the burned rubber smell, will have to check mine again.
3. I agree with the eye sore of the electrical
4. But love the aesthetics and brutalism of the machine.
5. It's not an entry level budget espresso machine, it certainly punches way above it's price point. So I guess it's not recommended for total beginners. It definitely requires a better grinder since the pressure/flow profiling will require finer grinds in general.
Thanks for the review - looking forward to your next video :D
Hi! Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts on the machine. Will also be relaying your tips to our friend Miggy who owns the machine :D
Wow, spot on review! Bought mine recently to compliment my QM, but I’m strongly considering returning it for the reasons you’ve mentioned (especially the temperature part).
bold, honest, and frank review! ❤
Galing Kyle! Looking forward to the fruits of your labor, and more videos from you 🙌🏼
Hi Ken! Nice hearing from you man. Thank you so much. Got lots planned out so definitely more to come :D
Also looking forward to seeing more of your content and new strength stuff space soon!
I wonder if the new 2023 iteration of the machine made any significant quality changes. If you get your hands on one, I'd be interested in comparing old vs new.
Nice review kyle!
Thank you!
What is your daily espresso machine to buy in PH? For home user tho 😄
I use a Lelit Mara E61 espresso machine daily! It's been serving me and my family really well for the last 3 years!
Where to buy lelit mara e61 espresso machine in the Philippines?
In terms of build quality, workflow, maintenance, ease of use and joy in use I think the Cafelat Robot blows the Flair out of the water.
Aesthetics are of course very subjective but I love the neo-retro swedish take on a 50s Italian design.
The learning curve was quite steep for a (then) beginner in home espresso brewing but now I just enjoy delicious espresso every day.
When I go to a coffee bar to buy the beans they use, I can match and sometimes even improve on the espresso they serve when I get home.
Thanks for sharing!
it does not blow it out of the water, it's pretty much the same thing. Robot does not generally require heating, which the 58 does but it has the advantage of electric heating with its stability perks that the Robot does not have. You cannot pull a 1 minute shot on a Robot and expect the grouphead to be heated properly througout.
Robot is also not a 58mm standard, which means you need to get specific accessories that only work for the Robot. With the 58 it carries over to the next machine in this standard.
@@Cenot4ph I did not mean to belittle the Flair. No doubt it is a capable espresso machine with the advantages that come with a heated grouphead. Although if I wanted a lever machine with a plug I'd probably go for the nostalgia and elegance of a Europiccola.
No, as the beginning of my sentence indicated, I was merely referring to the fact that the minimalistic design, not only in form but also definitely in funtion, makes it a very easy and enjoyable machine to work with in terms of workflow and maintenance.
Preheating generally isn't necessary but by putting the basket on top of your kettle when heating the water, it's a very easy thing to do when you would want to. Some people use sealed baskets to preheat the piston as well, but I have never felt the need.
I generally gravitate towards faster shots, but I have done 1 minute + shots before with very little heat loss.
@@brunocyclist The Europiccola is almost twice the price (in my region),.
I'm aware of the Robot function and feature set, this is about preference and what you find to be important. For me, it's an inferior choice because of my preferences. For others, it's the opposite.
In terms of what you can get out of it for the same price, is very much the same cup of espresso
@@Cenot4ph indeed, preferences differ. It's great you're as happy with your espresso machine as I am with mine. Have a great day - and maybe another tasty shot of espresso. ;)
Hello, I find your review interesting. You speak in a negative fashion about the time it takes to get the group head up to temperature and stable as 20 minutes, yet that is same time frame of many other machines...also, your daily driver is a machibe that costs over 3 times as much as the Flair 58. Additionally you speak negatively about the asthetics of the Flair 58, yet also say you were waiting with anticipation for its release and were excited that someone had loaned you one to try .. had you not seen the F58 before? Anyway, this is clearly not your style machine and you stated such. Thank you for the review and I wish you all the best.
Hello! Thank you for the comment. I think 20mins is still a pretty long time to wait given that the amount of metal required to heat the Flair group head is way less than the E61 machine group head which ways 4.5kg.
For the aesthetics, the experience of seeing press photos and videos compared to having the machine in person and using it for a while is very different. I think it looks prettier in the press photos and videos than it does in person!
Yes, I really wanted to like the Flair 58 but I just don't find it that fun to use. But I do see why other people would like it!
You take care too. Thank you for watching!
the group head heating does not take 20 minutes, it's warm in about 5 minutes. The only thing that is "cold" is the portafilter which you could heat with your kettle in advance. So no, it's definittenely faster than E61 machines
I agree maybe more experience in the machine would be beneficial
I'm actually surprised to finally see a pretty much totally negative review of the 58. I just picked it up recently and it's my very 1st espresso maker. Pretty much the only negative I agree with is the look of the electrical components. Also, I would like to see some sort of temp gauge so we know exactly how hot the brew head is but it's not a huge deal.
I haven't had any issue reaching temps that I want as the only real issues I've had was when I first got the machine and had to dial in my JX-Pro hand grinder to grind a bit finer than expected.
Haven't had any of the weird smell issues either.
It's really quite a bit cheaper than most other machines besides absolute budget choices and can make cups far beyond what other entry level machines can do. When you have to start comparing it to machines that are in the thousands of dollars range I think it lets you know how great the 58 really is.
It might not be great for someone who isn't technically minded and just wants a "set it and forget it" mentality. But for someone like myself who has a background in chemistry as a hobby it's right up my alley and was a perfect choice for me.
A background in chemistry is definitely not required for such a simple lever machine, or even just making espresso in general. Workflow is very important… I bought mine for when I only want to pull one shot of espresso for myself and I’m not making a milk based drink. To extended the life / maintenance schedule of my primary machine.
Also this will be great for travel along with or as a sub to my Picopresso .
I love my traditional style espresso machine so much I got this mostly to complement and extend its life. Looks as new as the day I bought it almost 2 years ago. So far so good.