Author Topic: Show Off your Espresso Machine  (Read 63872 times)

Offline YasBean

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Re: Show Off your Espresso Machine
« Reply #465 on: October 16, 2017, 02:40:52 PM »
Danged, that is a pretty set-up!
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Re: Show Off your Espresso Machine
« Reply #466 on: October 16, 2017, 03:13:10 PM »
Thank you!

Offline mp

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Re: Show Off your Espresso Machine
« Reply #467 on: October 16, 2017, 06:14:24 PM »
Thank you!

Sounds great and looks great Robert. I like the PID, 5 minutes heating up time from for an espresso shot! Much more efficient than my HX machine and with the PID, much more accurate temperature for your shot!

Good purchase!

 :)
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Offline drg02b

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Re: Show Off your Espresso Machine
« Reply #468 on: April 12, 2018, 08:23:44 AM »
RECOMMENDATIONS?

So, instead of starting a new thread, I'm hoping people will see this and can give me recommendations -- I'm interested in getting into espresso and wondering what a good quality starter brewer would be.  I've had experience with the stovetop percolators, and definitely don't like their taste. I've heard that you have to spend $400-700 on a machine to do it right, but I noticed SM's had a video review of the Flair for $160 (manual press) and said their staff really like it.

Do people have any experience with the Flair, and or any other similarly priced (or cheaper) options that are almost as good as the high end machines?

Offline YasBean

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Re: Show Off your Espresso Machine
« Reply #469 on: April 12, 2018, 08:43:26 AM »
What is "right" really depends.  I started with a Mokka pot, moved on to a $100 (1980's dollars) pressure machine, the a fancier Swiss machine,... In the end, I was really satisfied only when I broke the $2,000 barrier.  I wish I could be satisfied with $160, though.
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Offline peter

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Re: Show Off your Espresso Machine
« Reply #470 on: April 12, 2018, 08:58:08 AM »
I think there's a Flair thread around here somewhere, albeit not much in it.
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Offline vberch

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Re: Show Off your Espresso Machine
« Reply #471 on: April 12, 2018, 09:18:51 AM »
You can have great espresso on the budget by buying a second hand Zassenhaus or PeDe hand grinder and a used La Pavoni, Espresso Forge, Portaspresso Rossa or new Flair. If you shop around you can stay within $200 or $250. This is a great way to venture into the wonderful world of espresso.

Over the years I've purchased a number of used Gaggia Baby, Carezza and Pure espresso machines (Italian made, single boiler, well built inexpensive machines) for less than a $100, refurbished them and gifted them to my friends. If you want to spend even less, for less than $50, I'd stick with Bialetti, Aeropress, French Press, Turkish Cezve/Ibrik or drip paired with a hand grinder and enjoy wonderful coffee.

RECOMMENDATIONS?

So, instead of starting a new thread, I'm hoping people will see this and can give me recommendations -- I'm interested in getting into espresso and wondering what a good quality starter brewer would be.  I've had experience with the stovetop percolators, and definitely don't like their taste. I've heard that you have to spend $400-700 on a machine to do it right, but I noticed SM's had a video review of the Flair for $160 (manual press) and said their staff really like it.

Do people have any experience with the Flair, and or any other similarly priced (or cheaper) options that are almost as good as the high end machines?
« Last Edit: April 12, 2018, 12:02:25 PM by vberch »
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Offline mp

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Re: Show Off your Espresso Machine
« Reply #472 on: April 12, 2018, 09:33:35 AM »
RECOMMENDATIONS?

So, instead of starting a new thread, I'm hoping people will see this and can give me recommendations -- I'm interested in getting into espresso and wondering what a good quality starter brewer would be.  I've had experience with the stovetop percolators, and definitely don't like their taste. I've heard that you have to spend $400-700 on a machine to do it right, but I noticed SM's had a video review of the Flair for $160 (manual press) and said their staff really like it.

Do people have any experience with the Flair, and or any other similarly priced (or cheaper) options that are almost as good as the high end machines?

When it comes to espresso the most important tool will be to have a good grinder in order to produce the crema. With the good grinder you will find that you can pull great espresso shots even with an inexpensive second hand Gaggia espresso machine.

Now where you go from there depends on you. You may end up with a multi group espresso machine; or not.

 :)
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Offline John F

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Re: Show Off your Espresso Machine
« Reply #473 on: April 12, 2018, 10:24:14 AM »
I think Joe is looking at the Flair....probably can sum it up in under 69 pages.  ;D
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Offline Badam

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Re: Show Off your Espresso Machine
« Reply #474 on: April 12, 2018, 10:26:01 AM »
RECOMMENDATIONS?

So, instead of starting a new thread, I'm hoping people will see this and can give me recommendations -- I'm interested in getting into espresso and wondering what a good quality starter brewer would be.  I've had experience with the stovetop percolators, and definitely don't like their taste. I've heard that you have to spend $400-700 on a machine to do it right, but I noticed SM's had a video review of the Flair for $160 (manual press) and said their staff really like it.

Do people have any experience with the Flair, and or any other similarly priced (or cheaper) options that are almost as good as the high end machines?


Here's this forum's version of the HB thread: http://www.greencoffeebuyingclub.com/index.php/topic,20933.0.html

You have the benefit of this forum being impartial and not giving it a good review in exchange for a free product or whatever else. You'll probably understand more if you read through the thread. No idea how the flair performs, but you won't catch me buying one if they only allow reviews of it that are positive and said positive review is decided beforehand. Also, I think there was something about an "impartial" reviewer actually working for the company. Frankly I don't have time to work out the details of less than honest companies.

I'm with MP, spend only what you have and feel comfortable with spending. Lean more towards a good grinder. If you are mechanically inclined you could easily do what I and others have done, purchase a cheap second-hand grinder and refurb it yourself. The same goes with an espresso machine. Be careful if you do decide to go the refurb route, some brands can hose you on cost of parts :/.

Offline Joe

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Re: Show Off your Espresso Machine
« Reply #475 on: April 12, 2018, 11:46:05 AM »
I think Joe is looking at the Flair....probably can sum it up in under 69 pages.  ;D

Thanks for the reminder. Yeah should be a quick assessment.
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Offline drg02b

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Re: Show Off your Espresso Machine
« Reply #476 on: April 13, 2018, 01:10:53 PM »
After only 4 hours with the Flair, I can say it's the greatest thing since sliced bread... lol, thanks for the product positioning backstory (I apparently don't follow these threads close enough).

As far as picking up old machines on the cheap, do you usually find them online or more through local options?

Thanks all for the advice.

Offline mp

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Re: Show Off your Espresso Machine
« Reply #477 on: April 13, 2018, 03:40:06 PM »
After only 4 hours with the Flair, I can say it's the greatest thing since sliced bread... lol, thanks for the product positioning backstory (I apparently don't follow these threads close enough).

As far as picking up old machines on the cheap, do you usually find them online or more through local options?

Thanks all for the advice.

Absolutely you will find them online. Make Google search and Craigslist your friend. Keep scouring the big towns and cities across the  US. You will be surprised what you will find.

 ;)
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Offline newroaster

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Re: Show Off your Espresso Machine
« Reply #478 on: April 27, 2018, 04:27:44 PM »
Ordered a Flair today. Should be up & running by 5/2. I too have heard it's the best thing since sliced bread, both from Mark Prince (Coffeegeek) and home-barista.com

We'll see.

Offline mp

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Re: Show Off your Espresso Machine
« Reply #479 on: April 27, 2018, 04:50:18 PM »
Ordered a Flair today. Should be up & running by 5/2. I too have heard it's the best thing since sliced bread, both from Mark Prince (Coffeegeek) and home-barista.com

We'll see.

Please give us your assessmment of the Rick Flair grinder.

 ;)
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