Presume when you ask about "a double and a single walled basket" you are wishing to ascertain whether they are using a pressurised basket. No, there is just the one basket and it is not pressurised. However, the Flair does achieve good extraction, with one component being development of good crema. It will make an excellent espresso machine for camping.
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Yep that is what I was asking. Flair or ROK would be the question now?Originally posted by Otago View PostPresume when you ask about "a double and a single walled basket" you are wishing to ascertain whether they are using a pressurised basket. No, there is just the one basket and it is not pressurised. However, the Flair does achieve good extraction, with one component being development of good crema. It will make an excellent espresso machine for camping.
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I've had both and would recommend the Flair; especially for camping.
The ROK will deliver an OK espresso, but crema will be more problematic than on the Flair. IMO the Flair has a more robust build quality and will also deliver high pressure much less worryingly than the ROK, which can creak and groan disconcertingly. If there is more than one espresso drinker in camp I would consider getting the extra brew head bundle, which will help speed up the process. The Flair carry case makes this an ideal travel/camping espresso maker and the price, which has now crept down to $200 for the single brew unit, is virtually unchallenged in this market sector. I only bought the Flair as a gap-filler while waiting for the Cafelat Robot to be released, but it has been so impressive it will certainly take something exceptional to be beaten, especially at this price point.
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might be down on quoted pressure but you will find the Flair operates effectively with relatively low lever pressure, so the actual operating pressures will actually be fairly similar. The Robot might not deliver very high pressure but Paul Pratt's reputation for delivering well researched products gives me enough confidence to wait for the Robot. The Robot is effectively a modern adaptation of the Baby Faemina with contemporary materials. The Robot's portafilter basket design will also mean a relatively simple clean up which, for me, will give it an advantage over the Flair.
ROK, Flair or Robot, they'll all give an espresso that you will be drinking while you would otherwise still be waiting for an electric machine to warm up.
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my bodum french press does a great job of frothing milk for a cap. check out dritan alsela’s latte art training video - he’s a gun at this method.Originally posted by pavelnedobity View PostI love the simplicity of this machine. Does anyone have any solution for milk for latte/cappuccino? Are there any manual frothers that actually work?
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First crack or nothing
- Nov 13
- 3440
- Sydney (West)
- Filter or long black: clean with crisp acidity
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You could use a plunger to create microfoam once you've heated the milk. https://youtu.be/c2Bjs5g6n2w not in English but you get the idea.
Edit: Dritan Alsela video mentioned above: https://youtu.be/hywbrms5B1kLast edited by level3ninja; 20 October 2017, 02:03 PM.
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Update on pressurised basket question
Sorry, lattee1978, on closer inspection of the filter basket my statement that this is not a pressurised basket may need more explanation.
Having looked more closely at the filter basket it is apparent that the base is only a few mill below the filter screen and that only the 5 central holes line up with the 3mm outlet hole in the base of the basket.
However, this differs from what I think is the usual pressurised basket construction where the extraction flows through all of the holes in the filter basket, but then has to pass through a very limited number of holes in the center of the basket floor.
At least on the Flair the exit hole is unrestricted and its 3mm diameter would easily exceed the total area of the restricted number of exit holes in most pressurised baskets.
The Flair might be a bit of a hybrid that takes some of the pressurised basket principles but as usual the proof is in the cup. I still think you need to use good quality fresh roasted beans to get a good extraction. I haven't tried supermarket beans to see whether faux crema can be created ( which is what the pressurised basket is designed to do) .
To be fair to Flair they make it clear that, to achieve good results, amongst the inputs needed are "...coffee beans, freshly roasted within a few weeks of using." They are discouraging use of supermarket beans and therefore, presumably, would not have to incorporate a pressurised basket principle into their design.
The limited space below the screen and the basket floor raises the issue of effective cleaning and I will now be giving my filter basket a regular soak in Caffetto to avoid any rancid build up of oils.
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Got my flair delivered today along with a porex mini. Still working the variables but it seems click 2 to 3 on the mini does the best job. Been playing with 17-18grams but finding that it makes a very strong dose of coffee. Will try again tomorrow with a smaller ddose (12-14g). Does anybody have experience with smaller doses? Or with the porlex mini?
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Sounds like you are already doubting the adequacy of the Porlex.
Along with the Lido (a Lido E or ET would be best for espresso duties) other compact espresso capable hand grinders that would fit with the Flair's compactness and portability would be the Helor, Comandante or Aergrind.
Good luck with the Flair.
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