The NEO, by Flair Espresso - An all manual lever espresso maker for the home, no pods and no plugs (Gray)

br>br>For the sake of comparison, here is my current NEO coffee setup: br>* 16 g of coffee, 1: 2 ratio (32g espresso out)br>* Timemore Slim Coffee Grinder (dialed in at 10-minute intervals) *Hamilton Beach Gooseneck Kettle at 212Fbr>*Some cheap scale that can only do /-br>11 clicks, ymmv)br> Pros: 1gbr>br> br>It's a low-cost machine. A 120 espresso press is a low-cost way to get started with espresso. Other, less expensive options exist (including electric espresso machines in this price range), but they do not produce a good shot. They're inconsequential and variable (you get what you pay for!). If you're willing to put in the effort, the Flair Neo has the potential to be a fantastic shot. br>br>Instead of the bottomless portafilter found on more expensive espresso machines, the Neo has a pressurized portafilter (referred to as the flow controlled basket). The pressurized portafilter has the advantage of being extremely forgiving. To make good, authentic espresso, you'll need a good bur grinder with adjustable settings. That is something I do not possess. My grinder can make espresso, but dialing in the perfect grind is a nightmare. This portafilter is forgiving in the sense that even if the grind isn't perfect, it still tastes great! With my current setup, I wouldn't be able to jump right into a Flair Signature or Classic. Because of this, this is an excellent stepping stone. br>br>The Neo can be upgraded. able! Upgrade the pressurized portafilter to a bottomless portafilter for a setup similar to the Flair classic for an additional 24 buckaroos. Do you want to spend even more cash? You'll need 56 more buckaroos to get a pressure gauge, which will allow you to fine-tune your shots. With options like these, any espresso newcomer can ease into the hobby rather than investing in expensive equipment with a steep learning curve. br>br>Contrary to popular belief, there are a number of disadvantages to using this product. br>br>For the price, there aren't many cons that stand out, but they're worth considering if you're thinking about getting into the hobby. The Flair Neo isn't a top-of-the-line device; rather, it's an entry-level device that can be improved with a few extra parts. Flair's signature line or Pro2 are excellent options if you want something great right away. On a Monday morning, a pressurized portafilter will not get you a coffee shop shot from your favorite barista; However, if you put in the effort, you can get pretty close. br>br>Thermal management of the press is one of the more difficult aspects to deal with. Everything from the portafilter to the chamber and piston must be preheated. This is inconvenient, but it's the cost of doing business. off with manual presses, which is a worthy trade-off in my opinion. when compared to x3-times the amount of money spent Also disappointing is the shot size of 60ml, which is x6 as much for an electric/automated machine. This will take a long time if you want to make multiple shots, and if you like lattes, this device obviously does not steam milk like a double boiling espresso machine. The lack of a carrying case, in comparison to the other models, is disappointing, but I don't use carrying cases very often, so it depends on your intended use. br>br>Conclusion: br>br> br>The Flair Neo, in my opinion, is an excellent introduction to espresso. It isn't the best manual press, but it is the best manual press for the money. There's no reason not to try the Neo if you're a novice who wants to learn how to make espresso. Upgrade it if you enjoy it. It's not a big deal if you don't! Perhaps I'll require a second Neo;.

Ryder Garrett

| Jan 21, 2021

higher standard than anticipated Because there are so many online reviews of the Flair system, I'm going to focus on my first impressions of the Flair Neo's quality rather than on how well it makes espresso. I'll update this once I've figured out how to pull a good shot and have my bottomless portafilter. br>br>Because my regular espresso machine needed to be serviced, I needed a high-end espresso machine to take with us on the road in our camper van. The Flair hand grinder appeared to be the ideal choice. Because this is the cheapest model in the Flair lineup, I was curious to see how it compared to the higher-end models I'd seen reviewed. br>br>The first thing I noticed when I opened the box was that it was a high-quality product. The metal frame, which has a grey finish, is top-notch. It's also very attractive, especially with the red and stainless group head / portafilter. br>br>The frame's attachment and detachment mechanisms are quite clever - It's extremely stable, but it only takes a second to disassemble for storage. This will come in handy when traveling. If you don't need to take the frame apart for travel, there is also a screw with a washer included in the box for permanently attaching the two parts of the frame for added stability. There is some play in the frame and handle without the screw, but it shouldn't cause any instability because once you put 30-minutes into it, it should be fine. Nothing will move if you apply 40 pounds of force to the lever. A red pressurized portafilter is also included. br>br> When it comes to espresso, I'm a bit of a nerd, so the pressurized portafilter isn't my first choice; instead, I prefer to dial in my shots and get the most flavor out of my espresso by using the proper grinder and grind settings. As a result, I intend to purchase their bottomless portafilter accessory (which is currently available for free, but will cost $24 after that, which is a reasonable price). However, there are times when the pressurized one may be useful, such as when you want to try a different batch of coffee without wasting time and coffee dialing it in. Plus, because it's so small, it's easy to bring along on a trip. br>br>The group head mechanism's plunger is made of high-strength steel. plastic of a high quality This is probably the most significant disadvantage for me, as I would prefer 100% stainless. The good news is that the pressure gauge will come with a stainless plunger if I purchase it in the future. Although it does not come into direct contact with the coffee, this plunger comes into contact with the hot water. Instead of the plastic plunger, I'd like to see a stainless steel plunger, at the very least as an option but without the pressure gauge. The plastic funnel (which is a nice touch) and a plastic hollow tamper make up the rest of the parts. Although this tamper isn't a "real" tamper, it will suffice. They sell a "real" tamper that fits the portafilter size as an accessory. br>br>While we're on the subject, here's a general tip I learned that can help you figure out how much force to apply for tamping: As the tamper moves down, evenly press down with increasing progressive force and feel the coffee compress. Stop when you notice the coffee is no longer moving. Don't make it too difficult for yourself. Regardless of the coffee or grind level, this will ensure consistent tamping. br>br>The final component is a thick plastic tray on which you can place your cup. This is just a decorative piece that sits on top of the frame and isn't necessary. It's nice that they include it, but I'm not sure I'll take it with me when I travel. br>br>The NEO lacks the case found in higher-end models. I was fine without it because I'll make my own, which will include space for a grinder and fit where I need it to. br>br>I'm excited to get my feet wet with the Flair and learn how to pull off some good shots. In general, the Neo - with bottomless portafilter as an option - is a good value and appears to provide the same quality as higher-end models, and because the components are the same, the espresso pulled should be of comparable quality. br>br>UPDATE: br>br> After playing with this Neo for a while, I quickly realized I needed the Pro 2 version. The main reason was that the Neo couldn't fit the pro's group head (which is sold separately), which I didn't realize until after I bought it. The Neo's capacity is limited, and the basket's shape, combined with the bottomless filter, makes it difficult to avoid a splattering mess on the side. The Neo is fantastic, but the Pro has completely blown me away and was well worth the extra money. After a small learning curve, I'm now consistently pulling shots that are better than or on par with what I get at the best third-wave espresso bars.

Kylo Hunter

| Feb 10, 2021

To begin, let's start with the positives. There isn't a better espresso machine out there for the money, in my opinion. It's no small feat to get a machine that consistently pulls shots for just over $100. When you add in how simple it is to put it together and clean it, you have something that has quickly become a part of my morning routine. br>br>However, there are a couple of minor changes I wish flair had made. For starters, the pressurized basket isn't a good idea, but I understand why it was added. It will be difficult to achieve the level of pressure required for true espresso without a proper grinder; the pressurized basket helps to emulate espresso with coarser ground coffee. Unfortunately, it also limits the quality of any shot taken by the Neo. Yes, they're consistent, but they're always diluted and weaker than a shot of espresso should be. I'm not sure I'd take a shot straight from the Flair Neo. I also find the entire unit to be a little shaky, which is unsettling for a device that you are actively pressing to make your coffee. Finally, I believe that a true tamper would have been a welcome addition, even if it would have increased the price slightly. In a pinch, the measuring basket will suffice, but it will not provide an enjoyable user experience. br>br>Having said that, I believe the Flair Neo will provide an excellent experience if you are looking for an entry level espresso machine, especially if you do not already own a good grinder. But, if you're anything like me, it'll prompt you to look for upgrades to improve your (initially) low-cost espresso setup:.

Raul McKnight

| Jan 05, 2021