Flair 58 Plus 2 Manual Espresso Machine

The Flair 58 Plus 2 is a professional-grade manual lever espresso machine. It requires no boiler and produces no steam. To brew, you will need freshly roasted coffee beans and a high-quality espresso-capable burr grinder. A blade grinder or pre-ground coffee will not produce results consistent with what the machine is capable of.

Assembling the Frame

Lower the post into the base and insert the bolt through the base into the post. Tighten firmly with the included hex key. Attach the articulating shot mirror to the magnetic mount on the base. Place the stainless steel drip tray into the base. Connect the compact power supply to the rear of the base — tandem exit points keep the wiring clean and out of the way during brewing. Plug the power cord into a grounded outlet.

Important Safety Notes

The brew head becomes very hot during preheat operation. Do not touch the surface of the brew head while in use or immediately after. Do not attempt to disconnect, reposition, or remove the silicone sleeve on the brew head — doing so can cause the brew head to fail. Never attempt to disconnect wiring from the base while the unit is powered.

Your First Shot

Turn on the Preheat Control System and allow the brew head to reach your selected temperature before proceeding. Grind approximately 18g of freshly roasted coffee and load the portafilter. Insert the portafilter into the brew base, align, and rotate the handle counter-clockwise until it is firmly in place at roughly the 4 o'clock position. Do not over-rotate. Fill the brew head with just-boiled water using the valve plunger. Lower the lever slowly to begin the extraction, targeting 6–9 BAR for 30–35 seconds. When the shot is complete, raise the lever and purge the system before removing the portafilter.

Using the Preheat Control System

The Preheat Control System is integrated into the base of the 58 Plus 2. Its purpose is to maintain the temperature of the brew head during and between shots — it is not designed to heat your brew water. Always heat brew water separately in a kettle. The system has three temperature settings corresponding roughly to different roast levels:

• Low — ~85°C / 185°F: Suited to dark roasts, which extract optimally at lower temperatures.
• Medium — ~90°C / 194°F: Suited to medium roasts and a versatile everyday starting point.
• High — ~95°C / 203°F: Suited to light roasts, which typically require higher temperatures for full extraction.

To turn on: press and hold the button for 3 seconds. The left light will blink. Press the button again to cycle to Medium (center light blinks, then goes solid when reached). Press again twice for High (right light blinks, then all lights go solid when reached). Allow a few minutes for the brew head to reach the selected temperature before inserting the portafilter and filling with water. To turn off: press and hold the button for 3 seconds until all lights go out.

Detachable Power Supply

The compact power supply on the 58 Plus 2 unplugs from the base, allowing you to brew off-grid using manually preheated water. To brew without electricity, preheat the brew cylinder by sealing the bottom with the preheat cap, filling with boiling water for 45 seconds, discarding the water, and repeating as needed. Remove the cap, install the brew cylinder onto the brew base, and proceed with your normal workflow.

Using the Valve Plunger

The valve plunger allows you to add brew water to the brew head without removing the plunger stem. Align the stem tabs with the slots on the valve plunger and rotate to lock. Fill with just-boiled water through the top of the plunger opening. This significantly improves workflow when brewing multiple shots back-to-back.

Choosing a Portafilter Basket

The 58 Plus 2 includes both a high-flow and a low-flow portafilter basket. The low-flow basket produces greater resistance and is better suited to finer grinds and lighter roasts. The high-flow basket provides less resistance and suits coarser grinds and darker roasts. Experiment with both to find what works best for your coffee and workflow.

Reading the Pressure Gauge

The pressure gauge is your primary feedback during extraction. Target the Espresso Zone of 6–9 BAR for the duration of the shot, aiming for a brew time of 30–35 seconds. Use this as a guide:

• Below 6 BAR: Insufficient pressure — grind finer or apply more force.
• 6–9 BAR: Target zone — you are in a good extraction range.
• 10–12 BAR: Pressure is high — consider a coarser grind or ease off the lever.
• Above 12 BAR: Stop immediately. Ease off the lever and discard the puck. Do not continue brewing above 12 BAR.

Pre-Infusion

For a smoother extraction, especially with light roasted coffees, lower the lever slowly until the gauge reads approximately 2 BAR and hold for 5–10 seconds to allow the grounds to saturate before building to full pressure. This can help reduce channeling and produce a more even extraction.

Purging After Each Shot

After raising the lever at the end of a shot, place an empty cup on the drip tray and lower the lever again briefly to expel any remaining liquid from the brew head. Repeat as needed until the flow stops. This keeps the brew head clean and ready for the next shot.

Important Safety Note

Always ensure the Preheat Control System is turned off and the brew head has cooled completely before cleaning. Do not clean any Flair 58 Plus 2 parts in a dishwasher. Never immerse the brew head in water.

After Every Shot

Rotate the portafilter handle clockwise to remove it from the brew base. Knock the spent puck into a trash receptacle or remove the grounds with a blunt utensil. Rinse the portafilter, basket, puck screen, and valve plunger under cool running water. No soap is needed or recommended on any brewing parts — soap residue affects espresso flavor. Allow all parts to air dry before the next use.

Brew Head

Once cooled, wipe the exterior of the brew head with a soft damp cloth to remove any coffee residue. Do not submerge or run water over the brew head directly. Do not touch the silicone sleeve or attempt to reposition it.

Frame, Base, and Drip Tray

Wipe the post, lever, and base with a damp cloth as needed. Remove the drip tray and rinse under running water. Dry thoroughly before replacing. Keep the wiring area and power supply connection points dry at all times.

Pressure Gauge

The pressure gauge is sensitive to impact and must be kept dry at all times. Do not rinse it under water. Wipe gently with a dry cloth if needed. Do not drop or strike the gauge.

Cannot Reach the Espresso Zone / Pressure Too Low

The grind is too coarse, the dose too low, or the tamp too light. Grind finer in small increments, confirm your dose is in the 16–20g range, and ensure the tamp is even and firm. If you are already at your finest grind setting and still cannot reach the zone, your grinder may not be capable of producing espresso-fine grounds consistently — a high-quality espresso-capable burr grinder is required for the 58 Plus 2.

Pressure Too High / Lever Very Difficult to Lower

The grind is too fine or the dose is too large. If the gauge climbs above 12 BAR, ease off the lever immediately — do not continue the shot. Grind coarser for the next attempt. Never force the lever if resistance is extreme.

Shot Running Too Fast / Under 30 Seconds

A fast shot typically indicates the grind is too coarse, the dose is too low, or the tamp was uneven. Grind finer, check your dose, and ensure the tamped puck surface is level before inserting the portafilter. Also confirm the puck screen is properly seated on top of the grounds.

Shot Running Too Slow / Over 35 Seconds

A slow shot indicates the grind is too fine or the dose is too high, creating excessive resistance. Grind coarser in small increments and evaluate.

Channeling / Uneven Flow

Channeling occurs when water finds a path of least resistance through the puck rather than flowing evenly. Causes include uneven tamping, an inconsistent grind, an improperly seated puck screen, or an underdosed basket. Tamp on a level surface with even pressure. Use the articulating shot mirror to observe the underside of the portafilter during extraction — erratic or sputtering flow indicates channeling. Pre-infusion at low pressure before building to full extraction can help reduce channeling.

Brew Head Not Reaching Selected Temperature

Confirm the Preheat Control System is powered on and the correct temperature level is selected — the indicator lights will blink while heating and go solid when the target is reached. Allow several minutes for the system to stabilize before inserting the portafilter. If the lights do not respond when the button is pressed, check that the power supply is securely connected to both the base and the wall outlet.

Still Need Help?

Contact Flair Espresso's customer service team at flairespresso.com/contact.