Great video! I had a few questions. I'd appreciate if you could answer these.. 1. Were you able to achieve a fine grind for the purpose of making an espresso with the Hario Slim grinder? 2. Are you using a flair pressurised portafilter ( same as the one that comes with the flair neo) ? 3. Does your Hario and flair classic combination make a reasonably good espresso? Thanks in advance
1. It was fine enough for my tastes at the time, but now I use a Baratza Sette 270. (I’ve also since upgraded to a Gaggia Classic.) 2. No, just the standard flair portafilter 3. Not particularly. I was just starting out on my espresso journey when I made this video and I did it because I had a hard time figuring out how to use the Flair Classic and wanted to help others to figure it out faster.
@@fluffycritter thank you so much for your reply! That did clear things out for me. I'm just getting started with my espresso journey.. Have decided on getting either a flair classic or a neo.. but still looking for a good budget hand grinder that can achieve a fine grind suitable for espresso! I'm sure that the Gaggia has made espresso more easily accessible 😋
@@fluffycritter i also just checked out the baratza sette 270. It looks impressive and is half the price of Niche and somewhat a little higher than a commandante hand grinder.. You've a cool setup
@@AshokKumar-wh7gg If I were to buy a grinder today I'd probably go with the Lagom Mini, since it's a bit more versatile than the Sette 270, is built specifically for single-dose grinding, and is also somewhat less expensive. Sometimes I'm tempted to get one anyway but I already have too dang many grinders as it is. (See "Lo-Fi Beats to Grind Coffee To" on my other channel...)
I never measured the number of clicks and I have also since switched to a different brewing setup (Gaggia Classic Pro and a heavily-modified Baratza Encore). I think I still have the Slim Plus setup for espresso though, I’ll see if the click count is meaningful.
It looks like I have it set to 6 clicks, but there might be some fine tuning which made it acceptable enough for me. Also I recorded this video at the beginning of my espresso journey so I might have also been way more tolerant of poorly-dialed-in espresso. :)
@@fluffycritter thanks for the input. I d appreciate it if you could answer one more question. if you'd be able to go back in time, would you still buy the signature or go for the pro2 and why?
@@ozgurserdar8627 Hmm, that's an interesting question, although I have the Classic, not the Signature. The Pro2 would have been nicer for the larger shot volume and the pressure gauge (the latter of which the Signature also has), but I think I'd have still been frustrated by the fussiness involved in pulling a shot and I'm much happier with my Gaggia. And I see no reason to get a Flair58 unless you *really* like the manual hand-pulled shot process. The Flair was helpful as a stepping stone to learning more about the process of making espresso and getting a better understanding of what I'm looking for but I wouldn't recommend it as a primary espresso machine. It all really depends on what you want out of espresso though. I liked the Flair for the same reason I like listening to vinyl records - it isn't better and it's a lot fussier, but the whole process feels comforting and enjoyable for certain mental conditions. But most of the time I just put on some MP3s. (And to extend the analogy further, a full-automatic machine would be like playing Spotify.)
@@fluffycritter well, I think pre heating is one of the most important things in a Flair, so at least to see how you set it, would be helpful information.
@@rbmanb Personally I've found that the preheat doesn't make that much of a difference. Also my process for actual brewing has changed somewhat (mostly to get more efficient) and I should probably make a new version of this that reflects that. Mostly I made this because the included instruction booklet didn't make a lot of sense and all of the videos I was finding online were for the Pro.
Yeah, the Flair Classic only really accommodates single shots, and a lot of the water is retained by the grounds. Incidentally I've now switched to a Gaggia Classic Pro, and I should do an obligatory "how I brew" video, even though there's plenty of those out there for that machine already.
Great video. How many clicks in are you on the Hario? I'm on a budget and there's an old model classic (not compatible with Pro accessories) in my area for $100. Should I go for it? I was worried I would need a really pricey grinder as well. Either way, your video gives a nice view of what it's like to use from beginning to end. More work than the Delonghi I was considering, but probably cheaper to own in the long run. Do you ever use milk? How do you froth it?
Whoops, sorry, I never got a notification about this comment. I never measured the Hario clicks, and since filming this I upgraded to a Baratza Encore which I usually have at 8-9 depending on the particular coffee I'm brewing. I don't think the Hario is so precise that the number of grind adjustment clicks is going to be the same for everyone though, and it's better to just dial it in yourself based on your own tastes and experience. I only drink straight shots from the Flair. For Americano-style coffee I generally use an Aeropress (with Prismo), and I don't have any milk frothing setup at the moment but I also don't care for milk drinks. A friend of mine who does make milk drinks with the Flair uses a stovetop steamer wand, but I'd probably just go for the microwave + French Press technique if that's something I cared about. $100 is a really good deal for the Flair, although I suspect by now that one has gone away. :)
@@fluffycritter Hah! No problem, I ended up getting the Flair based on this video and others. At the last minute I decided to splurge and got a JX-Pro by 1ZPresso and I'm not regretting either purchase one bit! I'm thinking of doing a small video about the grinder as there's very little info online.
@@seanjohnston848 Oh, I've seen a few people gush about that grinder! It looks quite nice. A lot more than I want to spend on a manual grinder though, especially since I'm so happy with the Baratza. :)
I was filling it with the maximum amount of coffee it takes and filling it to the fill line, and I always felt that the shots from it were just fine. But since this video I've switched to a Gaggia Classic Pro which makes much better espresso (with a lot less fuss).
I’m not sure how to count the specific grind setting on the Hario. On the Baratza I generally use 7 or 8, depending on the specific coffee (sometimes I go down to 6). But every grinder and coffee has variations and it’s best to dial it in based on your preferences.
TO set the grind you tighten all the way and then count back. All the way tight is “0”. So how many clicks did you go for this:? I have the same grinder and I find 6 is good for espresso - 9 for Aeropress
@@ragsa789 It really depends on what your brewing needs are. I'm only pulling single shots so the classic is fine, but a lot of folks I know prefer the pro to get the larger shot size, and it also comes with the pressure gauge. I've only used the classic so I don't know how they compare in terms of actual usage, but I've heard that the pro is a bit fussier because it has more thermal mass that you have to preheat.
I'm impressed by your ability to hand grind coffee at the same time as filling the kettle! Great Multitasking skills!
Took someone long enough to notice. ;)
Thank you, I agree not enough video of classic flair!
A good instruction for beginners like me.
Thank you fluffy!!!!!!!!
Great shot
Nice demonstration.
Great video! I had a few questions. I'd appreciate if you could answer these..
1. Were you able to achieve a fine grind for the purpose of making an espresso with the Hario Slim grinder?
2. Are you using a flair pressurised portafilter ( same as the one that comes with the flair neo) ?
3. Does your Hario and flair classic combination make a reasonably good espresso?
Thanks in advance
1. It was fine enough for my tastes at the time, but now I use a Baratza Sette 270. (I’ve also since upgraded to a Gaggia Classic.)
2. No, just the standard flair portafilter
3. Not particularly. I was just starting out on my espresso journey when I made this video and I did it because I had a hard time figuring out how to use the Flair Classic and wanted to help others to figure it out faster.
@@fluffycritter thank you so much for your reply! That did clear things out for me. I'm just getting started with my espresso journey.. Have decided on getting either a flair classic or a neo.. but still looking for a good budget hand grinder that can achieve a fine grind suitable for espresso!
I'm sure that the Gaggia has made espresso more easily accessible 😋
@@fluffycritter i also just checked out the baratza sette 270. It looks impressive and is half the price of Niche and somewhat a little higher than a commandante hand grinder.. You've a cool setup
@@AshokKumar-wh7gg If I were to buy a grinder today I'd probably go with the Lagom Mini, since it's a bit more versatile than the Sette 270, is built specifically for single-dose grinding, and is also somewhat less expensive.
Sometimes I'm tempted to get one anyway but I already have too dang many grinders as it is. (See "Lo-Fi Beats to Grind Coffee To" on my other channel...)
@@fluffycritter will check it out! Thanks
hi, I am pleasantly surprised that slim plus can grind for flair. can you please tell me about yout grind setting (how many clicks)? thanks in advance
I never measured the number of clicks and I have also since switched to a different brewing setup (Gaggia Classic Pro and a heavily-modified Baratza Encore). I think I still have the Slim Plus setup for espresso though, I’ll see if the click count is meaningful.
It looks like I have it set to 6 clicks, but there might be some fine tuning which made it acceptable enough for me. Also I recorded this video at the beginning of my espresso journey so I might have also been way more tolerant of poorly-dialed-in espresso. :)
@@fluffycritter thanks for the input. I d appreciate it if you could answer one more question. if you'd be able to go back in time, would you still buy the signature or go for the pro2 and why?
@@ozgurserdar8627 Hmm, that's an interesting question, although I have the Classic, not the Signature.
The Pro2 would have been nicer for the larger shot volume and the pressure gauge (the latter of which the Signature also has), but I think I'd have still been frustrated by the fussiness involved in pulling a shot and I'm much happier with my Gaggia. And I see no reason to get a Flair58 unless you *really* like the manual hand-pulled shot process.
The Flair was helpful as a stepping stone to learning more about the process of making espresso and getting a better understanding of what I'm looking for but I wouldn't recommend it as a primary espresso machine. It all really depends on what you want out of espresso though. I liked the Flair for the same reason I like listening to vinyl records - it isn't better and it's a lot fussier, but the whole process feels comforting and enjoyable for certain mental conditions. But most of the time I just put on some MP3s. (And to extend the analogy further, a full-automatic machine would be like playing Spotify.)
I have the same grinder - 6 does quite well for espresso.
I'm very surprised to see that you are able to produce decent crema out of Hario.
I’m not, it’s a pretty decent burr grinder, and I think the crema is mostly a matter of the CO2 content of the coffee anyway.
Is the handle on the classic also out of metall?
Yep!
very nice, now I gotta find 280€ laying around to get myself one@@fluffycritter
So peaceful!
Thanks for the vid.
Maybe pre heating would help tho?
I did preheat, at 2:15
@@fluffycritter ah, I guess you were fast forwarding that part, since it's very short!
@@rbmanb Yeah I didn't think it was helpful to just like... stare at the thing for 45 seconds or whatever. I took the opportunity to move my camera.
@@fluffycritter well, I think pre heating is one of the most important things in a Flair, so at least to see how you set it, would be helpful information.
@@rbmanb Personally I've found that the preheat doesn't make that much of a difference. Also my process for actual brewing has changed somewhat (mostly to get more efficient) and I should probably make a new version of this that reflects that. Mostly I made this because the included instruction booklet didn't make a lot of sense and all of the videos I was finding online were for the Pro.
ok so im not the only one 2oz = aprox 1 oz out.
Yeah, the Flair Classic only really accommodates single shots, and a lot of the water is retained by the grounds.
Incidentally I've now switched to a Gaggia Classic Pro, and I should do an obligatory "how I brew" video, even though there's plenty of those out there for that machine already.
Great video. How many clicks in are you on the Hario? I'm on a budget and there's an old model classic (not compatible with Pro accessories) in my area for $100. Should I go for it? I was worried I would need a really pricey grinder as well. Either way, your video gives a nice view of what it's like to use from beginning to end. More work than the Delonghi I was considering, but probably cheaper to own in the long run. Do you ever use milk? How do you froth it?
Whoops, sorry, I never got a notification about this comment.
I never measured the Hario clicks, and since filming this I upgraded to a Baratza Encore which I usually have at 8-9 depending on the particular coffee I'm brewing. I don't think the Hario is so precise that the number of grind adjustment clicks is going to be the same for everyone though, and it's better to just dial it in yourself based on your own tastes and experience.
I only drink straight shots from the Flair. For Americano-style coffee I generally use an Aeropress (with Prismo), and I don't have any milk frothing setup at the moment but I also don't care for milk drinks. A friend of mine who does make milk drinks with the Flair uses a stovetop steamer wand, but I'd probably just go for the microwave + French Press technique if that's something I cared about.
$100 is a really good deal for the Flair, although I suspect by now that one has gone away. :)
@@fluffycritter Hah! No problem, I ended up getting the Flair based on this video and others. At the last minute I decided to splurge and got a JX-Pro by 1ZPresso and I'm not regretting either purchase one bit! I'm thinking of doing a small video about the grinder as there's very little info online.
@@seanjohnston848 Oh, I've seen a few people gush about that grinder! It looks quite nice. A lot more than I want to spend on a manual grinder though, especially since I'm so happy with the Baratza. :)
@Sean Johnston what grind setting do you use? I have the same set up and I’ve been struggling to dial in.
100 for a pro is such a steal!! i got a classic for the same price. Jealous
Perhaps a little less water would make it better. The drink appears thin to me.
I was filling it with the maximum amount of coffee it takes and filling it to the fill line, and I always felt that the shots from it were just fine. But since this video I've switched to a Gaggia Classic Pro which makes much better espresso (with a lot less fuss).
6 years for a coffee
What grind setting do you use?
I’m not sure how to count the specific grind setting on the Hario. On the Baratza I generally use 7 or 8, depending on the specific coffee (sometimes I go down to 6). But every grinder and coffee has variations and it’s best to dial it in based on your preferences.
TO set the grind you tighten all the way and then count back. All the way tight is “0”. So how many clicks did you go for this:? I have the same grinder and I find 6 is good for espresso - 9 for Aeropress
What grinder size do u use
Currently I use a Baratza Encore set to #6 although I don’t think that size is going to be uniform across grinders.
Flair classic bottomless pf or not?
At the time I made this video I kept the nozzle on but now I brew bottomless, mostly because it’s easier to clean.
@@fluffycritter which is good classic or pro??
@@ragsa789 It really depends on what your brewing needs are. I'm only pulling single shots so the classic is fine, but a lot of folks I know prefer the pro to get the larger shot size, and it also comes with the pressure gauge.
I've only used the classic so I don't know how they compare in terms of actual usage, but I've heard that the pro is a bit fussier because it has more thermal mass that you have to preheat.
@@fluffycritter thank you for your information😊😊
You have 15ml conical tube "at home"? What are you doing? LOL
I use them as a spice rack :)
No sabe hechar el café
Ella puede entenderte, y es bastante buena para hacer café
@@fluffycritter jaja 😂 recomendado entonces