My Gear

Flair 58 Plus 2

The espresso machine I chose for my setup is a fully manual lever espresso machine. It allows direct control over pressure in every shot while still using a standard 58mm portafilter. I also wanted a machine with as little plastic contact to coffee and water s possible. This mchine offers more flexibility and control compared to other similarly priced machines. This machine came with a walnut handled portafilter, 2 portafilter baskets, and a puck screen.

1zpresso J-Ultra

A grinder is arguably the most important piece of equipment. Initially I wanted an electric grinder, however i realized finding one in my budget would mean sacrificing quality and grind consistency. This hand turning grinder offers micro adjustments well suited for espresso, however it can also grind coarser for other brewing styles like pour over, in case I decide to explore those in the future.

Flair Wizard

To match my manual set up, I chose this hands on milk steamer which heats on a convection, conduction, or flame stove. This machine textures milk for milk based drinks, and maybe one day latte art.

Fellow Stagg EKG Pro Studio Edition

This top of the line kettle offers precise temperature control for total customization of the brewing temperature. Offering a slow pour in case I want to explore Pour over coffee, this kettle is built to go as far as I need. The walnut wood accents complement the aesthetics of the work station.

TimeMore Puck - Calibrated Tamper

Tamping is a crucial step of the brewing process. It allows pressure to built by compressing the ground coffee.

TimeMore Puck - Orbital WDT Tool

This tool ensures an even distribution of coffee grounds prior to tamping. It also eliminates clumps, preventing channeling.

RDT

The ross droplet technique involves lightly misting the coffee beans prior to grinding, which reduces static, lowering the amount of retention or ground coffee stuck in the grinder. It also improves grind consistency.

MHW-3BOMBER 58mm 18g basket

This precision espresso filter basket offers an improved extraction compared to the baskets that come with the Flair 58 Plus 2. The fine, evenly spaced holes, and flat bottom design lead to better extraction, flavor, and crema.

58mm Paper Filters

Adding one of these to the bottom of the portafilter basket prior to adding the ground coffee increases the filtration of the espresso, and clarity. This practically eliminates all diterpenes, which increase LDL or bad cholesterol if consumed regularly.

Bookoo Themis Ultra

This high precision scale offers accurate 0.1g readings alongside an IP67 waterproof construction. This will be used to weigh the coffee beans prior to grinding, or any other potential weight measuring I'll do.

Bookoo Themis Mini

This is a more compact version of the Themis Ultra. Fitting directly under the brewing path, this is used during the extraction process to measure brew time, weight, and speed.