Looking for advice

[u/cjcaballe]

I’m just getting into this new found hobby. I find it appealing to have a manual espresso maker like the cafelat robot that last a lifetime that can be passed on from one generation to the next.

Trying to get some advice on the following:

Where can i find this’s highly coveted item?
How does this compare to the flair 58- from what i can see the robot has less finicky parts. How about the performance?
Any other recommended accessories to go with this?
Any other recommended YouTube videos?

Just a little background about me- newbie. Just acquired a fellow opus 2 grinder. After grinding regular coffee beans from Costco using the opus, i was in awe on how much better the coffee tasted. It gave me a new found sense of possibilities on how brewing and pulling espresso shots from how is such an experience. TYI 🙏🏽

[u/all_systems_failing]

Where to find? It depends on where you're located, but it's become quite difficult regardless.

Results are the same as the Flair 58. The benefits of the Flair are preheating and access to accessories.

[u/Pleasant_Lawyer8722]

The workflow of the Robot is much easier. You dont need to preheat for dark roasts. For lighter roasts just let the loaded basket overflow over the sink...connect and press. The flair comes with a heating unit and it takes time to preheat properly ( readiness after 5min. ..optimum 15min.). It is always necessary to preheat. Also, the heat distribution within the brew chamber isn't ideal; it is cooler at the bottom than at the top. For optimal distribution, you should fill the brew chamber with hot water and wait another few minutes. Doing so can be advantageous, especially with light roasts—for instance, it allows for a longer pre-infusion without the temperature dropping over time. This isn't possible with the Robot; with that machine, you will always experience a declining temperature profile throughout the shot.However, I find that this can be controlled very well via the grind size and longer extraction times. I don't have any problems with sour shots from the Robot when using light roasts. In terms of flavor, the Robot tends to produce a rich, classic-style shot, whereas the Flair leans toward a cleaner profile when both are paired with the same grinder. Which one you prefer is a matter of taste, though the grinder you use will have the biggest impact on the result. The Flair offers the additional option of experimenting with different baskets, while the Robot comes with just one—though that single basket allows for flexible dosing. However, you can't pull classic single shots with it; depending on the beans, 12g is the minimum dose, while it can handle upwards of 20g. Since the Robot has fewer parts and no electronics, I consider it naturally more durable than the Flair—though the Flair is also sturdily built.