flair espresso NEO Flex Espresso Makers User Guide

flair espresso NEO Flex Espresso Makers

Product Information

The NEO Flex is an espresso machine designed to brew beautiful espresso. It comes with various components and features, including:

• Main Post & Lever
• Base
• Piston with Pressure Release Valve
• Brew Cylinder
• Stainless Steel Screen
• Flow Control Portafilter (red)
• Silicone Preheat Cap
• Extra Flow-Control Spout
• Dosing Cup/Tamper
• Funnel
• Bottomless 2-in-1 Portafilter (black)
• Pressure Release Valve Replacement

The NEO Flex offers both a Flow-Control Portafilter and a Bottomless 2-in-1 Portafilter. The Flow-Control Portafilter is designed for convenience and can be used with almost any grinder orpre-ground coffee without the need for dialing in  the shot. The Bottomless 2-in-1 Portafilter requires a quality burr grinder and allows you to adjust the grind size to achieve the right pressure for brewing espresso.

The NEO Flex also includes a Pressure Release Valve as a fail-safe feature to avoid damaging the piston and causing stress on the frame. If the silver foil on the valve is ruptured, it will bleed pressure up and through the piston, indicating the need forvalve replacement.

Product Usage Instructions

1. Assembling Your NEO Flex:
2. Attach the lever to the base by aligning the fins on the base and post, then pressing down to seat.
3. To disassemble, simply pull the pieces apart.
4. Using the Flow-Control Portafilter:
   • This portafilter can be used with almost any grinder or pre-ground coffee without the need to dial in the shot.
5. Using the Bottomless 2-in-1 Portafilter:
   • You will need a quality burr grinder and will need to adjust he grind size to achieve the right pressure for brewing espresso.
   • Grind too fine, and you won’t be able to lower the lever. Grind too coarse, and the lever will lower without any resistance and not make espresso.
6. Replacing the Pressure Release Valve:
   • If the silver foil on the valve is ruptured, it indicates the need for valve replacement.
   • To remove the broken valve, pull it out by the small recess at the edge of the valve.
   • To replace, push the new valve into the recess on the underside of the piston, with the foil facing out.
7. Preparing your NEO Flex for Brewing:
8. Separate the brew head into four parts: Piston, Brew Cylinder, Screen, and Portafilter. Use the dosing cup to remove the piston.
9. Preheat the Brew Cylinder.
10. Prepare your freshly roasted beans.
11. Start with the Flow-Control Portafilter or Bottomless 2-in-1 Portafilter, depending on your preference.

QR Code for Video Tutorials

Scan the code below to view video tutorials for your NEO Flex. Seeing is believing and is the best way to learn to brew beautiful espresso with your Flex.

What’s Included in the Box

1. Main Post & Lever
2. Base
3. Piston with Pressure Release Valve (found inside brew cylinder)
4. Brew Cylinder
5. Stainless Steel Screen (found inside brew cylinder)
6. Flow Control Portafilter (red)
7. Silicone Preheat Cap
8. Extra Flow-Control Spout
9. Dosing Cup/Tamper
10. Funnel
11. Bottomless 2-in-1 Portafilter (black)
12. Pressure Release Valve Replacement

Assembling Your NEO Flex

Before brewing with your NEO Flex, you’ll need to attach the lever to the base. This is a press fit, so no equipment is needed. Simply line up the fins on the base and post, as show below, and press down to seat. To dissasemble your NEO Flex, simply pull the pieces apart.

Align the fins on the front and back of the base with the openings in the bottom of the post. Push down to seat.

The Flair logo on the base and the NEO logo on the post must be on the same side.

Flow Control vs. Bottomless Portafilter

Flow-Control Portafilter (Red)

Featuring a Pressurized Portafilter

All Brewers Should Start Here!
The Flow-Control Portafilter features a restricted exit port, which builds pressure for brewing espresso in the chamber. This portafilter can be used with almost any grinder, or with pre-ground coffee, without the need to “dial- in” your shot. Use for convenience.

Bottomless 2-in-1 Portafilter (Black)
Featuring a Removable Spout

Requires a Quality Burr Grinder!
You will need to “dial-in,” meaning trialing different sized grounds until you get the right pressure. Grind too fine, and you won’t be able to lower the lever. Grind too coarse, and the lever will lower without any resistance and not make espresso.

Pressure Release Valve

Each NEO Flex comes with a Pressure Release Valve in the underside of the Piston. As a fail-safe, this Pressure Release Valve has been incorporated to avoid damaging the piston of the NEO Flex and causing undesired stress on the frame. If the silver foil is ruptured, the valve will bleed pressure up and through the piston. If this occurs, the valve should be replaced, as below*.

Pressure Release Valve (Never Remove Foil)

Remove the broken valve by pulling it out by the small recess at the edge of the valve. Replace by pushing new valve into the recess on underside of piston, with the foil facing out.

Preparing your NEO Flex for Brewing

1. Separate Your
   Brew Head Separate the brew head into four parts: 1) Piston 2) Brew Cylinder

3. Screen 4) Portafilter. Tip: Use dosing cup to remove piston.

2. Preheat the Brew Cylinder
   Boil water. Add preheat cap to bottom of brew cylinder. Fill with boiled water. Leave for at least 30 seconds. Repeat as needed.

3. Prepare your Freshly Roasted Beans
   Start with 15 grams of beans or grounds (roughly 3 tablespoons).If grinding, do so right before brewing for the best results.

4. Start with the Flow- Control Portafilter
   When ready to brew with the Bottomless portafilter (black), an espresso capable burr grinder, and dialing-in, is required.

Brewing with Your NEO Flex

• (a) Affix funnel to selected portafilter and fill with grounds. Tap filled portafilter on level surface to settle grounds. (b) Tamp lightly. (c) Remove funnel and place portafilter on post and add screen.
• (a) Empty preheat water, remove preheat cap and add cylinder to portafilter. (b) Add brew water (198- 208˚F, 92-97˚C) to cylinder. Fill to line.
• (a) Add piston to top of cylinder. (b) Slowly press the lever down until you see a steady stream. Maintain this amount of force until the lever is lowered. If you cannot lower the lever, you have ground too fine.

Cleaning your NEO Flex

Follow the steps below. Cleaning your NEO Flex should be done with water only. No soap is needed, as it can affect your espresso’s taste. Never put your Flex parts in the dishwasher.

1. Lift lever and remove assembled Brew Head from NEO Flex frame, gripping the silicone where indicated above.
2. Detach portafilter over sink by gripping portafilter in one hand and silicone on brew cylinder in other hand and pulling apart.
3. Remove dispersion screen and eject grounds by knocking them out against the side of a trash can, or dig the grounds out with a utensil.
4. Remove the piston using the dosing cup. Place cylinder over dosing cup and press down on a hard surface
5. Rinse all brewing parts with water from the tap. Reminder, don’t use soap as it will impact your espresso’s taste.

Troubleshooting your NEO Flex

We recommend periodically flushing your Flow-Control portafilter and brew head with fresh water. This will prevent the build-up of any coffee residue and ensure optimum flow. Simply follow the brewing steps, without coffee, to flush. For more thorough cleaning, remove the flow-control spout and rinse all pieces with water, as shown below.

Our team is here to help! If you experience any challenges, please reach out: https://flairespresso.com/contact
Your NEO Flex is backed by a 1-year limited warranty. For details visit: https://flairespresso.com/warranty

28-B Hammond Street
Irvine, CA, 92618 USA
© Intact Idea, All Rights Reserved

https://flairespresso.com/neo-flex-tutorials

References

• Contact Us | Flair Espresso
• NEO Flex Tutorials - Flair Espresso
• Flair Espresso Warranty Information

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