Shabbat Espresso Instructions (Flair Manual Press)

Please follow these steps carefully to ensure Shabbat observance.
All setup—grinding, measuring, heating water—must be completed before Shabbat.

A. Setup (Before Shabbat)

1. Assemble your Flair manual espresso press and set an urn of water to heat and hold at a temperature near but below boiling (about 95°C / 200°F).
2. Prepare your workflow station, including:
   • metal cups for transferring hot water and catching espresso
   • a container for liquid waste
   • a container for dry waste
   • any accessories you plan to use (magnetic funnel, WDT tool, tamper, etc.)

B. Prepare the Puck

1. Fill a metal cup partially with hot water from the urn.
2. Use this water to rinse the portafilter over the liquid-waste container. Refill the metal cup with hot water if needed.
3. Scoop pre-ground coffee (prepared before Shabbat) into the portafilter. If this step gets messy, consider using a magnetic funnel.
4. Stir gently with the WDT tool (the small whisk) to break up clumps and distribute the grounds.
5. Tamp the coffee with even, gentle pressure in one smooth press.
6. Place the metal dispersion screen on top of the coffee puck.

C. Brew

1. Pull the lever down to the horizontal position if it isn’t already there.
2. Insert the portafilter into the slot at the bottom and rotate it counter-clockwise until it stops.
3. Place a cup beneath the portafilter to catch the espresso.
   
   You may use your drinking cup, but espresso tastes best when stirred, so a small metal pitcher is recommended for catching the shot first.
4. Fill a metal pouring cup with hot water and then use it to fill the brew chamber. Approximations are fine.
5. Raise the lever fully, then press down in one smooth, steady motion—not too fast and not too slow—until the handle reaches the bottom.
   • Since you will not be using the pressure gauge on Shabbat, we recommend practicing this motion beforehand.
   • Too little resistance means the grind is too coarse or the dose is too small, and the coffee will be weak.
   • Too much resistance can damage the device. If this happens, ease off and apply gentle, short presses until the lever reaches the bottom.
6. Pour your espresso into your drinking cup and enjoy.
7. Swap cups: remove the espresso cup and place a waste cup beneath the portafilter.
8. With the waste cup still in place, raise the lever fully and push it down again to blow air through the puck.
   • This helps dry the puck for easier cleanup.
   • Some people who want more volume—or plan to add milk or sweetener—catch this “coffee snot” in their drinking cup. Your choice.

D. Clean and Reset

1. Remove the portafilter by twisting it clockwise.
2. Remove the metal screen to reveal the puck.
3. Discard the puck:
   • Knock it out into a knock box, or
   • Tap it on the edge of your waste container, or
   • Use a plastic spoon (or gently use a metal one) to loosen and remove it.

E. Tidy Up

1. Rinse the metal screen and portafilter, then wipe them clean.
   
   If you are making multiple shots in one session, you may wait to wipe them until switching coffee beans.
2. Place everything back on the tray, ready for the next person.

Reminder

Do not measure, grind, or heat water on Shabbat.
All ingredients and equipment must be prepared beforehand.
This process is intended solely to support Torah learning and oneg Shabbat.
For a full explanation of the halachic rationale, see the page
here.