How to Backflush Flair 58

Last updated: September 24, 2026

Backflushing is a cleaning method built for pump espresso machines: you block the portafilter with a blind basket, run the pump, and a three-way valve dumps dirty water back through the group. The Flair 58 has no pump, no group plumbing and no valve, so there is nothing to backflush. That does not mean it stays clean by itself. Coffee oils still cling to the dispersion screen, the basket and the underside of the piston, and the Flair needs its own quick routine that does the same job.

Why the Usual Method Does Not Apply

Pressing a lever against a blind basket would simply trap hot water in the cylinder with nowhere to go. It cleans nothing and can put unnecessary stress on the seals.

The Flair 58 “Flush” Routine After Each Session

See also: Best Stocking Stuffers for Coffee Lovers • Best Green Coffee Beans for Home Roasting

This takes about a minute and does most of what backflushing does on a pump machine.

1. Remove the portafilter, knock out the puck and rinse the basket under hot water.
2. Reattach the empty, clean portafilter.
3. Pour 60-80 ml of hot water into the brew cylinder, insert the piston and pull the lever slowly. Water flows through the dispersion screen and the empty basket, flushing loose grounds and oils.
4. Lift the piston, remove the portafilter and wipe the cylinder interior and the piston face with a soft cloth.
5. Leave the parts to air-dry before storing, especially the piston seal.

Weekly Deep Clean

Portafilter and basket

Soak the 58 mm basket and the metal portafilter in hot water with espresso machine detergent, about a teaspoon per liter, for 20-30 minutes. Scrub the basket holes with a soft brush and rinse very thoroughly. Keep any wooden or rubberized handle out of the solution.

Dispersion screen

Remove the screen as described in the Flair manual and soak it with the basket. Check its holes against the light; blocked holes create uneven water distribution and channeling.

Piston

Wipe the piston face and seal with warm, soapy water, rinse and dry. If the lever has started to feel sticky, apply a thin layer of food-grade silicone lubricant to the seal.

Cleaning the Heated Brew Cylinder Safely

The Flair 58’s cylinder has a built-in preheating element. Always unplug it and let it cool before cleaning. Never submerge it or put it in a dishwasher. Wipe the interior with warm water and a drop of detergent, rinse with fresh hot water poured from the kettle and dry it. Keep water away from the electrical connection.

Signs Your Flair Needs a Deeper Clean

• Shots taste bitter or stale with fresh beans
• Brown film on the dispersion screen or piston face
• Puck surface shows uneven wet spots or holes, a sign of blocked screen holes
• Lever resistance feels uneven during the shot

How This Compares to Pump-Machine Cleaning

The upside of the Flair’s design is that nothing is hidden. On a pump machine, rancid oils can sit inside a valve for months. On the Flair 58, every surface coffee touches can be seen and wiped, so a two-minute routine keeps it genuinely clean. There are also no electronics in the water path to protect, apart from keeping the heated cylinder’s wiring dry.

FAQ

Should I use espresso detergent on the brew cylinder?

A small amount on a cloth is fine for occasional cleaning, followed by a thorough rinse. For daily care, hot water and a wipe are enough.

Can I run detergent through with the lever?

It is not necessary. Soaking the removable parts is more effective and avoids leaving detergent residue on the piston seal.

Bottom Line

You do not backflush a Flair 58, because it has no pump or valve to flush. Instead, run a hot-water flush through a clean empty basket after each session, soak the basket, portafilter and dispersion screen weekly, and keep the piston seal clean and lightly lubricated. That routine keeps your shots tasting clean.