In this article, I will continue with Flair’s series, discussing their great Royal hand grinder. Being a Flair product, of course, its specialty is grinding for espresso, but it can also be used for other filtered methods.
Flair Royal grinder features
This grinder has a thick cloth case to keep it safe when traveling. Inside we find the handle, an Allen key to disassemble it, and a brush for cleaning.
This grinder measures approximately 20 centimeters high and weighs about 700 grams.
- At the top, we see a handle, which I love because it is very comfortable, with a large knob that facilitates movement; this handle is fixed to the body with a screw.
- Below the handle, we see a transparent plastic cover that covers the grinder hopper, where we place the coffee beans.
- Below the cover, we see the inside of the aluminum body and, at the bottom, the steel grinding burrs.
- On the outside, we have a silicone grip and thumb rest.
- Underneath, we see the ground coffee container (pulled out under pressure), which is plastic on the outside and stainless steel on the inside.
- In the lower part of the body, we see the groove of the burrs through which the coffee comes out and the screw that fixes it.
How does the Flair Royal grinder’s grinding system work?
One of the things I like most about this grinder is the grinding adjustment system it has. At the top of the hopper and under the lid, we have the adjustment crown with numbers indicated on its base.
To change the grinding level, we have to lift this crown and turn it to the right to grind coarser or to the left to grind finer. Once we choose the wished level of grinding, we lower the crown again.
The higher the number, the coarser the grind; the lower the number, the finer the grind. Anyway, we find an indication of this on the inside of the crown on each side of the selector.
Generally, I like step-less grinders for espressos, as they allow us to change the grind freely, guaranteeing a fine and precise change.
Although this grinder works “with steps”, each moves just 0.2 millimeters and counting each of these clicks, we have more than 72 steps to change the grind. So it is ideal for calibrating espressos and other methods as well.
These 72 clicks are distributed in three rotations. Within the first one, i.e., from 0 to 12, we find the fine grind for espresso. The first numbers are used for more commercial espresso, and the last ones are for espresso using a Flair.
Within each number, we can choose an intermediate. Once we get back to zero, i.e., 12, we enter the second rotation up to 24, which we will use for other methods such as the Moka Pot, Aeropress, Chemex, V60, etc.
Once we reach 0 again, i.e., 24, we enter the third rotation up to 36, and here we find coarser grinds such as Chemex, Melitta, French Press, Cold Brew, etc. This is a guide, but each adjustment will depend on the amount and type of coffee you use and its roast level.
I find this system very simple and practical, in my opinion, one of the best manual grinders. The best thing is to adjust the grind; we don’t have to remove the container from below or the crank.
It is very quick to use and easy to navigate between the different grinds; the numbers are very large, making it very visible. It is very well made, that’s something I love!
The type of grind produced by the Flair Royal grinder
The grind that this grinder produces is very uniform. I’ve been using it for a few months with my Flair Pro-2, and it’s ideal; I get very good results. Of course, it doesn’t beat the high-end electric grinders, but for its features and price, I find it very affordable and an excellent choice.
It is a great investment for home and travel; it is worth every penny. I also found it to be very fast compared to other grinders, you have to use a little more force, but in just seconds, you have a dose of coffee ready to use.
As I mentioned, this grinder shines in espresso, but I also used it for other filtered methods like V60, which I found very good. I could grind it very fine without much sediment or fine particles clogging the paper filter.
And for coffees with clear roasts, a very fine grind is ideal for a good extraction, which is why I was surprised. I didn’t think it would be as good for filtered as well, although the coarser you grind, the more inconsistencies you’ll see. But if you use coffees with clear roasts, I don’t think you’ll have any problems with either method.
If you use coffees with darker roasts, you may have a more uneven grind, but this is because the bean is more fragile and because with dark roasts, we must grind coarser in general.
Still, it seems a very good choice for those looking for a versatile grinder where you can grind for both espresso and other methods. It has plenty of settings for all of this.
Cleaning the Flair Royal grinder
To clean this grinder, we must follow the following steps:
1. First, we must place a very coarse grind setting.
2. Remove the bowl and, holding the crank in place with your hand, take the Allen wrench found in the case, unscrew the bolt that holds the grinding wheel to the central shaft and remove it along with the grinding wheel.
3. To clean it, we will use a dry cloth, and with the brush, we will remove the coffee segments that we find in the grindstones (it is not recommended to use water).
4. Once ready, we put everything back in place without modifying the grinding setting. Align the tips with the holes in the grinding wheel and the flat parts of the shaft with the holes in the grinding wheel. Finally, we place the bolt, adjusting it to the central shaft.
5. Now, to return to the zero grind setting and start counting, we lift the crown and turn it to the left, fine-tuning the grind as much as possible until we feel it can no longer be turned when the wheels touch each other. From this position, we rotate the crown to the right until the crown cut aligns with 0 again.
6. From now on, we are already in the first rotation to start calibrating the espresso grind.
Conclusion
I must say that, for this grinder’s price, I find it an incredible option. I admit that I was quite surprised, so I recommend it.
It has a very good design, feels heavy, and has a premium finish. It is comfortable and easy to use, with many settings, and is still very affordable, considering its features.
The only thing I could criticize is the fit of the canister that can slip out. I never had any problem in all these months of use, but if you do not take the precaution of holding it very well from above, it can happen that it comes out.
Related: Hario Mini Slim Plus grinder.
