Flair 58 plus pre-filling issue using graph basket.

[cedar fractal]

I cannot generate enough pressure because the water in the chamber is not enough. The water is not going down enough through the basket. Please help. Thank you in advance

[hoary heart]

Do you fill with the piston at the top or bottom position?

It sounds like you're getting air trapped in the brew chamber. I find it helps to fill with the piston all the way down AND raise the lever enough to open the valve. This should let water into the headspace. After a few seconds of filling, you can simultaneously raise the lever (slowly) and continue to fill. This has been the most consistent fill approach for me.

Another extra step would be to cycle the valve open and closed by using the lever. This should "burp" the headspace and help push out more air.

This video shows basically the same approach:
https://youtu.be/dTpKo5ul3XA?t=219

[cedar fractal]

Thank you For your help. I tried those two methods filling up with piston down and up. It seems to work with the piston is up. But when I tried it again while the chamber is not preheated the water did not fully fall down the chamber. I was trying to pull a soup espresso shot. I have to tinker with again later.

Thanks for your help. Appreciate it! 🫶

I don't have issues with 58mm baskets. I just recently bought a graph stepdown basket. I was surprised it has issues with flair 58

I don't exactly know what causing this issues. Kinda weird I expected it won't have issues given that lever machines have no issues with head space the water should just fall down when the piston is up

[hoary heart]

Anytime 🙂

I had fewer fill issues with a 58 on my F58, but had similar challenges avoiding air bubbles with a stepdown. I find the water bubbles when the chamber is preheated which disrupts the fill

It's a matter of practice and finding a fill approach that suits you

[upper girder]

the basket is too high for your lever machine. this issue happens with others too

u just womt be able to build enough pressure unless u increase the dose higher

you can also try filling the basket with water and then quickly lock it in thr grouphead and extract

[vestal lava]

May also help to include some video of what you are experiencing.

I just started using my Graph basket and have not yet encountered any similar issues.

[cedar fractal]

I solve the issue with taking of the locking mechanism and just take of the top part. Then just pour the water. After the chamber is filled then I put back the top part then start extraction. So far this is the best method I discovered that works best.

[cedar fractal]

Its similar to what people do with the flair pro 2

[cedar fractal]

58mm baskets I don't have issues. For some reason only with stepdown baskets

It seems when the top part is to hot the water do not go down

[vestal lava]

how much are you filling the stepdown basket - my only thought is perhaps when it is 'underfilled' there is enough air above the puck to create a sort of air lock that prevents water from being able to flow in