Flair 49 Etched Puck Screen – 49 mm for Olympia Cremina, La Pavoni, and other 49 mm machines

Flair 49 mm Etched Puck Screen – for Flair 49, Olympia Cremina, La Pavoni and other 49 mm machines

The first stroke of the lever, the first drop at the spout – the pressure gauge climbs, the grounds sit beneath a thin, precisely etched stainless steel disc. Water doesn't land in one spot, it spreads across the surface. What's left after extraction: a smooth, round puck in the basket, hardly any grounds speckled at the top of the group, a clean workflow without wiping afterward.

49 mm is a standard with history. Classic lever machines from Switzerland and Italy have worked with this basket diameter for decades – the Olympia Cremina from Schinznach-Bad as much as the La Pavoni Europiccola from Milan. If you own one of these machines, or you're starting out with the Flair 49, you can use this Etched Puck Screen directly.

What the Puck Screen actually does

The screen sits directly on the grounds, beneath the brew piston. During the stroke, the water first hits the etched stainless steel disc and is spread evenly across the puck surface through its precise hole pattern – instead of a single point of entry, a homogeneous pre-infusion pattern forms. Channelling is mechanically reduced, because the water doesn't seek out one preferred spot but enters everywhere at once. That's not magic, it's fluid dynamics: a more even inlet, a more even extraction.

The second effect shows up above: the group head stays cleaner, because less grounds spray upward as pressure builds. Anyone who's ever wiped the piston after every cup knows the value of this detail.

Etched instead of mesh

"Etched" refers to a laser-precise hole pattern in thin stainless steel – as opposed to classic mesh screens with their wire weave. The holes are exactly geometric and evenly distributed, which makes the water flow more predictable. Cleaning becomes easier: grounds don't get stuck in the mesh, a quick rinse under warm water is usually enough. Our opinion is one of many – some baristas prefer mesh screens for their specific hydrodynamics. Both work.

Which machines it fits

The standard 49 mm diameter fits a range of classic and modern machines. Here are the most common:

If in doubt, it's worth checking the basket dimensions of your own machine. If you're not sure, send us a photo of your current basket at office@coffeecoachingclub.ch – we'll compare the design.

At a glance

Who it's made for

For anyone who works with a 49 mm machine and wants to add a small detail to their workflow that stays measurable in the cup. Especially on lever machines like the Flair 49, Olympia Cremina, or La Pavoni Europiccola – where every stroke of the lever defines the pressure profile – the screen makes a visible difference. If you want to see channelling, add a bottomless portafilter. If you want to reduce channelling, add a Puck Screen. Both paths work – one is the diagnosis, the other the correction.

Nobody needs a Puck Screen. Anyone who works seriously with a lever machine usually wants both: a bottomless spout that shows the truth, and a screen that calms the distribution.

What goes with it

On the Flair side, the main device: the Flair 49 Pro – manual lever espresso machine. You'll find the whole Flair family and matching accessories in the Flair Espresso Collection – as the exclusive Swiss importer, we carry the full range.

Before the screen comes the grinder. For manual lever machines with 49 mm – Flair 49, Olympia Cremina, La Pavoni and similar – hand grinders work especially well: affordable and very precise, a Comandante C40 or Timemore from our hand grinders collection. If you want electric and single dose, check out our WPM Welhome Pro Collection or the Weber Workshops Collection with the EG-1.

For complete puck preparation, a WDT tool and tamper in 49 mm are worth it – in the range of the Normcore Collection you'll find matching tools in the more common sizes.

Frequently asked questions

Which machines does the 49 mm Etched Puck Screen fit specifically?

All machines with a 49 mm basket diameter. That includes the Flair 49 and Flair 49 Pro, the Olympia Cremina and Maximatic from Switzerland, as well as the classic La Pavoni lever models Europiccola, Professional, Stradivari, and the Esperto series. If in doubt, contact us with a photo of your basket.

Does the Puck Screen fit other Flair machines?

No. 49 mm only fits 49 mm machines. The Flair NEO, Pro 2, and Classic use other sizes; for the Flair 58 / 58+ / 58+2, there's a dedicated 58 mm version in our range.

What's the difference between etched and mesh Puck Screens?

Etched screens have precisely, geometrically etched holes in thin stainless steel. Mesh screens are a wire weave. Etched screens are easier to clean and deliver a more predictable water flow. Mesh screens have their own hydrodynamics, which some baristas prefer. Both work, the difference lies in the workflow.

How do I clean the Puck Screen?

Rinse briefly under warm water after every shot and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Every few weeks – depending on use – soak it in a puck cleaner solution to fully remove coffee oils. You'll find cleaning products in our cleaning collection.

How long does the Puck Screen last?

For years, with proper care. Stainless steel is resilient, the hole pattern stays stable. A replacement is only worth it once visible deformation or discolouration appears that can no longer be removed – which is rare in home use.

Can I see the Puck Screen before buying?

Yes, in our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zürich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b) – together with the matching machines, if you'd like to experience the combination live. Click & Collect at both locations.

Delivery and pickup?

Across Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2–4 business days. Click & Collect in Bern and Zürich. If you have questions before buying, reach us by email at office@coffeecoachingclub.ch or by phone during business hours.