Hello, I just received a new Alexia from Chris Coffee (first espresso machine other than the stove top type, so I'm a newbie.) I noticed that the pressure gauge is all over the place. For example, this morning after leaving it on for a few hours, it was at 6 bars. After I flushed the group before preparing an espresso, it dropped down to two. When I put in the portafilter with coffee, it went back up to 6 during the pull, then up to 10 when I shut things down, only to fall back down to 6 later.

Is this oscillation in the pressure normal, or does it mean that something is broken, leaking, or not operating correctly? Seems to be things should be more stable, but I don't know. FWIW, I got the PID option installed with the Alexia and it is holding steady at 220 degree.

The only reading that matters is during an extraction. The pressure will always rise when the machine is idle because of thermal expansion.

Thank you very much for the response.

So it doesn't matter that when it is idle the gauge drops down to 2?

Is there some optimal pressure that one should look for when the lever (for pulling shots) is up?

A1. No. A2. Around 9 bar.

Thanks so much. That really helped put my mind at ease. From your info, I was able to determine (and assure myself) that the Alexia is working perfectly.

And to top it off, I FINALLY made my FIRST acceptable shot. Before all I could get was the 15 second blond gushers. Maybe it was relaxing, knowing that the Alexia was doing its part. All I had to do was mine. And voila, a great pull with blond showing only at 22 secs.

Now if I can just replicate the experience in the morning.