My Equipment
Sage Barista Express (something happened with the burrs, so I bought an external grinder)
Sage Grinder Pro
Felicita Arc Scale
Non-pressurized basket

I used to use my Barista express a year ago (store bought beans and pressurised basket), but recently I decided to get back into home espressos. I bought freshly grounded beans from a roaster and changed my basket to the non-pressurised basket.

According to the roaster, I should grind 19g and aim for 38g extraction. However, each time I pul a shot, the gauge on my machine shows I am over extracting. So I change my grind to a more coarse grind, and then I can't extract 38grams out in 25-30 seconds.

I have spent hours trying to dial in the machine and it's really getting to me ahhhhh

I can try and record a video tomorrow, if that'll help.

First of all, how does it taste? If it is very bitter, then it may be overextracted.

Secondly, where about on the dial is the hand pointing? When I had the Barista Express, I was usually around the 1o'clock mark on the dial and could usually get a decent shot around there.