Brew pressure gauge

A manometer that reads the actual pressure at the group during a shot. Reads 0 bar at idle, and rises through the pump cycle as pressure builds against the puck.

Why it matters — The brew pressure gauge is the most useful diagnostic on the machine front panel. A flat 9-bar reading in the middle of a shot confirms you're in the right pressure range. Spikes above 12 bar mean over-pressure; failure to reach 9 bar usually means a leaking seal or stuck OPV.

Good to know

• Look at the middle of the shot, not the peak. The first second and the last second always read differently from the steady-state.
• If your gauge consistently reads above 10 bar on a normal shot, consider an OPV adjustment.