Good advice, but honestly given how complicated puck prep can be I'd suggest people struggling just go for turbo shots directly (coarse grinds, 1:2/1:2.5 ratio

Good advice, but honestly given how complicated puck prep can be I'd suggest people struggling just go for turbo shots directly (coarse grinds, 1:2/1:2.5 ratio in 15 seconds or less, 6 bar if you can control it). It's much more repeatable which makes it easier to dial in by taste, and will get you much closer to reliably good espresso.