Thanks to this forum, I was finally able to fully perfect shots on my M32! So thank you.
That being said, is it possible to pull similar shots on a S/1 Junior as the M32? I have an M32 at my house which I plan on using for my business. It will obviously be moving away once I have the location (hoping sooner than later) for me to set up shop. But while I still have it, I have manage to perfect pulling shots on it. 18.5 grams between 27 and 30 seconds. The shot comes out beautifully, right level of sweetness and bitterness. I tried doing a similar shot on the JR, results were almost identical, closer to 23-25 seconds, which means it SHOULD come out sweeter, but it does not. It is VERY bitter, very overly extracted. Which I don't understand. How is it more bitter if its under 25 seconds? My GF suggested I use a different formula, so I thought making using the formula the European uses. I know here in the states, the standard amount of coffee is 18. So I thought, why not try 14 grams at a much finder grind size. But before I start wasting coffee though lol I wanted to see if anyone else has had a similar experience. I am wondering if I am going to have a similar experience on my Ellimatic.

Thank you in advance.

Incase anyone is wondering, I used a cimbali grinder, went with a finer grind, inserted 14g, extraction 28g @ 27 seconds. It was definitely closer to what I normally get out of my M32, you can smell the sweetness and the bitterness indicating a good balance.

I'm still unsure if I am on the right path but definitely feeling better about it

When I had a couple Cimbali Juniors a decade or so ago, I found they would pull a fine shot only after they had warmed up for a couple hours. Also, expect pre-shot flushing to be different from the M32. Then just experiment! I personally would stick with 18g, but YMMV. They are nice machines, but a bit of a breed unto themselves.

I can't really explain the bitterness of the shot @ 18 grams. When it pulls, it comes out beautiful, thick crema I mean, fantastic. But you taste it and it taste like crap. It makes absolutely no sense. How can it be over extracted if its under 30 seconds? I don't mind the 14 grams, in the end I save coffee but still very confused. I am going to see if I can get it to 16 grams.

I have a 2nd Junior that I am in the process of fixing. I think the solenoid is stuck. Once I fix that, I will attempt to pull a similar shot and see how that comes out. I think its a newer model since it has "quality of life" upgrade.

I will also be getting a portafilter this thursday for my Ellimatic, super looking forward to see how that pulls a shot.

But yeah the Jr definitely has it quirks. You really have to know this unit.

It just occurred to me, could the pressure has something to do with the shot pulling so bitter at 18 grams? Does it need to be decreased or increased? Is there a way to do that on a Jr?

Yes, was going to suggest longer flush before pulling shot. If that helps, lower pressure a tad.

A dance that I have the most success with comes from Dan's short video on flushing - Flush excess steam, grind and dose, flush a tad (this is where you can adjust for temperature), then pull, or in my case pre-infuse 3sec on/6sec off then pull and count from start of real drip. Since my E61 days, I tend to run machines a tad hot so I can adjust it here, rather than always trying to avoid the sour of a too-low temp.