Hi,
I've been using an unpressurised after market basket and handle with my Delonghi Dedica for a while. It makes just OK espresso. I dont think my grinder is up to scratch tbh.
I thought I'd try a pressurised basket, but for some reason the espresso sprays out of the spouts laterally, making a huge mess, as pictured. Obviously this didnt happen before.
Any idea why? I tried a finer grind, distributing the coffee better, and tamping harder and more evenly. No cigar.
(Why a pressurised basket? The best espresso I've ever had out of this particular machine was with the stock handle and stock pressurised basket. Why not use those then? Because the stock basket doesnt grip the handle well. It falls out into the knock box when you bang it. I hate this with a passion)
I'm by no means an espresso expert ( I currently don't actually own an espresso machine ... )
But I believe pressurised baskets are meant to account for coffee that isn't ground fine enough, the added pressure is making up for a puck that doesn't provide enough resistance to the water. It may be that you're able to grind fine enough that the added pressure from the basket is causing water / coffee to escape out the sides.
Maybe try grinding coarser ( like pre-ground / pour over coarse )?
Ill give it a shot, thanks.