Is my HiBrew pressure gauge reading normal?

Short answer: the gauge sweeping past the pre-infusion mark during a shot is normal.

The gauge on HiBrew machines shows pump pressure, not puck pressure. During a shot it should sit in the espresso zone (roughly 8–12 on the dial). It will read higher with a fine grind and lower with a coarse one.

Worth checking if: the needle pins to maximum and no coffee flows (grind too fine / basket clogged), or it never leaves zero (pump issue — raise a warranty request).