using my krups espresso machine?

I had my Krups espresso machine for a year now which I barely use becuase it makes horrible espresso. I duno if i’m using it wrong but it isnt hot nor does the coffee come out good. I use the stove top to make it and it comes out fine. So my question is, is there a certain time period I should have the machine on before I make my cup and also there is a squiggly line on the dial, that make alot of steam when I turn it on, what is that for? Can anyone help?

My mom tried all those fancy machines and then just wound up using my grandmothers stove-top espresso pot.

Less is more!