Ghostthouse : As stated I have Never encountered the issue . The dialog between myself and a sciencific guy relating to record cleaning at large was his opinion that was favorable. The articles I have read related to RCM cleaning only rather than steam cleaning. I have personally cleaned thousands of LPs in my collection both RCM only and with steam and I have never encountered an issue with a LP center hole. I am not suggesting that it can not happen only that my experience has never led to that challenge. My VPI has a threaded center-pin with a threaded top-piece. My VPI's center-pin has never impeded the placement of a Lp on the turntable or subsequently on my record player.I have been cleaning records for nearly 4 decades (brushes , RCM's & later steam) as have my friends and as far as I am aware none have had that problem nor have I or anyone I know had a problem with holding a LP for cleaning. I'm not saying never only never in my collective experience.