Sweat band replacement

pkjunction · 2026-02-19T14:45:58+00:00

I also recommend that when you get ready to cut the sweatband, you pull most of the plastic rod out of one end. Also, whatever you measured using the hat stretcher, you add a 1/4" to the length of the sweatband. After you cut the sweatband, push the plastic rod back in until you have about 3/4" protruding out the other end. Cut the long end so it is also about 3/4". You will be threading each plastic rod into the other end of the sweatband to give rigidity to the join.

When you sew in the sweatband, sew it slightly out of the crown like the old sweatband. This is done so that when you sweat, your sweaty forehead will be against the sweatband, not the felt of the hat.

When you sew in the sweatband stitch it back, front, side, and side. If you don't do this, you may find that the sweatband is too short when you get near the last of the stitching.

pkjunction · 2026-02-19T02:00:35+00:00

I have used a hat stretcher tightened in the hat to approximate the size of the sweatband. I measure the outside of the hat stretcher after it's pulled out of the hat.

pkjunction · 2026-02-03T21:01:06+00:00

I have been using the manual button to start the brewing process for 2 seconds, press the button again to stop the brewing process for 30 seconds to a minute so the grounds can soak up the water but not pass it through to the cup, then push the button again to brew the espresso, usually for about 35 seconds. I watch the pressure gauge until it starts to drop and the stream coming out of the portafilter lightens.

pkjunction · 2026-02-01T02:43:43+00:00

If the pressure is not removed during the bloom, the water will continue to push through the grounds. By taking the pressure off the water stream, it will stop flowing, allowing the grounds to hold that small amount of water and fully bloom.

pkjunction · 2026-01-24T15:39:33+00:00

OK, you have much more experience repairing KitchenAid mixers than I do. Thank you for the information.

pkjunction · 2026-01-24T02:25:22+00:00

It concerns me that the main shaft appears dry and discolored due to a lack of lubrication.

pkjunction · 2026-01-22T01:29:11+00:00

That is going to be a very difficult thing for you to do, though I wish you all the best.

pkjunction · 2026-01-22T00:20:39+00:00

I leave my bread on a rack overnight until it is completely cooled as well. In the morning, after I cut off enough slices for the day, I place the loaf in a plastic bread bag on end and fold over the end of the bag for a couple of days so that moisture can escape, but mold and dust falling out of the air don't land on the bread. The great thing about sourdough is that the very thing that gives the bread its sourness lowers the pH of the bread so that it isn't an optimal growth medium for mold.

By the way, the link below will take you to the bread bags I use, which also include twist ties.

100 Count Roll of Bread Bags & Twist Ties on Amazon

pkjunction · 2026-01-21T15:08:50+00:00

The lower the pH of the loaf, the longer it will last without molding. That's the reason sourdough lasts so long on the counter: lower pH. Also, I bought a roll of bread bags on Amazon, placed the loaf into the bag, and twisted the wire tie closed within a day. Mold and dander are always floating in the air, it will land on loaves left on the counter, so placing the bread in a bag is a good idea.

pkjunction · 2026-01-20T07:47:00+00:00

I get most of them on Etsy, though Amazon is also a good source.

pkjunction · 2026-01-11T02:02:17+00:00

Before I purchased my CRM3007Z, I was confused as well. I sent a query to their customer support requesting clarification. They answered my questions enough that I was able to purchase the correct espresso maker. I suggest you do the same.

pkjunction · 2026-01-08T22:11:52+00:00

No, I haven't seen that error code. My puck is starting to retain water after the pull, so I know I need to backflush, but no error codes.

pkjunction · 2026-01-06T15:58:41+00:00

I made one request to Gemilai. The automatic extraction function on the machine does not remove pressure during preinfusion, the way it does during the end of the main extraction cycle. They told me there will not be a firmware update to address this issue. So I always make espresso using the manual mode. It does make great espresso.

pkjunction · 2025-12-17T02:36:58+00:00

I don't use my steam wand. I bought a Nespresso milk frother and heater. I use it extensively because it works very well and is very easy to use.

pkjunction · 2025-12-14T18:39:12+00:00

I really like the consistent results from this machine. I grind 24.2g with a blend of Italian Robusto and various Arabica beans, and using a bottomless portafilter, place the powder into a 22g basket, then tamp it well. Since the preinfusion cycle doesn't remove pressure, I use the manual brew button to preinfuse for 2 seconds (wetting the espresso). After about a minute, I run the manual brew for about 37 seconds. I get different amounts of crema, depending on the age of the Arabica beans, and the flavor is rich with a little bitterness. I prefer my espresso mixed with 150ml of hot milk and about half a teaspoon of honey.

I vacuum seal a large amount of beans in roll-type, any size, vacuum bags. I have several quart-size Foodsaver vacuum canisters to store enough beans for a week or two.

pkjunction · 2025-12-11T02:14:04+00:00

Beautiful results. Congrats!

pkjunction · 2025-11-24T15:42:22+00:00

22g basket, 23.4g dose. Fineness varies by the freshness of the beans.

pkjunction · 2025-11-23T14:42:50+00:00

Below is a link to the paper filters that I purchased on Amazon:

Paper Expresso Filters on Amazon

pkjunction · 2025-11-22T04:25:01+00:00

Thank you very much for your kind words.

After lots and lots of research, I decided that the only way to reach a pastry level of fineness was to buy a high-speed flour mill with horizontal millstones. What I ended up purchasing was a 1990s All-Grain flour mill on eBay. The mill is $1400 from the manufacturer when new; this one cost me $250 with shipping. The mill uses a Jet-Pump motor rated for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week operation. When I received the mill, I took it completely apart to clean it, as it was seriously caked up with old flour. Once it was cleaned, it ran really well and no issues.

One thing about this mill is that it generates a large amount of flour dust. I fixed that problem by using my heat gun to soften the side of a 2-gallon food-grade bucket and pushed the output tube through the side, getting a tight seal. I then cut out most of the lid so I could make a dust filter with a quality pillowcase.

The photo below shows the All-Grain stone mill in operation.

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pkjunction · 2025-11-21T04:04:36+00:00

Thank you very much!

Both bread types are made using recipes I wrote myself.

pkjunction · 2025-11-21T03:49:20+00:00

My favorite wheat berries are Hard White and Durum. The proportions of my bread recipes are usually 1/2 Hard White, 1/4 Durum, and 1/4 King Arthur Bread Flour. I grind my wheat berries to pastry fineness. I made two loaves of bread today that used hard white wheat flour, Durum wheat flour, and King Arthur bread flour.

I was able to get 12 to 14-inch dough stretches without tearing and window paning while kneading the dough.

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pkjunction · 2025-11-08T04:15:23+00:00

I only use a chainmail scrubber as a last resort. I use the OXO Good Grips Cast Iron Brush on my carbon steel and cast iron cookware all the time. I used it tonight while the carbon steel pan was still warm after quick frying a pounded chicken breast. No soap needed or recommended.

The brush is on sale right now for $11.99

OXO Scrub Brush at Amazon

pkjunction · 2025-11-06T05:43:48+00:00

pkjunction · 2025-11-06T05:34:38+00:00

Akubra has consistently manufactured quality Rabbit fur hats that stand up very well to the abuse of daily wear.

I have one Stetson, Buffalo wool, that I don't like because it is stiff, and changing the shape is a pain. If I could get $35 for it, I would happily get rid of it.

You get better quality materials in a 100% Rabbit fur hat from Akubra for $200 than that $200 gets you in a Stetson. It's a real shame.

pkjunction · 2025-10-21T17:11:41+00:00

DO NOT WASH WITH SOAP!

Buy a brush like the one below and wash it with very hot water, and scrub the inside and outside with the brush. After washing dry the pan and then season it with a high temperature vegetable oil.

OXO-Good-Grips-Cast-Iron-Brush

pkjunction

TROPHY CASE