Another option is to go with a four tier. Fermenter on the floor, boil kettle on one burner is the next level, mash tun for the third level and the HLT on another burner is the fourth level. Simply use a short hose to fill the HLT, no ladders needed. I've got a sight glass on the HLT so I can...
I'm sure the keg had developed a leak at some point to release all his beer. You can over carb the tar out of beer but keep it contained in the keg, provided it's not leaking!
Cheers
Your previous reading was 1005 I believe? There is no way for it now to be 1008 unless you've added something to it. So I'm thinking it's finished fermentation.
Edit: Wait..... This was all today? Yes give it more time, as others have said here, a little more patience. :-)
Recently had to have a new boiler installed in my house. The old boilermate that went with my old boiler was in very good condition but the new package had it's own hot water tank soooo I kept the old one. It's a perfect heat exchanger, I'm thinking about maybe jacking around with it somehow...
I use a heat pad suspended in the freezer on its lowest setting, and a small circulation fan. Then let the freezer cycle as it usually does via the temp controller. My garage is steady 55 degrees in the winter and the little pad never has a problem heating it up into the mid 60's for my ales...
I usually do all of my spicing after primary fermentation is done, so your timing actually I think is perfect. I would leave it on the spices for a week or two probably at a minimum. That's my opinion only, and I usually do my spicing in a secondary vessel although you wouldn't have to.
The...
Have a 23 cu' freezer I use for fermentation, Johnson temp control fan inside to help push air round etc. It's wonderful and I haven't had a lick of trouble with it for years. I've had moisture in it before many times but it's always dried out due to the fan going 24/7.
I got smart this time...
I've found IPAs seem to better with out a lot of aging. I try to drink mine fairly soon after they've fermented completely and have been dry hopped for about a week or so....... or so