Bert - thanks for the "no chill" thread suggestion. I wasn't familiar with the term, but wow, what great information there!
Bbone -Actually what you are doing is very close to what I had in mind. I can get to 70F or so pretty quickly, but was thinking I'd strain into primary (bucket) after that, sit in the refrigerator at 50F for 8-10 hours, then pull it out, aerate (have the drill attachment), and pitch a my starter (sitting also at 50F).
Made the starter tonight (1 gal) with WLP830. Going to let that go for 3 days, then chill for a couple. I'll decant on Saturday (brew day) and then let it sit in the fridge with the wort at 50F. Sunday morning I'll aerate and pitch.
Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll try to post some results after the 3 week fermentation (50F) and 4 week lagering (35F-40F) I am planning.
If interested, I'm doing a basic extract recipe:
3.15 lb Pilsner Extract (60 min)
5.00 lb Pilsner Extract (15 min late addition)
1 oz Pearle (60 min)
1/2 oz Hallertau (15 min)
1/2 oz Hallertau (1 min)
Sounds easy enough. Hope to have it on tap in my under construction keezer by late May.