I got a Bayou classic turkey fryer for 140 it says its stainless but I'm pretty sure it isnt (maybe the stand is)... not sure how "affordable" it is but you get the burner and pot in one go and it is about 8gal too.. so if you need both it may work out for you
I'm assuming you have the temperature regulator already... and I am also assuming that your disconnects are the barb style (if you are getting MFL disconnects you would have to get the MFL swivels as well).... other than that a fan to help circulate the air up into the collar would be helpful...
Personally I don't think I would like the flavor but dont add until most of the fermentation is completed, say a week or so into the secondary. This would be to thwart any possibility of killing of the fermentation process of the yeast, too much alcohol is not a friend of the yeast. I agree...
good luck... but first brew and you have a conical?... wish i had that kind of cash haha...... i dig chimay though, they have 3 styles by me in larger bottles all delicious...but no 4 pks...
some of those types of labels are "water proof" ... the foil labels I would say would be the easiest to remove... although I have not really gone through removing labels.. (I went straight to kegging figuring it would be easier) ...... a good soaking in hot water and some scotch brite was...