After looking at those kits, make sure you pick up a sanitizer as it comes with only b Brite which is just a cleaner, not a sanitizer. Apart from that I'd go with the cheaper one, it is pretty much the same thing I bought years ago and still use it all.
I do mechanical insulation for a living and use all mentioned materials, though usually on cold systems. Armaflex sheet is awesome stuff, but will become hard and brittle over a fairly short period of time being exposed to temps above the temp rating. It meets most your requirements, more then...
I haven't uses the apple crisp yet, they got buried in the freezer and I honestly forgot about them till I saw you post. I will have to pull them out and try them this weekend or next. I did use the experimental vinnie special in a 2 row smash that needs to be kegged abd I have to say right now...
Split and scrape vanilla bean and soak in a neutral spirit for a week or two then add that after fermentation is over or to secondary if you use one. For coconut I like to toast it lightly in the oven at 350 and rack on top of it in secondary
I have an 8 pound pork shoulder to smoke, 6lbs of wings to smoke and fry, smoked salmon dip and some moose summer sausage. As far as beer, a hananero sour, 2 different ipa's and whatever commercial growlers I fill saturday
Looks good, I had a similar space in my last house that boy do I miss. Two things I had that were indespensible is a floor drain for when you inevitably make a mess and frp around the sink and your brew rig
HGTV is the worst network on television. Since I finally got cable and my wife discovered those shows, I have not had a free weekend it is always "oh I seen this on HGTV we should do it, I already got everything for you to do it this weekend"
I am on my phone and don't know how to post a link from it, but look into the centennial blonde on the database or Edwards haus pale ale both are pretty big crout pleasers. I also have a house pale/ipa on the database that is a good one for the masses
Edit here are links...
I've never used walnuts but I have used hazelnuts and yes it is kind of a pain because you don't want the natural oils from the nuts in your beer. I just toast them lightly in the oven, pat the oil off with paper towels and then spread them on clean towels in a sealed container over night. If...
Refractometers do not work properly once there is alcohol in the test solution, there are correction calculators but I have found them to be unreliable personally