From what I've read on other forums, a primary with a spigot is fine. Of course, some people will always disagree. I hope you're right about the funky tastes because that would explain why my hydrometer "taste test" was disgusting...But yeah, I'll rack it to my other bottling bucket and bottle from there.
Thanks!
The spigot is fine, except sometimes you have so much trub in the bottom that there is even trub in the spigot. Unless the spigot is above the trub, racking is a good idea.
Those hot temperatures would explain the taste- you would get "esters", which are fruity off-flavors. Green apples can also be the taste of young beer, but I am more likely to blame the fermenting temperature over 75 degrees. It might improve, but it might not. Also, hot temperature fermentations can cause "fusel" alcohols- those burning hot alcohol flavors that can give wicked hangovers in excess.
I use a cooler, and stick my fermenter in there. I add some water (up to the beer level), and frozen water bottles. I keep a floating thermometer in the water (which would be about the same temperature as the beer in the fermenter) and keep the temp around 62-66 degrees.
One of the single best things you can do for better beer is have some form of temperature control.
Still, I don't mean to sound negative! The beer will be drinkable, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Some carbonation and conditioning will improve it.