Got around to improving my setup. The damn thing always leaked pretty bad and I didn't like the setup. So I found an old dreidel and made a new stainless valve rod, smaller diameter, .187" vs .210". Works wonderfully! And if I ever get a leak, I can just give the knob a twist rather than the screwdriver fussiness. Also made a spot for the thermometer to live. I may still increase ease by making some levered actuation that's closer to the operator, but honestly simple is best and this is much more simple that factory and it works great.