BTW, here's a list of 232 things folks have created with Basic Stamps.
Including...
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 Title : RIMS controller for beer making                     [# 032]
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 Date  : 980301
 Author: C.D. Pritchard
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 Stamp model   : BS2-IC Module
 Code available: YES
 Filename      : rims_ok.bs2 and r_mem.bs2
 URL           : http://chattanooga.net/~cdp/rims_inf.htm
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 Description   :
  
 For homebrewers. Controls mash temperature on a recirculation 
 infusion mash system (RIMS) and also controls the sparge water tank
 temperature. Uses thermistors to monitor temps- 2 on the RIMS and 1 
 in sparge water tank. Controls AC power supply to two 1500W heaters
 via optoisolators/ zero-crossing driven triacs. Setpoints are entered
 via keypad. Elapsed times, temperatures, setpoints and heater statuses
 are displayed on a 2x16 LCD. Sends data via RS232 to a PC for logging
 and analysis.
info