In the previous cliff-hanger, our hero was left wondering whether mixing at about 75 degrees F was okay, as opposed to the standard recommendation of 125.

I am glad to report that I mixed a liter today at about 73 without issue. First the sulfite pinch, then the metol, then the bulk of the sulfite. Total mixing time was about 5-6 minutes -- no magnetic stirrer, just my stirring paddle and some wrist action, with a little bit of paddle-teetering on a few recalcitrant grains.