Footswitch over-rides control panel switches and controller so steam can be controlled manually (or actual "pedally") from the kettle position while stirring. This is great for fractional degree temperature adjustments. Temperature change is clearly visible on computer display from kettle position. Gold colored "feet" on kettle stand are load cells which permit monitoring of amount of water, grain, evaporation etc. in kettle. This is very handy for computing extract. Weight of extract in kettle is weight of wort in kettle multiplied by degrees Plato divided by 100.