If you want to simplify, just do a primary only. I don't think you will get any less orange flavor. If you soak the zest in vodka while the beer ferments, you can combine them at kegging/bottling or just toss into the primary after fermentation is complete.
Yep, absolutely do cold brew. This keep the tannins, bitterness, etc... out. Add after primary fermentation or right before bottling/kegging for the most flavor.
One of the biggest mistakes new brewers make is rushing the beer. Wait a minimum of 2 weeks before bottling, 3-4 is better.
After the bottles carb for 3 weeks a cream ale will improve with a couple of weeks in the fridge.
Also, many of us gave up on secondaries long ago unless doing a...
Soak the chips in a bit of Bourbon and then dump it all in the fermenter. Simulates beer aged in oak Bourbon barrels. Doesn't hurt to err on the side of leaving the oak in longer. A cup or two of Bourbon will barely impact the abv of a 5 gallon batch.
If you have never had a Bourbon...
Sounds complete but you could get a gravity reading to be sure. No point in rushing it. Does it some good to sit for a couple of weeks after fermentation is complete. I am a big fan of a 3-4 week primary.
The compressor on the fridge uses exponentially more energy than your fan. Running the fan constant evens out the temps in your Keezer, so the compressor will probably not come on as often. Also, I have had uneven temps = frozen 1/4 full kegs.
I used Stout's short style 7.3 gallon fermenter for a few years. Quality was very good. Smooth welds and heavy gauge SS.
FYI - just sold it because it was a pain to move/put in my fermentation chamber and the ports always clogged so yeast harvesting wasn't as easy as I thought it would be...
I've done Pliney clones which called for a dry hop at 14 days and another at 7-10. Always turned out great. Wouldn't go much longer than 14 days, but never had grass flavors with 14.
I printed a chart like this one and taped it to the inside of my fridge. Set it and forget it method is easiest. Usually takes a week or so to fully carbonate.