Sounds like you got it close enough, it is tough when you make it in small batches like that. With my thermometer I run about 8 degrees above the boiling point of water for that day and then test with a hydrometer and it is pretty close. Just keep the thermometer from touching the bottom of the pot. I used to boil in a big pot as well until I dig some scrounging and found a 24" x 24" old hotel style lasagna pan. It doubled my surface area and reduced my boiling time. Eventually graduated to a used 2x3 backyard evaporator. Hang in there you caught the fever.