[narcout]

Basically I would heat the mash water in my Kettle, add the grains, and then step the temp up with spurts of heat while stirring to avoid scorching.

I've tried the method you outline above, and it will work fine (though the constant stirring of the mash during the step ups is kind of a pain).  Turning the heat off while you are still a few degrees shy of your target temperature will help you avoid overshooting it.

[tomsawyer]

NB sells a nice large 32oz ladle, I have one and it works well for transferring mash.  I use it when I do decoction mashing.

I've done single infusion, step mashing and decoction.  They all give slightly different results, notice I didn't say better just different.