Switched from glue pots to a PVA brush system after 12 years, still adjusting

I learned bookbinding back in 2008 from an old timer who swore by traditional glue pots. Heating the hide glue, brushing it on, the whole ritual. I stuck with it for over a decade. Then last fall my pot cracked during a rush job on a 400 page novel and I lost the whole afternoon cleaning up. So I switched to a simple PVA brush jar setup from the craft store, cost me like 25 bucks total. First few spines came out stiffer than I liked, took about 6 projects to get the hang of how much PVA to lay down. It's faster and no mess, but I still miss that smell of warm hide glue when I'm working late. Has anyone else made the jump and gone back to traditional glue later?