Hi Jason,
You can wash your film by repeatedly filling, agitating, and emtying the tank. Ilford has a detail of this washing method on their website. Be on the lookout for film washers second hand. They are a very common item and can be had for a few bucks on craigslist, etc. I have never seen another example of the "Miller Hurricane" brand washer, and have not been able to find any information online, except a patent. The spinning action is a bit of a novelty. IDK for sure if it does a little faster/better job washing, but feel it's a safe bet that it does. I still give my negs a good five minutes in it at the least.
The developing method you were refering to earlier is called developing by inspection. It is accomplished with infrared lighting and a nightvision device, or a very dim green light that is used intermittently in a very sparing fashion while developing sheet film in a tray. It is a very advanced method of developing sheet film, and it requires allot of experience to be able to accurately judge the density of a negative under the conditions required. Since you have to be able to see the neg to judge density, it would be even more difficult and impractical with roll film on a spool.
Even with sheet film, if your exposures, agitation regimen, times, and temps are consistent, it's totally un-needed. It's neat to watch, however.