The Griddle

I'm pretty sure there's an error in this puzzle. The only "solution" I can find to the BFCA & ADFB puzzle in the lower right is for B = A = OX and F=D=C=O, but the letters are supposed to stand for distinct strings. The fact that there's a start and end which are both A implies that A = OX, and same for B ... but maybe I'm missing something.

Sorry about that Josh. The second clue should have been FDFB, not ADFB. That should clear up the puzzle and make it solvable. I will double check and repost the PDF shortly.

Now in the posted puzzle (the one Josh helped you fix), there's no clue to what E is. It could be XXXXOOOXOXO, for all we know.

Remove "E" from the list of strings we have to solve for, and it'll work. :)

Actually, the puzzle does have an E - it's in the sequence directly above that set of 2 clues. The letters references in AEBA & EDE are the same strings as the letters in BFCA & FDFB. Although the bottom half can be solved on its own, the top is necessary for the answer to E.

Any suggestions on a better way to show that those are both part of the same puzzle would be much appreciated!

Oh. . . you're right. Wow, I feel. . . blind. :)

That's alright. Like I said: I know it's not well-designed. I'm going to try redesigning it this evening I think.