Dutch Flat Mates: Slow Thermometers (CC) (Final Episode)
(Published yesterday, 07:00 by Flinty)
This has been a weekly series since 18 October 2023, until today, 28 October 2026.
Here is a spreadsheet link for all the puzzles in the series. This alternative link offers a limited LMD search for Dutch Flat Mates. There have been 159 Episodes, in just over 3 years, and this marks the final episode in the series. The journey has been a pleasure, and I hope you will find this puzzle a fitting end.
Special Thanks
The inspiration for today's puzzle is the delightful Four Slow Thermos by mellowrobinson. A wonderful idea that I knew would be a great choice for a milestone episode.
Puzzle Link: Click Here
Alternative Link: Click Here (simplified aesthetics)
Initial Setter Difficulty: 3.5 / 5
Hint to start
The '5' shaped thermo region is all in the same region by the rules, and it can only grow in one direction. Considering happy 5's in and around this region should provide plenty of opening digits.
Later Step Hint(s)The little guy on the left is a superstar, as once you consider the count of available cells in C1 and C2, he splits that side of the grid in half. Figuring out how to use which digits are available above him, and below him, and how the unavailable digits are obtained elsewhere is the key to progress.
How are both of the regions in the bottom left corner going to get the digits 1, 5 and 9? If you haven't got enough information to deduce that yet, then Flat Mates, particularly in Row 3, may help.
Next Week
Is just another Wednesday, as they were prior to 18th October 2023. It has been a pleasure!
Extra Special Series Thanks
Thank you GoodCity! - Without him this series categorically wouldn't be a thing, and I learned so much about setting good puzzles from him. For a long time it was just the two of us, and I remember when we first started to dream about completing a full year, look at us now!
Thank you palpot! - He's so much more logically gifted than I am, and to be able to lean on him for ideas is a luxury I don't take lightly.
Thank you Marty Sears! - He added a real gravitas to the series when he joined, helped overhaul the standards, and is a genuine advocate for the series.
Thank you OlliWright! (twitch link) - Who has live solved every single DFM, on, or soon after release day. This has become a treasured addition in the corner of the community where we hang out, generating its own in-jokes and lore.
Additional Shoutouts
Thank you sujoyku! - For the significant number of quality puzzles you have contributed to the series.
Thank you gdc! - For invaluable technical help related to setting, and being a good egg.
Thank you damo_89! - For puzzle testing, and being a top boi. My main series testers have been GoodCity and palpot, but Damo has also been one of my go-tos for a long time now.
Thank you Malakree! (twitch link) - Who is never afraid to proudly bifurcate his way through the live solve of a draft...
Thank you ChinStrap! (LMD link / twitch link) - Who will provide a far more robust live solve of a draft, and is also a top boi.
And Especially
Thank you to all the solvers and for the kind comments over the years! :)
Credits
Below are the Setters, immortalised for their contributions to the Dutch Flat Mates series! Ordered first by quantity of puzzles, and then by order of appearance (collabs count once per setter):
Solution code: Row 1 Digits
Comments
today, 20:34 by QuiltyAsCharged
This is one of the best chaos construction puzzles I've ever solved! The various elements of thermos, DFM, and region building all interact beautifully. What a perfect send-off for this classic series
today, 16:36 by olliwright
Congratulations on all 159 puzzles. It's been a pleasure to solve them. Wednesdays won't be the same again.
today, 08:30 by Piatato
Lovely puzzle! Congrats on such a fun series! :D
today, 07:33 by Norkas
Thank you and all of the other setters for keeping the series alive for so long. There have been so many fun puzzles in it.
yesterday, 19:56 by Franjo
Thank you very much for creating and sharing another fantastic DFM-puzzle. And thank you for all of them!
yesterday, 16:59 by Snookerfan
Very nice as usual! Many thanks for the incredible series. I am a bit sad that this is the end, but on the other hand I started to play this recently, so there is still a huge amount of unsolved puzzles for me. Thanks again!
yesterday, 09:35 by sorryimLate
Thank you very much for an incredible series, I enjoyed every single episode! And a very nice and fitting final puzzle! Easy beginning, tricky and clever midgame.
yesterday, 08:45 by marcmees
wednesday morning will never be the same again. Thanks to all participating setters for such a load of fun.
yesterday, 08:04 by da-hans
One question about the connection rule. Are R5C2 and R6C2 connected by this rule?
Flinty: No. It is only cells that are orthogonally connected by a line (including bulbs).
