Jim...

That would also be the Programmer's, or the engineer's solution as well. ;`)

Myself, I would have started out with #1 this way:

Turn on HOT water tap and wait until the water isr REALLY HOT, then fill the pot and take it to the stove and turn on the burner.

What does that classify me as?

(talk about setting yerself up, eh? )

~ Jande