In this paper we present a detailed description of the statistical and computational techniques that were employed to study a driven far-from-equilibrium steady-state Rayleigh–Bénard system in the non-turbulent regime (R a≤ 3500). In our previous work on the Rayleigh–Bénard convection system we try to answer two key open problems that are of great interest in contemporary physics:(i) how does an out-of-equilibrium steady-state differ from an equilibrium state and (ii) how do we explain the spontaneous emergence of stable structures and simultaneously interpret the physical notion of temperature when out-of-equilibrium. We believe that this paper will offer a useful repository of the technical details for a first principles study of similar kind. In addition, we are also hopeful that our work will spur considerable interest in the community which will lead to the development of more sophisticated and novel techniques to study far-from-equilibrium behavior.