Factorio: An Important Furnace Guide

Furnaces are essential buildings in Factorio that play a crucial role in the smelting process, converting raw materials into usable products. They are a cornerstone of development and automation, allowing players to advance from basic resources to more complex and valuable items. Furthermore, as you progress through the game, you can research and build more efficient furnaces, each offering improved performance and capabilities. This guide will help you understand the different types of furnaces available and how to use them effectively.

Factorio offers three main types of furnaces: the Stone Furnace, the Steel Furnace, and the Electric Furnace. Moreover, each has its own unique advantages and is suited for different stages of the game. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses will help you optimize your production lines and resource management.

Stone Furnace: The Basics

The Stone Furnace is the most basic and inexpensive smelting machine in Factorio. It is easy to build and provides a reliable source of basic products like iron plates and copper plates. The Stone Furnace is an excellent starting point for new players, as it requires minimal resources and can be quickly constructed.

Recipe

• Time: 5 seconds
• Stone: 5

Key Features

• Valid Fuel: Wood, Coal, Solid Fuel, Rocket Fuel, Nuclear Fuel
• Energy Consumption: 90 kW (burner)
• Crafting Speed: 1 (normal quality)
• Dimensions: 2×2

The Stone Furnace is a good choice for early game when resources are limited, but it becomes less efficient as you progress. Its low energy consumption and simple construction make it ideal for small-scale operations. To clear trees efficiently in Factorio, you can place Stone Furnaces near your resource gathering points to smelt wood into coal, which can then be used to power other furnaces.

Steel Furnace: A Step Up

The Steel Furnace is the second tier of furnaces and offers a significant improvement over the Stone Furnace. It smelts items at double the speed, making it a more efficient use of fuel. The Steel Furnace is comparable to the Electric Furnace in terms of smelt speed, but it still relies on fuel, which can be a limiting factor in later stages of the game.

Recipe

• Time: 3 seconds
• Steel Plate: 6
• Stone Brick: 10

Key Features

• Valid Fuel: Wood, Coal, Solid Fuel, Rocket Fuel, Nuclear Fuel
• Energy Consumption: 90 kW (burner)
• Crafting Speed: 2 (normal quality)
• Dimensions: 2×2

One of the unique features of the Steel Furnace is its ability to replace a Stone Furnace without mining it first. Simply click on the Stone Furnace with a Steel Furnace in your hand, and it will be upgraded, transferring all items in the process. This makes it easy to transition from basic to more advanced smelting without losing any progress. Moreover, Automate Green Science Production in Factorio by setting up automated systems to manage your furnaces, ensuring a steady supply of smelted resources for your research needs.

Electric Furnace: The Ultimate Smelter

The Electric Furnace is the most advanced and efficient furnace in Factorio. Unlike the Stone and Steel Furnaces, it operates using electricity, eliminating the need for a fuel belt. This makes it ideal for large-scale production and automation. The Electric Furnace also has two module slots, allowing you to enhance its performance with various modules.

Recipe

• Time: 5 seconds
• Advanced Circuit: 5
• Steel Plate: 10
• Stone Brick: 10

Key Features

• Module Slots: 2 slots
• Energy Consumption: 180 kW (electric)
• Drain: 6 kW (electric)
• Crafting Speed: 2 (normal quality)
• Dimensions: 3×3

The Electric Furnace is slightly larger, occupying a 3×3 area, but its efficiency and module capabilities make it worth the extra space. It is particularly effective when used in conjunction with beacons, which can further boost its performance. The Electric Furnace is a must-have for any advanced player looking to maximize their production capabilities. The Circuit network in Factorio can be used to control and optimize the performance of your Electric Furnaces, ensuring they operate at peak efficiency.

Tips for Using Furnaces

• Early Game: Focus on building and using Stone Furnaces to get started.
• Mid Game: Transition to Steel Furnaces for better efficiency.
• Late Game: Upgrade to Electric Furnaces for maximum performance and automation.

This guide equips you to handle the smelting needs of your Factorio factory and elevate your gameplay to the next level.

Conclusion

Furnaces are a critical component of Factorio, enabling players to smelt resources and advance their factories. Starting with the Stone Furnace, you can gradually upgrade to the Steel and Electric Furnaces as you progress through the game. Each type of furnace offers unique strengths and suits different stages of development. Understanding and utilizing these furnaces effectively will help you build a robust and efficient production system that will help you achieve your goals in Factorio.

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