Alchemy Factory Best Fuel Guide

Heating fuel choices in Alchemy Factory matter more than they first appear. Logs, planks, charcoal, coal, and coke all behave differently once numbers and setups are involved.

Alchemy Factory Best Fuel Guide

Logs and planks are not equal in heat value. Processing fuel always increases total heat output, but adds space and machine cost.

A raw log gives 2000 heat. Turning that same log into planks, charcoal, or powder greatly increases total heat, but requires extra steps.

Heat Values Explained Simply

Here are the base heat values players have confirmed.

• Log direct burn gives 2000 heat

• 1 log becomes 200 planks

• 1 plank gives 20 heat, total 4000 heat

• 1 charcoal gives 40 heat, total 8000 heat

• 1 charcoal powder gives 48 heat, total 9600 heat

Each processing step roughly doubles heat output. More steps means more heat, but more machines.

Charcoal Powder Efficiency

Charcoal powder is the most cost efficient fuel per gold spent. Even after accounting for heater and burner costs, it still beats raw coal by a wide margin.

Grinding charcoal adds extra heat almost for free once the setup exists. This makes charcoal powder the best option when gold efficiency matters more than space.

Coal and Coke Tradeoffs

Coal is less efficient per gold, but much easier to manage.

Coal has high heat per item, which reduces belt congestion and machine count. Once unlocked, coal can be converted directly into coke with no failure chance.

Coke and coke powder are required for later recipes anyway. Many players switch to coal based fuel simply to simplify layouts.

Which Fuel Is Actually Best

The best fuel depends on what you value more.

• Charcoal powder is best for pure cost efficiency

• Coal is best for simplicity and compact builds

• Coke becomes mandatory later, so coal pipelines scale well long term

Charcoal setups take more space and machines. Coal setups take more gold but less effort.

Practical Recommendation

Early game favors charcoal and charcoal powder if gold is tight. Mid to late game favors coal and coke once unlocked. Avoid Burbs if you see them (rare) or you may lose out on speed.

If you already need coke for recipes, using it as fuel avoids duplicate systems. Your factory stays cleaner, and your sanity stays intact.

Final Blurb

Logs give the least heat, planks double it, charcoal doubles it again, and charcoal powder pushes it even further. Coal and coke are less efficient per gold but far easier to run. Pick efficiency or simplicity, the game quietly supports both paths.

FAQ

Is it better to burn logs or planks

Planks are better. The same log gives double the heat when converted to planks.

Is charcoal better than planks

Yes. Charcoal roughly doubles the total heat again.

What is the most efficient fuel

Charcoal powder gives the highest heat per gold spent.

Why do people still use coal

Coal is simpler, uses fewer machines, and feeds more furnaces with less belt pressure.

Do you need coke later anyway

Yes. Many later recipes require coke, making coal based systems easier long term.

---