Alchemy Factory Charcoal Powder Guide | How to Make and Use Charcoal Powder
Charcoal powder starts to matter once heating becomes the main bottleneck. It looks like extra work, but it quietly delivers some of the best heat efficiency available early to mid game.
How Charcoal Powder Works
Charcoal powder is a heating fuel created by grinding charcoal. It is burned in heaters the same way as other fuel types.
Charcoal powder provides more heat per unit than logs, planks, or charcoal. This makes it one of the most efficient fuels when gold efficiency matters.
How to Make Charcoal Powder
Charcoal powder requires a full processing chain.
Logs are processed into planks. Planks are processed into charcoal. Charcoal is then ground into charcoal powder.
You cannot skip steps. Charcoal must exist before powder can be made.
Heat Value Compared to Other Fuels
Each processing step increases total heat output from the same log.
Confirmed player values show:
Log gives 2000 heat when burned directly
Planks from the same log give 4000 total heat
Charcoal from the same log gives 8000 total heat
Charcoal powder from the same log gives about 9600 total heat
More steps mean more machines, but also more total heat.
Charcoal Powder Efficiency Tradeoffs
Charcoal powder is very efficient per gold spent. Even when accounting for heater and burner costs, it remains stronger than burning raw logs or planks.
The downside is space and complexity. Charcoal powder setups need more machines, belts, and heaters than simpler fuel options.
When Charcoal Powder Makes Sense
Charcoal powder shines when gold is limited but space is available.
It works well in early and mid game factories where fuel cost is more important than layout simplicity. Long running production chains benefit the most.
Later systems may favor coal or coke for simplicity, not efficiency.
Common Mistakes With Charcoal Powder
Some issues slow players down.
Overbuilding charcoal systems too early
Ignoring space and belt congestion
Running powder chains when coal or coke is already unlocked
Charcoal powder is powerful, but not always the right tool.
Read More: Alchemy Factory Best Fuel
Final Blurb
Charcoal powder delivers the highest heat output from wood based fuel chains. It costs more space and setup, but saves gold and stretches fuel further. Use it when efficiency matters more than simplicity.
FAQ
How do you make charcoal powder
By grinding charcoal after producing it from planks.
Is charcoal powder better than charcoal
Yes. It provides more heat per unit.
Does charcoal powder cost heat to make
Yes. Grinding uses heat, but total output remains higher.
Is charcoal powder the best fuel
It is the most efficient wood based fuel, but not the simplest.
Should you always use charcoal powder
No. It depends on space, progression, and fuel unlocks.
