How is the wood-based fuel chain processed?

Process Logs into Planks. The processed-item recipes use one Plank for one Charcoal, then one Charcoal for one Charcoal Powder.

How do Coal and Charcoal Powder become Coke?

The recipe uses six Charcoal Powder per attempt, which can yield one Coke or return two Charcoal. The alternate recipe converts one Coal into one Coke.

How are Coal and Coke Powder produced?

Process Coal Ore to obtain Coal. The Coke Powder recipe uses one Coke to produce one Coke Powder.

When should Fuel Efficiency influence the choice?

Fuel Efficiency increases fuel heat value and lowers fuel cost, becoming especially useful from Blast Potions and Paradox Crucibles onward.

Which other upgrades affect the fuel calculation?

Account for Factory Efficiency when device production and heat-consumption speed change. Alchemy also changes Extractor output, so match supply to the machines consuming heat.

Gameplay

Alchemy Factory Best Fuel

Compare the available fuel values and processing chains, then match fuel production and efficiency upgrades to current heat demand.

Updated September 17, 2026

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Choose fuel by heat value and supply chain

The main processing route begins with Wood becoming Planks, then Planks becoming Charcoal and Charcoal becoming Charcoal Powder. Coal can be processed from Coal Ore, while Coke can be produced from either Charcoal Powder or Coal.

Heat values are 20 for Planks, 40 for Charcoal, 48 for Charcoal Powder, 540 for Coal, 600 for Coke, and 660 for Coke Powder.

The wider fuel list also gives Logs a heat value of 2,000, Black Powder 6,000, and Coal Ore 30,000.

The Charcoal Powder route uses six powders per attempt and can produce one Coke or return two Charcoal. The alternate recipe converts one Coal into one Coke, and one Coke produces one Coke Powder.

Fuel processing and efficiency questions

How is the wood-based fuel chain processed?: Process Logs into Planks. The processed-item recipes use one Plank for one Charcoal, then one Charcoal for one Charcoal Powder.
How do Coal and Charcoal Powder become Coke?: The recipe uses six Charcoal Powder per attempt, which can yield one Coke or return two Charcoal. The alternate recipe converts one Coal into one Coke.
How are Coal and Coke Powder produced?: Process Coal Ore to obtain Coal. The Coke Powder recipe uses one Coke to produce one Coke Powder.
When should Fuel Efficiency influence the choice?: Fuel Efficiency increases fuel heat value and lowers fuel cost, becoming especially useful from Blast Potions and Paradox Crucibles onward.
Which other upgrades affect the fuel calculation?: Account for Factory Efficiency when device production and heat-consumption speed change. Alchemy also changes Extractor output, so match supply to the machines consuming heat.