Steam Generator

The Steam Generator is a midgame power block that burns liquid-cooled fuel to produce large amounts of electricity. It requires a steady supply of water to operate and accepts several combustible items as fuel (Coal, Spore Pod, Blast Compound, Pyratite). Steam Generators produce substantially more power than a single Combustion Generator and are intended to replace multiple smaller generators once water or a water supply line is available.

Steam Generators produce roughly 5.5× the power of a Combustion Generator burning the same fuel, but each production cycle is shorter so fuel is consumed about 25% faster per generator. Base power output and water consumption have changed across versions: base output was lowered from 360 to 330 power/sec in an earlier update, and water consumption was increased (previously 3 water/sec, later 6 water/sec). Specific fuel efficiencies differ: different fuels change the generator’s efficiency and production time, and Pyratite received special adjustments in recent builds that reduce its consumption rate and apply a production-time multiplier.

Fuel handling and priorities are important when using Steam Generators. A generator loaded with multiple fuel types will burn the fuel with the lowest flammability first, which corresponds to the lowest power output; the typical order listed is Blast Compound → Coal → Spore Pod → Pyratite (Blast Compound is consumed before other fuels). Blast Compound will rapidly damage a Steam Generator while burning; feeding Blast Compound into a generator will cause it to take severe self-damage and eventually be destroyed, so avoid routing Blast Compound into active Steam Generators. Pyratite is usable but generally only advisable when titanium or better power sources are unavailable — two Differential Generators produce more power than three Steam Generators running on Pyratite.

Steam Generators integrate well into midgame production loops. Spore Pods work as a direct fuel, but processing Spore Pods into oil and then into Coal can produce more usable Coal per Pod, making Coal a more efficient fuel if you have the processing infrastructure. A single Steam Generator running on Coal can produce enough power to operate three Water Extractors and a Cryofluid Mixer while also producing sufficient water for itself and the mixer, enabling cryofluid production wherever titanium and fuel are available. If natural surface water is absent, a Steam Generator can run from the output of a Water Extractor; the extractor only needs a small initial power source (for example a Solar Panel or a Combustion Generator) to start, after which the Steam Generator can sustain it.

Placement and defense considerations: Steam Generators are prime targets for enemy Flares and other area incendiary attacks because lines of flammable blocks can propagate damage quickly. Protect air pathways and nearby conveyors with at least one layer of Scatters or other defensive tiles to prevent chain damage. When placing generators on the same item line as Blast Mixers, ensure Blast Compound cannot be accidentally fed into the generators.

Practical points and version notes:

• Steam Generators are a strong early-to-midgame power backbone until Thorium Reactors or Differential Generators are available.
• After build changes, Pyratite consumption was significantly reduced (build 155 change) and its production-time behavior was altered, so Pyratite fuel economics changed versus older builds.
• Steam Generators require both fuel and water input; monitor both to avoid stalls.
• Use Cultivators on water/spore-rich sectors to generate Spore Pods for long-term Steam Generator operation when tiles allow.
• Because fuel order favors low-flammability items first, plan item routing and storage so higher-value fuels are not consumed accidentally.