Iron/steel working

[Trex_Crazy]

So Iron is a big process to make, which I am absolutely fine with. I just wish that at a certain point you could make a more long term structure for Iron making. Similar to the refactory bricks so that it has a few uses befire it breaks (and also so I can make more than six blooms per) and also make other metals nore efficiently.

Like I have no issue with the long process involved but later game once youve started toying with the idea of steelmaking you can make a multiblock for other metals to be made slightly faster/more efficiently. Like something that requires a resource that can only be mined by iron or steel depending on what you want the progress threshold to be. Then also maybe make it need mechanical power to operate. So its a big investment. like all the other endeavors in the game, but also a big payout eventually; again like all the other endeavors in the game.

[Teh Pizza Lady]

The firebricks are quickly replaced by refractory bricks once you get to steel-making as you have said. The firebricks are also a LOT easier to make than the refractory bricks. I am not sure what you are asking for exactly... a renewable way to make iron? It's certainly an interesting concept, but I'm not seeing the suggestion in your post. Perhaps you could outline how exactly you would accomplish this task?

[Maelstrom]

I think @Trex_Crazy is asking for a permanent structure to process iron rather than the temporary bloomeries.

[Facethief]

Maybe a blast furnace would fulfill this task, but that’s a little out-of period, I think.

[Maelstrom]

Not sure.  Devs have steam power and powered rail travel on the road map.  Blast furnace might not be out of the question.  Would also make a massive charcoal oven more attractive, especially with recent updates to allow doors for a multi-block charcoal pit to be built.

[Trex_Crazy]

On 6/3/2025 at 3:58 PM, Maelstrom said:

I think @Trex_Crazy is asking for a permanent structure to process iron rather than the temporary bloomeries.

That is exactly what I mean, not necessarily permanent and unbreakable but more reuseable than a bloomery. While they aren't hard to make Im not a giant fan of only 6 at a time and eating firebricks like they're doritos.

On 6/4/2025 at 8:24 AM, Facethief said:

Maybe a blast furnace would fulfill this task, but that’s a little out-of period, I think.

given that you have mechanical power and heat a rudimentary blast furnace would be simple to make. and since you also have all the current materials to make rudementay batteries given a good amount of eork you could even be able to make a very rudimentary and very inefficient (compared to today) arc furnace

[Maelstrom]

Max tech the devs are planning is early steam power, so no batteries.  BUT that kind of thing will definitely be possible when modders get involved.