What if the cementation furnace runs out of coal?

[Echo Weaver]

My understanding is that the cementation furnace has to be refilled every day while steel is being smelted. We started the process, and we're now not in a position to get back in time to refill it.

Does this mean that the batch of steel is lost, or can we get back to the base, refill the coal, and proceed later?

[LadyWYT]

39 minutes ago, Echo Weaver said:

Does this mean that the batch of steel is lost, or can we get back to the base, refill the coal, and proceed later?

Nah, you can just wait until the pile burns out before refilling--it won't hurt anything. The process will just remain paused until you refill and reignite the fuel piles.

[Echo Weaver]

9 minutes ago, LadyWYT said:

Nah, you can just wait until the pile burns out before refilling--it won't hurt anything. The process will just remain paused until you refill and reignite the fuel piles.

Thanks. Haha, these things are not obvious from the documentation. Good to avoid an ugly surprise.

[Calixtus]

I will also add that you need to make sure both piles of coal are lit.   Sometimes I was only lighting the front pile and so the furnace was not working properly.   In the end I chiselled out openings on both sides so I could see if all coal was burning.