How to Build and Fuel a Coal Generator for Early Power

Crafting the Generator

Place a Coal Generator to start producing power. Surround it with the materials you have on hand: Iron Plate, Iron Rod, and a Block of Iron Plating are all valid building components for early machines. Once placed, the Coal Generator becomes your first reliable power source before you move on to Calorite Engine or Desh Engine setups.

Feeding It Fuel

Right-click the Coal Generator with Coal to load it. It also accepts Coal Torch and Coal Lantern as light sources you can craft separately, but for power input stick to Coal. The generator burns fuel and outputs energy you can route to a Compressor, Fuel Refinery, or Calorite Tank.

Scaling Up

When you have Calorite Ingots, upgrade to a Calorite Engine. For heavier draws, build a Desh Engine using Desh Ingots and Desh Plate. Both engines need a solid fuel or fluid supply — pair them with a Fuel Refinery producing Fuel from Fuel Bucket inputs. Store excess in a Calorite Tank or Desh Tank so your machines keep running while you explore.

Practical Tips

Keep a stack of Coal in the generator's inventory before leaving your base. Use Coal Lantern for area lighting and Coal Torch for quick placement. If you run a Compressor nearby, feed it compressed materials like Compressed Calorite, Compressed Desh, Compressed Ostrum, or Compressed Steel to save storage space.