How to Make Steel Ingots and Blocks in Industrial Renewal

Smelt Sponge Iron into Steel

Steel is the backbone of every machine in this mod, so set up production before anything else. The chain starts with Sponge Iron. Feed Sponge Iron into a furnace and smelt it to obtain Steel Ingot. The smelting recipe is the only conversion you need at this stage, so a single furnace works for early batches.

Once you have Steel Ingot, craft a Block of Steel by combining ingots in a crafting grid. Block of Steel is a compact storage form and a building material for structural parts.

Scale Up With a Firebox and Boiler

Hand-feeding a furnace stalls quickly. Build a Firebox for Solid Fuel and a Steam Boiler to automate heat. The Firebox burns solid fuel and feeds the Steam Boiler, which produces the steam needed for later processing. Pair the boiler with a Steam Turbine to turn that steam into power for your machines.

Keep a stock of Steel Ingot on hand. You will spend it on Energy Cable LV, Motor, and the structural blocks that hold your builds together. A Lathe Machine lets you shape steel into more advanced components once you have power running.

Storage and Safety

Store finished ingots in a Storage Rack (Chest) or Barrel to keep your workshop tidy. Place a Fire Prevention Hazard sign near the Firebox and Steam Boiler so you can spot the hot zone at a glance.