What is the best way to set up a cooking area in my base in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Setting up a cooking area in your base in ARK: Survival Evolved is an essential part of survival, as it allows you to prepare food, craft useful items, and manage resources efficiently. A well-designed cooking area can save you time, improve your resource management, and even help you progress faster in the game. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to set up an effective cooking area, covering mechanics, strategies, and tips.
First, you need to understand the mechanics of cooking in ARK. Cooking is done using structures like the Campfire, Cooking Pot, Industrial Grill, and Industrial Cooker. Each of these has different uses and requirements. The Campfire is the most basic cooking structure, used for simple recipes like cooked meat and basic dyes. The Cooking Pot allows for more advanced recipes, such as custom recipes, kibble, and soups. The Industrial Grill and Industrial Cooker are late-game structures that offer faster cooking times and the ability to cook large quantities of food or resources at once. To use these structures, you need fuel, such as wood, thatch, or gasoline, depending on the structure.
To set up a cooking area, start by choosing a location within your base that is easily accessible but not in the way of high-traffic areas. You want it to be close to your storage and resource areas for convenience. Begin by placing a Campfire or Cooking Pot, depending on your current progression. If youÔÇÖre early in the game, a Campfire will suffice for basic cooking needs. As you progress, upgrade to a Cooking Pot for more advanced recipes. For late-game setups, consider adding an Industrial Grill or Industrial Cooker for efficiency.
Next, ensure you have a reliable source of fuel. Wood is the most common fuel for Campfires and Cooking Pots, while gasoline is required for Industrial Grills and Cookers. To gather wood, use a metal hatchet or a tamed creature like a Beaver or Therizinosaurus. For gasoline, youÔÇÖll need to refine oil in a Refining Forge or Industrial Forge. Place a storage box nearby to store your fuel and ingredients, making it easier to access them when cooking.
One important tip is to organize your cooking area with multiple structures if you plan to cook in bulk. For example, having multiple Campfires or Cooking Pots allows you to cook several items simultaneously, saving time. Additionally, consider placing a Preserving Bin or Refrigerator nearby to store cooked food and prevent spoilage. This is especially useful for preserving kibble or custom recipes that require specific ingredients.
A common mistake players make is not protecting their cooking area. While it may seem like a minor part of your base, losing your cooking structures to a raid or wild creature attack can set you back significantly. To avoid this, build walls or fences around your cooking area, and consider placing defensive structures like turrets or tamed creatures nearby. If youÔÇÖre playing on a PvP server, keep your cooking area inside your main base to protect it from enemy players.
For advanced setups, consider integrating your cooking area with your power system. Industrial Grills and Cookers require electricity, so youÔÇÖll need to connect them to a generator or renewable power source like a wind turbine or solar panel. This allows for faster cooking and more efficient resource management. Additionally, you can use a water source like a water tap or reservoir to supply water for recipes that require it, such as soups or dyes.
Resource requirements for setting up a cooking area vary depending on the structures you use. For a basic Campfire, youÔÇÖll need 12 thatch, 1 flint, 16 stone, and 2 wood. A Cooking Pot requires 50 fiber, 5 hide, 15 wood, and 35 stone. Industrial Grills and Cookers are more resource-intensive, requiring metal ingots, cementing paste, and electronics. Make sure to gather these materials in advance and store them in a secure location.
If youÔÇÖre playing solo, prioritize efficiency and resource management. Focus on building a compact cooking area with a few key structures to save space and resources. For tribes, consider dividing responsibilities among members, with one player specializing in cooking and resource gathering. This allows for faster progression and more efficient use of time.
In specific scenarios, such as preparing for a boss fight or taming a high-level creature, your cooking area becomes even more critical. For example, crafting kibble for taming requires a Cooking Pot and specific ingredients like eggs, vegetables, and meat. Having a well-organized cooking area ensures you can quickly prepare the necessary items without wasting time or resources.
In conclusion, setting up a cooking area in ARK: Survival Evolved involves careful planning, resource management, and base design. By understanding the mechanics, organizing your structures, and protecting your area, you can create an efficient and functional cooking space that supports your survival and progression. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, a well-designed cooking area is a key component of a successful base.
First, you need to understand the mechanics of cooking in ARK. Cooking is done using structures like the Campfire, Cooking Pot, Industrial Grill, and Industrial Cooker. Each of these has different uses and requirements. The Campfire is the most basic cooking structure, used for simple recipes like cooked meat and basic dyes. The Cooking Pot allows for more advanced recipes, such as custom recipes, kibble, and soups. The Industrial Grill and Industrial Cooker are late-game structures that offer faster cooking times and the ability to cook large quantities of food or resources at once. To use these structures, you need fuel, such as wood, thatch, or gasoline, depending on the structure.
To set up a cooking area, start by choosing a location within your base that is easily accessible but not in the way of high-traffic areas. You want it to be close to your storage and resource areas for convenience. Begin by placing a Campfire or Cooking Pot, depending on your current progression. If youÔÇÖre early in the game, a Campfire will suffice for basic cooking needs. As you progress, upgrade to a Cooking Pot for more advanced recipes. For late-game setups, consider adding an Industrial Grill or Industrial Cooker for efficiency.
Next, ensure you have a reliable source of fuel. Wood is the most common fuel for Campfires and Cooking Pots, while gasoline is required for Industrial Grills and Cookers. To gather wood, use a metal hatchet or a tamed creature like a Beaver or Therizinosaurus. For gasoline, youÔÇÖll need to refine oil in a Refining Forge or Industrial Forge. Place a storage box nearby to store your fuel and ingredients, making it easier to access them when cooking.
One important tip is to organize your cooking area with multiple structures if you plan to cook in bulk. For example, having multiple Campfires or Cooking Pots allows you to cook several items simultaneously, saving time. Additionally, consider placing a Preserving Bin or Refrigerator nearby to store cooked food and prevent spoilage. This is especially useful for preserving kibble or custom recipes that require specific ingredients.
A common mistake players make is not protecting their cooking area. While it may seem like a minor part of your base, losing your cooking structures to a raid or wild creature attack can set you back significantly. To avoid this, build walls or fences around your cooking area, and consider placing defensive structures like turrets or tamed creatures nearby. If youÔÇÖre playing on a PvP server, keep your cooking area inside your main base to protect it from enemy players.
For advanced setups, consider integrating your cooking area with your power system. Industrial Grills and Cookers require electricity, so youÔÇÖll need to connect them to a generator or renewable power source like a wind turbine or solar panel. This allows for faster cooking and more efficient resource management. Additionally, you can use a water source like a water tap or reservoir to supply water for recipes that require it, such as soups or dyes.
Resource requirements for setting up a cooking area vary depending on the structures you use. For a basic Campfire, youÔÇÖll need 12 thatch, 1 flint, 16 stone, and 2 wood. A Cooking Pot requires 50 fiber, 5 hide, 15 wood, and 35 stone. Industrial Grills and Cookers are more resource-intensive, requiring metal ingots, cementing paste, and electronics. Make sure to gather these materials in advance and store them in a secure location.
If youÔÇÖre playing solo, prioritize efficiency and resource management. Focus on building a compact cooking area with a few key structures to save space and resources. For tribes, consider dividing responsibilities among members, with one player specializing in cooking and resource gathering. This allows for faster progression and more efficient use of time.
In specific scenarios, such as preparing for a boss fight or taming a high-level creature, your cooking area becomes even more critical. For example, crafting kibble for taming requires a Cooking Pot and specific ingredients like eggs, vegetables, and meat. Having a well-organized cooking area ensures you can quickly prepare the necessary items without wasting time or resources.
In conclusion, setting up a cooking area in ARK: Survival Evolved involves careful planning, resource management, and base design. By understanding the mechanics, organizing your structures, and protecting your area, you can create an efficient and functional cooking space that supports your survival and progression. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, a well-designed cooking area is a key component of a successful base.