What is the best way to use refrigerators for food storage in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Refrigerators in ARK: Survival Evolved are essential for preserving food and extending its spoilage time, making them a critical component of any well-organized base. Understanding how to use refrigerators effectively can save you significant time and resources, especially in the late game when managing large quantities of food for taming, breeding, or feeding your tribe. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to use refrigerators for food storage, covering mechanics, strategies, and tips.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of refrigerators. Refrigerators are powered structures that require electricity to function. They slow down the spoilage rate of perishable items like raw meat, cooked meat, berries, vegetables, and kibble. Without power, a refrigerator behaves like a regular storage box, offering no preservation benefits. To power a refrigerator, you need to connect it to a generator or another power source like a wind turbine or solar panel. The refrigerator has a large storage capacity, making it ideal for storing bulk food items.
To set up a refrigerator, youÔÇÖll need to craft it first. The recipe requires 75 metal ingots, 25 cementing paste, 15 polymer, and 10 electronics. These materials are relatively easy to obtain in the mid to late game, but early on, you may need to focus on gathering resources like metal ore, chitin or keratin for cementing paste, and organic polymer or obsidian for polymer. Once crafted, place the refrigerator in a secure location within your base, preferably near your cooking stations or feeding troughs for convenience.
Next, connect the refrigerator to a power source. If youÔÇÖre using a generator, place it nearby and run electrical cables to the refrigerator. Ensure the generator is fueled with gasoline, which can be crafted in a refining forge using oil and hide. If youÔÇÖre on a map with renewable energy options, consider using wind turbines or solar panels to save on fuel costs. Once powered, the refrigerator will automatically start preserving your food.
When organizing your refrigerator, prioritize storing high-value items like kibble, prime meat, and cooked meals. These items spoil quickly and are often needed for taming or feeding high-level dinosaurs. Raw meat and berries can also be stored, but they are more abundant and easier to replace. Avoid cluttering the refrigerator with non-perishable items like seeds or non-food resources, as this wastes valuable storage space.
One common mistake players make is forgetting to check their power supply. If your generator runs out of gasoline or your wind turbine stops spinning due to lack of wind, your refrigerator will stop working, and your food will spoil at the normal rate. Always keep an eye on your power sources and maintain a backup supply of gasoline or alternative energy solutions.
For advanced optimization, consider using multiple refrigerators to categorize your food storage. For example, dedicate one refrigerator to raw meat and another to cooked meals or kibble. This makes it easier to locate specific items quickly, especially during time-sensitive tasks like taming or breeding. Additionally, place preserving bins near your refrigerators to store excess food temporarily. While preserving bins donÔÇÖt offer the same spoilage reduction as refrigerators, they can help manage overflow and reduce waste.
Resource management is crucial when using refrigerators. Ensure you have a steady supply of metal, cementing paste, and polymer to craft additional refrigerators as your needs grow. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, focus on building a small, efficient base with one or two refrigerators. In a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to distribute resources and responsibilities, such as gathering materials or maintaining the power supply.
In specific scenarios, refrigerators can be a game-changer. For example, during a large-scale taming operation, youÔÇÖll need a steady supply of prime meat or kibble. Storing these items in a refrigerator ensures they remain fresh until needed. Similarly, when preparing for boss fights or long expeditions, refrigerators allow you to stockpile cooked meals and other consumables without worrying about spoilage.
In conclusion, refrigerators are a vital tool for efficient food storage in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding their mechanics, setting them up correctly, and managing your resources wisely, you can significantly improve your survival and progression in the game. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, mastering the use of refrigerators will help you maintain a well-organized and functional base.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of refrigerators. Refrigerators are powered structures that require electricity to function. They slow down the spoilage rate of perishable items like raw meat, cooked meat, berries, vegetables, and kibble. Without power, a refrigerator behaves like a regular storage box, offering no preservation benefits. To power a refrigerator, you need to connect it to a generator or another power source like a wind turbine or solar panel. The refrigerator has a large storage capacity, making it ideal for storing bulk food items.
To set up a refrigerator, youÔÇÖll need to craft it first. The recipe requires 75 metal ingots, 25 cementing paste, 15 polymer, and 10 electronics. These materials are relatively easy to obtain in the mid to late game, but early on, you may need to focus on gathering resources like metal ore, chitin or keratin for cementing paste, and organic polymer or obsidian for polymer. Once crafted, place the refrigerator in a secure location within your base, preferably near your cooking stations or feeding troughs for convenience.
Next, connect the refrigerator to a power source. If youÔÇÖre using a generator, place it nearby and run electrical cables to the refrigerator. Ensure the generator is fueled with gasoline, which can be crafted in a refining forge using oil and hide. If youÔÇÖre on a map with renewable energy options, consider using wind turbines or solar panels to save on fuel costs. Once powered, the refrigerator will automatically start preserving your food.
When organizing your refrigerator, prioritize storing high-value items like kibble, prime meat, and cooked meals. These items spoil quickly and are often needed for taming or feeding high-level dinosaurs. Raw meat and berries can also be stored, but they are more abundant and easier to replace. Avoid cluttering the refrigerator with non-perishable items like seeds or non-food resources, as this wastes valuable storage space.
One common mistake players make is forgetting to check their power supply. If your generator runs out of gasoline or your wind turbine stops spinning due to lack of wind, your refrigerator will stop working, and your food will spoil at the normal rate. Always keep an eye on your power sources and maintain a backup supply of gasoline or alternative energy solutions.
For advanced optimization, consider using multiple refrigerators to categorize your food storage. For example, dedicate one refrigerator to raw meat and another to cooked meals or kibble. This makes it easier to locate specific items quickly, especially during time-sensitive tasks like taming or breeding. Additionally, place preserving bins near your refrigerators to store excess food temporarily. While preserving bins donÔÇÖt offer the same spoilage reduction as refrigerators, they can help manage overflow and reduce waste.
Resource management is crucial when using refrigerators. Ensure you have a steady supply of metal, cementing paste, and polymer to craft additional refrigerators as your needs grow. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, focus on building a small, efficient base with one or two refrigerators. In a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to distribute resources and responsibilities, such as gathering materials or maintaining the power supply.
In specific scenarios, refrigerators can be a game-changer. For example, during a large-scale taming operation, youÔÇÖll need a steady supply of prime meat or kibble. Storing these items in a refrigerator ensures they remain fresh until needed. Similarly, when preparing for boss fights or long expeditions, refrigerators allow you to stockpile cooked meals and other consumables without worrying about spoilage.
In conclusion, refrigerators are a vital tool for efficient food storage in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding their mechanics, setting them up correctly, and managing your resources wisely, you can significantly improve your survival and progression in the game. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, mastering the use of refrigerators will help you maintain a well-organized and functional base.