What is the best way to use industrial cookers for food preparation in ARK: Survival Evolved?

The industrial cooker in ARK: Survival Evolved is a highly efficient tool for preparing large quantities of food and consumables. It is an advanced crafting station that requires electricity to function, making it a late-game item for most players. To use the industrial cooker effectively, you need to understand its mechanics, resource requirements, and how to integrate it into your base design. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you master the industrial cooker for food preparation.

First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of the industrial cooker. The industrial cooker is powered by electricity, so youÔÇÖll need a generator or another power source like a wind turbine or solar panel. It has a large inventory capacity, allowing you to store multiple ingredients and produce large batches of food or consumables. The cooker can hold up to 100 units of water, which is essential for most recipes. You can fill it with water manually using a water jar or water skin, or connect it to a water source like a pipe system for automatic refilling. The cooker also has slots for fuel, such as gasoline or wood, to keep it running.

To use the industrial cooker, you need to place it in a secure and accessible location within your base. Ensure it is connected to a power source and, if possible, a water pipe system for convenience. Once set up, you can start preparing recipes by placing the required ingredients into the cookerÔÇÖs inventory. Common recipes include custom recipes, soups, stews, and kibble. For example, to make a simple soup like the Focal Chili, youÔÇÖll need ingredients like cooked meat, citronal, savoroot, and water. Place these items into the cooker, and it will automatically start crafting the soup.

One of the most important tips for using the industrial cooker is to plan your recipes in advance. Gather all the necessary ingredients before starting the cooking process to avoid interruptions. For example, if youÔÇÖre preparing kibble for taming, ensure you have enough eggs, vegetables, and other required resources. Additionally, always keep an eye on the water level in the cooker. If it runs out of water, the cooking process will stop, so make sure itÔÇÖs connected to a reliable water source or refill it manually as needed.

A common mistake players make is not securing their industrial cooker properly. Since it requires electricity and water, itÔÇÖs vulnerable to raids or power outages. To avoid this, place the cooker in a well-protected area of your base, preferably behind walls and turrets. Also, consider using a backup generator or redundant power sources to ensure the cooker remains operational during emergencies.

For advanced players, optimizing the industrial cooker setup can save time and resources. For example, you can use a dedicated storage box near the cooker to store commonly used ingredients. This reduces the time spent gathering items from different parts of your base. Additionally, you can automate the water supply by connecting the cooker to a water reservoir or rain collector, ensuring a steady flow of water without manual intervention.

Resource requirements for the industrial cooker include metal, cementing paste, and electronics, which are used to craft the cooker itself. YouÔÇÖll also need a steady supply of gasoline or wood to power it, as well as ingredients for the recipes you plan to prepare. For tribes, coordinating resource gathering and recipe preparation can streamline the process. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person gathering ingredients and another managing the cooker, to maximize efficiency. Solo players should focus on stockpiling resources and planning their cooking sessions to minimize downtime.

In specific scenarios, the industrial cooker can be a game-changer. For example, during a boss fight preparation, you can use the cooker to mass-produce stat-boosting soups like the Focal Chili or Lazarus Chowder. These consumables provide significant buffs, such as increased stamina or health regeneration, giving you an edge in combat. Similarly, when taming high-level dinosaurs, the industrial cooker can produce large quantities of kibble, which speeds up the taming process and improves taming effectiveness.

In conclusion, the industrial cooker is a versatile and powerful tool for food preparation in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding its mechanics, planning your recipes, and optimizing your setup, you can make the most of this advanced crafting station. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or as part of a tribe, the industrial cooker can significantly enhance your survival and progression in the game. Just remember to secure it properly, manage your resources efficiently, and avoid common mistakes to ensure smooth and effective operation.