What are the best ways to store and preserve food in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Storing and preserving food in ARK: Survival Evolved is a critical aspect of survival, as food spoils over time and can quickly become unusable if not managed properly. The game offers several methods to extend the shelf life of food, each with its own mechanics, advantages, and resource requirements. Understanding these methods and how to use them effectively can make a significant difference in your ability to thrive in the game.
The most basic way to store food is by placing it in your inventory or in storage containers like storage boxes or preserving bins. However, food stored this way will spoil at a normal rate, which can be problematic for long-term storage. To slow down spoilage, you can use preserving bins or refrigerators. Preserving bins require sparkpowder, which is crafted from flint and stone in a mortar and pestle, to function. When food is placed in a preserving bin with sparkpowder, its spoilage timer is significantly slowed. Refrigerators, which are unlocked at higher levels, are even more effective and do not require sparkpowder. Instead, they run on electricity, which can be generated using generators. Refrigerators are the best option for long-term food storage, as they drastically reduce spoilage rates.
Another method to preserve food is by using salt. Salt can be harvested from salt deposits found in certain areas of the map, such as the desert biome. When salt is added to a preserving bin along with food, it further slows the spoilage rate. This is particularly useful for preserving meat and fish, which are essential for taming and feeding carnivorous dinosaurs. Salt is also used in cooking recipes to create dishes that provide buffs and have longer spoilage times compared to raw food.
For players who are early in the game and do not have access to preserving bins or refrigerators, cooking food can be a viable alternative. Cooked meat spoils slower than raw meat, so cooking your food as soon as possible can help extend its usability. To cook meat, you will need a campfire or a cooking pot. Campfires are easy to craft and require basic resources like wood, thatch, and stone. Cooking pots, which are unlocked at higher levels, allow you to create more advanced recipes and dishes that provide additional benefits.
One advanced technique for preserving food is using tamed dinosaurs with special abilities. For example, the Dung Beetle can produce oil and fertilizer, which are useful for crafting and farming, but it can also be used to store food in its inventory, as it has a slower spoilage rate compared to standard storage. Similarly, the Phiomia can be used to store berries and vegetables, as its inventory has a slower spoilage rate for these items. Utilizing these dinosaurs can help you manage your food storage more efficiently, especially in the early to mid-game stages.
When playing in a tribe, food storage and preservation become even more important, as you will need to feed multiple players and tamed dinosaurs. Coordinating with your tribe members to ensure that food is stored properly and that preserving bins or refrigerators are always stocked with sparkpowder or powered can make a big difference. In solo play, you will need to manage your resources carefully and prioritize crafting preserving bins or refrigerators as soon as possible to avoid losing valuable food.
Common mistakes to avoid include leaving food in your inventory for too long, as it will spoil quickly, and not using preserving bins or refrigerators when available. Another mistake is not cooking meat immediately after harvesting it, as raw meat spoils much faster than cooked meat. Additionally, players often overlook the benefits of using salt in preserving bins, which can significantly extend the shelf life of food.
In terms of resource requirements, preserving bins require wood, thatch, fiber, and hide to craft, along with sparkpowder to function. Refrigerators require more advanced materials like metal ingots, cementing paste, and electronics, as well as a generator to power them. Cooking pots require similar materials to preserving bins but are more resource-intensive. Salt can be harvested from salt deposits, but you will need a pickaxe or a metal tool to gather it efficiently.
In specific scenarios, such as preparing for a long journey or a boss fight, having a reliable food storage system is crucial. For example, if you are planning to tame a high-level dinosaur, you will need a large amount of meat or berries, and preserving them properly will ensure that you have enough food to complete the taming process. Similarly, when exploring dangerous areas or caves, having preserved food in your inventory can help you survive longer without needing to return to your base.
In conclusion, storing and preserving food in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and resource management. By using preserving bins, refrigerators, salt, and cooking methods, you can extend the shelf life of your food and ensure that you always have a steady supply. Utilizing tamed dinosaurs with special abilities can also help optimize your food storage. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, prioritizing food preservation is essential for long-term survival and success in the game.
The most basic way to store food is by placing it in your inventory or in storage containers like storage boxes or preserving bins. However, food stored this way will spoil at a normal rate, which can be problematic for long-term storage. To slow down spoilage, you can use preserving bins or refrigerators. Preserving bins require sparkpowder, which is crafted from flint and stone in a mortar and pestle, to function. When food is placed in a preserving bin with sparkpowder, its spoilage timer is significantly slowed. Refrigerators, which are unlocked at higher levels, are even more effective and do not require sparkpowder. Instead, they run on electricity, which can be generated using generators. Refrigerators are the best option for long-term food storage, as they drastically reduce spoilage rates.
Another method to preserve food is by using salt. Salt can be harvested from salt deposits found in certain areas of the map, such as the desert biome. When salt is added to a preserving bin along with food, it further slows the spoilage rate. This is particularly useful for preserving meat and fish, which are essential for taming and feeding carnivorous dinosaurs. Salt is also used in cooking recipes to create dishes that provide buffs and have longer spoilage times compared to raw food.
For players who are early in the game and do not have access to preserving bins or refrigerators, cooking food can be a viable alternative. Cooked meat spoils slower than raw meat, so cooking your food as soon as possible can help extend its usability. To cook meat, you will need a campfire or a cooking pot. Campfires are easy to craft and require basic resources like wood, thatch, and stone. Cooking pots, which are unlocked at higher levels, allow you to create more advanced recipes and dishes that provide additional benefits.
One advanced technique for preserving food is using tamed dinosaurs with special abilities. For example, the Dung Beetle can produce oil and fertilizer, which are useful for crafting and farming, but it can also be used to store food in its inventory, as it has a slower spoilage rate compared to standard storage. Similarly, the Phiomia can be used to store berries and vegetables, as its inventory has a slower spoilage rate for these items. Utilizing these dinosaurs can help you manage your food storage more efficiently, especially in the early to mid-game stages.
When playing in a tribe, food storage and preservation become even more important, as you will need to feed multiple players and tamed dinosaurs. Coordinating with your tribe members to ensure that food is stored properly and that preserving bins or refrigerators are always stocked with sparkpowder or powered can make a big difference. In solo play, you will need to manage your resources carefully and prioritize crafting preserving bins or refrigerators as soon as possible to avoid losing valuable food.
Common mistakes to avoid include leaving food in your inventory for too long, as it will spoil quickly, and not using preserving bins or refrigerators when available. Another mistake is not cooking meat immediately after harvesting it, as raw meat spoils much faster than cooked meat. Additionally, players often overlook the benefits of using salt in preserving bins, which can significantly extend the shelf life of food.
In terms of resource requirements, preserving bins require wood, thatch, fiber, and hide to craft, along with sparkpowder to function. Refrigerators require more advanced materials like metal ingots, cementing paste, and electronics, as well as a generator to power them. Cooking pots require similar materials to preserving bins but are more resource-intensive. Salt can be harvested from salt deposits, but you will need a pickaxe or a metal tool to gather it efficiently.
In specific scenarios, such as preparing for a long journey or a boss fight, having a reliable food storage system is crucial. For example, if you are planning to tame a high-level dinosaur, you will need a large amount of meat or berries, and preserving them properly will ensure that you have enough food to complete the taming process. Similarly, when exploring dangerous areas or caves, having preserved food in your inventory can help you survive longer without needing to return to your base.
In conclusion, storing and preserving food in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and resource management. By using preserving bins, refrigerators, salt, and cooking methods, you can extend the shelf life of your food and ensure that you always have a steady supply. Utilizing tamed dinosaurs with special abilities can also help optimize your food storage. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, prioritizing food preservation is essential for long-term survival and success in the game.