Tips & Tricks
Production ratio tips, layout tricks, common mistakes to avoid, and advanced strategies for optimizing your factory kitchen.
Production Ratio Tips
Getting the right ratios between machines is critical. A common question from new players is "How do I figure out ratios?" — here are the key principles:
- One mixer can feed one oven in most early recipes. The bottleneck is usually the slowest machine.
- Match input speed to processing speed — if your oven takes 3 seconds per dish, your mixer should output every 3 seconds or faster.
- Build multiple parallel lines when one line can't keep up with quota demands.
- Use buffers (conveyor segments) between machines to smooth out production bumps.
Layout Optimization
- Keep it compact — shorter conveyor runs mean faster delivery and less wasted space.
- Leave room for expansion — you'll often need to add more machines or reroute belts.
- Group related machines together — all dairy processing in one area, all meat in another.
- Use sorters at junctions — every point where belts merge or split should have a sorter.
- Build from output backward — start with the delivery point and work backward to ingredient sources.
Allergen Management
This is the #1 challenge for new players. Here's a foolproof approach:
- Identify which recipes contain allergens (nuts, dairy)
- Build completely separate production lines for allergen and allergen-free dishes
- Never let allergen and allergen-free conveyors cross or share machines
- Use sorters at every junction to prevent accidental contamination
- Color-code your factory sections mentally: red for allergens, green for safe
Temperature Management
| Situation | Solution |
|---|---|
| Dairy near ovens | Move dairy lines away from heat sources; add physical separation |
| Spicy dishes overheating | Add coolers to the production line before delivery |
| Meat undercooked | Increase grill time or add a second grill for thorough cooking |
| Dough over-fermenting | Speed up the post-mix conveyor to move dough faster through the line |
Advanced Tips
- Splitter chains — chain multiple splitters to distribute ingredients evenly across parallel production lines.
- Pipe direction matters — always verify pipe flow direction after placing. The game has visual indicators in patch 1.1.1+.
- Pause and plan — the game pauses when you're building. Use this to plan complex layouts without time pressure.
- Custom levels — play community-made levels from Steam Workshop for extra practice and new challenges.
- Controller support — the game fully supports controllers. Some players find it easier for precise placement.
Community Tips from Steam
Based on community discussions and the developer's own tips guide:
- Remap hotbar keys from 7-8-9-0 to Z-X-C-V for easier left-hand access
- The game is more puzzle-like than Factorio — treat each level as a unique problem to solve
- Don't worry about perfect ratios on your first attempt — complete the level first, then optimize
- Use the hammer tool to demolish and rebuild sections quickly
- The game has patch 1.1.1 visual indicators for pipe directions and hammer target layers