Start with the current game interface
Cauldron recipes matter because one incorrect input or outdated rate can break an entire production line. Alchemy Factory is now at version 1.0, but the official 1.0 material does not publish a complete cauldron recipe, rate, heat, capacity, or progression table. Use the current in-game recipe panel and machine tooltip as the authority before building at scale.
Older Codex snapshots, calculators, and player reports can still help identify possible combinations and planning ideas. They should be treated as historical reference, especially when a build depends on exact output rates, heat use, or byproducts.
| Check before building | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Input items | Community combinations may have changed after rebalances or hotfixes. |
| Output item | Verify the result in the current recipe panel. |
| Rate and heat | Older examples may not match version 1.0 values. |
| Ratios and belts | A layout can fail if inputs do not arrive quickly enough. |
| Related updates | Recheck systems mentioned in official patch notes after hotfixes. |
The safest approach is simple:
- Confirm the items and device in the live interface.
- Build a small test setup before connecting a main production line.
- Check that all input slots remain supplied.
- Confirm output handling before duplicating the design.
- Revisit the layout after game updates that affect cauldrons or related systems.
How cauldrons worked in earlier references
A historical community guide described a cauldron as taking three inputs and producing one procedurally generated product. Under that description, the selected inputs determined the output, while recipes for the same product shared the same listed rate and heat requirement.
That guide also warned that an empty slot could cause a cauldron to fill with another available item and switch products. Whether that behavior remains unchanged in version 1.0 must be confirmed in-game, but it explains why testing input reliability is important.
An earlier example compared two clay combinations. Both were reported to produce clay at the same rate and heat use, while their ingredient choices affected fertilizer needs and line reliability.
| Historical output | Historical inputs | Reported rate | Reported heat | Historical note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay | 3 red currant | 16.7/min | 4.6 P/s | All slots use the same plant, so the recipe could not switch products. |
| Clay | Sage, sage powder, red currant | 16.7/min | 4.6 P/s | Reported to use about half the fertilizer. |
| Salt | 1 copper coin, 2 chamomile | 49/min | Not stated | Coins reportedly lock about 5,000 in the device. |
| Impure copper powder | 2 chamomile, 1 lavender | 36.9/min | Not stated | Listed as a bronze-route option. |
| Copper powder | 2 chamomile, 1 gentian flower | 31.2/min | Not stated | Listed for copper ingots and bearings. |
| Gloom spores | 3 lavender | 33.3/min | Not stated | Listed as feeding malachite. |
These examples were recorded before version 1.0. They are useful as starting points for experiments, not as guaranteed current recipes.
Historical recipe leads to test carefully
The older guide collected several combinations that players used in Early Access. It stated that early-game recipes such as clay and coke were mostly unaffected by a June rebalance, while later-game outputs such as Star Dust were reworked. It also stated that version 1.0 changed an obsidian byproduct.
Because a complete current recipe table has not been officially published, test every one of these combinations in a small live setup.
| Historical output | Historical inputs | Reported rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malachite | Copper coin, lavender, gloom spore | About 30/min | Described as a two-stage stack. |
| Topaz | Lavender, impure copper powder, silver coin | Not stated | Listed with the same layout as malachite. |
| Obsidian | Fertile catalyst, chamomile, silver coin | 13.6/min | Historical guide says the byproduct changed to Marble in 1.0. |
| Lapis lazuli | 2 world tree leaves, 1 resonant catalyst | 9.9/min per cauldron | A 28-cauldron example was reported at 277/min. |
| Plank | 3 copper coins | Trivial | Associated with the “Overqualified” achievement. |
Do not assume that an input combination remains economical simply because it still creates the expected item. A viable factory build also needs a stable ingredient supply, enough logistics capacity, acceptable heat demand, and a way to handle the output continuously.
A useful test sequence is:
- Place one cauldron away from the main line.
- Feed only the proposed ingredients.
- Observe the result and current tooltip values.
- Let it run long enough to reveal shortages or product changes.
- Scale only after its inputs and output remain stable.
Advanced Cauldron value-math reports
A Steam discussion described the standard cauldron as producing an item near the total value of its inputs. The same player described the Advanced Cauldron as using the difference between two item values instead. This is a player explanation, not a current official specification, so verify it in version 1.0 before relying on it.
The discussion used Gentian, valued at 400 in a Codex calculator snapshot, and Gentian Nectar, valued at 420. Their difference was described as producing Clay, listed at 21 value in that calculator. Duplicate items were also said to work differently in the Advanced Cauldron.
| Item | Value in Codex calculator snapshot |
|---|---|
| Flax | 2 |
| Small Wooden Gear | 0.33 |
| Clay | 21 |
| Stone | 4 |
| Quicklime | 6 |
| Coal | 40 |
| Coke | 29 |
| Malachite | 367 |
| Gentian | 400 |
| Gentian Nectar | 420 |
The discussion highlighted these Advanced Cauldron combinations:
| Reported combination | Reported result | Player note |
|---|---|---|
| Flax + Flax Fiber | Plank | Called “Vegan” Jupiters. |
| Flax + Flax | Stone | Reported as better than three flax. |
| Redcurrant + Redcurrant | Iron Sand | Described as more compact than a three-item option. |
| Chamomile + Chamomile | Salt | Described as a simpler alternative. |
| Gentian + Gentian Powder | Coke | Described as fertilizer-wasteful but simple. |
| Flax + Chamomile | Coal | Suggested for making coke. |
| Flax + Redcurrant | Quicklime | Suggested for Vitality Potions. |
The player also stated that two Gentian in an Advanced Cauldron produced Malachite, described there as worth 421. Treat all of these as community test cases rather than permanent recipe documentation.
Building a dependable cauldron line
A cauldron setup is only as dependable as its slowest input. Historical guidance emphasized mapping each input flow rate, keeping ratios balanced, and making sure output is not pulled faster than the device fills.
For example, the older clay reference stated that three cauldrons at 16.7 clay per minute would need 50.1 per minute of each input. It gave a nursery stack producing 60 of each as a safe example. That specific number is historical, but the planning principle is durable: calculate demand across the full stack, then leave supply headroom.
| Planning area | What to verify in the live game |
|---|---|
| Inputs | Each ingredient reaches every cauldron at its required rate. |
| Duplicate ingredients | Separate slots can increase demand for the same item. |
| Fertilizer | Ingredient choices can change the burden on plant production. |
| Heat | Check current heat demand for the selected output. |
| Logistics | Raise transport capacity when production demand rises. |
| Output | Ensure storage or downstream machines can accept the result. |
Avoid mixing unverified cauldron inputs on a shared belt. If a device can receive an unintended material when a preferred slot runs dry, a temporary shortage may create an unwanted output and make diagnosis harder.
Keep test builds small, label their inputs, and expand them one repeatable unit at a time. That approach is slower than copying a large community layout immediately, but it makes version changes and supply issues much easier to isolate.
Confirmed Cauldron Recipes
The cauldron matters because it creates high-value jewelry and a key magic item from specific ingredient combinations. This section lists the confirmed recipes, so you can build toward the exact inputs instead of testing blindly.
The Cauldron is categorized as an Automated Processing device. The available device listing identifies three jewelry recipes and one magic recipe. Each recipe uses three inputs and produces one output.
| Output | Input 1 | Input 2 | Input 3 | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby | Diamond | Pure Gold Dust | Resonant Catalyst | 30.9s |
| Sapphire | Perfect Diamond | World Tree Core | Unstable Catalyst | 38.2s |
| Emerald | Moonlit Soap | Lapis Lazuli | Fertile Catalyst | 45.5s |
| Philosopher's Stone | Ruby | Sapphire | Emerald | 60s |
The three gem recipes are the direct route to the Philosopher's Stone recipe. In practical terms, that makes Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald the immediate materials to prepare before attempting the magic output.
The Codex device page confirms these recipes, but it is not presented as an exhaustive list of every possible Cauldron result. For additional combinations, the Codex directs players to the Cauldron Calculator.
Philosopher's Stone Recipe
The only listed magic recipe for the Cauldron produces a Philosopher's Stone. It requires one of each confirmed Cauldron jewelry output.
| Required Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Ruby | 1 |
| Sapphire | 1 |
| Emerald | 1 |
| Philosopher's Stone output | 1 |
| Crafting time | 60s |
This recipe gives the Cauldron list a clear dependency chain:
- Create a Ruby with Diamond, Pure Gold Dust, and Resonant Catalyst.
- Create a Sapphire with Perfect Diamond, World Tree Core, and Unstable Catalyst.
- Create an Emerald with Moonlit Soap, Lapis Lazuli, and Fertile Catalyst.
- Combine the Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald for one Philosopher's Stone.
The listed times for the three prerequisite gems add to 114.6 seconds. Including the 60-second Philosopher's Stone recipe, the listed Cauldron processing time for one complete set is 174.6 seconds, before accounting for obtaining the ingredients.
| Stage | Output | Listed Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruby | 30.9s |
| 2 | Sapphire | 38.2s |
| 3 | Emerald | 45.5s |
| 4 | Philosopher's Stone | 60s |
| Total | One complete Philosopher's Stone set | 174.6s |
The total above is a sum of the processing times displayed for the individual recipes. It is not an estimate for a whole factory line, and it does not include the time needed to acquire or prepare any inputs.
Compare Ingredient Values Before Testing
The Codex lists an item value next to each selectable input. Value alone does not prove a cauldron result is good, but it is a sensible way to decide which experiments are inexpensive enough to repeat and which materials may be worth reserving.
| Lower-value inputs | Value shown in Codex |
|---|---|
| Small Wooden Gear | 0.33 Copper Coin |
| Logs | 0.8 Copper Coin |
| Plank | 1 Copper Coin |
| Flax | 2 Copper Coin |
| Charcoal | 2 Copper Coin |
| Limestone | 3 Copper Coin |
| Stone | 4 Copper Coin |
| Sand | 4.5 Copper Coin |
| Iron Ore | 10 Copper Coin |
| Basic Fertilizer | 10 Copper Coin |
Low-value materials are useful when you are learning the calculator interface or checking whether a proposed recipe behaves as expected. They reduce the cost of experimentation compared with committing scarce ores, potions, or catalysts.
| Mid-value inputs | Value shown in Codex |
|---|---|
| Gloom Fungus | 26 Copper Coin |
| Glass | 27 Copper Coin |
| Coke | 29 Copper Coin |
| Healing Potion | 30 Copper Coin |
| Coal | 40 Copper Coin |
| Pyrite Ore | 45 Copper Coin |
| Bronze Ingot | 155 Copper Coin |
| Steel Ingot | 161 Copper Coin |
| Sulfur | 166 Copper Coin |
| Lavender | 180 Copper Coin |
These materials may be more appropriate once your factory can replenish them. For example, the Codex recipe list shows that coal can be made from Coal Ore in a Stone Crusher, while Coke can be made from Coal in a Crucible. That production context helps determine whether an input is practical for repeated cauldron work.
| Higher-value inputs | Value shown in Codex |
|---|---|
| Growth Potion | 500 Copper Coin |
| Oblivion Essence | 600 Copper Coin |
| Redcurrant Seeds | 650 Copper Coin |
| Unstable Catalyst | 746 Copper Coin |
| Portal Sigil | 750 Copper Coin |
| Meteorite | 800 Copper Coin |
| Vitality Essence | 900 Copper Coin |
| Blast Potion | 1,197 Copper Coin |
| Perfumed Soap | 1,216 Copper Coin |
| Crude Silver Powder | 1,274 Copper Coin |
Treat these as deliberate tests rather than casual experiments. The calculator lets you explore the combinations, but nothing confirms that a higher input value automatically produces a better outcome.
Update-Safe Recipe Planning
The best response to recipe changes is to treat a cauldron build as a controlled experiment. Community discussions show that players have returned after updates to find cauldron-heavy factories disrupted, including reports that specific unstable catalyst and lapis lazuli combinations no longer worked.
One discussion about unstable catalyst included two player-reported combinations. These are not official specifications and should be tested in the current game before use.
| Reported target | Player-reported combination | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Unstable catalyst | Silver coin + flaxseed | Reported in a June discussion |
| Unstable catalyst | Gloom spores + chamomile powder | Reported in the same discussion |
| Lapis lazuli | Panacea potion + resonant catalyst + flax | Player-reported July discovery |
| Lapis lazuli | Adamant + shattered crystal + world tree leaf | Player described it as their best available option |
The lapis discussion also includes an important warning: one player said a previously used combination of panacea, flax, and fertile catalyst no longer worked after an update. Another commenter explicitly stated that a recipe website was out of date.
Use these reports as leads, not promises. A recipe can be technically valid yet still be a poor factory choice if its inputs are scarce, expensive, or needed elsewhere.
Before scaling a recipe, check:
- Whether the cauldron creates the intended output with all three inputs present.
- Whether each input line can sustain the recorded consumption.
- Whether heating is adequate for continuous operation.
- Whether output handling is slower than production.
- Whether a byproduct changed after an update.
- Whether a conventional machine route is more practical for your available materials.
For lapis lazuli, one player preferred making ingredients in cauldrons and then crafting the final item in Advanced Athanors. That is not a universal recommendation, but it shows why comparing a cauldron route with a machine route can save a rebuild.
FAQ
Where can I find current alchemy factory cauldron recipes?
Check the current in-game recipe panel and cauldron tooltip first. For version 1.0, official notes do not publish a complete current recipe or throughput table.
Are older cauldron guides still useful?
Yes, as historical reference and test ideas. Older guides and Codex snapshots may identify combinations worth trying, but their rates, heat values, outputs, costs, and byproducts are not guaranteed for version 1.0.
Why should I test a recipe before scaling it?
Historical guidance warned that an empty input slot could lead to a changed product. Testing also confirms the current output, heat requirement, input rate, and output flow before a main factory line depends on them.
Does the Advanced Cauldron use different rules?
A community Steam post said the Advanced Cauldron used value differences and handled duplicates differently from a standard cauldron. Verify that behavior in the current game before designing around it.
