Scrap Metal to Metal Blocks

The Scrap Metal to Metal Blocks recipe smelts 2 Scrap Metal and 1 Log into 1 Metal Block at the Smelter. Each batch takes 2 hours and requires a hefty 200 horsepower, plus an additional 1 Log consumed as fuel per batch. Metal Blocks are a premium late-game material used in the construction of the most advanced buildings and components in Timberborn. This recipe is available to all factions, making the Smelter a universal but resource-hungry production building.

Scrap Metal, the primary input, is obtained by mining ruins and metal deposits found scattered across the map. Mines and Efficient Mines extract Scrap Metal from underground, which then needs to be hauled to the Smelter for processing. The dual consumption of Scrap Metal as a raw input and Logs as both a recipe ingredient and fuel source means this recipe places significant pressure on your forestry operations. Metal Blocks feed into high-tier construction such as Engines, advanced water management structures, and (most notably) Bot Heads at the Bot Part Factory, where each head requires 1 Metal Block alongside Gears and Planks.

Because the Smelter demands 200 hp of continuous power, players should not attempt to build one until they have a robust power network in place, typically anchored by Engines or multiple Water Wheels. Positioning the Smelter close to both your Mine output and a Log stockpile minimizes worker travel time and keeps production flowing. Since Scrap Metal deposits are finite on most maps, treat Metal Blocks as a precious resource and prioritize their use for the buildings and components that provide the greatest strategic value. Stockpiling Metal Blocks before embarking on a Bot production campaign is strongly recommended.