The Boiler is the machine that heats water into steam. Steam is one of Sandustry's core fluids, used across thermal processing and the energy production chain.
Note: the official wiki does not yet have a dedicated Boiler page. This guide is compiled from the community boiling guide and in-game thermal mechanics, so treat specifics as needs-testing.
How it works
The Boiler is a hot thermal machine. Thermal machines refine materials by temperature:
- Hot machines move a material from solid → liquid → gas.
- Cold machines reverse it, gas → liquid → solid.
The Boiler takes water (liquid) and outputs steam (gas). It is one of the most direct examples of the thermal system in action.
Steam's role in the energy chain
Steam is a middle step in the late-game Energy production chain:
Amethelis → Steam → Dry Amethelis → (heat) → Florin (gas) → (cool) → Florinol (liquid) → Battery
In that chain, Amethelis is refined into steam, then dried further. Steam itself is not the final product — it is a stepping stone toward Florin and Florinol, which end up in a Battery.
Sourcing water
Water is the Boiler's input, so you need a supply. Two options:
- Catch a Lumling with a Corraller — it produces water.
- Pump it from a water source using a Pump + Pipe + Liquid Vent.
For the full thermal picture, see the tips and tricks guide and the lava page for how heat and cold interact with terrain.