Editing v0.31:Fuel

Although both "charcoal" and "coke" are simply listed as such when viewed in the game with the {{k|k}}, they are found under the "bars" section of the [[stocks|z-stocks]] menu, and can be used to build [[vertical bars]], and so a unit of fuel is usually considered "a bar". To place bars of fuel in a stockpile, create a Bars/Blocks stockpile, or a [[Stockpile#Custom_stockpiles|custom stockpile]] with "coal" (found in the "Bars" sub-category) {{k|e}}nabled and {{k|p}}ermitted.

The two sub-types of fuel are '''''charcoal''''' and '''''coke''''', and they are effectively ''identical'' for in-game purposes, even if they come from different sources and have different in-game names.  Whenever you see "fuel", "refined coal" or "coal" in-game, those refer to ''either'' charcoal or coke - they are interchangeable, and either one will serve the same purpose, as fuel for the desired activity.  ([[Bituminous coal]] is ''not'' the same as "coal", and does ''not'' refer to fuel, but can be converted into coke at a [[Smelter]].)  

Both charcoal and coke come in [[bar]]s, and are stockpiled in Bars/Block [[stockpile]]s if the "coal" entry is selected within the "Bars" section.  There is currently no way (or need) to distinguish between the two when designating stockpiles.  

At the risk of repetition, but to be perfectly clear - ''despite the different names, there is no distinction between charcoal and coke for any workshop-related activities.'' Both are "refined coal" or "coal", or just "fuel".  The only actual difference between charcoal and coke has to do with [[Elf|Elven]] traders - selling them charcoal will offend them, but coke will not.

Charcoal and coke are, of course, ''not'' [[fire-safe]] building materials.

The different terms are found in different places in the game, but all refer to the same thing, [[bar]]s of either coke or charcoal.

"Fuel" is sometimes used informally in the forums and in various wiki articles.  Since some understandable confusion can arise over the usage of the various terms "'''refined coal'''", "'''coal fuel'''", "'''coal'''", "'''charcoal'''" and "'''coke'''" (and also "[[bituminous coal]]", which is ''not'' a fuel), the simple umbrella term "fuel" will be used in the explanations in this article.   

At a conventional (non-magma) [[smelter]], if you try to add a smelting task and have no fuel, you will see the message:

:<div style="color:white; background-color:black; width:20em; font-weight:bold"><tt>No tasks available<br />Check for raw material access<br /><br />and fuel if necessary</tt></div>

:''(Note that this message will also be seen if there is no [[path]] to your workshop or needed materials, including fuel.)''

If you have queued up multiple tasks and then run out of fuel, you will get an [[announcement]] similar to:

<blockquote>"'''[[Main:Urist|Urist McFuelUser]] cancels job: needs refined coal.'''"</blockquote>

'''Coal''' is the generic term used in the [[stockpile]] menu.  It refers to a [[bar]] of either charcoal or coke.

There are 2 sub-types of conventional fuel - [[charcoal]] and [[coke]].  Charcoal and coke are identical in use - a single unit of either one powers one activity at a conventional smelter, forge, kiln or glass furnace, or can serve as the ingredient to make [[pig iron]] or [[steel]].  They are completely interchangeable, the only difference is their source.   

[[Wood]] does not burn hot enough to fuel these activities or facilities, and (in Dwarf Fortress) you cannot burn raw [[bituminous coal]] or [[lignite]] (although they are flammable).

Charcoal is created at a [[wood furnace]] using one [[wood]] log by a [[dwarf]] with the [[Wood burner|Wood burning]] [[labor]] enabled. [[Skill|Skill levels]] in the [[Wood burner]] [[skill]] are not required but reduce the time required for this activity.

:* Required Building - [[Wood furnace]]

:* Required Labor enabled - [[Wood burning]]

:* Required Material - [[Wood]]

Coke is a type of refined coal, and is identical to charcoal for all game purposes. It is created at a [[smelter]] using one unit of fuel by a [[dwarf]] with the [[Furnace operating|Furnace Operating]] labor enabled. [[skill|Skill levels]] in the [[Furnace operator]] skill are not required but reduce the time required for this activity.

 

Coke can be created from [[bituminous coal]], producing 3 coke (net gain of 2 fuel), or [[lignite]], producing 2 coke (net gain of 1 fuel). Magma smelters do not require conventional fuel for this process, and so the net yield for each is effectively +1 greater.

:*Required Building - [[Smelter]] or [[Magma smelter]]

:*Required Material - [[Bituminous coal]] or [[lignite]]

::::::  - ''plus'' one unit of fuel per unit smelted, if at a conventional smelter

Bituminous coal [[block]]s and lignite blocks (sometimes offered by [[trader]]s) can neither be used as fuel nor converted into fuel or back into stones in any way. They can only be used for standard block purposes -- though they are of course ''not'' [[fire-safe]]!

Because you need fuel in order to refine fuel, you will probably need to create at least one unit of charcoal at a Wood Burner first.

Magma replaces conventional fuel for [[magma smelter]]s, [[magma forge]]s, [[magma kiln]]s and [[magma glass furnace]]s.  No fuel is needed, nor can it be used, for activities at these facilities.  Note that you will still need charcoal or coke for smelting bars of [[pig iron]] and [[steel]]. (And see next section.)

Note that when [[smelting]] [[pig iron]] or [[steel]] at any location, one unit of either charcoal or coke is required in the reaction (presumably as carbon). Again, there is no distinction - both charcoal and coke serve equally well in the production of [[bar]]s of either. An additional unit of fuel is needed to power the furnace at conventional (non-magma) smelters.

:* [[Smelting]]

 

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