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SandustryGuide

Lava

Lava in Sandustry

Lava is a flowing hot material with density 200. It can destroy Fluxite, Redsoil and Strataform terrain, so exposed routes need deliberate containment.

Quick answer

You cannot move Lava with ordinary Pipes or Grabbers. Route the flow directly, or cool Lava with Snow into Scoria, destroy it into Cinder for transport, then ignite the Cinder to recreate Lava.

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How to move Lava

The safest way to move Lava is to create a controlled path for the flow and prevent it from touching materials or machines that change or consume it before it reaches the destination.

  1. 01

    Clear the route

    Remove anything blocking the intended flow.

    ↓

  2. 02

    Control the path

    Give Lava one clear route to the destination.

    ↓

  3. 03

    Protect the route

    Keep reactive or consuming materials away.

    ↓

  4. 04

    Test the flow

    Release a small amount before committing the source.

Basic Lava routing

Source

Lava│▼

Controlled route

│

✕ Reactive material

✕ Consuming structure

│▼

Destination

How to transport Lava safely

If Lava vanishes mid-route, it is usually being consumed, transformed, or trapped outside the intended path.

What's happening to your Lava?

Choose what you see in-game.

Lava disappears before reaching the destination.

Check

Try

Create a short isolated test channel first.

Lava transport and current behavior

Use the current Scoria / Cinder chain for solid transport. The old Obsidian / Basalt chain is not part of the current material system.

Solid transport chain

Lava + Snow↓Scoria↓ destroyCinder↓ igniteLava
Open in Production Explorer →

What is Lava used for?

Material reactions

Lava + Snow → Scoria → Cinder; ignite Cinder to recreate Lava.

Artifact puzzles

Build Artifact uses controlled Lava routing.

Factory setups

Route Lava where a production system specifically needs it.

Route the Lava through the build area so it reaches the support under the freezing material.

Build Artifact

Route the Lava through the build area so it reaches the support under the freezing material.

  • • Lava source
  • • Allowed build area
  • • Target support
  • • Artifact
Open full Build Artifact solution →

Where to get Lava

Lava is found as a world material rather than crafted as an inventory item. Find an existing Lava source in the environment, then route the flow from that source into your setup.

Craftable?
No
Type
World material
Move method
Route the flow

Useful Lava routing setups

Basic channel

Best for: short, simple transfers

Source → channel → destination. Keep the path one cell wide and free of other materials.

Protected route

Best for: paths near vulnerable terrain

Keep Fluxite, Redsoil and Strataform terrain away from exposed Lava; Lava destroys them.

Controlled release

Best for: testing a new factory section

Allow a small amount of Lava into the next stage at a time, then open the rest once the destination is stable.

Before you release the Lava

Common Lava questions

Why did my Lava disappear?+

Lava is usually consumed by a machine on the path, caught in a reaction, or lost because the destination had no free space. Remove consumers, test a clean channel, and send a smaller amount first.

Why won't my Lava move?+

The path is blocked, the flow has pooled in a low area, or the next cell is occupied. Clear the channel and give the Lava an open cell to enter.

How do I stop Lava from spreading?+

Contain it with a controlled channel. Block side exits, keep the destination compact, and test with a small flow before opening the source.

Why did Lava turn into another material?+

For controlled transport, cool Lava with Snow into Scoria. Destroy Scoria into Cinder, then ignite Cinder when you need Lava again.