The Chill Factor: Understanding the Refrigerator in ARK: Survival Evolved

The Refrigerator in ARK: Survival Evolved is a vital piece of technology for any survivor looking to preserve their hard-earned resources and prepare for the long haul. Simply put, the Refrigerator drastically increases the spoil timer on perishable items, allowing you to store food, ingredients, eggs, honey, and even medicines for much longer periods than would otherwise be possible. This functionality is crucial for maintaining a stable food supply, preventing resource waste, and enabling the crafting of more advanced items. Without a Refrigerator, survivors would constantly be battling spoilage, making survival significantly harder.

Why is a Refrigerator Essential in Ark?

ARK is a harsh environment where resources are often scarce. The rate at which items spoil can be incredibly frustrating, particularly with highly sought-after goods like raw meat and prime meat. The Refrigerator effectively mitigates this problem by extending the life of perishables. Consider the difference: Raw Meat spoils in a mere 10 minutes without preservation. However, placing it in a powered Refrigerator increases its spoil timer to an astonishing 16 hours and 40 minutes. This allows you to gather, store, and prepare food without the constant pressure of spoilage, providing a safety net that other preservation methods can’t match.

The Refrigerator’s benefits go beyond simply preventing food spoilage, it allows players to safely stockpile eggs for kibble production, medicines for those nasty combat encounters, and honey for taming or other recipes. This consistent access to stable resources allows for a significant increase in overall efficiency, whether it be breeding, taming or conquering the island.

Powering Your Preservation

The Refrigerator isn’t a passive device. It requires a reliable power source to function. This means you’ll need to set up an electrical grid using a Generator and wiring to provide power to your base and your Refrigerator. The need for a power source makes it more of a mid- to late-game tech, requiring more time and resources to acquire compared to the simple Preserving Bin. However, the significantly extended spoil timer it provides makes the investment worthwhile for serious survivors.

FAQs: Diving Deeper into the Refrigerator

Here are 15 frequently asked questions that delve deeper into the Refrigerator’s functionalities and its place in the ARK ecosystem:

1. How long does food last in a Refrigerator in Ark?

The spoil timer extension varies depending on the item. Raw Meat, for example, goes from 10 minutes to 16 hours and 40 minutes. In general, the Refrigerator provides the longest spoil time extension out of all preservation methods. Prime Meat Jerky, for instance, can last up to 200 days in a Refrigerator, compared to only 2 days in a survivor’s inventory.

2. Can you make jerky in a refrigerator in Ark?

While the Refrigerator is essential for prolonging the life of raw meat which is vital for jerky production, it does not directly make jerky. Jerky is made in the Preserving Bin using Cooked Meat or Cooked Prime Meat, Sparkpowder, and Oil. The Refrigerator stores the meat until you are ready to begin the jerky making process.

3. What can you put in a Refrigerator in Ark?

The Refrigerator is designed to preserve almost all perishable items. This includes various types of food, food ingredients, eggs, honey, and medicines. Think of anything that spoils – it’s very likely the refrigerator will greatly extend its useful life.

4. Is a Refrigerator better than a Preserving Bin?

Yes, the Refrigerator is generally superior for most items because it offers a significantly longer spoil timer than the Preserving Bin. While the Preserving Bin requires Sparkpowder to function, the Refrigerator requires a consistent power source but provides a much more extended storage period. The preserving bin is useful in the early to mid game while the refrigerator is the best long term solution.

5. Can Wyvern Milk be stored in a Refrigerator?

No, strangely enough, Wyvern Milk cannot be stored in a Refrigerator to extend its spoil time. It spoils incredibly quickly and must be stored in a Preserving Bin or a tamed creature’s inventory with a little bit of salt to extend its life.

6. Does oil spoil in Ark, and can you store it in a Refrigerator?

Yes, Oil (Tusoteuthis) has a spoil timer of 2 hours and 30 minutes. It can be placed in a refrigerator to significantly extend its lifespan. Keeping oil in the refrigerator ensures you always have the resources needed to craft gasoline which is crucial for running generators that in turn power your refrigerator.

7. How do I power a Refrigerator in Ark?

Refrigerators are powered by electricity. You’ll need to place a Generator and use electrical cables to connect the generator to your refrigerator. Make sure the generator is always fuelled with gasoline.

8. What happens if a Refrigerator loses power?

If the Refrigerator loses power, the spoil timers on the contents will revert to their default rate. This means that your preserved items will start to spoil at the regular speed. Always ensure a consistent power supply to avoid spoilage.

9. Is there any food that doesn’t spoil at all in Ark?

Honey is known to be one of the only foods that can last seemingly forever when kept in your inventory. Though it is advised to place it in a refrigerator to help keep it organised and safe from accidental consumption.

10. What are some tips for efficient Refrigerator usage?

• Organize your refrigerator: Sort your items into labeled storage boxes for easy access.
• Always have backup power: Ensure you have extra gasoline to keep the generator running.
• Utilize auto-sort: If you have structures that offer an auto-sort function use this to easily move all food into your refrigerator.
• Place it close to your crafting tables: To improve crafting workflow, and to make getting the materials easier.

11. How does the Refrigerator affect Starve Taming?

The Refrigerator does not directly influence Starve Taming mechanics. Starve taming relies on the creature’s hunger levels not food spoilage. The refrigerator is still valuable here as it can store the taming food for as long as it is needed.

12. Does the Refrigerator consume resources like Sparkpowder?

No, the Refrigerator does not require Sparkpowder or other fuel to operate besides electricity. Unlike the Preserving Bin, it relies solely on power from a Generator.

13. Does a Refrigerator act as a respawn point?

No, the Refrigerator does not act as a respawn point. Respawn points are typically set up using Beds or Bunk Beds.

14. What happens if I place too much food in a Refrigerator?

There’s no penalty for placing too much food in a Refrigerator, provided it has space available. It can hold a large amount of items. However, it is important to ensure you have a system to easily grab the required items.

15. Is the Refrigerator worth it in the early game?

Acquiring and maintaining a Refrigerator is more of a mid-to-late-game goal, as it requires significant resources and a power grid. In the early game, the Preserving Bin is the better option for preserving food. The benefits of having the refrigerator far outweigh the initial investment once you reach the mid-game.

Conclusion

The Refrigerator in ARK: Survival Evolved is a crucial tool for any player looking to thrive. By significantly extending the spoil time of perishables, it allows you to maintain a stable food supply, stockpile crucial resources, and prepare for the many challenges that the ARK throws your way. Although a bit challenging to initially acquire, this tool is a game changer that every player needs to aim to secure to reach their maximum potential in ARK.