How to Move Lava in Sandustry

The reliable early-game relocation chain remains:

Lava + Snow → Scoria → break Scoria → Cinder → transport → direct Flamethrower fire → Lava

The official Early Access FAQ also documents the Hydro Sponge as a later direct-handling option once Lava is above the surface.

Current v0.5.7 Lava Changes

The public Steam changelog is newer than several Official Wiki values, so use it for current-version differences.

Lava Density Is Now 200

Update #3 / v0.5.6 increased Lava density to 200.

The current Lava Wiki page may still display the older density value. For current gameplay, the release changelog is the newer source.

This matters when comparing Lava with other materials in mixed physical setups.

Lava Destroys More Terrain

v0.5.6 also says Lava now destroys:

• Fluxite;
• Redsoil;
• Strataform terrain.

Do not assume a layout proven before v0.5.6 remains safe when Lava can reach those materials.

Cold Thermal Buffers Can Return Lava to Cinder

Before v0.5.6, documentation commonly described a Thermal Buffer as simply consuming Lava for heat.

The current patch behavior is more specific: when the Thermal Buffer is cold / negative temperature, Lava adds less heat and converts back to Cinder instead of being fully consumed.

That creates another current-version Lava-to-Cinder path, separate from the Snow-to-Scoria transport route.

Advanced Filter Walls No Longer Leak Lava

Update #4 / v0.5.7 fixed Lava leaking through Advanced Filter Walls.

That fix applies to Advanced Filter Walls. It does not mean a standard Filter blocks liquids; standard Filters still allow Water and Lava behavior documented by the Filter system.

Why Base Pipes and Grabbers Do Not Move Lava

The current Lava reference says raw Lava cannot be transported through ordinary Pipes and cannot be picked up by the base Grabber. Lava is also not Launchable.

That is why the early route converts the liquid into a transportable solid first.

The Early Lava Transport Chain

1. Cool Lava with Snow

Put Snow in contact with Lava to create Scoria. A Cryoblaster is a renewable source of Snow and can help with the cooling step.

Water is different: Water touching Lava becomes Steam and does not reduce the Lava amount.

2. Break Scoria into Cinder

Destroy the Scoria. It drops Cinder.

Cinder is solid and can be moved with normal logistics such as a Grabber, Conveyor Belt, or Launcher.

3. Recreate Lava at the Destination

Contain the Cinder where you want the new Lava pool, then hit it with the direct flame of the Flamethrower.

The current Cinder reference says passive heat is not sufficient for this conversion.

Hydro Sponge: Direct Liquid Handling Later

The pinned Hooded Horse Early Access FAQ says that once Lava is above the surface, it can be moved freely after the Hydro Sponge upgrade is unlocked.

Treat that as a later direct-handling option, not a replacement for the Scoria/Cinder method before you have the upgrade.

Holding Lava Inside a Standard Filter

The Official Wiki documents a compact heating setup:

1. Configure a basic Filter to allow Cinder.
2. Seal the space below the Filter with a solid block.
3. Fill the Filter with Cinder.
4. Ignite the Cinder with the Flamethrower.

The Cinder becomes Lava trapped in the Filter. This is useful for heating burnable materials moving across the belt.

This setup should not be confused with the v0.5.7 Advanced Filter Wall leakage fix.

Common Mistakes

• Trying to send raw Lava through the normal Pipe network.
• Expecting the base Grabber to pick up Lava.
• Using Water when the goal is Scoria; use Snow.
• Trying to transport Scoria through a Launcher before breaking it into Cinder.
• Using passive heat instead of direct Flamethrower fire on Cinder.
• Designing around an old Lava density value without checking the v0.5.6 change.
• Assuming the standard Filter blocks liquids because Advanced Filter Walls received a Lava fix.

Related Sandustry guides

• Filter guide
• Pipe guide
• Production recipes