Crucible (Ex Nihilo)

The Crucible is a block used to dissolve solids into liquids. Using any source of heat can melt pebbles, stones, gravel, or Netherrack into lava. Blocks of snow and ice can be melted to make water. You can also use the Crucible to store 12 of the same liquid for later use.

The Crucible is made with porcelain clay, which is made with 1 clay and 1 bonemeal. Arrange 7 porcelain in a "U" shape on any crafting table to create the Unfired Crucible, which must then be smelted in a furnace to yield the finished Crucible.

To use the crucible, place it above any heat source (lava, fire, a lit furnace, or even a torch). Right-click with an eligible block to place that block into the Crucible, then wait for it to melt. Different heat sources will melt blocks at different speeds (see tables below). The most efficient heat source by far is fire, easily obtained by placing a crucible over burning Netherrack.

The Crucible works well with mass-smelting operations as furnaces can also accept lava as fuel, and also works well for mods that use coal-driven machines without having the need to constantly resupply from underground sources. Liquids can be drained with waterproof wooden pipes or fluiducts, which can then be used for any number of purposes. Their relatively cheap production cost makes them an excellent source of lava at any stage of production, and using large numbers of crucibles and cobblestone generators is a viable method of lava production for use with magmatic dynamos, lava generators, etc.