Learn how to craft and use the Cement Mixer
Though certainly not a versatile workstation, the Cement Mixer in 7 Days to Die is a vital step in advancing from cobblestone defenses to solid concrete. The Cement Mixer utilizes an engine to mix together cement (obviously) but can also grind rocks into sand and craft durable terrain blocks.
This guide will walk you through how to craft and use a Cement Mixer and offer advice on maintaining it.
How to craft a Cement Mixer in 7 Days to Die
Upon reaching mid-game status, players will constantly search for sturdier and easier-to-maintain materials for base construction and defense. Before you can start cranking out the concrete mix, however, you’ll need to craft your Cement Mixer. To do this, you’ll need a Workbench and at least level 30 in the Workstations crafting skill. With those requirements met, you can construct your mixer from the following components:
- 25 Forged Iron
- 4 Springs
- 1 Engine
- 10 Mechanical Parts
Forged Iron can be salvaged from certain structures or created at a Forge. Springs are somewhat common components that can be looted from parts containers, salvaged from vehicles or furniture, or forged. Engines are rarer components that cannot be crafted but may be purchased from traders, looted, or salvaged from machinery and vehicles. Mechanical Parts are common components that can be looted from material crates or salvaged from machinery and appliances.
The Workstation crafting skill can only be improved by finding and reading issues of the Forge Ahead skill book. The Advanced Engineering perk can increase your chances of looting these books.
How to use a Cement Mixer
The Cement Mixer is a straightforward crafting station similar in function to the Workbench. Simply select the recipe you want to craft from the list on the left side of the screen, and if you have the necessary materials, you can craft it. Currently, there are only five available recipes for the Cement Mixer:
1. Crushed Sand
The Cement Mixer can grind Small Stones into Crushed Sand. This resource is less plentiful in non-desert biomes, such as the Snow and Pine Forest biomes, and is necessary for the creation of cement, glass, and a few other materials.
2. Asphalt
Asphalt is what most roads around Navezgane are made from, and is a sturdy material great for reinforcing terrain around your base. Asphalt is mixed from stones, sand, and Oil Shale.
3. Concrete Mix
This is probably the real reason most players will want a Cement Mixer. Concrete Mix is a resource used for repairing concrete structures and for upgrading cobblestone blocks to concrete. Concrete mix is crafted from stone, sand, and cement.
4. Gravel
Gravel is a weak, cheap terrain block that won’t stop a zombie attack but is still useful for filling holes or repairing roads.
5. Stone
Stone is a more expensive but more durable terrain block capable of enduring a bit more damage before shattering. We wouldn’t recommend relying on it too much, though, as it will cost valuable cement to produce.
Tips and tricks for using the Cement Mixer
- Cement Mixers require neither fuel nor electricity to function.
- Though they don’t use flames, the sound of a spinning mixer can still draw in nearby zombies or alert enemy players.
- Cement Mixers do not require the player to be present to function and can mix items while you do something else.
Final thoughts on the Cement Mixer
Concrete was a massive step forward in the formation of modern society, and it seems as though The Fun Pimps believed it would be vital in the defense and preservation of civilization after a zombie apocalypse as well. We can’t say we completely disagree after watching a zombie try to paw their way through a single block of concrete for 15 minutes straight. So start making your own concrete mix with a Cement Mixer.
Looking for some other tips to help you get started in 7 Days to Die? Check out our 10 Tips for Getting Started and the 7 Days to Die Beginner’s Guide.
