Making Coffee in Subnautica: Below Zero

Quick answer

• Craft the Coffee Machine from the Fabricator.
• Gather Quartz, Titanium, and Coral Tube samples.
• Find a Power Cell to power the machine.
• Use Water and Coffee Beans to brew.
• Enjoy your warm beverage.
• Keep an eye on your Power Cell charge.

Who this is for

• Players who enjoy survival and crafting games.
• Explorers looking for little comforts in harsh environments.
• Anyone who wants a warm drink to boost morale in Subnautica: Below Zero.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

You’re dealing with a specific crafting recipe here. The only “brewer type” in Subnautica: Below Zero is the Coffee Machine you craft. For more details, see our Cooking Rice in a Coffee Pot a Simple Method. For more details, see our Brewing Perfect Coffee With Your Yeti French Press. For more details, see our Brewing Cold Brew Coffee with Cafe Bustelo. For more details, see our Creating Coffee in the Sandboxels Game. There are no paper filters or anything like that. It’s a self-contained unit.

Water quality and temperature

In Subnautica, “water” is usually purified water. You’ll be using Filtered Water or Purified Water from your inventory. The machine handles the heating. No need to worry about boiling it yourself.

Grind size and coffee freshness

This is where Subnautica differs from real-world brewing. You don’t grind beans. You use Coffee Beans as a consumable item. Their “freshness” isn’t a factor like it is with real coffee. Just have them in your inventory.

Coffee-to-water ratio

The Coffee Machine dictates this. You add one Filtered Water and one Coffee Bean to the machine’s slots. It’s a fixed ratio. No tweaking needed.

Cleanliness/descale status

The game doesn’t have a “cleanliness” meter for the Coffee Machine. Just make sure it’s placed and powered. If it’s not working, the issue is likely power or missing ingredients.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

1. Access the Fabricator: Open your inventory and select the Fabricator. This is your main crafting station.

• What “good” looks like: The Fabricator interface is open and ready for you to select recipes.
• Common mistake: Trying to craft the Coffee Machine without having the Fabricator built. Make sure your base has one.

2. Find the Coffee Machine Blueprint: Browse the Fabricator’s crafting menu. The Coffee Machine recipe should be available if you’ve found the necessary fragments or scanned the item.

• What “good” looks like: You can see the Coffee Machine icon and its required materials.
• Common mistake: Not scanning enough fragments. Keep an eye out for them while exploring.

3. Gather Materials: You’ll need Quartz, Titanium, and Coral Tube Sample.

• What “good” looks like: You have at least one of each material in your inventory.
• Common mistake: Forgetting to pick up materials as you explore. You’ll have to backtrack.

4. Craft the Coffee Machine: With the materials in your inventory, select the Coffee Machine recipe and craft it.

• What “good” looks like: The Coffee Machine is now in your inventory.
• Common mistake: Accidentally crafting something else. Double-check the item icon before confirming.

5. Place the Coffee Machine: Exit the Fabricator and select the Coffee Machine from your hotbar. Place it down in your base.

• What “good” looks like: The Coffee Machine is sitting on a surface in your base, ready to be used.
• Common mistake: Placing it in an awkward spot where you can’t easily access it later. Think about your base layout.

6. Acquire a Power Cell: You’ll need a charged Power Cell to operate the machine. These can be found in wrecks or crafted.

• What “good” looks like: You have a Power Cell in your inventory.
• Common mistake: Using a depleted Power Cell. Make sure it has some charge.

7. Insert the Power Cell: Interact with the placed Coffee Machine. You should see a slot to insert the Power Cell.

• What “good” looks like: The Power Cell is in the machine, and its lights or indicators show it’s powered.
• Common mistake: Forgetting to insert the Power Cell. The machine won’t do anything without power.

8. Gather Ingredients for Brewing: You’ll need Filtered Water (or Purified Water) and Coffee Beans.

• What “good” looks like: You have at least one of each in your inventory.
• Common mistake: Running out of water or coffee beans. Stock up when you can.

9. Initiate Brewing: Interact with the powered Coffee Machine. You’ll see slots for water and coffee beans. Place one of each.

• What “good” looks like: The machine starts its brewing animation or sound.
• Common mistake: Only adding one ingredient. Both water and beans are required.

10. Wait for Brewing: The machine will take a few moments to brew your coffee.

• What “good” looks like: The brewing animation finishes.
• Common mistake: Trying to grab the coffee too early. Let it complete.

11. Collect Your Coffee: Once brewing is complete, interact with the machine again to collect your freshly brewed cup of coffee.

• What “good” looks like: A Cup of Coffee is added to your inventory.
• Common mistake: Not collecting it. It might disappear after a while.

12. Consume the Coffee: Use the Cup of Coffee from your inventory to gain its benefits.

• What “good” looks like: Your character drinks the coffee, and you see the buffs or status effect.
• Common mistake: Forgetting to drink it. The buff is temporary.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Not crafting the Coffee Machine	You can’t make coffee.	Craft it from the Fabricator with Quartz, Titanium, and Coral Tube Sample.
Forgetting to place a Power Cell	The Coffee Machine won’t turn on.	Insert a charged Power Cell into the machine.
Using an empty Power Cell	The Coffee Machine won’t turn on.	Craft or find a charged Power Cell.
Only adding water, not coffee beans	The machine won’t brew; it requires both ingredients.	Add both Filtered Water and Coffee Beans to the machine.
Only adding coffee beans, not water	The machine won’t brew; it requires both ingredients.	Add both Filtered Water and Coffee Beans to the machine.
Trying to brew without both ingredients	The machine will indicate missing ingredients and won’t start brewing.	Ensure you have at least one Filtered Water and one Coffee Bean.
Not collecting the brewed coffee	The coffee cup might despawn, and you lose your hard-earned brew.	Always collect the coffee cup immediately after brewing.
Not consuming the coffee	You miss out on the temporary buffs (like increased energy or morale).	Use the Cup of Coffee from your inventory after brewing.
Placing the machine in an inaccessible spot	You’ll have trouble interacting with it later.	Plan your base layout to ensure easy access to crafting stations.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your Coffee Machine isn’t powering on, then check the Power Cell because it needs to be inserted and charged.
• If the brewing slot is red, then add Coffee Beans because the machine needs them to brew.
• If the brewing slot is blue, then add Filtered Water because the machine needs liquid to brew.
• If you have no Coffee Machine in your inventory, then craft one from the Fabricator because you can’t brew without it.
• If you are low on Power Cells, then explore wrecks or craft more because they are essential for powered devices.
• If you are out of Coffee Beans, then find more or return to your base to craft more if you have the blueprint because they are a consumable ingredient.
• If the brewing process seems stuck, then ensure both ingredients are properly placed and the Power Cell is charged because a missing component will halt the process.
• If you need a quick morale boost or energy buff, then brew and consume a Cup of Coffee because it provides temporary benefits.
• If your base is expanding, then consider placing multiple Coffee Machines if you have the resources because it can save time during busy exploration phases.
• If you’re crafting your first base, then place the Coffee Machine in a central, easily accessible location because you’ll be using it often.

FAQ

How do I get the Coffee Machine blueprint?

You’ll typically find the blueprint by scanning fragments in the world or sometimes by finding data boxes. Keep exploring different biomes.

What buffs does coffee give me?

Coffee generally provides a temporary boost to your energy levels or morale, helping you push through tougher exploration or crafting sessions. Check the in-game item description for specifics.

Can I brew coffee without a base?

Yes, you can place the Coffee Machine anywhere in the world, but it’s much more practical to have it within your established base for convenience and power management.

How long does a Power Cell last in the Coffee Machine?

The game doesn’t give an exact timer, but it’s designed to last for a reasonable number of brews. Keep an eye on your Power Cell charge in your inventory.

What happens if I run out of Coffee Beans while exploring?

You’ll have to find more Coffee Beans or return to a base where you have a supply. They are a finite resource that needs replenishing.

Is it worth crafting the Coffee Machine?

For players who enjoy the little comforts and survival buffs, it’s a nice addition. It’s not essential for survival, but it adds to the experience.

Can I store brewed coffee?

No, once brewed, you collect a “Cup of Coffee” which is consumed directly. You can’t stockpile them in your inventory for later.

What kind of water do I need?

You’ll need Filtered Water or Purified Water from your inventory. Regular water bottles won’t work.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Advanced base building techniques.
• Detailed resource farming routes.
• Combat strategies against alien fauna.
• Crafting advanced vehicles like the Prawn Suit or Cyclops.
• Specific locations for all fragments.