https://gcdnb.pbrd.co/images/ngM21T1FvJfF.png?o=1

When putting hot metals in a box, and it cools down in the box, it will stack to 1, eventually clogging it up, and hot metals can no longer be put in the box.

When testing this, I also observed that Steel cools down way quicker, like 4 seconds, while iron plates take 20 seconds. I think it would make more sense if Steel would actually take longer?

When testing this, I also observed that Steel cools down way quicker, like 4 seconds, while iron plates take 20 seconds. I think it would make more sense if Steel would actually take longer?

This specific issue is probably due to this factorio issue: https://forums.factorio.com/125184

A workaround for now is for the mod to add preserve_products_in_machine_output = true to the recipe for the hot item. (This does mean that items sitting in machine outputs for minutes will "stay hot", and you'll need to remove them to cool them. Maybe that makes thematic sense for hot items tho)

I don't think it's that. I noticed that behavior too with the bacteria on Gleba while playing pure Space Age. The problem is, that an inserter will only stack the non-spoiled item onto other non-spoiled items (obviously) because the spoiled item is a different one. When an item stack spoiles, it doesn't merge with other existing spoiled stacks (as chests never automatically merge stacks). The inserter will increase the stack until it finally spoiles and a new stack is created. You found an extreme example where the spoil time is so short compared to the crafting time, that you only get stacks of 1. I think this is a base game problem I can't provide a good solution for. The game-play fix for this is to have a second box where you only move the spoiled items to. You will then get full stacks in the second box. Or, you know... just use the items fast enough :-)

Ok thanks for the feedback, What about the 2nd issue, does the workaround from brevven seem like a solution?

Looking at your screenshot again, I don't even think it will help, because in your case the items are not in the furnace anymore. You just have an unlucky length of belt that causes this. It's part of the challenge of this mod. Either make the belt longer or shorter or put the hot items directly in a box and only take cold items out.

I mean about Steel cooling down a lot faster:
"When testing this, I also observed that Steel cools down way quicker, like 4 seconds, while iron plates take 20 seconds. I think it would make more sense if Steel would actually take longer?"

Where Brevven proposal is:
A workaround for now is for the mod to add preserve_products_in_machine_output = true to the recipe for the hot item. (This does mean that items sitting in machine outputs for minutes will "stay hot", and you'll need to remove them to cool them. Maybe that makes thematic sense for hot items tho)

Would it be OK to wait a bit more and see if Wube fixes it? Or does it break the whole mechanic too much?

It only takes a short belt for steel to cool down:
https://gcdnb.pbrd.co/images/kPQ8CsB1Pr6m.png?o=1

I now did it because it doesn't seem Wube will improve the situation soon

recipe.preserve_products_in_machine_output = true
recipe.result_is_always_fresh = true