- Probably Stolen chemistry runs on a 4-machine chain: blender, heating plate, evaporator, chem finisher.
- Temperature control matters most: dream cap extracts need 40-60°C, caffeine needs 80°C+.
- Filtering is mandatory - skipping the cotton fabric filter ruins the batch purity.
- Cartel quotas start at 10 dream dust, minimum 40% purity, due weekly.
- Purity tiers range from junk grade up to pure grade; customers may scan your labels.
Chemist Start Overview
The chemist is an advanced start in Probably Stolen where your mentor trained you in the illegal trade of controlled substances. You begin with a chemistry manual, lab equipment, and a mini smuggler's bay. Your first week is defined by the cartel handler's demand: 10 units of dream dust at 40%+ purity, with escalating quotas afterward.
Video Highlights:
- Full 1.0 release chemist run from day one
- Complete dream dust cook demonstrated step by step
- Common purity failures and how to avoid them
- Cartel quota management and security audit survival
| Starting Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Chemistry manual | In-game recipes and machine reference |
| Blender | Turns raw ingredients into mush |
| Heating plate | Extracts compounds with temperature control |
| Evaporator | Removes water and alcohol overnight |
| Chem finisher | Converts extract into final product |
| Labeler | Relabel items to change declared grade |
AUG Menace, Colorful Character, and Tape Head are strong picks. Avoid Illiterate since you must read the chemistry manual. Convict is a low-cost negative perk if you never report wanted customers.
Core Machines and Upgrades
Every chemistry machine accepts special chemical equipment modules - regular upgrade materials will not work. Machines also wear down with use and can introduce contamination, so monitor the "contaminant introduced" percentage.
| Machine | Function | Key Upgrade Path |
|---|---|---|
| Blender | Ingredient to mush extraction | Reduces content loss (base 35%) |
| Heating plate | Temperature-controlled extraction | Higher max temp, faster heating |
| Evaporator | Overnight water/alcohol removal | Higher volume per night, solvent recovery |
| Chem finisher | Final product synthesis | Reduces introduced impurities |
| Composition scanner | Checks liquid and product purity | Verify before selling |
Dream cap extract is destroyed above 60°C. Keep the plate between 40-60°C. Caffeine is heat resistant and needs a minimum of 80°C. When in doubt, heat low and slow.
Use the composition spectrometer on any liquid container to check its makeup - water, oils, proteins, and bonding agents all show as percentages. Lower contaminant percentages mean a better final product.
Dream Dust Recipe Walkthrough
The dream dust production chain is the backbone of the chemist run. Follow every step in order - skipping the filter step is the most common cause of junk-grade batches.
Blend the Dream Caps
Attach a liquid container to the blender, add several dream caps, and blend into dream cap mush.
Heat and Add Solvent
Insert the container into the heating plate. Add alcohol solvent equal to 3-6 times the mush volume. Heat to 40-60°C - never higher.
Filter the Solution
Pass the solution through a cotton fabric filter to remove large contaminants. Skipping this ruins purity.
Evaporate Overnight
Insert the container into the evaporator with an energy cell. Wait until the next day for water and alcohol removal. Only one container evaporates at a time.
Finish and Verify
Insert into the chem finisher, select the dream dust recipe, press output, and scan the result. Target 40%+ purity for cartel quotas.
A successful run yields roughly 9-15 vials per cook. Scanning shows the exact percentage - 46% and 56% batches comfortably clear the cartel's 40% threshold.
| Recipe | Key Ingredient | Temperature | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dream dust | Dream caps | 40-60°C | Filter mandatory, cartel quota item |
| Caffeine pills | Coffee beans | 80°C minimum | Cheap legal-adjacent starter product |
| Nightmare dust | Nightmare caps | Toxic, lethal x9 | Advanced, dangerous ingredient |
Cartel Quotas, Audits, and Risks
The cartel handler visits early with starting supplies and a deadline. Missing quotas damages reputation, and at maximum reputation he begins processing your "authorized exit" - refusing triggers a hitman. Meanwhile, security audits can confiscate all contraband on-site, and your security reputation starts deeply negative with the Convict perk.
Cartel Pressure
- Weekly quotas: 10, then 15+ units
- Minimum 40% purity required
- Missing quota costs reputation
- Hitman dispatched if you refuse exit
Security Audits
- Scans shelves and machines
- Confiscates contraband found
- Bribery rarely an option when broke
- Hide stock in smuggler's bay
AUG Threats
- Hostile implanted humans
- Kill rewards credits with AUG Menace
- Do not call security - comms hacked
- Shoot only when certain
Store all illegal product in the smuggler's bay before audits. Chemist runs that leave dream dust on shelves lose entire batches to confiscation - stockpile ahead of deadlines so a raid never ends the run.
| Risk Event | Trigger | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Cartel punishment | Missed quota | Reputation loss, eventual hitman |
| Security audit | Random / high heat | Confiscation of contraband |
| Customer scam exposure | Mislabeled product | Reputation penalty (-12 per catch) |
| Scavenger injuries | Dumping grounds trips | Wounds, lost scavenge actions |
Daily Routine Checklist and FAQ
A stable chemist day loops through cooking, selling, restocking, and risk management. Buying alcohol solvent and dream caps from the shady farmer and chemical suppliers keeps production continuous, while household relief drives and medical shortages offer legal income to cover rent.
Daily Chemist Routine:
- Load blender with dream caps and a liquid container
- Heat extract within 40-60°C and add alcohol solvent
- Filter solution before evaporation
- Keep evaporator powered with an energy cell
- Scan finished product and stash in smuggler's bay
- Sell enough legal stock to cover rent and batteries
Do not rely on dream dust alone. Caffeine pills from coffee beans, medical sales during shortages, and household relief drives patch cash gaps when audits or missed quotas gut your drug income.
Q: What happens if I overheat the dream cap mixture in Probably Stolen chemistry?
Heating above 60°C destroys the dream cap extract. Keep the plate between 40-60°C and heat slowly - the longer controlled heat applies, the more product you extract without loss.
Q: Why did my batch come out as junk grade?
The two usual causes are skipping the cotton fabric filter step and not fully evaporating water and alcohol before finishing. Use the composition scanner - if unknown water still reads above 0%, leave the container in the evaporator another night.
Q: How do I upgrade chemistry machines?
Chemistry machines only accept special chemical equipment modules, not standard upgrade materials. Modules can improve blender yield, heating plate speed and max temperature, evaporator nightly volume, and finisher purity.
Q: Can I sell dream dust openly in my store?
You can, but customers with chem scanners verify label purity, and security audits confiscate contraband found on shelves. Stash stock in the smuggler's bay and only surface product for confirmed buyers.