diff --git a/inventoryManager.lua b/inventoryManager.lua
index 669e126..6645009 100644
--- a/inventoryManager.lua
+++ b/inventoryManager.lua
@@ -2267,6 +2267,7 @@ local function autoSmelt()
     local chests = getChests()
     local catalogue = cache.catalogue
     local didWork = false
+    local emptyInputFurnaces = {}  -- collected during steps 1-3, filled in step 5
 
     for _, fname in ipairs(furnaces) do
         local furnace = peripheral.wrap(fname)
@@ -2369,40 +2370,80 @@ local function autoSmelt()
                 end
             end
 
-            -- 4) Load smeltable items into empty input slot
+            -- 4) Collect furnaces with empty input for balanced loading below
             inputItem = contents[SLOT_INPUT]
             if not inputItem then
-                -- Use pre-built candidate list (already sorted: food first, then alpha)
-                local candidates = smeltCandidatesByType[furnaceType] or {}
+                table.insert(emptyInputFurnaces, { name = fname, type = furnaceType })
+            end
+        end
+    end
 
-                -- Try each candidate
-                for _, cand in ipairs(candidates) do
-                    local itemName = cand.name
-                    if not disabledRecipes[itemName] and catalogue[itemName] then
-                    -- Count total of this item across all chests
-                        local totalInStorage = 0
-                        for _, src in ipairs(catalogue[itemName]) do
-                            totalInStorage = totalInStorage + src.total
-                        end
+    -- 5) Balanced distribution of smeltable items across all empty furnaces
+    --    Instead of greedily filling one furnace at a time, we spread items
+    --    evenly so all compatible furnaces work in parallel.
+    if #emptyInputFurnaces > 0 then
+        -- Build a unified, deduplicated candidate list across all empty furnace types
+        local typesSeen = {}
+        for _, ef in ipairs(emptyInputFurnaces) do typesSeen[ef.type] = true end
 
-                        -- Only smelt the excess beyond SMELT_RESERVE
-                        local available = totalInStorage - SMELT_RESERVE
-                        if available > 0 then
+        local allCandidates = {}
+        local candSeen = {}
+        for ftype in pairs(typesSeen) do
+            for _, cand in ipairs(smeltCandidatesByType[ftype] or {}) do
+                if not candSeen[cand.name] then
+                    candSeen[cand.name] = true
+                    table.insert(allCandidates, cand)
+                end
+            end
+        end
+        -- Sort: food first, then alphabetical (same priority as before)
+        table.sort(allCandidates, function(a, b)
+            if a.food ~= b.food then return a.food end
+            return a.name < b.name
+        end)
+
+        local usedFurnaces = {}  -- furnaces already assigned an item
+
+        for _, cand in ipairs(allCandidates) do
+            local itemName = cand.name
+            if not disabledRecipes[itemName] and catalogue[itemName] then
+                -- Find all compatible empty furnaces not yet used
+                local compatFurnaces = {}
+                for _, ef in ipairs(emptyInputFurnaces) do
+                    if not usedFurnaces[ef.name] and cand.recipe.furnaceSet[ef.type] then
+                        table.insert(compatFurnaces, ef)
+                    end
+                end
+
+                if #compatFurnaces > 0 then
+                    local totalInStorage = 0
+                    for _, src in ipairs(catalogue[itemName]) do
+                        totalInStorage = totalInStorage + src.total
+                    end
+                    local available = totalInStorage - SMELT_RESERVE
+                    if available > 0 then
+                        local perFurnace = math.min(64, math.ceil(available / #compatFurnaces))
+
+                        for _, ef in ipairs(compatFurnaces) do
+                            if available <= 0 then break end
+                            local toLoad = math.min(perFurnace, available)
+                            local remaining = toLoad
                             local loaded = false
-                            local remaining = math.min(available, 64)
+
                             for _, source in ipairs(catalogue[itemName]) do
                                 local chest = peripheral.wrap(source.chest)
                                 if chest then
                                     for slot, slotItem in pairs(chest.list()) do
                                         if slotItem.name == itemName then
                                             local toMove = math.min(slotItem.count, remaining)
-                                            local n = chest.pushItems(fname, slot, toMove, SLOT_INPUT)
+                                            local n = chest.pushItems(ef.name, slot, toMove, SLOT_INPUT)
                                             if n and n > 0 then
                                                 adjustCache(itemName, source.chest, -n)
-                                                print(string.format("[SMELT] Input %s x%d -> %s (reserve %d)",
-                                                    itemName, n, fname, math.max(0, totalInStorage - n)))
+                                                print(string.format("[SMELT] Input %s x%d -> %s (balanced %d/furnace)",
+                                                    itemName, n, ef.name, perFurnace))
                                                 didWork = true
                                                 remaining = remaining - n
+                                                available = available - n
                                                 if remaining <= 0 then
                                                     loaded = true
                                                     break
@@ -2413,7 +2454,10 @@ local function autoSmelt()
                                 end
                                 if loaded then break end
                             end
-                            if loaded or remaining < math.min(available, 64) then break end
+
+                            if loaded or remaining < toLoad then
+                                usedFurnaces[ef.name] = true
+                            end
                         end
                     end
                 end