Stardew Valley is a charming farming simulation game that has captured the hearts of millions. One of the essential aspects of this game is crafting, and metal bars are fundamental in advancing your gameplay, providing you with the materials necessary for building structures, upgrading tools, and creating various machines. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of making metal bars in Stardew Valley, exploring everything from mining to smelting, and tips to optimize your metal production.
Understanding the Basics of Metal Bars
Before diving into the actual crafting process, it’s essential to understand what metal bars are and why they play a critical role in Stardew Valley. Metal bars are crafted by smelting ores in a furnace. Each type of metal bar has various uses, from crafting tools to building farm structures. The primary metal bars in Stardew Valley include:
- Iron Bar
- Copper Bar
- Gold Bar
- Iridium Bar
- Steel Bar (upgraded from Iron)
These bars are invaluable for many game elements, making their production a high priority for any player.
Gathering Ores: The First Step in Crafting Metal Bars
To begin crafting metal bars, you first need to gather ores. Ores can be obtained through various means in Stardew Valley:
Mining for Ores
Mining is the most common way to collect ores. Here’s how to effectively mine:
- Visit the Mines: Head to the Mines located in the northeast corner of the map.
- Equip the Right Tools: Bring a pickaxe (preferably copper or higher) to break rocks and gather ores.
- Explore Different Levels: Ores are more abundant at different levels. Copper is primarily found in the first 40 levels, while iron, gold, and iridium appear at progressively deeper levels.
Finding Ore on Your Farm and Beyond
You don’t always have to dive deep into the Mines to gather ores. Here’s where you can find additional ores:
- Skull Cavern: A rich source of iridium and other ores.
- Farm and Beach: Occasionally, ores can be found on your farm and even along the beach after storms.
Types of Ores You Will Need
The metals needed to create bars vary depending on the type you want to produce:
| Metal Type | Ore Required | Amount per Bar |
|————|————–|—————–|
| Copper | Copper Ore | 5 |
| Iron | Iron Ore | 5 |
| Gold | Gold Ore | 5 |
| Iridium | Iridium Ore | 5 |
| Steel | Iron Bar | 5 |
Smelting Ores into Metal Bars
Once you’ve gathered enough ores, the next step is to smelt them into bars using a furnace. Let’s break down this process in detail.
Building a Furnace
Before starting to smelt ores, you need to construct a furnace. Here’s the recipe for crafting a furnace:
Furnace Recipe:
– 20 Stone
– 25 Clay
– 5 Copper Bars
Once you have gathered these materials, follow these steps:
- Open your Crafting Menu: Press E on PC (or the corresponding button on consoles).
- Find the Furnace: Look under the “Crafting” section.
- Select the Furnace: Click to craft it, and place it anywhere on your farm.
How to Smelt Ores
Once you have your furnace ready, here is how you can smelt ores into metal bars:
- Gather Your Ores: Ensure you have the required amount of ores for the type of metal bar you want to create.
- Access the Furnace: Right-click (or press the corresponding button on consoles) on the placed furnace to open its menu.
- Add Ores: Drag and drop the ores into the furnace.
- Fuel the Furnace: The furnace requires fuel to smelt ores. You can use:
- Wood
- Coal
- Wait for the Smelting: The time it takes to smelt ores into bars depends on the type of metal but generally takes several in-game hours.
Here’s a breakdown of the smelting times:
| Metal Type | Time to Smelt |
|————|—————-|
| Copper Bar | 30 in-game minutes |
| Iron Bar | 2 in-game hours |
| Gold Bar | 5 in-game hours |
| Iridium Bar| 12 in-game hours |
| Steel Bar | 2 in-game hours |
Upgrading Your Tools with Metal Bars
Once you have produced metal bars, you can upgrade your tools. Upgrading tools enhances their efficiency, saving you time and energy on your farm. Here’s how you can upgrade tools using metal bars:
Tool Upgrade Process
- Visit Clint the Blacksmith: He is located in Pelican Town.
- Select the Tool: Talk to Clint and choose the tool you want to upgrade.
- Confirm the Upgrade: You will need both the required number of bars and a small amount of gold (the amount varies based on the tool type).
Each tool upgrade generally requires the following metal bars:
| Tool Type | Copper | Iron | Gold | Iridium |
|—————-|——–|——|——|———|
| Pickaxe | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Axe | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Hoe | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Watering Can | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Milker | Not Required | 5 | Not Required | Not Required |
Other Uses for Metal Bars in Stardew Valley
Besides upgrading tools, metal bars serve numerous functions within the game, enriching your farming experience. Let’s look into some additional uses for metal bars:
Crafting Machines
Metal bars are vital in crafting various machines that will automate your farm processes, such as:
- Kegs: Use for brewing beer, which is a great source of income.
- Preserving Jars: Turn fruits and vegetables into pickles or jam.
- Bee Houses: Produce honey, an essential resource for crafting and cooking.
Completing Quests and Crafting Other Items
Several crafting recipes in quests require metal bars. Completing these quests not only boosts your in-game relationship with villagers but also rewards you with unique items and benefits.
Tips for Efficient Metal Production
To maximize your gameplay experience and ensure a consistent metal supply, consider the following tips:
Prioritize Mining
Selectively mine ores, focusing on copper and iron initially. These metals have widespread utility, from tools to key crafting recipes.
Use the Right Tools
Upgrade to a copper pickaxe or better as soon as possible to speed up the mining process, since this will improve your efficiency in gathering ores.
Keep the Furnace Busy
Always keep at least one furnace smelting ores while you perform other tasks on your farm. This will ensure a continuous supply of bars without wasting in-game time.
Collect Coal Regularly
Coal is a crucial resource for fueling furnaces and crafting other items. Make sure to gather coal frequently by breaking rocks or defeating enemies in the Mines.
Conclusion
In Stardew Valley, metal bars are the backbone of progression and crafting. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can efficiently gather ores, smelt them into bars, upgrade your tools, and craft machinery to optimize your farming operations. Always remember to keep your furnaces smelting while you continue your quests and farming activities, ensuring a steady supply of metal bars to support your Stardew Valley adventure. Happy farming!
What materials do I need to make metal bars in Stardew Valley?
To create metal bars in Stardew Valley, you’ll need to acquire ores and a furnace. The primary ores used are copper, iron, gold, and iridium. Each ore has its own specific requirements, and you can find them by mining in the various caves or around the mountains. Additionally, you will need a furnace to smelt the ores into bars. You can craft a furnace using 20 stones, 25 copper ores, and 1 clay.
Once you have both the ores and the furnace, you can begin the smelting process. Simply place the ore you want to smelt into the furnace along with some fuel, such as coal or wood. The smelting process will take a certain amount of time, usually around 30 in-game minutes for most ores, after which you’ll have a metal bar ready for use.
How do I upgrade my furnace to smelt different types of ores?
In Stardew Valley, you start with a basic furnace that can smelt common ores like copper, iron, and gold. If you want to smelt more advanced materials such as iridium, you need to upgrade your furnace. Upgrading to a gold furnace requires a recipe that you can unlock by reaching a certain level of your mining skills or by purchasing it from the Blacksmith.
Once you’ve obtained the recipe, you’ll need additional materials to craft the upgraded furnace. For the gold furnace, gather 5 gold bars and 1 furnace. With an upgraded furnace, you can efficiently smelt more metals at once while also enhancing your overall crafting capabilities.
How long does it take to smelt metal bars?
The time it takes to smelt metal bars in Stardew Valley varies depending on the type of ore. For most ores, the smelting process takes 30 in-game minutes. This translates to about 10 ticks, as each tick represents approximately three in-game minutes. However, keep in mind that once the smelting is completed, your metal bars will remain in the furnace until you collect them.
Additionally, if you’re utilizing an upgraded furnace, you may find that the smelting process remains the same time-wise, but the efficiency and output will significantly improve with its capabilities. Timing your smelting around other activities, such as farming or fishing, can help maximize your productivity while waiting for your bars to smelt.
What can I craft with metal bars?
Metal bars in Stardew Valley are versatile crafting materials used in various items and structures. For example, copper bars can be used to create tools such as the copper pickaxe and copper axe, which help you gather resources more efficiently. Iron bars are essential for crafting stronger tools, the furnace itself, and other buildings such as the barn or coop.
As you progress in the game, you’ll encounter advanced items like the iridium tools and various crafting stations that require higher-tier metal bars. The knowledge of which metal bars are needed for crafting is crucial to advancing in the game, enabling you to optimize your resources and improve your farming experience.
Can I automate the smelting process in Stardew Valley?
Yes, you can automate the smelting process in Stardew Valley using a machine called the “Industrial Furnace” or by utilizing the “Charcoal Kiln” for certain materials. The Industrial Furnace allows you to smelt ores and bars in bulk without the need for constant supervision. However, this machine requires more materials and an upgrade is necessary to unlock it, so be prepared for some additional investment.
Another option is to use a “Crab Pot” that doesn’t require player input but can help recover ores and resources automatically over time. Although not a direct smelting method, it provides supplementary resources to facilitate your crafting and smelting efforts as you progress through the game and manage your farm.
What is the best way to gather ores for smelting?
Gathering ores for smelting in Stardew Valley can be done through several efficient methods. The most effective way is to mine in caves, particularly in the Mines located northeast of Pelican Town. Each level of the mines contains various ores and rocks that will yield valuable resources. Pay special attention to areas with copper and iron, as these are the most common and highly utilized metals for crafting.
Additionally, using bombs can significantly speed up the mining process by breaking multiple rocks at once, allowing you to gather ores more quickly. It’s also a good idea to bring a pickaxe with you that is able to break the types of rocks where ores are found; upgrading your tools will also improve the rate at which you can mine. By combining these techniques, you’ll ensure a steady supply of ores to smelt into bars.