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If you’re wondering how to make charcoal in Minecraft, it’s simple—smelting wooden logs like an oak log in a furnace will produce charcoal instead of coal. Unlike coal ore, which must be mined, charcoal in Minecraft is obtained by burning wood trunks (not planks) with any fuels accepted such as wooden planks or sticks.

Once created, Charcoal appears with the same texture as coal but has its own IDs, different data values, and only fuels furnaces, smokers, or campfires. This makes it an efficient substitute when caves are blocked or when you need to obtain charcoal early in the game without mining.

Getting Logs For Charcoal

To get logs for charcoal in Minecraft, chop down any tree and collect the wooden logs.

Getting A Furnace

To get a furnace in Minecraft, collect eight cobblestones and craft them in a square shape on the crafting table, as shown in the example below.

Smelting Logs Into Charcoal

Place wooden logs in the top box of a furnace and add any fuel source in the bottom box to smelt them into charcoal.

How To Use Charcoal

Charcoal in Minecraft works just like coal and can be used as a fuel source for smelting items in a furnace, powering campfires, or crafting torches. It’s especially useful early in the game since it’s easy to obtain from wooden logs and provides the same burn duration as coal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Charcoal In Minecraft

Is Charcoal Better Than Coal?

Charcoal and coal work the same as fuel, but coal can also be crafted into blocks, so coal has more uses.

Can You Make Charcoal From Bamboo?

No, charcoal can only be made by smelting wooden logs, not bamboo or planks.

When Was Charcoal Added To Minecraft?

Charcoal was added in Minecraft Beta 1.2 to give players an alternative to mining coal ore.

Can You Make Torches With Charcoal?

Yes, you can craft torches using charcoal and sticks, just like with coal.

Does Charcoal Burn Longer Than Wood?

Yes, charcoal lasts much longer than wood or planks when used as fuel in furnaces.