Super Smelter
A 16-furnace super smelter that processes items 16x faster than a single furnace. Input items and fuel via hoppers, and collect smelted output automatically.
Overview
The Super Smelter is a storage build whose job is holding, sorting and quickly retrieving large quantities of items; form follows function here, so the layout is dictated by how it works rather than by looks. At 7x4x17 blocks (7 wide, 4 tall and 17 deep) it is compact, covering a 119-block footprint on the ground.
It is rated intermediate: nothing here is exotic, but you will need a steady supply of materials and a little patience with shaping, depth and interior detail to make it look right. Following the 18 steps below, plan for about 30-45 min. It is a survival quality-of-life build: the hopper chains in the Super Smelter cost some iron, but it pays that back every time it sorts a stack for you automatically.
The bulk of the work is the 48 hoppers that form the main body, alongside 5 different materials in total (about 86 blocks and items all told). Items move through it on hoppers, feeding the smelted output into a collection chest without any wiring to time. There is no dedicated light block in the core list, so add torches or lanterns yourself to keep it mob-safe after dark.
Materials Needed
Gather the 48 hoppers first, since it is the most-used block; the remaining 4 materials are accents and fittings used in smaller amounts. Mine roughly 10-15% extra of the main block to cover mistakes and a few decorative changes on a build this size. Make sure the hoppers that move items are crafted ahead of time, as those are the pieces most likely to be missing mid-build. Quantities are sized for the dimensions shown, so scale them up proportionally if you build a larger version.
| Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Furnace | 16 |
| Hopper | 48 |
| Chest | 6 |
| Blast Furnace | 8 |
| Smoker | 8 |
Click any material to view it on the Items database.
Step-by-Step Overview
A high-level construction order for the Super Smelter, from the ground up. Each phase below covers several of the 18 in-game steps.
- 1Decide how many item types the Super Smelter must hold, then mark out the 7x17 grid so the rows of containers line up cleanly.
- 2Place the furnaces in a bank with input, fuel and output hoppers on each, so raw material drops in and smelted smelted output drops out.
- 3Run the hopper lines that move and filter smelted output into the right containers — this is the part to test slowly.
- 4Add a single drop-off chest feeding the Super Smelter so handling smelted output starts the moment you dump loot in.
- 5Light and decorate the room, then stress-test the Super Smelter by tossing in a mixed double-chest and watching everything land where it should.
Build Tips
- 1Use blast furnaces for ores and smokers for food.
- 2Kelp blocks are an efficient renewable fuel source.
- 3Hoppers distribute items evenly across all furnaces.
- 4Place the input hopper chain at the top for gravity-fed design.
Tips & Variations
The Super Smelter has no light block in its core list, so add torches, lanterns or sea lanterns yourself: light every interior tile and the ground around it so nothing spawns on or beside the build overnight.
To resize the Super Smelter, keep its 7x17 proportions and grow both axes together; stretching one direction alone tends to make it look thin. A half-size or double-size version both work as long as you scale the 86-block material list to match.
For a different look, swap the hopper in the Super Smelter for another palette that fits your biome: the shape stays identical, but the colour and texture of the main block changes the whole feel of it.
The most common mistake on the Super Smelter is a leak in the collection path; trace it and confirm every hopper, water flow or drop chute actually feeds the chest before you leave it producing smelted output unattended.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the Super Smelter build?
It is rated intermediate: nothing here is exotic, but you will need a steady supply of materials and a little patience with shaping, depth and interior detail to make it look right. It is laid out in 18 steps and takes about 30-45 min to finish.
What blocks do you need for the Super Smelter?
The main block is hopper (around 48), and the full list runs to 5 materials — mostly hopper, furnace and blast furnace. Altogether that is roughly 86 blocks and items; the complete table with exact counts is above. Item transport uses hoppers.
How big is the Super Smelter?
It measures 7x4x17 blocks — 7 wide, 4 tall and 17 deep — which is compact and takes up a 119-block footprint. You can shrink or enlarge it by keeping those proportions.
Is the Super Smelter survival-friendly?
It is a survival quality-of-life build: the hopper chains in the Super Smelter cost some iron, but it pays that back every time it sorts a stack for you automatically.
Does the Super Smelter work on its own once built?
Largely, yes — after setup the Super Smelter keeps producing smelted output as long as you are within simulation range; just check the collection chest now and then and top up anything it consumes.
What makes the Super Smelter different from similar builds?
It is best understood through its focus on smelter, furnace and automatic. Those traits drive the material list and layout described above, and are what set this storage build apart from a generic smelted output build.
Tags
Related Builds
Need help gathering materials?
Look up any item, block, or mob on our reference databases.