{"id":246505,"date":"2025-09-05T04:47:57","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T04:47:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/?p=246505"},"modified":"2025-09-05T04:47:57","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T04:47:57","slug":"whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/","title":{"rendered":"What&#8217;s better than coal in Minecraft?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_67_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#Beyond_Coal_Fueling_Your_Minecraft_Adventures_the_Smart_Way\" title=\"Beyond Coal: Fueling Your Minecraft Adventures the Smart Way\">Beyond Coal: Fueling Your Minecraft Adventures the Smart Way<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#Understanding_Minecraft_Fuel_Efficiency\" title=\"Understanding Minecraft Fuel Efficiency\">Understanding Minecraft Fuel Efficiency<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#The_Contenders_Fuel_Sources_Ranked\" title=\"The Contenders: Fuel Sources Ranked\">The Contenders: Fuel Sources Ranked<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#Why_Lava_Buckets_Are_Special\" title=\"Why Lava Buckets Are Special\">Why Lava Buckets Are Special<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#The_Power_of_Renewable_Fuels\" title=\"The Power of Renewable Fuels\">The Power of Renewable Fuels<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#Factoring_in_Automation_Super_Smelters\" title=\"Factoring in Automation: Super Smelters\">Factoring in Automation: Super Smelters<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#The_Verdict_Choosing_Your_Ideal_Fuel\" title=\"The Verdict: Choosing Your Ideal Fuel\">The Verdict: Choosing Your Ideal Fuel<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#Learning_More_About_Minecraft_and_Game-Based_Learning\" title=\"Learning More About Minecraft and Game-Based Learning\">Learning More About Minecraft and Game-Based Learning<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#1_Is_charcoal_just_as_good_as_coal_in_Minecraft\" title=\"1. Is charcoal just as good as coal in Minecraft?\">1. Is charcoal just as good as coal in Minecraft?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#2_Can_I_turn_bamboo_into_charcoal_in_Minecraft\" title=\"2. Can I turn bamboo into charcoal in Minecraft?\">2. Can I turn bamboo into charcoal in Minecraft?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#3_Are_dried_kelp_blocks_worth_it_in_Minecraft\" title=\"3. Are dried kelp blocks worth it in Minecraft?\">3. Are dried kelp blocks worth it in Minecraft?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#4_Is_a_coal_block_better_than_coal_in_Minecraft\" title=\"4. Is a coal block better than coal in Minecraft?\">4. Is a coal block better than coal in Minecraft?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#5_What_burns_ores_faster_in_Minecraft\" title=\"5. What burns ores faster in Minecraft?\">5. What burns ores faster in Minecraft?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#6_Is_lava_better_than_coal_in_Minecraft\" title=\"6. Is lava better than coal in Minecraft?\">6. Is lava better than coal in Minecraft?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#7_Can_you_run_out_of_coal_in_Minecraft\" title=\"7. Can you run out of coal in Minecraft?\">7. Can you run out of coal in Minecraft?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#8_What_is_the_longest-lasting_fuel_in_Minecraft\" title=\"8. What is the longest-lasting fuel in Minecraft?\">8. What is the longest-lasting fuel in Minecraft?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#9_Is_coal_better_than_diamond_in_Minecraft\" title=\"9. Is coal better than diamond in Minecraft?\">9. Is coal better than diamond in Minecraft?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#10_What_drops_coal_in_Minecraft\" title=\"10. What drops coal in Minecraft?\">10. What drops coal in Minecraft?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#11_Is_blaze_rod_better_than_coal\" title=\"11. Is blaze rod better than coal?\">11. Is blaze rod better than coal?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#12_Can_kelp_replace_coal\" title=\"12. Can kelp replace coal?\">12. Can kelp replace coal?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#13_What_can_replace_coal_in_the_real_world\" title=\"13. What can replace coal in the real world?\">13. What can replace coal in the real world?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#14_Why_is_coal_no_longer_used_as_much\" title=\"14. Why is coal no longer used as much?\">14. Why is coal no longer used as much?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/#15_What_is_cheaper_than_coal_in_the_real_world\" title=\"15. What is cheaper than coal in the real world?\">15. What is cheaper than coal in the real world?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Beyond_Coal_Fueling_Your_Minecraft_Adventures_the_Smart_Way\"><\/span>Beyond Coal: Fueling Your Minecraft Adventures the Smart Way<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>So, you&#8217;re tired of constantly replenishing your furnace with <strong>coal<\/strong>? You&#8217;re wondering if there&#8217;s a better way, a more efficient fuel source to power your Minecraft empire? The short answer is: absolutely! While coal is readily available and a decent early-game option, several alternatives surpass it in terms of <strong>burn time<\/strong>, <strong>efficiency<\/strong>, and even overall convenience depending on your play style and resource availability. The &#8220;best&#8221; fuel is subjective. It hinges on your specific needs, your current situation in the game, and what you&#8217;re trying to accomplish. This article dives deep into the world of Minecraft fuels, comparing and contrasting the various options to help you make the most informed decision for your crafting and smelting needs.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understanding_Minecraft_Fuel_Efficiency\"><\/span>Understanding Minecraft Fuel Efficiency<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before we crown a champion, let&#8217;s define what makes a good fuel source in Minecraft. We&#8217;re primarily looking at:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Burn Time:<\/strong> How long does a single unit of fuel burn? Longer burn times mean fewer trips back to the furnace to refuel.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Items Smelted:<\/strong> How many items can be smelted per unit of fuel? This directly impacts resource efficiency.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Availability:<\/strong> How easy is it to obtain the fuel? A fantastic fuel source is useless if it&#8217;s incredibly rare.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stackability:<\/strong> Can the fuel be stacked in your inventory? Stackable fuels reduce inventory clutter and make for easier refueling.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Renewability:<\/strong> Can the fuel be replenished indefinitely? Renewable fuels provide a sustainable long-term solution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>With these criteria in mind, let&#8217;s examine the contenders vying for the title of &#8220;better than coal.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Contenders_Fuel_Sources_Ranked\"><\/span>The Contenders: Fuel Sources Ranked<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a detailed look at various fuel options available in Minecraft, ranked by their efficiency and overall usefulness:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Lava Bucket:<\/strong> The undisputed king of burn time. A single <strong>lava bucket<\/strong> smelts a whopping <strong>100 items<\/strong>. However, it&#8217;s <strong>not stackable<\/strong>, making it less convenient for portable smelting. Its best suited for established bases with reliable <strong>lava<\/strong> sources.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Block of Coal:<\/strong> Crafted from <strong>9 pieces of coal<\/strong>, a <strong>block of coal<\/strong> smelts <strong>80 items<\/strong>. It&#8217;s significantly more efficient than using individual pieces of coal and is relatively easy to obtain.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Blaze Rod:<\/strong> Obtained from <strong>Blazes<\/strong> in the <strong>Nether<\/strong>, a <strong>blaze rod<\/strong> smelts <strong>12 items<\/strong>. While not as efficient as <strong>lava buckets<\/strong> or <strong>coal blocks<\/strong>, its a decent option if you have a blaze farm.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dried Kelp Block:<\/strong> Made from <strong>dried kelp<\/strong>, these blocks smelt <strong>20 items<\/strong>. <strong>Dried kelp<\/strong> is renewable, making this a sustainable fuel source.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Coal\/Charcoal:<\/strong> The standard fuel, smelting <strong>8 items<\/strong> per piece. <strong>Coal<\/strong> is mined, while <strong>charcoal<\/strong> is made by smelting wood. They&#8217;re interchangeable but less efficient than the other options.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wood Products (Planks, Logs, etc.):<\/strong> Can be used as fuel, but they&#8217;re the least efficient option. Use them only in emergencies.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bamboo:<\/strong> Bamboo is also a less efficient fuel source but is highly renewable and useful for super smelters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Lava_Buckets_Are_Special\"><\/span>Why Lava Buckets Are Special<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>lava bucket<\/strong> holds a unique position due to its exceptional <strong>burn time<\/strong>. Smelting <strong>100 items<\/strong> from a single bucket is unmatched by any other single-unit fuel. The downside? You can&#8217;t stack them. This makes transporting large quantities of <strong>lava<\/strong> cumbersome. However, if you have a convenient <strong>lava<\/strong> source \u2013 perhaps a <strong>lava pool<\/strong> in the <strong>Overworld<\/strong> or, even better, a <strong>lava farm<\/strong> in the <strong>Nether<\/strong> \u2013 <strong>lava buckets<\/strong> become an incredibly efficient option for established bases.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Power_of_Renewable_Fuels\"><\/span>The Power of Renewable Fuels<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Renewable fuel<\/strong> sources offer a long-term, sustainable solution to your smelting needs. <strong>Dried kelp blocks<\/strong> stand out in this category. While not the most efficient on a per-unit basis, <strong>dried kelp<\/strong> is easily farmed, creating a virtually endless supply of fuel. This makes them perfect for large-scale operations where consistent fuel availability is paramount. Another renewable source that&#8217;s starting to get attention is <strong>bamboo<\/strong>. When set up for farming, it can be burned efficiently.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Factoring_in_Automation_Super_Smelters\"><\/span>Factoring in Automation: Super Smelters<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The quest for the &#8220;best&#8221; fuel is intertwined with the concept of <strong>automation<\/strong>. Many players build <strong>super smelters<\/strong> \u2013 automated systems that continuously smelt items. In these setups, <strong>fuel efficiency<\/strong> is crucial, but so is the ability to automatically feed fuel into the furnace. This is where <strong>stackable fuels<\/strong> like <strong>blocks of coal<\/strong> and <strong>dried kelp blocks<\/strong> shine. They can be easily integrated into item transport systems, ensuring a constant supply of fuel to your furnaces.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Verdict_Choosing_Your_Ideal_Fuel\"><\/span>The Verdict: Choosing Your Ideal Fuel<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Ultimately, the best fuel for you depends on your circumstances.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Early Game:<\/strong> <strong>Coal<\/strong> and <strong>charcoal<\/strong> are readily available and perfectly adequate.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mid-Game:<\/strong> Start exploring <strong>dried kelp blocks<\/strong> for a renewable option. Consider building a <strong>lava farm<\/strong> for the ultimate burn time.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Late Game:<\/strong> Focus on automation. <strong>Blocks of coal<\/strong> and <strong>dried kelp blocks<\/strong> are ideal for automated systems. <strong>Lava buckets<\/strong> are best for centralized smelting hubs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Don&#8217;t be afraid to experiment and adapt your fuel choices based on your changing needs. Part of the fun of Minecraft is finding the optimal solution for your unique play style.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Learning_More_About_Minecraft_and_Game-Based_Learning\"><\/span>Learning More About Minecraft and Game-Based Learning<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The world of Minecraft is constantly evolving, offering new challenges and opportunities for learning. To delve deeper into the educational aspects of gaming and how Minecraft can be used as a tool for learning and creativity, explore the resources available at the <strong>Games Learning Society<\/strong> website (<strong>GamesLearningSociety.org<\/strong>). The <strong>Games Learning Society<\/strong> is a great place to get more information on how you can use games for education.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Is_charcoal_just_as_good_as_coal_in_Minecraft\"><\/span>1. Is charcoal just as good as coal in Minecraft?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, <strong>charcoal<\/strong> and <strong>coal<\/strong> have the same burn time and smelt the same number of items (8) per unit. The key difference is that <strong>charcoal<\/strong> is made by smelting wood, while <strong>coal<\/strong> is mined.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Can_I_turn_bamboo_into_charcoal_in_Minecraft\"><\/span>2. Can I turn bamboo into charcoal in Minecraft?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No, <strong>bamboo<\/strong> cannot be smelted into <strong>charcoal<\/strong>. It can be used as a direct fuel source, although it&#8217;s not very efficient.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Are_dried_kelp_blocks_worth_it_in_Minecraft\"><\/span>3. Are dried kelp blocks worth it in Minecraft?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes! <strong>Dried kelp blocks<\/strong> are an excellent renewable fuel source. They smelt 20 items per block and can be easily farmed.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Is_a_coal_block_better_than_coal_in_Minecraft\"><\/span>4. Is a coal block better than coal in Minecraft?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Absolutely. A <strong>block of coal<\/strong> smelts 80 items, which is significantly more efficient than using nine individual pieces of <strong>coal<\/strong> (which would only smelt 72 items).<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_What_burns_ores_faster_in_Minecraft\"><\/span>5. What burns ores faster in Minecraft?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A <strong>blast furnace<\/strong> smelts ores, tools, and armor twice as fast as a regular furnace, but it uses the same amount of fuel.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Is_lava_better_than_coal_in_Minecraft\"><\/span>6. Is lava better than coal in Minecraft?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In terms of items smelted per unit, <strong>lava<\/strong> is far superior, smelting 100 items compared to <strong>coal&#8217;s<\/strong> 8. However, the lack of stackability makes <strong>lava<\/strong> less convenient for some situations.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Can_you_run_out_of_coal_in_Minecraft\"><\/span>7. Can you run out of coal in Minecraft?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>While <strong>coal<\/strong> is abundant, it is technically possible to exhaust all available <strong>coal<\/strong> ore in a world if you play long enough. However, this is unlikely to happen in a typical playthrough.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_What_is_the_longest-lasting_fuel_in_Minecraft\"><\/span>8. What is the longest-lasting fuel in Minecraft?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A <strong>lava bucket<\/strong> is the longest-lasting single-unit fuel, smelting 100 items. However, a <strong>block of diamond<\/strong> burns for 3,840 seconds (64 minutes).<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Is_coal_better_than_diamond_in_Minecraft\"><\/span>9. Is coal better than diamond in Minecraft?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Diamond<\/strong> isn&#8217;t used as fuel in the traditional sense. You may be thinking of a <strong>block of diamond<\/strong> as the longest lasting fuel. While it burns for 3,840 seconds, or 64 minutes, it is not commonly used for smelting.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_What_drops_coal_in_Minecraft\"><\/span>10. What drops coal in Minecraft?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Coal<\/strong> is obtained by mining <strong>coal ore<\/strong> with a pickaxe. Using a pickaxe enchanted with Fortune can increase the amount of <strong>coal<\/strong> dropped.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_Is_blaze_rod_better_than_coal\"><\/span>11. Is blaze rod better than coal?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, a <strong>blaze rod<\/strong> smelts 12 items, while <strong>coal<\/strong> smelts 8. <strong>Blaze rods<\/strong> are more efficient but require venturing into the <strong>Nether<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_Can_kelp_replace_coal\"><\/span>12. Can kelp replace coal?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Dried kelp blocks<\/strong> can definitely replace <strong>coal<\/strong>. They are renewable and smelt 20 items per block, making them a viable alternative.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"13_What_can_replace_coal_in_the_real_world\"><\/span>13. What can replace coal in the real world?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The article you provided mentions various renewable energy sources such as hydro power, solar energy, and wind energy as alternatives to coal.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"14_Why_is_coal_no_longer_used_as_much\"><\/span>14. Why is coal no longer used as much?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The real-world article suggests that coal does a serious damage from extraction to burning, and alternatives like natural gas emit almost 50% less CO2 than coal.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"15_What_is_cheaper_than_coal_in_the_real_world\"><\/span>15. What is cheaper than coal in the real world?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The article you provided suggests that wind and solar energy are replacing coal and gas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Beyond Coal: Fueling Your Minecraft Adventures the Smart Way So, you&#8217;re tired of constantly replenishing your furnace with coal? You&#8217;re wondering if there&#8217;s a better way, a more efficient fuel source to power your Minecraft empire? The short answer is: absolutely! While coal is readily available and a decent early-game option, several alternatives surpass it &#8230; <a title=\"What&#8217;s better than coal in Minecraft?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/whats-better-than-coal-in-minecraft\/\" aria-label=\"More on What&#8217;s better than coal in Minecraft?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-246505","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246505","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=246505"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246505\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=246505"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=246505"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=246505"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}