Barrel

From Minecraft Wiki
Barrel
First Appearance Java 1.14 (snapshot 18w44a)
Bedrock 1.9.0 (beta 1.9.0.2)
Type of Block Solid Block
Stackable Yes 64
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A barrel is a decorative block that can be used as an alternative to storing items in a chest. They were added to Minecraft as part of update 1.14.

Source[edit | edit source]

Barrels can generate within the fishing cottage buildings in villages. Unemployed villagers who have not chosen a job site block has a chance to change their profession into a fisherman.

Uses[edit | edit source]

Barrels can be used to store items or blocks in compact spaces. Unlike chests, Barrels can be accessed even if there is a block directly on top of it.

Similarities to Chests[edit | edit source]

  • Barrels can be used by hoppers to transport items into and out of them.
  • They are considered immovable objects, which means it cannot be moved by pistons.
  • Using the /data merge block command, players can lock barrels using the {Lock:} NBT tag.

Differences from Chests[edit | edit source]

Barrels have different properties than chests. For example:

  • Unlike chests, setting two barrels side-by-side will not make a double barrel.
  • Unlike chests, barrels can be opened regardless if there is a solid or transparent block directly above it.
  • In the Bedrock Edition, barrels can be used as fuel to smelt 1.5 blocks in a furnace.

If a village has a barrel but no fisherman, any nearby villager without a profession has a chance to become a fisherman.

Crafting[edit | edit source]

Barrels can be crafted with six planks (six sticks in Bedrock Edition) and two slabs of any wood type.

Barrel Java Edition Barrel Bedrock Edition
Wood Planks Wooden Slab Wood Planks Stick Wooden Slab Stick
Wood Planks None Wood Planks Stick None Stick
Wood Planks Wooden Slab Wood Planks Stick Wooden Slab Stick



History[edit | edit source]

Barrels were added in snapshot 18w44a, however, they could not be interacted with unless a player was in spectator mode, and they could not be crafted. Barrels were able to generate in plains villages in snapshot 18w48a, ice and savanna villages in snapshot 18w49a, and taiga and desert villages in snapshot 18w50a. Barrels were also given an inventory that was similar to that of chests, a crafting recipe, and could also be interacted with in snapshot 18w50a.

Trivia[edit | edit source]

  • Barrels originally could not emit a Redstone signal while items were stored inside. This was later fixed in snapshot 19w02a (MC-140986).
  • Despite being made out of wood, barrels are not flammable.
  • Barrels are a little cheaper than chests, as they cost a wood plank less in crafting (1 wood plank = 2 wood slabs).
    • It is even cheaper in Bedrock Edition, costing 3 wood planks less (2 wood planks = 4 sticks)

Gallery[edit | edit source]