Better Ore Smelting Datapack: Unlocking Hidden Value in Raw Ore Blocks
If you have ever stared at a stack of Raw Iron Blocks or Raw Copper Blocks and wondered what to do with them, you are not alone. The Caves & Cliffs update introduced these compressed forms of raw metal, but their purpose often feels limited to storage. That is where the Better Ore Smelting datapack steps in, turning those seemingly redundant blocks into a valuable resource. Instead of letting them collect dust in a chest, you can now smelt them directly into full metal blocks, streamlining your resource processing and giving your mining trips a much more satisfying conclusion.
What Exactly Is Better Ore Smelting?
Better Ore Smelting is a lightweight, vanilla-friendly datapack that adds a single, game-changing recipe: the ability to smelt a Raw Ore Block into its corresponding finished Block. For example, one Raw Iron Block in a furnace becomes one Block of Iron. The same logic applies to copper and gold. This simple tweak eliminates the tedious step of crafting raw ore blocks back into individual raw ores, smelting them into ingots, and then crafting those ingots back into blocks. It respects the original balance of the game—you still need the same amount of raw material—but it respects your time a lot more.
Because it is a datapack, it integrates seamlessly into any world without modifying the game’s core code. No mod loaders are required, and it works perfectly on vanilla servers or single-player worlds. For players who enjoy a pure Minecraft experience but crave small quality-of-life improvements, Better Ore Smelting is a perfect fit. It is especially useful in the early game when you are hauling back mountains of raw ore from a deepslate expedition and want to compact your haul efficiently.
Key Features That Change the Way You Smelt
The datapack’s beauty lies in its simplicity, but the impact on gameplay is substantial. Here is what you can expect once you drop it into your world’s datapacks folder:
- Direct Block-to-Block Smelting: Place a Raw Ore Block in a furnace, blast furnace, or smoker (for food, not ores, but you get the idea) and receive the finished metal block. No intermediate steps.
- Full Raw Ore Block Support: Works with Raw Iron, Raw Copper, and Raw Gold blocks, covering all the raw ore blocks introduced in the game.
- Blast Furnace Compatibility: You can use a blast furnace to smelt the blocks twice as fast, making large-scale processing a breeze.
- No Recipe Clutter: The datapack does not add dozens of new items or confusing crafting grids. It simply extends the existing smelting mechanic.
- Multiplayer Friendly: Since it is server-side, everyone on a vanilla server benefits from the recipe without needing to install anything on their own client.
Managing datapacks can sometimes feel like a chore, especially when you are juggling multiple custom recipes. If you want a smoother experience, using a launcher like foxygame.net can simplify things significantly—you can install and manage datapacks and mods directly from its built-in menu, making the whole process feel effortless and modern. That convenience lets you focus on the fun part: actually playing the game.
How to Install and Use Better Ore Smelting
Getting started takes less than a minute. First, download the datapack file—it typically comes as a .zip archive. You can find it on popular Minecraft community sites by searching for "Better Ore Smelting." Once downloaded, follow these steps:
- Open your Minecraft world folder. You can do this from the world selection screen by clicking "Edit," then "Open World Folder."
- Navigate to the "datapacks" folder inside. If it does not exist, create one.
- Drag the downloaded .zip file into the datapacks folder. Do not unzip it.
- If you are already in the world, type
/reloadin the chat (if cheats are enabled) or simply re-enter the world. - To verify, open your furnace and check the recipe book; you should see the new smelting options for raw ore blocks.
After installation, simply toss a Raw Iron Block into a furnace with some fuel. In a standard furnace, it takes the same time as smelting nine individual raw iron, but you skip the crafting steps. A blast furnace cuts that time in half. This is particularly handy when you have set up an automatic smelter array using hoppers—just feed it raw ore blocks and collect the finished blocks on the other end.
An Important Note About Updates
The original Better Ore Smelting datapack focused exclusively on smelting raw ore blocks. However, if you are looking for an even more comprehensive recipe overhaul, the creator recommends checking out the JustBetterRecipes datapack. That expanded version includes smelting and blasting of ore blocks, plus a host of additional recipes for things like rotten flesh to leather, wool to string, and more. It essentially takes the core idea of Better Ore Smelting and builds an entire ecosystem of logical, time-saving recipes. While Better Ore Smelting remains a fantastic lightweight option, JustBetterRecipes is the natural next step for anyone who wants to push the concept further.
Why This Datapack Deserves a Spot in Your World
Vanilla Minecraft is brilliant, but some of its crafting chains can feel unnecessarily fiddly. The raw ore block was a clever addition for inventory management, yet it lacked a direct path back to a useful building or storage block. Better Ore Smelting fixes that oversight without breaking immersion. It feels like something Mojang could have included from the start.
Consider a typical mining session: you mine a vein of iron, pick up raw iron, and craft it into a Raw Iron Block to save space. Back at base, you now have to uncraft that block, smelt nine raw iron into nine ingots, and then craft those ingots back into a Block of Iron. That is three separate crafting actions for a result that the datapack achieves in one furnace operation. Over dozens of mining trips, the time saved adds up, letting you spend more time exploring and building.
Furthermore, the datapack encourages you to actually use raw ore blocks as a building material during the smelting process. You can set up a visual smelting array where raw blocks travel on a belt and emerge as shiny metal blocks, creating a satisfying industrial aesthetic. It is a small change that sparks creativity.
Final Thoughts
Better Ore Smelting is a prime example of how a tiny datapack can make a huge difference in daily gameplay. It respects vanilla balance, installs in seconds, and turns a previously overlooked block into a practical tool. Whether you are a builder who wants faster access to metal blocks, a redstone engineer optimizing a smelter, or a server owner looking to add subtle quality-of-life improvements, this datapack delivers exactly what it promises. And if you ever find yourself wanting more, the expanded JustBetterRecipes datapack is waiting to take your smelting game even further. Give your raw ore blocks the purpose they deserve, and never look at a furnace the same way again.