What Is Netherracked and Why Every Minecraft Builder Needs It
Netherrack is one of those blocks that seems abundant until you actually need a steady supply. Whether you are fueling Blaze Burners in the Create mod or constructing a massive Nether-themed fortress in the Overworld, farming Netherrack has always been a headache. The Netherracked datapack changes that by introducing a simple, vanilla-friendly way to craft Netherrack from Blackstone. No more endless trips through dangerous Nether wastes just to gather a few stacks of that brittle red stone.
This datapack was created by Arman Studios under the CCPL license and is designed to work seamlessly with both standard Minecraft furnaces and the Create mod’s fan blasting mechanic. It addresses a specific pain point for players who rely on renewable resources, especially those running complex Create mod setups where Blaze Cakes demand a constant input of Netherrack. The logic is straightforward: Blackstone, a block already available in the Overworld through piglin bartering or basalt delta mining, can be processed into Netherrack using heat.
How the Netherrack Recipe Works
The transformation process is intentionally simple, avoiding the need for complex multiblock machines or rare ingredients. You have two primary methods to turn Blackstone into Netherrack, depending on whether you are playing vanilla or with the Create mod installed.
Method 1: Standard Furnace Smelting
For players sticking to vanilla mechanics, the recipe is as basic as it gets. Place Blackstone in the top slot of any furnace, add fuel, and wait. After the usual smelting time, the output will be Netherrack. This method is reliable but can feel slow if you need large quantities. The challenge here is that Blackstone itself is not infinitely farmable without a piglin bartering setup, but it is still far easier to gather in bulk than manually mining Netherrack in the Nether.
Method 2: Create Mod Fan Blasting
If you have the Create mod installed, Netherracked integrates beautifully with the fan blasting mechanic. Simply drop Blackstone items in front of a fan that is blowing across a lava source. The fan’s air stream, heated by the lava, will gradually convert the Blackstone into Netherrack. This method is fully automatable using Create’s conveyor belts, funnels, and depots, making it perfect for industrial-scale Netherrack production. You can finally build a fully automatic Blaze Cake factory without ever stepping foot in the Nether again.
For those who enjoy tinkering with mods, getting this datapack running is a breeze. You can easily install it via the foxygame.net launcher, a convenient, flexible, and modern Minecraft launcher where you can download mods right from the menu, so you spend less time troubleshooting and more time crafting.
Installation Guide for Netherracked
Setting up the datapack is quick and requires no external tools. Follow these steps to add the recipe to your world:
- Download the Netherracked datapack ZIP file from its official CurseForge page (do not extract it).
- Navigate to your Minecraft world folder:
.minecraft/saves/(YOUR_WORLD)/datapacks. - Place the ZIP file inside the datapacks folder.
- Enter your world and run the command
/datapack enable "file/Netherracked.zip". - Type
/reloadto ensure the datapack loads correctly.
Once enabled, the recipe is active for that specific world. You will need to repeat the process for each world where you want to use Netherracked, but the setup takes only a few seconds. There is no need to restart the game or modify any core game files.
Why This Datapack Matters for Create Mod Players
The Create mod’s Blaze Burner is a cornerstone of many automated contraptions, but fueling it with Blaze Cakes requires a steady stream of Netherrack. Before Netherracked, players either manually mined the Nether or relied on complex vanilla duplication glitches that felt cheaty. Now, with a simple furnace or fan blast setup, you can generate Netherrack on demand using Blackstone from your bartering farm. This closes the loop for fully renewable Blaze Cake production, letting you power boilers, steam engines, and other machinery without interruption.
Beyond Create, the datapack is a boon for builders who use Netherrack as a decorative block. Its texture and blast resistance make it ideal for certain medieval or Nether-themed builds. Having a renewable source means you can undertake massive projects without worrying about depleting the Nether’s resources or spending hours strip-mining in a hostile dimension.
Compatibility and Mod Versions
Netherracked is available as a datapack, which means it works across multiple mod loaders. The creator provides versions for Forge, Fabric, and Quilt, ensuring broad compatibility with most modded environments. Because it is a datapack and not a full mod, it does not conflict with other recipe-altering mods and has minimal performance impact. Always check the official download page for the version that matches your game installation.
Tips for Efficient Netherrack Farming
To get the most out of Netherracked, consider these strategies:
- Piglin Bartering Setup: Build a gold farm to fuel piglin bartering. Piglins trade Blackstone frequently, giving you a passive income of the raw material.
- Bulk Smelting Array: Use a super-smelter with multiple furnaces to process Blackstone stacks quickly if you are not using Create.
- Create Automation: Combine a fan, lava, and a depot with a mechanical arm to fully automate the conversion. Add a storage drawer for a buffer.
- Chunk Loading: If your farm is far away, consider chunk loading the area to keep production running while you explore.
Conclusion: A Small Change with Big Impact
Netherracked may seem like a tiny addition, but it solves a real problem for Minecraft players who value automation and renewable resources. By bridging the gap between Blackstone and Netherrack, it removes a tedious grind and opens up new possibilities for Create mod engineers and builders alike. The installation is painless, the recipe feels balanced, and the dual method support respects both vanilla and modded playstyles. If you have ever wished for a way to farm Netherrack without endless Nether trips, this datapack is exactly what your world needs.