Stardew Valley offers players the chance to cultivate crops and build a sustainable farming operation. However, the game goes beyond simple sales of fruits and vegetables; as players enhance their Farming skill, they unlock various crafting recipes. These recipes enable them to can, preserve, and ferment crops, transforming them into high-value artisan goods.
Among the most popular artisan crafting options are the Kegs and Preserves Jars. Both of these items allow players to convert their produce—especially fruits and vegetables—into goods that significantly increase their profitability. But which option provides better value? This guide compares Kegs and Preserves Jars, examining their pros and cons to help players determine the best choice for their farming strategy.
Last updated January 8, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: The 1.6 update introduced a number of changes to Stardew Valley, including adjustments to what can be processed in Kegs and Preserves Jars. This updated guide provides essential information for players looking to enhance their artisan production on the farm.
Overview of Kegs and Preserves Jars
Both Kegs and Preserves Jars serve crucial roles in generating valuable artisan goods. Having the Artisan profession amplifies earnings from these products, resulting in a 40% increase in sell values. An important point to consider is that the quality of the items placed in either option does not impact the final sell price. For instance, jelly made from a gold-quality fruit sells for the same price as that made from a regular-quality fruit. For this reason, players should prioritize using lower-quality produce for crafting artisan products.
Preserves Jars
Preserves Jars are utilized to create various canned goods, including:
- Jelly
- Pickles
- Aged Roe
- Caviar
Players can acquire Preserves Jars through the Quality Crops or Rare Crops bundles at the community center or via rewards from the Prize Machine. The crafting recipe is unlocked at Farming Level 4 and requires:
- 50
- 40
- 8
Products from Preserves Jars
| Item Placed In Jar | Product | Base Sell Price |
|---|---|---|
| Any fruit | [fruit name] Jelly | 2 x [base fruit price] + 50 |
|
Pickled [item name] | 2 x [base item price] + 50 |
| Roe from any fish (except Sturgeon) | Aged [fish name] Roe | 2 x [roe price] |
| Sturgeon roe | Caviar | 2 x [roe price] |
Kegs
Kegs, in contrast, are designed to produce beverages, including:
- Wine
- Beer
- Pale Ale
- Mead
- Juice
- Green Tea
- Vinegar
- Coffee
Players can obtain Kegs from the Artisan Bundle or Brewer’s Bundle, or as rewards from the Prize Machine. The crafting recipe, available at Farming Level 8, requires:
- 30
- 1
- 1
- 1
Products from Kegs
| Item Placed In Keg | Product | Base Sell Price |
|---|---|---|
| Any fruit | [fruit name] Wine | 3 x [base fruit price] |
|
[item name] Juice | 2.25 x [base item price] |
| Pale Ale | 300g | |
| Beer | 200g | |
| Mead | 200g | |
| Green Tea | 100g | |
 (5)
|
Coffee | 150g |
| Vinegar | 100g |
Kegs vs. Preserves Jars: A Comparative Analysis
Pros & Cons of Kegs
As demonstrated in the earlier tables, Kegs typically generate higher profits than Preserves Jars. For instance, wines made from fruit offer substantial profits. One major advantage of Kegs is that the alcoholic beverages they produce can be further aged in Casks, enhancing their quality and doubling the sell price for Iridium-quality products.
However, crafting Kegs requires more resources, including a significant amount of metal bars and oak resin from Tappers, which adds to the overall time investment. Moreover, Kegs take longer to produce their goods compared to Preserves Jars, and if players choose to age their products, additional time is necessary.
While crafting and managing Kegs may appeal to experienced players, the advantages of Preserves Jars should not be dismissed.
Pros & Cons of Preserves Jars
Preserves Jars are straightforward and economical to craft, making them particularly beneficial in the early stages of gameplay. They can significantly boost earnings, especially before players have access to Kegs. However, as players accumulate Kegs, they may phase out Preserves Jars due to the lower sell values of their products.
Yet, it’s advisable to maintain a few Preserves Jars. Their faster processing time allows players to capitalize on low-value, high-yield crops. Typically, if a fruit’s base price is 50g or less, placing it in a Preserves Jar yields better returns, as does using vegetables with base prices of 200g or less.
It’s essential to note that some items are exclusive to either Kegs or Preserves Jars. For instance, while fruits can be processed in both, only a Preserves Jar can convert Roe into Aged Roe, and only Kegs can produce alcohol from Honey. Thus, a combination of both Kegs and Preserves Jars can maximize a player’s artisan goods output.
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