Stardew: Preserve Jar Surpasses Keg in Value

This Stardew Valley guide compares Kegs and Preserves Jars, both used to create valuable artisan goods from crops. While Kegs generally yield higher profits, Preserves Jars offer advantages in terms of crafting cost and processing time.

Kegs and Preserves Jars: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Both Kegs and Preserves Jars transform produce into higher-value artisan goods, particularly beneficial with the Artisan profession (40% increased sell price). Importantly, input item quality doesn't affect output quality or selling price; use your lowest-quality items.

Preserves Jars:

• Products: Jelly, Pickles, Aged Roe, Caviar.
• Crafting Recipe (Farming Level 4): 50 Wood, 40 Stone, 8 Coal.
• Profitability: Generally lower than Kegs, except for low-value, high-yield crops (e.g., Blueberries). Faster processing time can offset this.
• Suitable Items: Fruits, vegetables, high-energy mushrooms (Morels, Chanterelles), high-energy foraged items (Cave Carrots, Leeks).

Kegs:

• Products: Wine, Beer, Pale Ale, Mead, Juice, Green Tea, Coffee, Vinegar.
• Crafting Recipe (Farming Level 8): 30 Wood, 1 Copper Bar, 1 Iron Bar, 1 Oak Resin.
• Profitability: Generally higher than Preserves Jars, especially with Cask aging for increased quality and sell price.
• Suitable Items: Fruits, vegetables (excluding Hops and Wheat), high-energy foraged items (excluding Mushrooms). Hops, Wheat, Honey, Tea Leaves, Coffee Beans, Rice are also used.
• Cask Aging: Alcoholic beverages (Wine, Beer, Pale Ale, Mead) can be aged in Casks for higher quality and profit. Requires the final farmhouse upgrade (100,000g).

Which is Better?

Kegs offer greater potential profit, but require more advanced materials and longer processing times. Preserves Jars are cheaper and faster, making them ideal for early-game profits and specific items (Roe). The best approach is often to use both, leveraging their individual strengths. Consider the base price of your crops: for fruits under 50g and vegetables under 200g, Preserves Jars might be more efficient due to faster production.

This updated guide reflects the 1.6 update's additions to usable items in both Kegs and Preserves Jars. Remember to factor in Cask aging for Keg products to maximize profits.