Stardew Valley: Preserves Jar Vs Kegs

This guide compares Kegs and Preserves Jars in Stardew Valley, focusing on their profitability for turning crops into artisan goods. The 1.6 update expanded the usable items in both, including various foraged goods.

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

Both Kegs and Preserves Jars transform produce into valuable artisan goods, especially beneficial with the Artisan profession (40% increased sell price). Importantly, input item quality doesn't affect output quality or sell price; use lower-quality produce for maximum efficiency.

Preserves Jars:

Produce Jellies, Pickles, Aged Roe, and Caviar. Obtainable via bundles, or the Prize Machine. Requires 50 Wood, 40 Stone, and 8 Coal (Farming Level 4).

Kegs:

Produce Wine, Beer, Pale Ale, Coffee, Juice, Green Tea, and Vinegar. Obtainable via bundles or the Prize Machine. Requires 30 Wood, 1 Copper Bar, 1 Iron Bar, and 1 Oak Resin (Farming Level 8).

Kegs vs. Preserves Jars: The Verdict

Kegs generally yield higher profits, particularly with Cask aging for Iridium-quality products (double the normal price). However, they're more expensive and time-consuming to craft and produce. The initial investment in Kegs, including Casks and the farmhouse upgrade, is significant.

Preserves Jars offer a cheaper, faster alternative, especially beneficial early-game. Their faster production makes them competitive for low-value, high-yield crops. Some items are exclusive to one or the other; having both maximizes profit potential. Consider the base price of your produce: fruits under 50g and vegetables under 200g generally benefit more from Preserves Jars due to faster processing times.