Preserves and Kegs: Which Earns More in Stardew Valley?

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, especially 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 produce.

Preserves Jars:

• Products: Jelly, Pickles, Aged Roe, Caviar.
• Crafting Recipe (Farming Level 4): 50 Wood, 40 Stone, 8 Coal.
• Profitability: Generally lower than Kegs, but faster processing time makes them efficient for low-value, high-yield crops (e.g., Blueberries). Suitable for fruits under 50g and vegetables under 200g.
• Advantages: Cheap and easy to craft, quick processing.
• Disadvantages: Lower profit margins compared to Kegs.

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 higher-quality products (double the price of normal quality).
• Advantages: Significantly higher profit potential, especially with Cask aging.
• Disadvantages: More expensive to craft, longer processing times, requires additional investment in Casks and potentially a farmhouse upgrade.

Which is Better?

The optimal choice depends on your farm's stage and goals. Preserves Jars are excellent for early-game profit generation due to their low crafting costs and quick turnaround. As you progress, Kegs become more profitable, particularly when combined with Cask aging. For maximum efficiency, consider using both; each handles certain items uniquely. For example, only Preserves Jars process Roe, while Kegs are essential for Honey-based products.

Additional Notes: The 1.6 update expanded the usable items in both Kegs and Preserves Jars, including various forageables. This guide reflects these changes. Consider the processing time and base price of your crops when deciding which method to use.