How to Get Dried Kelp in Minecraft: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Get Dried Kelp in Minecraft: Step-by-Step Guide
There is no 'dried ghast' item in Minecraft—ghasts are mobs that don't have a dried version. You're likely searching for dried kelp, which is crafted by drying raw kelp in a furnace or smoker. This guide shows exactly how to obtain and use it.

Why “Dried Ghast” Doesn’t Exist (And What You Actually Need)

If you’ve been searching for “how to crafting dried ghast,” you’ve hit a common confusion point. Ghasts are floating mobs in Minecraft’s Nether dimension—they don’t drop “dried” versions of themselves. This mix-up usually happens because:

  • “Ghast” and “kelp” sound similar when spoken aloud
  • Keyboard typos (G and K are adjacent)
  • Outdated mod references mistaken for vanilla gameplay

Rest assured: dried kelp is the real item you need. It’s essential for fuel-efficient smelting and composting. Let’s fix this confusion once and for all.

Common Misconception Actual Minecraft Item How to Obtain
“Dried ghast” Dried kelp Smelt raw kelp in furnace
Ghast crafting material Ghast tear Defeat ghasts in Nether

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Dried Kelp

1. Finding Raw Kelp (The Critical First Step)

You won’t find kelp near ghasts—it grows exclusively in ocean biomes. Here’s where to look:

  • Shallow waters: Look for tall seaweed-like plants on ocean floors (especially warm oceans)
  • Shipwrecks: Chests often contain kelp stacks
  • Trading: Wandering traders sell kelp for emeralds
Raw kelp growing in Minecraft ocean

2. Drying Kelp: Furnace vs. Smoker Comparison

Both methods work, but one saves you 50% fuel. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Furnace method:
    • Place fuel (coal, wood) in bottom slot
    • Add raw kelp to top slot
    • Takes 10 seconds per kelp
  • Smoker method (recommended):
    • Build smoker: Furnace + 4 wood logs
    • Processes kelp twice as fast with same fuel
    • Ideal for bulk processing
Smoker processing kelp in Minecraft

3. Pro Tips Most Players Miss

Maximize your dried kelp efficiency with these advanced techniques:

Fuel Efficiency Hack

Dried kelp smelts 20 items per piece—more than coal (8 items). Use it as furnace fuel to save resources.

Composter Boost

Add dried kelp to composters for 85% chance of bone meal—higher than most materials.

Bulk Farming Shortcut

Create an automatic kelp farm: Trapdoors + water currents + shear collection. Yields 100+ kelp/hour.

What About Ghasts? (For Context)

Since you searched for ghasts, here’s what actually relates to them:

  • Ghast tears: Dropped when defeating ghasts in Nether (4.6% drop rate)
  • Uses: Brewing Regeneration potions, crafting end crystals
  • No drying process: Tears are used directly—never “dried”
Ghast mob floating in Nether dimension

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Stuck? These fixes solve 95% of dried kelp problems:

Problem Solution
“No kelp in my ocean” Travel to warm/deep ocean biomes—kelp won’t spawn in frozen oceans
“Smoker not working” Verify recipe: Furnace surrounded by 4 logs (any type)
“Low drop rates” Use Looting III sword—increases kelp drops by 3x

Why This Matters for Your Gameplay

Dried kelp isn’t just another item—it’s a game-changer for early-game survival. While ghast tears require dangerous Nether trips, dried kelp gives you:

  • Free fuel source before coal access
  • Faster smelting than wood
  • Reliable bone meal production
  • No combat risk (unlike ghast hunting)

Master this simple process, and you’ll outpace 80% of new players who waste resources on inefficient fuel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you craft dried kelp without a furnace?

No—drying requires heat. You must use a furnace, smoker, or blast furnace. Sunlight won’t dry kelp in Minecraft.

Is dried kelp better than coal for fuel?

Yes! One dried kelp smelts 20 items versus coal’s 8. It’s the most fuel-efficient early-game option.

Do ghasts drop anything related to kelp?

No connection. Ghasts drop tears (for potions), while kelp grows in oceans. They exist in completely different dimensions.

How do I make a kelp farm automatic?

Build a 1-block deep water channel with trapdoors. Kelp breaks when water flows, dropping items into hoppers. Add shears via droppers for continuous harvesting.

Marcus Lee

Marcus Lee

A former industrial designer making DIY crafting accessible. He breaks down complex projects into simple, practical creations for beginners.