Stardew's Best Way to Preserve Profits

This Stardew Valley guide compares Kegs and Preserves Jars, two crucial tools for crafting artisan goods from farm produce. Both significantly increase the value of crops, especially with the Artisan profession's 40% sell price boost. However, their crafting requirements, processing times, and profitability vary.

Kegs:

• Pros: Generally yield higher profit margins than Preserves Jars, particularly with wine. Alcoholic products (wine, beer, pale ale, mead) can be aged in casks for further profit increases.
• Cons: More expensive to craft, requiring metal bars and oak resin. Processing times are significantly longer than Preserves Jars, excluding aging time in casks. Requires a farmhouse upgrade for cask aging.

Preserves Jars:

• Pros: Cheap and easy to craft using readily available materials. Faster processing times make them profitable for low-value, high-yield crops like blueberries. Can process items Kegs cannot (roe).
• Cons: Generally yield lower profits per item compared to Kegs. Less versatile than Kegs in terms of ingredient options.

Which is Better?

The optimal choice depends on your farm's stage and goals. Early game, Preserves Jars offer a quicker return on investment. Later, with more resources and time, Kegs become more lucrative, especially when combined with cask aging. The ideal approach is to utilize both Kegs and Preserves Jars, leveraging their respective strengths to maximize profit from diverse crops and foraged items. Consider these factors:

• Crop Value: For fruits under 50g and vegetables under 200g, Preserves Jars are often more efficient due to faster processing.
• Resource Availability: Assess your access to wood, stone, metal bars, and oak resin.
• Time Management: Prioritize faster production if you need quick profits or have limited time.

This updated guide reflects changes in Stardew Valley 1.6, including expanded ingredient options for both Kegs and Preserves Jars (e.g., leeks, spring onions, hazelnuts, winter roots can now be used). Remember that item quality doesn't affect artisan goods' sell price, so use lower-quality produce for maximum efficiency.