How do I craft a charcoal kiln to produce coal for smelting?

Crafting a charcoal kiln in Valheim is essential for producing coal, which is required for smelting metals like copper, tin, and iron. The charcoal kiln converts wood into coal, making it a vital tool for progressing through the game. To craft a charcoal kiln, you must first unlock its recipe by obtaining Surtling Cores, which are found in Burial Chambers in the Black Forest biome. These dungeons are dark and dangerous, so bring a weapon, shield, and torch to navigate safely.\n\nOnce you have at least five Surtling Cores, you can unlock the charcoal kiln recipe. The crafting requirements for the kiln are 20 stones and 5 Surtling Cores. Stones are abundant and can be gathered by mining large boulders or picking up smaller rocks scattered across the landscape. Surtling Cores, however, are rarer and require exploration of Burial Chambers. Be prepared to face skeletons and other enemies while searching for these cores.\n\nTo build the charcoal kiln, open your crafting menu (press Tab) and navigate to the Crafting tab. Select the charcoal kiln from the list and place it in a suitable location near your base. The kiln requires a flat surface, so ensure the area is clear of obstacles. Once placed, you can interact with the kiln to add wood as fuel. Each piece of wood takes approximately 15 seconds to convert into one piece of coal.\n\nA common challenge players face is running out of wood quickly, especially when smelting large quantities of metal. To address this, consider building multiple charcoal kilns to increase coal production. Additionally, planting and harvesting trees near your base can provide a steady supply of wood. Use a bronze axe or better to efficiently chop down trees and gather resources.\n\nAnother tip is to prioritize upgrading your forge and smelter to increase efficiency. Smelting metals like copper and tin requires coal, so having a reliable source of fuel is crucial. If you''re venturing into the Swamp biome to mine iron, ensure you have enough coal stockpiled before setting out. This will save time and allow you to focus on gathering iron scrap from Muddy Scrap Piles.\n\nIn summary, crafting a charcoal kiln involves gathering Surtling Cores from Burial Chambers in the Black Forest and combining them with stones. Place the kiln near your base, feed it wood, and let it produce coal for smelting. By managing your resources effectively and planning ahead, you can ensure a steady supply of coal to support your metalworking needs in Valheim.