How do you craft a Windmill, and what does it allow you to make?

Crafting a Windmill in Valheim is a mid-to-late game activity that unlocks advanced food processing capabilities. The Windmill is essential for turning Barley into Barley Flour, a key ingredient for high-tier foods like Bread and Lox Meat Pie. To craft a Windmill, you must first progress through the game to the Plains biome, as Barley and the necessary crafting materials are found there.\n\nTo build a Windmill, you will need the following materials: 20 Wood, 30 Stone, and 30 Iron Nails. Wood and Stone are common resources found in most biomes, but Iron Nails require a Forge and Iron Bars, which are smelted from Scrap Iron found in the Swamp biome. Once you have the materials, you can craft the Windmill at a level 3 Workbench. Ensure your Workbench is upgraded by placing a Chopping Block and a Tanning Rack nearby.\n\nPlacement of the Windmill is crucial. It must be built in an open area with consistent wind, as it relies on wind power to function. The Plains biome is ideal for this, as it offers flat terrain and steady wind. If the Windmill is not spinning, it means the wind is too weak or obstructed. To fix this, relocate the Windmill to a higher or more open area. You can check wind strength by observing the speed of the Windmill''s blades.\n\nOnce the Windmill is operational, you can use it to process Barley into Barley Flour. Place Barley in the input slot of the Windmill, and it will automatically grind it into flour over time. Barley is a Plains-exclusive crop, so you will need to farm it by planting Barley seeds in cultivated soil. Use a Cultivator to prepare the soil and plant the seeds. Barley grows best in the Plains biome, so consider building a small farm nearby for convenience.\n\nThe Windmill is a game-changer for food production. Barley Flour is used to craft Bread, which provides a significant stamina boost, and Lox Meat Pie, one of the best foods in the game for both health and stamina. These foods are essential for tackling tougher biomes like the Mountains and Mistlands. Without a Windmill, you would be limited to lower-tier foods, making progression much harder.\n\nA common challenge players face is acquiring enough Iron Nails for the Windmill. Scrap Iron is found in Sunken Crypts in the Swamp biome, which can be dangerous for unprepared players. To safely gather Scrap Iron, bring a Bronze or Iron weapon, a shield, and plenty of healing items like Cooked Meat and Honey. Use a Cart or Portal to transport the Scrap Iron back to your base for smelting.\n\nIn summary, the Windmill is a vital structure for advanced food crafting in Valheim. It requires materials from multiple biomes, including Wood, Stone, and Iron Nails, and must be placed in a windy area to function. By farming Barley in the Plains and processing it into Barley Flour, you can craft high-tier foods that significantly improve your survivability. Plan your resource gathering carefully, and prioritize upgrading your Workbench to unlock this powerful tool.\n\nPractical Tip: Build your Windmill near your Plains farm to minimize travel time when processing Barley. Additionally, consider setting up a Portal network to quickly transport resources between biomes, especially when gathering Scrap Iron from the Swamp.