What is the most effective way to preserve raw meat in the early game?

In Valheim, preserving raw meat in the early game is crucial for maintaining a steady food supply, especially when exploring or preparing for combat. Raw meat spoils quickly, so understanding how to extend its shelf life is essential. The most effective way to preserve raw meat early on is by crafting a Cooking Station and a Campfire, which allow you to cook the meat into more durable and nutritious food items like Cooked Meat. However, if you need to store raw meat for later use, you can use a combination of in-game mechanics and crafting solutions.\n\nFirst, raw meat can be stored in a basic chest or personal inventory, but it will spoil over time. To slow down spoilage, prioritize crafting a basic chest as soon as possible. Chests are made with 10 Wood, which is easily gathered from trees in the Meadows biome. Place the chest in a sheltered area, such as inside your starter base, to protect it from environmental damage. While this won''t stop spoilage entirely, it will keep the meat safe from being destroyed by rain or enemies.\n\nFor a more advanced solution, you can craft a Fermenter once you unlock the recipe. However, this requires access to Bronze, which is only obtainable after defeating the first boss, Eikthyr, and exploring the Black Forest biome. The Fermenter allows you to create Mead Bases, which can be used to craft potions, but it doesn''t directly preserve raw meat. Instead, focus on cooking the meat as soon as possible to prevent waste. Cooked Meat lasts significantly longer than raw meat and provides better health and stamina bonuses.\n\nAnother early-game strategy is to hunt animals like boars and deer in the Meadows biome to gather raw meat on demand. This reduces the need for long-term storage. Boars are a reliable source of raw meat and can be farmed by building a pen and taming them with mushrooms or carrots. Once tamed, boars will breed, providing a steady supply of raw meat without the need for constant hunting.\n\nIf you''re venturing into new biomes or preparing for a boss fight, consider cooking all your raw meat beforehand. Cooked Meat stacks up to 20 in your inventory, making it easy to carry large quantities. Additionally, combining Cooked Meat with other food items like berries or mushrooms creates a balanced diet, maximizing your health and stamina regeneration during exploration or combat.\n\nIn summary, the most effective way to preserve raw meat in the early game is to cook it as soon as possible using a Cooking Station and Campfire. Store raw meat in chests to slow spoilage, and prioritize hunting or farming boars for a steady supply. As you progress, unlocking the Fermenter and other advanced crafting options will provide additional preservation methods, but early on, cooking and smart storage are your best tools for managing food resources.\n\nPractical tip: Always carry a stack of Cooked Meat when exploring new areas. It provides a reliable source of health and stamina, ensuring you''re prepared for unexpected encounters with enemies or environmental hazards.