• Arts & Entertainment
  • February 9, 2026

How to Make a Potion Table (Brewing Stand) in Minecraft Guide

So you want to make a potion table in Minecraft? First thing – we gotta clear up some confusion. What most players call a "potion table" is actually called a Brewing Stand. I made that mistake too when I started playing years ago. Thought I could craft it like a crafting table. Nope!

Why does this matter? Because if you're searching how to make a potion table in Minecraft, you'll only find the right info if you know the real name. Brewing stands are essential for creating potions that heal you, make you invisible, or even harm enemies. Can't do any of that without one.

I remember my first attempt at brewing. Wandered into the Nether unprepared, got roasted by Blazes, lost all my iron gear. Learned the hard way – preparation is everything. Let's make sure you avoid that.

What You Absolutely Need to Craft a Brewing Stand

Gathering materials is step one. Here's the non-negotiable shopping list:

Material How to Get It Pro Tips I Learned
Cobblestone (x3) Mine regular stone blocks with any pickaxe Dig straight down 3 blocks from surface – you'll hit stone fast
Blaze Rod (x1) Dropped by Blazes in Nether fortresses Bring fire resistance potions (ironic, right?) or a bow

That Blaze Rod is the real bottleneck. In my survival world last month, it took four Nether trips to get one because spawn rates were terrible. Sometimes RNG just hates you.

Warning: Don't Waste Your First Blaze Rod

Blazes drop 0-2 rods per kill. If you get two rods on your first kill? Don't celebrate by making two brewing stands immediately. You'll need spare rods to craft Blaze Powder – the fuel for your potion table. Made that mistake too many times.

Where to Find Blazes (Without Dying Horribly)

Blazes spawn in Nether fortress spawners – those cage-like structures usually near staircases. Coordinates matter less than these visual cues:

  • Nether Brick: Fortresses are built from dark reddish bricks
  • Open Walkways: Look for bridges over lava lakes
  • Spawner Flames: You'll see flames inside metal cages

Wear at least iron armor. Gold boots help with Piglins but offer terrible protection. Honestly? I prefer sneaking past everything and sprinting to spawners.

Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Potion Table

Got your materials? Crafting process is dead simple once you're past the Nether struggle:

  1. Open your crafting table (3x3 grid)
  2. Place cobblestones in the bottom row (all three slots)
  3. Put the Blaze Rod in the center slot
  4. Drag the Brewing Stand to your inventory

Sounds easy? It is. But placement matters more than you'd think. Don't stick your potion table in some dark corner. I put mine near my storage chests initially – regretted it when I kept running back and forth for ingredients.

Ideal Brewing Station Setup

Place your Brewing Stand within 3 blocks of:

  • Water source (for infinite bottles)
  • Ingredient chest (Nether wart, gunpowder, etc.)
  • Fuel storage (keep Blaze Powder in a separate slot)

Trust me – after brewing 50+ potions, those extra steps add up.

Using Your Brewing Stand: No-Nonsense Tutorial

Made your potion table? Now the real fun begins. Interface has three key parts:

Slot Purpose Common Mistakes
Top Slot For modifiers (Nether wart, gunpowder, glowstone) Adding base ingredients here does nothing
Bottom Three Slots Holds water bottles or base potions Forgetting to fill bottles at water source first
Fuel Gauge (left) Requires Blaze Powder (1 powder = 20 brews) Running out mid-batch (so frustrating!)

Brewing sequence matters. Learn this order:

  1. Fill glass bottles with water
  2. Add Nether wart to create Awkward Potions
  3. Add effect ingredients (e.g., Magma Cream for Fire Resistance)
  4. Add enhancers (gunpowder for splash, redstone for duration)

Why Your Potions Fail (And How to Fix It)

Potions failing happens to everyone. Here's why:

  • Wrong ingredient order: Adding spider eyes before Nether wart? Won't work.
  • Insufficient fuel: That 90% full fuel gauge? It'll run out during brewing.
  • Mismatched modifiers: Some effects conflict (e.g., healing and harming).

My worst brew fail? Accidentally made 3 lingering potions of poison instead of healing during a raid prep. Had to start over.

Must-Know Potion Recipes for Survival Mode

Once you've mastered how to make a potion table in Minecraft, these recipes are game-changers:

Potion Ingredients Brewing Time Why It's Essential
Healing Awkward Potion + Glistering Melon 20 seconds Saves you in boss fights (restores 4 hearts instantly)
Fire Resistance Awkward Potion + Magma Cream 20 seconds Essential for Nether exploration and fighting Blazes
Strength Awkward Potion + Blaze Powder 20 seconds Boosts damage by 130% – makes quick work of mobs
Invisibility Awkward Potion + Golden Carrot + Fermented Spider Eye 40 seconds Perfect for sneaking past Wardens or pillager outposts

Pro Brewing Tip: Reuse Failed Potions

Messed up and made a Potion of Weakness instead of Strength? Add gunpowder to turn it into a splash potion – great for weakening raid captains. Nothing's truly wasted.

Advanced Brewing Tactics

Beyond basics, these strategies maximize your potion table:

Fuel Efficiency Hack

1 Blaze Powder = 20 brew operations. But operations include:

  • Converting water to awkward potions
  • Adding primary effects
  • Adding modifiers (gunpowder/redstone)

So if you brew 3 potions from start to finish? That's 3 operations. But if you:

  1. Process 3 water bottles → awkward potions (1 op)
  2. Add effect to all three (1 op)
  3. Add gunpowder to all three (1 op)

Same result, 3 operations instead of 9. Saved me stacks of Blaze Powder.

Automating Your Setup

Redstone wizards can build auto-brewers using:

  • Hoppers feeding ingredients
  • Droppers inserting water bottles
  • Comparators detecting brew completion

But honestly? Unless you're mass-producing for PvP, manual brewing is faster for casual play.

Fixing Common Brewing Stand Issues

"My Potion Table Won't Work!" Troubleshooting

  • No bubbles animation? Check fuel – 99% of "broken" stands just need Blaze Powder.
  • Ingredients not reacting? You probably skipped creating Awkward Potions first.
  • Stand won't place? Requires a solid block beneath it (won't float in air).

Can't Find Nether Wart?

Grows in Nether fortress gardens – dirt patches with soul sand. No fortresses nearby? Trade with Master-level Cleric villagers (about 22 emeralds for 10 warts). Pricey but worth it.

FAQs: Your Burning Potion Questions Answered

How much does a potion table cost if I buy it?

Can't buy Brewing Stands. Villagers don't sell them. Only way is crafting or looting End City chests (rare).

Is there a difference between Bedrock and Java brewing?

Minor differences:

  • Java: Fuel consumed per operation
  • Bedrock: Fuel consumed per ingredient added

Doesn't change how you make a potion table in Minecraft though.

Can I enchant my Brewing Stand?

Nope. No enchantments affect brewing speed or efficiency. Wish there was – I'd call it "Alchemist's Touch".

Why make splash potions?

Turn any potion into throwable version with gunpowder. Hurling weakness potions at illagers? Satisfying.

Best early-game potion?

Healing. Costs just melon slices (grow from village seeds) and Nether wart. Carrying 2-3 saves lives.

Final Brewing Wisdom (From My Cauldron to Yours)

Mastering how to make a potion table in Minecraft opens up late-game content. Want to fight the Ender Dragon? You'll need slow-falling potions. Exploring ancient cities? Night vision is mandatory.

But here's my controversial take: Brewing is overcomplicated initially. Why lock essential mechanics behind Nether access? Still, once you've got your stand running, it's incredibly rewarding.

Last tip: Always name your Brewing Stand. Mine's called "Emergency Services". When you're at 2 hearts and hear a creeper hiss? That name feels very accurate.

Now go make some potions. And maybe name one after me when you invent something wild.

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