How to make a Lava Bucket in Minecraft

This Minecraft tutorial explains how to craft a lava bucket with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

In Minecraft, a bucket of lava is one of the many basic items that you can make. A lava bucket can be used as a fuel in a furnace to smelt/cook 100 items (1 lava bucket will burn in a furnace for 1000 seconds). This makes a lava bucket the best fuel in the game.

lava bucket

Let's explore how to make a lava bucket.

Supported Platforms

A lava bucket is available in the following versions of Minecraft:

Platform	Supported (Version*)
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	Yes
Pocket Edition (PE)	Yes (0.7.0)
Xbox 360	Yes
Xbox One	Yes
PS3	Yes
PS4	Yes
Wii U	Yes
Nintendo Switch	Yes
Windows 10 Edition	Yes
Education Edition	Yes

* The version that it was added or removed, if applicable.
NOTE: Pocket Edition (PE), Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows 10 Edition are now called Bedrock Edition. We will continue to show them individually for version history.

Where to find a Lava Bucket in Creative Mode

Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)

Here is where you can find a lava bucket in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.8 - 1.19	Miscellaneous
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.19.3 - 1.20	Tools & Utilities

Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)

Here is where you can find a lava bucket in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Pocket Edition (PE)	0.14.1 - 1.1.3	Tools
Pocket Edition (PE)	1.2 - 1.20.0	Items
Pocket Edition (PE)	1.2.5	Equipment

Minecraft Xbox Editions

Here is where you can find a lava bucket in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Xbox 360	TU35 - TU69	Miscellaneous
Xbox One	CU23 - CU43	Miscellaneous
Xbox One	1.2.5	Equipment
Xbox One	1.4.0 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft PS Editions

Here is where you can find a lava bucket in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
PS3	1.26 - 1.76	Miscellaneous
PS4	1.26 - 1.91	Miscellaneous
PS4	1.14.0 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Nintendo

Here is where you can find a lava bucket in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Wii U	Patch 3 - Patch 38	Miscellaneous
Nintendo Switch	1.04 - 1.11	Miscellaneous
Nintendo Switch	1.5.0 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Windows 10 Edition

Here is where you can find a lava bucket in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Windows 10 Edition	0.14.1 - 1.1.3	Tools
Windows 10 Edition	1.2 - 1.20.0	Items
Windows 10 Edition	1.2.5	Equipment

Minecraft Education Edition

Here is where you can find a lava bucket in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Education Edition	0.14.2 - 1.0.18	Tools
Education Edition	1.0.21 - 1.17.30	Items
Education Edition	1.0.27	Equipment

Definitions

Platform is the platform that applies.
Version(s) is the Minecraft version numbers where the item can be found in the menu location listed (we have tested and confirmed this version number).
Creative Menu Location is the location of the item in the Creative Inventory menu.

Required Materials to make a Lava Bucket

In Minecraft, these are the materials you can use to craft a lava bucket:

1 Bucket

How to get a Lava Bucket in Survival Mode

You can add a lava bucket to your inventory in Survival mode by filling a bucket with lava. So let's get started!

1. Find Lava

First, you need to find a source of lava in your Minecraft world.

make lava bucket

2. Hold a Bucket

Next, select a bucket in your hotbar so that you are holding it in your hand.

3. Fill the Bucket with Lava

While standing in front of the lava, fill up the bucket with lava. The game control to collect the lava in the bucket depends on the version of Minecraft:

For Java Edition (PC/Mac), right click on the lava.
For Pocket Edition (PE), you tap on the lava.
For Xbox 360 and Xbox One, press the LT button on the Xbox controller.
For PS3 and PS4, press the L2 button on the PS controller.
For Wii U, press the ZL button on the gamepad.
For Nintendo Switch, press the ZL button on the controller.
For Windows 10 Edition, right click on the lava.
For Education Edition, right click on the lava.

completed lava bucket

You will see the message "Lava Bucket" appear on the screen and your bucket will turn orange with lava.

Congratulations, you have made a lava bucket in Minecraft!