In Minecraft Bedrock Edition 1.19, building an efficient XP kelp farm offers players a renewable and automatic way to gain experience points while also generating a useful fuel source. Kelp farms are not only environmentally clean within the game world, but they also produce dried kelp, which can be crafted into fuel blocks. By automating this process, players can maintain a constant supply of XP and fuel with minimal effort. This guide explores how to build, optimize, and maintain a functional XP kelp farm in Bedrock 1.19.
Why Choose a Kelp Farm for XP
Reliable and Renewable
Kelp grows quickly underwater, making it one of the most renewable resources in Minecraft. When smelted in a furnace, each piece of kelp grants XP, allowing players to passively gain experience just by letting their farm run in the background. Compared to mob grinders or other XP farms, a kelp farm is quieter, safer, and more sustainable.
Dual Purpose Utility
- Generates experience points
- Provides a constant supply of fuel
- Requires no hostile mob interaction
These factors make the kelp XP farm a top choice for players who prefer automation and efficiency in Bedrock Edition.
Understanding the Mechanics in Bedrock 1.19
Kelp Growth
Kelp naturally grows in water and can reach a maximum height of 26 blocks. It grows one block at a time, with random ticks determining its speed. In Bedrock Edition 1.19, kelp can grow quickly when planted on dirt, sand, or gravel underwater, as long as there’s sufficient light.
XP Through Smelting
XP is gained when players manually collect the smelted kelp from furnaces. This makes auto-smelters particularly useful if designed in a way that allows players to trigger the output. This mechanic is crucial to making a kelp farm function as an XP source rather than just an item generator.
Materials Needed for a Basic XP Kelp Farm
Core Materials
- Glass (for visibility and containment)
- Water buckets (to fill the farm area)
- Kelp (initial seed source)
- Pistons (for harvesting)
- Observers (to detect kelp growth)
- Redstone dust (to power pistons)
- Hoppers (for item collection and transfer)
- Furnaces or Smokers (for smelting kelp)
- Chests (for storage)
- Fuel source (initially to get the smelters going)
Optional Enhancements
- Minecart with hopper system for larger farms
- Comparator circuits to trigger redstone more efficiently
- Bamboo farms to create an auto-renewing fuel supply
Building the XP Kelp Farm
Step 1: Setting Up the Kelp Growth Chamber
Begin by digging out or building an enclosed vertical water chamber at least 10 blocks high. Line the sides with glass for visibility and fill the area with water source blocks. Plant kelp at the base so that it transforms all water into source blocks as it grows upward.
Step 2: Installing the Harvest Mechanism
Place observers facing the kelp stalks, typically a few blocks above the base, so they can detect when kelp reaches a certain height. Behind each observer, place a redstone dust line that connects to a row of pistons facing the kelp. When a kelp plant grows in front of the observer, it triggers the piston to break it.
Step 3: Collecting the Kelp
Install hoppers or hopper minecarts at the bottom of the chamber to collect the dropped kelp. These hoppers should lead into a chest or directly into a furnace array. You may use water streams with signs or slabs to help guide floating kelp into collection points.
Step 4: Auto-Smelt the Kelp
Connect your hoppers to a set of furnaces or smokers. Make sure to supply a steady stream of fuel to the furnace’s bottom hopper, and feed kelp into the top. For XP, it’s important to manually remove the dried kelp from the furnace to gain the experience points.
Step 5: XP Retrieval and Storage
While automation is key, the final XP collection must be manual. Design your furnace system so that you can access the dried kelp and retrieve it yourself. Place an output chest nearby for the dried kelp and an input chest for fuel like bamboo or dried kelp blocks.
Optimizing for XP Gain
Manual Collection Method
To ensure XP accumulates inside the furnace, let the dried kelp build up in the output slot before retrieving it. XP is stored in the furnace until the item is pulled out manually by the player. This allows you to bank large amounts of XP for later retrieval.
Using Smokers vs Furnaces
Smokers smelt kelp faster than regular furnaces, making them ideal for quicker XP turnaround. However, you’ll need a good fuel source to maintain efficiency. Bamboo or dried kelp blocks make great renewable options for continuous operation.
Build Multiple Furnaces
To scale your XP farming, build a furnace array with hoppers feeding from a central kelp source. This spreads out the smelting, allowing for faster processing and more XP to collect at once. Set up a master collection switch to gather output when needed.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
Problem: Kelp Not Growing
- Ensure all water blocks are source blocks
- Provide sufficient light, preferably from sea lanterns or glowstone
- Avoid placing pistons directly adjacent to the kelp stalks at the base
Problem: No XP Received
- Always collect items manually from the furnace
- Don’t allow the system to extract items automatically via hoppers from the output slot
- Let items build up before collection to increase XP payout
Problem: System Stops Working
- Check for broken redstone signals
- Make sure fuel is still being supplied
- Ensure hoppers are not clogged or full
Tips to Maximize Efficiency
Fuel Automation
Pair your kelp XP farm with a bamboo farm to automate fuel. Bamboo grows quickly and can be auto-harvested into the bottom hopper of your furnace array, keeping your system fully renewable.
Use Dried Kelp Blocks
Smelting dried kelp into blocks allows you to use them as a fuel source, closing the resource loop. A single dried kelp block can smelt up to 20 items, making it a highly efficient fuel type.
AFK Opportunities
Let the farm run while you’re AFK in a safe location. When you return, you can collect stacks of dried kelp and gain a large chunk of XP in one go. Just make sure your AFK area is chunk-loaded and close enough for kelp to grow.
Building an XP kelp farm in Minecraft Bedrock Edition 1.19 is an excellent way to blend automation, sustainability, and resource efficiency. Whether you’re preparing for heavy enchantment use, mending your tools, or just looking for a renewable fuel supply, this farm checks every box. With careful setup and maintenance, your kelp XP farm will become a vital part of your Minecraft base quietly working behind the scenes and always ready to reward you with experience when needed.