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Smelt ore into crafting ingots — guide illustration
Smithing progression

Smelt ore into crafting ingots

Smelting converts raw ore into usable ingots, the material format required by many forge and equipment-improvement recipes.

PC / Global, Special Edition with Dawnguard, Hearthfire and Dragonborn
WHERE & HOW TO FARM

Where to farm

Smelters commonly stand near mines, towns and blacksmiths.

Ore gathered in mines is only one stage of a crafting supply chain. At a smelter, eligible raw ore can be converted into ingots, which you can then use at a forge or improvement station. Check the recipe first so you process the right metal and avoid carrying unusable stock.

GET STARTED

How to farm

Before you go

  • Carry raw ore accepted by a smelter.
  • Know the ingot type required for your target recipe.
  • Reach a smelter.
  1. Open the inventory or recipe information for the item you intend to craft or improve.
  2. Identify the exact ingot material required and compare it with the ore you carry.
  3. Approach a smelter and activate it to view available conversions.
  4. Select the conversion for the ore you have; some ingot recipes may require more than one input type.
  5. Collect the produced ingots and keep them with the rest of your smithing materials.
  6. Go to a forge, grindstone or workbench and use the ingots for the planned recipe or improvement.

Farming tips

  • Smelt before a long crafting session so raw ore does not take up inventory space unnecessarily.
  • Keep a small reserve of common ingots for repairs and upgrades, but avoid hoarding every metal without a plan.

Repeat, collect and use

Repeat whenever new ore is gathered and you need ingots. Conversion is limited by the ore in your possession, so the loop requires fresh mining or another source.

Common mistakes

  • Do not assume one ore always yields one ingot; inspect the displayed conversion before using the smelter.
  • Do not confuse smelting with forging; the smelter creates ingots, while the forge consumes them in recipes.
  • Do not process ore of the wrong type just because it is available; match materials to the target equipment.

When to stop or switch

Stop processing when your planned crafting or improvement materials are ready, then return to mining only when you have a specific shortfall.

Sources & fact checks
REWARD DETAILS & CONDITIONS

Sources & rewards

Farming route

Smelt ore into crafting ingots

Smelters commonly stand near mines, towns and blacksmiths.

  • Carry raw ore accepted by a smelter.
  • Know the ingot type required for your target recipe.
  • Reach a smelter.
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