OSRS Blast Furnace Requirements Everything You Need to Know
The Blast Furnace in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a fan-favorite minigame for players looking to level up their Smithing skill efficiently while potentially turning a profit. Located in the dwarven city of Keldagrim, this members-only activity allows you to smelt bars using half the coal required by standard furnaces, making it ideal for high-tier ores like mithril, adamantite, and runite. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer, understanding the requirements and mechanics of the Blast Furnace is key to maximizing your experience and gold. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the OSRS Blast Furnace requirements, from quests and skills to recommended items and strategies.
The Blast Furnace stands out for its efficiency and versatility. It’s not just about smelting bars faster—it’s about doing so smarter. By requiring only half the coal, you save resources, which translates to higher profits when crafting bars that demand large coal quantities. Plus, with the right setup, you can achieve some of the highest Smithing XP rates in the game, especially when smelting gold bars with goldsmith gauntlets. But before you can dive in, you need to meet specific requirements and prepare adequately.
Quest Requirements to Access the Blast Furnace
To step foot in the Blast Furnace, you first need to gain access to Keldagrim, the dwarven city where it’s located. This requires starting a specific quest.
Starting The Giant Dwarf Quest
The primary requirement to unlock the Blast Furnace is beginning The Giant Dwarf quest. You don’t need to complete it—just start it to gain entry to Keldagrim. To initiate the quest, speak to the Dwarven Boatman in the mines east of Rellekka. This area is accessible by walking from Seers’ Village or Camelot, or by using the fairy ring code DKS for a nearby teleport. The quest itself has the following skill requirements:
These levels are relatively low, making the Blast Furnace accessible even to mid-level players. Once you’ve started the quest, you can enter Keldagrim and head to the Blast Furnace, located in the southeast part of the city, marked by a furnace icon.
Traveling to Keldagrim Efficiently
After your first visit, getting back to Keldagrim becomes easier. Here are the fastest travel methods:
- Minigame Teleport: Available every 20 minutes after starting The Giant Dwarf, this teleports you directly outside the Blast Furnace building.
- Mine Cart: Accessible from the Dwarven Mines under Ice Mountain or the Grand Exchange.
- Fairy Ring DKR: Teleports west of the Grand Exchange, followed by a short mine cart ride (requires 21 Agility for the underwall tunnel).
- Luck of the Dwarves: Teleports to the west side of Keldagrim, near the bank.
These options make the Blast Furnace a convenient destination for frequent visits.
Skill and Payment Requirements
While the Blast Furnace is accessible at any Smithing level, certain skill thresholds and fees impact how you use it. Let’s break it down.
Smithing Level 60 for Free Access
Players with 60 Smithing can use the Blast Furnace without paying a fee, which is a significant cost-saver. This level also grants access to the anvils in the northwest corner of the Blast Furnace room, allowing you to smith your bars immediately. Note that the 60 Smithing requirement cannot be boosted with potions or other temporary buffs.
Payment for Players Below 60 Smithing
If your Smithing level is below 60, you’ll need to pay the Blast Furnace Foreman 2,500 coins every 10 minutes to use the furnace. However, equipping the Ring of Charos (a) and following the specific dialogue path (1•3•2•3) reduces this fee to 1,250 coins. The ring is obtained from the Creature of Fenkenstrain quest, making it a worthwhile investment for low-level smiths.
Blast Furnace World Fees
On official Blast Furnace worlds (352, 355, 358, 386, and 387), you must deposit 72,000 coins per hour into the coffer near the bank chest to pay the dwarves operating the furnace. This fee is time-based, deducted at 12 coins per tick, and applies regardless of your Smithing level. On non-themed worlds, there’s no hourly fee, but you’ll need to operate the furnace manually, which requires additional skills.
Manual Operation Skill Requirements
If you choose to run the Blast Furnace yourself on a non-themed world, you’ll need the following skills to handle its mechanics:
- 30 Agility: To operate the pedals that move the conveyor belt.
- 30 Crafting: To repair broken pipes or cogs with a hammer.
- 30 Firemaking: To refuel the stove with coke using a spade.
- 30 Strength: To operate the pump that regulates furnace temperature.
Manual operation is less common since it’s more click-intensive and requires teamwork or solo multitasking, but it’s an option for those avoiding the hourly fee.
Recommended Items for Efficiency
To make the most of your Blast Furnace sessions, certain items can drastically improve your experience rates and reduce costs. Here’s what you should bring.
Essential Gear
These items are must-haves for optimal performance:
| Item | Purpose | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Ice Gloves | Allows instant collection of hot bars from the dispenser, saving time over using a bucket of water. | Dropped by the Ice Queen in White Wolf Mountain (requires 50 Mining to access). |
| Coal Bag | Holds up to 27 coal, doubling your coal-carrying capacity per trip. | Purchased from Prospector Percy’s Nugget Shop for 100 golden nuggets (Motherlode Mine). |
| Goldsmith Gauntlets | Increases Smithing XP by 2.5x when smelting gold bars, ideal for XP-focused players. | Reward from the Family Crest quest (requires 40 Smithing). |
Optional but Helpful Items
These items enhance efficiency, especially for long sessions:
- Graceful Outfit: Reduces weight, saving run energy when moving between the bank, conveyor belt, and dispenser.
- Stamina Potions: Restore run energy, allowing continuous smelting without pauses. Decanting into 1-dose potions maximizes inventory space.
- Ring of Endurance: Slightly improves run energy restoration, though less critical than stamina potions.
- Bucket: Only needed if you don’t have ice gloves, for cooling bars (a bucket spawns in the Blast Furnace).
Wearing weight-reducing gear like the Boots of Lightness alongside Graceful pieces is ideal since ores and bars are heavy, and you’ll be running a lot.
Tips for Maximizing Blast Furnace Efficiency
Meeting the requirements is just the start—optimizing your Blast Furnace runs can make a huge difference in XP and profit. Here are some practical tips to get the most out of your time in Keldagrim.
Choose Official Blast Furnace Worlds
Stick to worlds 352, 355, 358, 386, or 387, where dwarves (Dumpy, Stumpy, Pumpy, Numpty, and Thumpy) handle the furnace mechanics for you. This lets you focus solely on depositing ores and collecting bars, boosting your efficiency. The 72,000 coins per hour fee is worth it for the time saved, especially when smelting profitable bars like adamantite or runite.
Use the Hybrid Smelting Method
For players balancing XP and profit, consider the hybrid method, combining gold ore with higher-tier ores like mithril, adamantite, or runite. Here’s how it works:
- Equip ice gloves and keep goldsmith gauntlets in your inventory (or vice versa).
- Fill your coal bag with coal and your inventory with 26 gold ore.
- Deposit gold ore and coal on the conveyor belt each trip.
- Every few trips (e.g., every 2 for mithril, 3 for adamantite, 4 for runite), swap gold ore for the other metal ore to use the accumulated coal.
This method reduces the cost of smelting gold (which isn’t profitable) while maintaining high XP rates and adding profit from other bars.
Optimize Inventory Management
Inventory space is critical at the Blast Furnace. Always use a coal bag to maximize coal transport, and keep your inventory setup consistent:
- For Gold Bars: 26 gold ore, coal bag, stamina potion (replace bucket with ore if using ice gloves).
- For Steel Bars: 27 iron ore, coal bag filled with coal, stamina potion.
- For Higher-Tier Bars: Follow specific patterns (e.g., 3 coal per adamantite bar) and preload coal to avoid delays.
Preload the furnace with at least 27 coal before smelting steel or higher-tier bars to prevent accidentally making iron bars.
Track XP and Profit Rates
Here’s a quick reference for what you can expect with optimal setups (assuming ice gloves, coal bag, and stamina potions):
| Bar Type | Smithing Level | XP/Hour | Approx. Profit/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 40 | 320,000–400,000 (with gauntlets) | -1,000,000 (loss) |
| Steel | 30 | 80,000–100,000 | 500,000 |
| Adamantite | 70 | 100,000–120,000 | 900,000 |
Gold bars offer the best XP but at a loss, while adamantite and runite bars are great for profit. Check Grand Exchange prices regularly, as they fluctuate.
With these requirements and tips, you’re ready to tackle the OSRS Blast Furnace like a pro. Whether you’re chasing Smithing XP or stacking gold, this minigame offers something for everyone. Grab your coal bag, equip those ice gloves, and get smelting!