How To Make A Minecraft Cobblestone Generator

In Minecraft, players mainly spend their time gathering resources. Whether it’s for crafting essential tools or building massive structures, almost anything you do in the game requires a sort of block or resource. This includes cobblestone, which is the foundation of several aspects the game offers.

However, mining cobblestone can become quite time-consuming, especially when you need large quantities of it. Fortunately, Minecraft allows players to freely experiment and create ways to make the game more efficient such as allowing the idea of cobblestone generators. These generators provide an infinite supply with minimal effort. Moreover, it allows you to focus on more important in-game tasks such as crafting and building.

In line with that, we’ll walk you through cobblestone generators and help you make a basic one. From discussing the how it works to troubleshooting common issues with a cobblestone generator, we’ll help you maintain a steady flow for your future builds and adventures.

Updated 5/9/2025

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What is a Minecraft cobblestone generator?

First off, you should learn and understand what a cobblestone generator is in Minecraft. In simple terms, a cobblestone generator is a mechanism that constantly makes cobblestone for you. So for how it works, the flowing lava and flowing water create stone in which you mine to turn into cobblestone blocks. You can either still have to put in the effort to collect each resource or you can just get your supply from a chest. It really depends on how you want to make one.

Despite the seeming accessibility of cobblestone, however, making a generator for it will give you more efficiency when grinding the game. At times you would need to quickly craft essential items, and cobblestone is the foundation of these basic mining tools and weapons.

If you continue mining deep down underground, it will take up more time for you to bring your collected resources back on the surface. Plus, you’d have to make more torches too to light up the areas you’ve collected from to prevent mobs from spawning in a dark and empty space. There’s additional effort and time you’d have to exert for these.

Here’s where a cobblestone generator comes in. Instead of putting more time in just to gather it, you can have a virtually infinite source of it with minimal effort.

What blocks should I prepare to make a cobblestone generator?

Before making your own build, you need to know what materials you have to prepare. Mainly, you’d need a Water Bucket, Lava Bucket, and any non flammable blocks.

If you want your generator to store the cobblestone blocks immediately, you can also prepare some Hoppers and Chests. While for tools, you would need a pick-axe and/ or a shovel.

How do I make a basic cobblestone generator?

For those new to the mechanisms of farming and making in-game machines, there’s a very simple cobblestone generator that will only ask you to have a Water Bucket and Lava Bucket prepared. You won’t even need tools such as a Pick Axe or Shovel for this. It’s also perfect for those playing the mini-game, Skyblock where resources are usually limited.

Step 1: Dig a four-block line on the ground

Start with digging a four-block line on the ground. It’s better to this horizontally. Keep in mind that the four-block line is one-block deep. After making the line, from the third block from the right side of it dig once more.

You’ll be getting a hole that’s two blocks deep in comparison to the other holes in the line.

Step 2: Place your water source and lava source blocks

On the far right side of your line, place down the water. This should flow down to the two-block deep hole you made. While on the left side of the line, you can place your lava.

Once you’ve done this, in between the lava and water, a cobblestone will generate and you’ll have a simple cobblestone generator already.

While this generator is very simple, it will take some time to farm a lot of cobblestone. So, if you need a more efficient yet straightforward build, we’ve got that up next.

How do I make an advanced cobblestone generator?

For a semi-automatic cobblestone generator that can be built by more intermediate and seasoned players, you just need a few materials as mentioned earlier. You can use any non flammable block such as dirt, bricks, sand, and glass. For this tutorial, we’ll be using a Chiseled Stone Brick to better distinguish each part of the build.

Step 1: Place Large Chests and Hoppers

First off, place four Large Chests in a line from front to back on the ground. Adjacent to each Large Chest you must put a Hopper. Ensure that every Hopper you place is facing the side of every Large Chest.

You’ll notice how there’s a connecting part from the Hopper to the right side of the Large Chest.

Step 2: Surround the Chests and Hoppers with non flammable blocks

From the right side of the first Large Chest, create a border around it to the back of the last chest. Take note that this first layer creates a half-C-shape.

After adding the first layer, you can add another one block layer on top of the border you’ve made.

Step 3: Place the Stairs

Upon adding the second layer of non flammable blocks from the previous step, add your stairs.

Be sure that when you place each stair, its steps are facing towards you and they are on top of each half-side of every Large Chest. Additionally, press Shift + Right Click when placing each stair on the chest so you don’t accidentally open your chests.

You’ll find on the top view of the build are the Hoppers and the stairs.

Step 4: Place the Water on the Stairs

While still facing the steps of your stairs, place the water.

Ideally, you must aim at the upper part of the stair so you can see how the water flows down the lower step of each stair.

Step 5: Add another layer of your non flammable blocks

Right now, you should be seeing a height of two blocks with your current build.

You’ll then add another layer of your non flammable blocks one more time. Afterwards, you’ll be seeing a one block deep hole, then the water following this.

Step 6: Place your lava on the top of the build

On the middle parts of the one block deep hole, you can then place your lava. You can either use two Lava Buckets or just let one lava source flow down on the sides of the hole.

You’ll be able to hear the sizzling sound of the lava turning the water into stone.

Step 7: Break the center block of the build

Close to finishing your build, all you have to do is go to the front of your generator. This would be the front side of the Large Chests where you can see the 3×3 square of blocks taking up the right side of the Large Chests.

Destroy the middle or rather the center block of the square facade and add a sign on either side of the inner space of the hole you’ve made. You’ll then see actual stone already generated inside. You By then, you can then start making your cobblestone generator work.

Every block you break will automatically be sent to the Hopper and stored into the chests you’ve laid out.

Troubleshooting common issues

One of the common issues you can have is that your cobblestone blocks don’t flow right into your storage space. To fix this, make sure your Hopper is connected correctly to your Chest and your lava and water source leads into the Hopper.

Another problem you may encounter is that when mining each block, water flows right out. Ensure that you properly placed your water bucket on the respective stairs of your build.

In building a Minecraft cobblestone generator, the most important thing to know is how lava flow and water flow work together. If you understand the basics of this, you’ll be able to create your own builds whether in survival or creative mode.

Take note as well that you’re also free to customize your builds with whatever blocks you want. But just make sure you don’t use any flammable blocks like any logs or planks as these can ruin your build. Feel free to experiment with your builds and make a cobblestone generator that will best fit your needs.