How to Make Mayonnaise in Stardew Valley: A Comprehensive Guide
Making mayonnaise in Stardew Valley is simple: Place a chicken egg (of any quality) into a Mayonnaise Machine. The machine processes the egg, yielding mayonnaise, which you can then sell for profit, use in cooking, or give as gifts.
Introduction: The Humble Mayonnaise Machine
In the idyllic world of Stardew Valley, crafting items is key to progressing your farm and enriching your life. Among the many useful machines you can acquire, the Mayonnaise Machine stands out as a simple yet efficient way to generate profit from your chickens’ eggs. More than just a condiment, mayonnaise is a versatile resource with applications in both cooking and gifting, making it a valuable addition to any farmer’s repertoire.
Why Bother Making Mayonnaise? The Benefits Unveiled
While seemingly mundane, mayonnaise offers several compelling benefits within the Stardew Valley economy:
- Profitability: Mayonnaise consistently sells for a decent price, especially if you’re using large or higher-quality eggs.
- Cooking Ingredient: Mayonnaise is a required ingredient in several recipes, including the Sandwich and Trout Soup.
- Gifting: Some villagers, like Pam, appreciate mayonnaise as a gift, improving your relationship with them.
- Ease of Production: The process is straightforward and requires minimal effort after setting up your Mayonnaise Machine.
Obtaining Your Mayonnaise Machine: The Chicken Coop Connection
The Mayonnaise Machine recipe unlocks when you reach Farming Level 2. The required ingredients are:
- 15 Wood
- 15 Stone
- 1 Copper Bar
- 1 Coal
Once you have gathered the required resources, you can craft the machine via the crafting menu accessed by pressing ‘E’ (default key binding) and selecting the Mayonnaise Machine icon.
Step-by-Step Guide: From Egg to Mayonnaise
Here’s a straightforward guide to producing mayonnaise:
- Collect Eggs: Gather eggs from your chickens each day. The higher your chickens’ happiness (determined by consistent feeding and petting), the more frequently they will lay eggs.
- Place Eggs in the Machine: Interact with the Mayonnaise Machine and place an egg inside. Any type of chicken egg will work, including white, brown, large, and even duck eggs (which create Duck Mayonnaise).
- Wait: The machine takes approximately 3 hours (in-game time) to process the egg into mayonnaise.
- Collect Mayonnaise: Once the processing is complete, the machine will display the finished mayonnaise. Interact with the machine again to retrieve your freshly made condiment.
Understanding Different Egg Types and Mayonnaise
The quality of the egg placed in the Mayonnaise Machine affects the type of mayonnaise produced:
| Egg Type | Mayonnaise Type | Base Sell Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Egg (Regular) | Mayonnaise | 190g |
| Large Chicken Egg | Mayonnaise | 285g |
| Duck Egg | Duck Mayonnaise | 375g |
| Dinosaur Egg | Dinosaur Mayonnaise | 800g |
| Void Egg | Void Mayonnaise | 275g |
Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting
- Machine Not Working: Ensure the machine is placed in an accessible location. Sometimes, objects can accidentally block the interaction point. Also, confirm that you are using a valid egg type.
- Chickens Not Laying Eggs: Make sure your chickens are fed and have enough space to roam (inside the coop and in the fenced-in area outside). Their happiness directly affects egg production. Auto-feeders from Marnie help tremendously!
- Forgetting to Collect Mayonnaise: Remember to empty the Mayonnaise Machine regularly to prevent it from halting production. Make it part of your daily farm routine!
- Selling Eggs Directly: While tempting, processing your eggs into mayonnaise almost always yields a higher profit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mayonnaise Production
Can I use Golden Eggs to make mayonnaise?
Yes, you can use Golden Eggs to produce mayonnaise. The resulting product is simply regular mayonnaise; Golden Eggs don’t produce special or higher-quality mayonnaise. They are best used for cooking or selling directly for maximum profit.
What happens if I put a rotten egg into the Mayonnaise Machine?
You cannot place rotten eggs into the Mayonnaise Machine. The game prevents you from using spoiled goods in crafting recipes. Rotten eggs are essentially useless except for fertilizer.
Does the Rancher profession affect mayonnaise prices?
Yes, the Rancher profession, obtained at Farming Level 5, increases the sell price of animal products, including mayonnaise, by 20%. This makes investing in chickens and mayonnaise production even more profitable.
How many Mayonnaise Machines should I have?
The number of Mayonnaise Machines depends on the size of your coop and your desired profit margin. A good starting point is to have at least one machine per coop tier. As your farm grows and you have more chickens, you can add more machines.
Does friendship with my chickens affect the mayonnaise quality?
No, friendship with your chickens affects the frequency and size of the eggs they lay, but not the quality of the resulting mayonnaise. Always strive to keep your chickens happy and well-fed to maximize your egg yield.
Is Duck Mayonnaise more profitable than regular mayonnaise?
Yes, Duck Mayonnaise is significantly more profitable than regular mayonnaise due to the higher base value of duck eggs. If you have ducks, prioritize processing their eggs into mayonnaise.
Can I automate mayonnaise production?
To some extent, yes! While you still need to manually place the eggs into the machine, auto-collectors like the Auto-Grabber (unlocked at Farming Level 10) can automatically collect the produced mayonnaise and place it in a nearby chest, streamlining the process.
Does the quality of the mayonnaise affect its cooking efficacy?
No, the quality of the mayonnaise does not affect the outcome when used in cooking recipes. A dish made with regular mayonnaise will have the same effects as one made with mayonnaise from a large egg.
Is Void Mayonnaise worth the effort?
Void Mayonnaise is a unique item that can be used in cooking and crafting. It is also loved by Krobus, making it a valuable gift for this secretive villager. While its selling price isn’t the highest, its other uses make it worthwhile.
Can I use mayonnaise as fertilizer?
No, you cannot use mayonnaise as fertilizer in Stardew Valley. Mayonnaise is primarily used for selling, cooking, and gifting.
What’s the best way to get Dinosaur Eggs for Dinosaur Mayonnaise?
Dinosaur eggs are rare and can be found in several ways: fishing treasure chests, foraging in the Mountains (rarely), or by winning them at the Skull Cavern. Once you find one, incubate it in your coop to hatch a dinosaur! Then your dinosaur can lay eggs to make mayonnaise.
What happens if I put a Golden Egg into the shipping bin instead of making mayonnaise?
Selling the Golden Egg directly yields a higher profit than using it to make mayonnaise. A Golden Egg sells for 500g, while the resulting mayonnaise sells for only 190g. It is recommended to only use regular or large eggs for mayonnaise.