How do you make ice melt in Minecraft?

Who this is for: Minecraft players who need water sources in frozen biomes or want to manipulate ice blocks for building projects.


Ready to jump in? Play minecraft games and put these ice-melting techniques to the test in your next frozen biome adventure!

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Light Sources That Melt Ice

The most reliable way to melt ice in Minecraft is by placing light sources near ice blocks. Torches are your go-to option since they’re cheap to craft and provide a light level of 14, which is more than enough to melt ice. Simply place a torch within a few blocks of the ice, and it will gradually turn into water.

Other effective light sources include:

  • Glowstone – Provides maximum light level (15) and melts ice quickly
  • Jack o’lanterns – Light level 15, plus they look decorative
  • Sea lanterns – Another level 15 light source, great for underwater builds
  • Campfires – Not only provide light but also add a cozy atmosphere
  • Lava buckets – Extremely effective but require careful placement

Heat-Generating Blocks

Beyond traditional light sources, certain blocks generate enough heat to melt nearby ice. Magma blocks are particularly useful because they don’t produce light but still melt ice within their vicinity. This makes them perfect when you want to create water sources without illuminating the area.

Fire blocks also work excellently for melting ice, though they can be dangerous around flammable materials. You can create controlled fire using flint and steel on netherrack, which burns indefinitely.

Environmental Factors

Ice melting depends heavily on the biome you’re in. In snowy biomes like tundra or taiga, ice will refreeze quickly once you remove the heat source. However, in warmer biomes, ice melts naturally over time without any intervention needed.

The light level requirement is crucial – ice needs a light level of 12 or higher to begin melting. This means even moonlight (light level 4) won’t be sufficient, so you’ll always need artificial light sources or heat-generating blocks.

Practical Applications

Melting ice is essential for creating water sources in frozen biomes where natural water is scarce. Many players use this technique to establish farms, create infinite water sources, or simply access water for brewing and other crafting needs.

For large-scale ice melting projects, consider using multiple light sources spread evenly across the area. This ensures consistent melting and prevents some blocks from refreezing while others are still melting.

Whether you’re building in a snowy mountain or exploring frozen caves, mastering ice melting techniques opens up countless building and survival possibilities in your Minecraft adventures.

TL;DR

Place light sources like torches, glowstone, or campfires near ice blocks to melt them into water. Heat-generating blocks like magma also work effectively.

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Joyst1ck

Gaming Writer & HTML5 Developer

Answering gaming questions—from Roblox and Minecraft to the latest indie hits. I write developer‑focused HTML5 articles and share practical tips on game design, monetisation, and scripting.

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