Minecraft Copper: How Long to Oxidize, Keep in Oxidation Stage & How to Deoxidize

With the release of the Minecraft 1.17 Caves and Cliffs update, players now have access to Copper. This material can be weathered over time and will oxidize changing its look and color dramatically. In this Minecraft guide, we’ll be talking you through everything you need to know about Copper oxidation in the game that you need to. That includes all Copper oxidation stages, and how to oxidize and deoxidize Copper blocks.

All Copper Oxidation Stages

Minecraft Copper blocks have four stages of weathering and oxidation. These are:

• Block of Copper
• Exposed Copper
• Weathered Copper
• Oxidized Copper

The more oxidized a Copper block, the greener its color will be. This makes Copper a great resource to use in buildings you want to have a weathered or dated look.

How Long Copper Takes to Oxidize in Minecraft

Copper blocks will oxidize in roughly 50-82 days in Minecraft. It’s worth noting, however, that Copper blocks may advance into the next stage of oxidation whenever a ‘random tick‘ takes place in-game.

A random tick is where blocks in a ‘chunk tick’ will randomly be selected and given an additional ‘tick’ in the game’s loop. Most blocks in Minecraft won’t do anything when a random tick occurs, but Copper is one which actually does. Other blocks that are affected by a random tick include Lava which may set fires nearby, or ice and snow layers which may melt.

How to Keep a Copper Block in a Stage of Oxidation

If you don’t want your Copper block to keep oxidizing and progressing through the different stages, you can use a honeycomb item on them to wax them. This will keep the Copper block in that stage of oxidation permanently, or until the wax coating is removed.

Deoxidizing Copper Blocks

To dexodize Copper blocks in Minecraft, you’ll need to use an axe. Using an axe on a waxed Copper block will remove the wax coating, and an unwaxed Copper block will revert one stage on the oxidation process. For example Exposed would return back to a normal Copper block, or a Weathered would revert to an Exposed block.

Unwaxed Copper blocks will also completely deoxidize if struck by lightning. You can use a lightning rod to ensure it’s a direct hit. Any other Copper blocks nearby will also deoxidize randomly.

That’s everything you need to know on how long Minecraft Copper takes to oxidize. For more tips, tricks and guides, search for Twinfinite, or see more of our coverage on the game below.