Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Copper Chests in Minecraft: How They Work
A copper chest works like a normal chest with 27 slots, or 54 when two are placed side by side, but it oxidizes over time and is the chest copper golems take items from. Building a copper golem turns its copper block into a copper chest. Mine one with a stone pickaxe or better, or it drops only its contents.
What is a copper chest for?
Mainly for copper golems: a golem opens copper chests, takes up to 16 of the first item it finds, and carries it to a wooden chest that is empty or already holds that item. Put mixed loot in a copper chest and the golem slowly sorts it for you. See copper golems.
Does a copper chest oxidize?
Yes, through the four copper stages. It works the same at every stage. Wax it with honeycomb to keep its color, or scrape it with an axe while sneaking; lightning also removes oxidation. Two copper chests join into a large one even if their stages differ. Copper basics: copper and oxidation.
Where do you find copper chests?
Oxidized copper chests appear in abandoned camps; see abandoned camps. You can also craft them, or make one by building a copper golem. Added in The Copper Age (1.21.9).
Copper chest or normal chest?
Storage is the same: 27 slots, 54 as a double. Use copper chests only where a golem should pick from them, and wooden chests as the golem's destinations. Other storage: chests and barrels. A stone pickaxe or better is needed to keep the chest itself when you break it.
Frequently asked questions
How many slots does a copper chest have?
27, or 54 as a large copper chest.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.