Critical Crates

Critical Crates uses a system to change between crates called foundations. There are currently four types of crates in the mod: Wood, Glass, Iron, and Dirt. While wood crates can be crafted normally, the others cannot. To swap or change between any of these at a time, simply craft a foundation using pliers and right click on any crate with it. All currently stored items will seemlessly transfer between the old and new crate type so don't worry about removing them!

To view recipes for all the above, visit the GitHub wiki.

All Vanilla Wood Crate Variants (as of 1.21.1): Oak, Spruce, Birch, Jungle, Acacia, Dark Oak, Mangrove, Cherry, Bamboo, Crimson, and Warped

Although, be warned wood crates can light on fire and destroy all of your items if not handled properly! Upgrade them or pick an appropriate type to prevent this disaster. Note, crimson and warped crates are in fact fire, but not lava, resistant despite being part of the wood crate group.

All Vanilla Stained Glass Crate Variants (from left to right): Normal, White, Light Gray, Gray, Black, Brown, Red, Orange, Yellow, Lime, Green, Cyan, Light Blue, Blue, Purple, Magenta, and Pink

The color can be changed by right clicking on any glass crate with a different dye and can be removed by right clicking on a stained glass crate with a soap item.

In addition, glass crates also show or render the item put in their top left inventory slot as if it was inside the block. Change it to label what items are in this crate or just have something there for fun!

Iron Crates

Iron crates function exactly as you would expect by expanding the traditional crate size of a single chest to that of a double chest.

Additionally, iron crates are more durable. They have a higher toughness value than any base level crate type and will not catch on fire.

Dirt Crates

Dirt crates behave very close to how farmland does, but with a few differences. These crates allow for crops to be placed on top of them while either moisturized or not. Being moisturized will only speed up the growth process and nothing more. Additionally, crops will not pop off of dirt crates when not lit correctly, but the crops will still not grow. The inventory size of these crates is the standard single chest worth, but provides a more seamless way to grow crops and store items. These dirt crates can also be upgraded with the same upgrades as wood and glass.

Five Current Crate Upgrades (from left to right): Obsidian Reinforcement, Lamp Simulator, Fireproofing, Slimy Framing, and Iron Supports

To add or remove an upgrade, simply right click with the correct item in hand and watch as it is seamlessly applied to or removed from the crate!

Here is what each one does, choose carefully as you can only pick one!

1. Obsidian Reinforcement - Keep your items safe while creepers or other explosive enemies are about. Makes the crate blast or explosion resistant as with an actual obsidian block! No more easily destroyed storage systems or tons of items on the ground from one small explosion.

2. Lamp Simulator - Remove every single dark spot without having to place a single torch. Light up your base with ease by providing a light source hidden and tucked away. It functions almost exactly the same as a copper bulb, but with an inventory! One redstone signal and no more scary monsters spawning around this crate.

3. Fireproofing - No one likes a fast-spreading fire. Protect your wood crates from fire by adding this upgrade, but it also makes any crate completely resistant to lava as well! Don't believe me? Give it a toss into lava and try it for yourself.

4. Slimy Framing - Cleaning up storage areas can take way too long. Designed for base cleanup, these crates are instantly breakable using a player’s bare hands! However, due to the bouncy nature of slimes, they also provide tons of bouncy fall damage reducing fun.

5. Iron Supports - Storage space is everyone's worst nightmare. This upgrade operates exactly as the iron crate by adding three more additional rows to the base crate inventory. Try it out to gain way more room! Don't worry, if removed later, all items in the extra rows will simply drop onto the ground. However, note that while gaining more space, it does not give fire resistance as with the actual iron crate.

Each upgrade is also removable by default with the pliers item (far left in the photo). It is crafted with just one iron and two leather! However, if you want a real challenge try disabling the removal of these upgrades in the config files. The pliers are also used to craft each upgrade using their respective blocks or items.