Description
A dispenser is a functional redstone block that holds items and uses them when it receives a redstone signal. It looks like a stone block with a small mouth that points in the direction items will be used. When powered a dispenser will try to use the item it chooses from its inventory rather than only dropping it. For example it can fire arrows it can place a boat on water and it can equip armor onto a nearby player or mob when conditions allow. It can also pour water or lava when a bucket is used and it can place certain items that have a use action. Because of this behavior a dispenser can be used to make automated defenses automated farms and timed item releases. Builders use dispensers in traps that need to fire projectiles in a controlled sequence and in farms where seeds bonemeal and other useful items need to be deployed automatically. Dispensers are a useful mid game tool since they require moderate resources to craft but unlock a large range of useful automation without complex materials. Learning how a dispenser interacts with different items is the key to making useful contraptions since each item may act differently when the dispenser uses it. That variability is what makes dispensers powerful and fun to experiment with for players who enjoy building machines.
What is Dispenser?
A dispenser is a redstone powered block that performs item specific actions when activated. It holds items in an internal inventory and when a redstone signal arrives it will use or launch one of those items depending on the item type. The block is used in machines where controlled item activation is needed and it differs from a simple dropper because it attempts to trigger item effects.
Where to find Dispenser
Dispensers are rarely found as part of natural terrain. You may encounter them inside some generated structures and in loot chests but they are more commonly created and placed by players. They are a common sight in player built farms traps and redstone machines across the overworld.
How to get Dispenser
Craft a dispenser using cobblestone a bow and a chest like layout in a crafting table following the standard recipe. In creative mode you can take dispensers directly from the building palette. If you find a dispenser in a structure break it with a pickaxe to recover it. Trading and loot may occasionally contain dispensers or parts that let you craft them more easily but building one from gathered materials is the usual path.
Release Information
First introduced: Introduced in early Minecraft updates and present by the console and PC releases
Give Command
give @p minecraft:dispenser 1
How to use Dispenser
Place the dispenser so the front faces the direction you want items to be used or shot. Attach a redstone input such as a button lever pressure plate or redstone clock to trigger it. Load the dispenser with the items you want it to use and then activate the redstone signal to cause the dispenser to perform the item specific action. Use dispensers to automate seeding feeding and timed release tasks in farms and to make defensive systems that fire arrows or splash potions. Because different items behave differently when used by a dispenser experiment to find useful combinations for your automation needs.
Recipes for Dispenser
Shaped Crafting Items must be placed in a specific pattern in a crafting table
Stone
Stone
Stone
Stone
Bow
Stone
Stone
Redstone
Stone
Dispenser