How to Get Oil in Graveyard Keeper?

In Graveyard Keeper, having oil is kind of a big deal. It is not only a versatile resource, but it’s also used across cooking, crafting, and alchemy. However, not all oils work the same way. There are actually two forms: Seed Oil (bottled) and oil drops.

Arguably, the most common early-game use is fixing the donkey (who is on strike) so it resumes deliveries. However, there’s a catch: the donkey does NOT accept oil drops; he specifically wants a bottle of Seed Oil. Let’s dive into where to find both types and how to use them effectively.

How to Get and Use Oil in Graveyard Keeper

Oil drops are the primary crafting form of oil and become increasingly important as you progress through the game. They are used in a wide variety of recipes, including cooking dishes like onion rings and fish nuggets.

But that’s not all, they are also used in crafting important materials such as polishing paste, and a large number of alchemy recipes like paints and solutions. Because of this, oil quickly becomes a resource you’ll want to stockpile rather than produce only when needed.

In Graveyard Keeper, there are two significant ways to obtain oil drops. The most accessible and easy method early on is by converting Seed Oil directly in your inventory. Why? Because a single bottle of seed oil can be converted into ten units of oil instantly.

This makes Seed Oil an efficient “compressed” form of oil that you can expand when needed. The second method involves using the Vine Press to process fat, typically obtained from corpses, which also yields oil.

While both methods have their upside and are reasonably sustainable, the second method (Vine Press) requires a steady supply of fat (from the corpses) and access to the correct workstation.

Important Note: Once you convert Seed Oil into oil drops, it cannot be turned back into a bottle, so it’s best to keep it bottled until needed.

How to Stop the Donkey Strike (Seed Oil)

Same oil, different drama… don’t click that bottle! | Credits: Lazy Bear Games

Seed Oil plays a unique role in Graveyard Keeper because it functions both as a crafting resource and a quest item. When it comes to making the Donkey come out of a strike, only bottled seed oil works. The easiest way to get Seed Oil early in the game is by purchasing it from Dig, an unusual NPC located to the east of the village.

NOTE: Donkey will need some carrots for himself and seed oil for the carriage’s wheel. After both of these requirements are met, Donkey will get back to work.

Buying from the NPC is the fastest way, but not the only way. As you progress in the game, you will unlock the Vine Press workstation. With this, you can begin producing Seed Oil yourself using hemp seeds.

Farming hemp becomes an important mid-game activity (like crafting Heal Potion), as it allows you to create a reliable supply of Seed Oil for both quests and oil production. However, farming hemp requires manual effort and often benefits from fertilizer, making it slightly more involved than other crops.

In terms of progression, most players will buy a single Seed Oil early on to quickly resolve the donkey issue. Later, once farming and crafting systems are established, it becomes more efficient to grow hemp and produce Seed Oil in bulk.

How did you handle the strike from Donkey? Did you know about the NPC, or were you waiting till you could make the Seed Oil? Comment below to let us know.