How do I use the forge to create forged iron?

[Demon Dorito]

I've got a forge set up with enough fuel and an advanced bellows, albeit I'm missing the other two tools. I don't know if they're necessary.

I'm attempting to make forged iron, but I am unable to figure out how.

I have the required ingredients, 600 soft soil & 1800 iron.

And yet the craft button to make forged iron is greyed-out and inaccessible.

What am I missing here? Thanks in advance!

[kooto]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9it7U95X8Q

[lumina]

You have to smelt the ingredients into the forge first, then you can craft with them.

[GaianNative]

You need to put the clay and the iron in the two slots that are vertically arranged. Add fuel, then turn it on. The materials will start to be smelted, which transfers them from the slots in the forge to the actual contents of the forge, shown as values. Only when the numbers are sufficient to craft whatever forge recipe are you able to craft it.

[Dr. Rockso]

Forge tools:
Bellows = Increases smelting speed
Anvil = Increases crafting speed of forge recipes
Crucible = allows you to make Forged Steel

You don't have to have the advanced bellows or anvil to craft (obviously it's more efficient) but you do need to have the crucible if you want to make forged steel.