Requires empty food storage item

[Private Parts]

I created a barrel, a still, but can't brew because the options all say Requires empty food storage item. The barrel is in the storeroom. I'm new to the game and haven't changed any advanced settings. I looked at https://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/DF2014:Using_bins_and_barrels and https://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/DF2014:Still and nothing stands out as to why this shouldn't work.

[Fel]

For starters, why are you refering to df2014's namespace?
It hasn't changed much for these specifically but it is better to select "v50.13" (or whatever version is the current) at the top instead of "v0.47.05" or you will get informations related to version 47 (last pre-steam version).

Not sure what "in the storeroom" means specifically.

You need empty barrels (or pots) that are not already asigned anywhere.
Food stockpiles that are set to use barrels (which is the default) will always add an extra empty barrel (same for stockpiles that are set to use bins), that barrel is not available for other things.

If you linked the still to the food stockpile, remove that link as it prevents the workshop from taking items from anywhere else, which could be what is causing the issue.
In general you rarely need to link stockpiles to workshops unless you need something very specific (and know what you are doing).

If you didn't, then just make barrels or "large pot" from other materials (usually much heavier but a good alternative when wood is not plentiful).
https://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/Large_pot

[AlP]

Originally posted by Fel:

For starters, why are you refering to df2014's namespace?
It hasn't changed much for these specifically but it is better to select "v50.13" (or whatever version is the current) at the top instead of "v0.47.05" or you will get informations related to version 47 (last pre-steam version).

Uh... that's what google throws up as one of the first results...

[Fel]

I rarely go through google now that most browser allow you to add the wiki to search directly in it, but it does sound like an issue.

[Private Parts]

I have the game open to be more specific and use the correct terminology.

I created a stockpile per the tutorial. Also a carpenter's workshop per the tutorial. I also created a still, which isn't from the the tutorial but I saw referenced in the in-game help under Survival.
I clicked in the carpenter's workshop, clicked add new task, and clicked "Make wooden barrel". After a few seconds that task went away.

I have something called "Date palm wood barrel" in the stockpile. It says specifically
-date palm wood barrel <#1> -
Stockpile #1
red sand cavern floor

I think it's the one I made because I cut down date palm wood during the tutorial.

I have a bunch of other barrels and things in the stockpile too, that the tutorial set me up with.

When I click on the stockpile, a window comes up and says "Stockpile #1" and the infinity symbol next to "All" has a green background.

Next, I click on the room with a still. I click "Add new task"
I have 4 options

Brew drink from fruit
[Requires empty food storage item]

Brew drink from plant
[Requires empty food storage item]

Extract from plants

Make mead
[Requires empty food storage item]

Brew and make mead text is in orange.
[Requires empty food storage item] is in red
Extract from plants is in white

[AlP]

Originally posted by Private Parts:

It says specifically
-date palm wood barrel <#1> -
Stockpile #1

Yes, it's like Fel said, that barrel belongs to the stockpile. The #1 in the names of the stockpile and the barrel indicates their connection. Any free barrel will simply say "date palm wood barrel", assuming you make it from date palm.

The easiest solution for you is to either delete the stockpile (freeing the barrel), or simply make more barrels. Or do this:

When you click on the stockpile, click on the barrel icon:

https://i.imgur.com/tgZKtom.png

Get into the habit of always setting the number of barrels and bins there to zero, unless you specifically want barrels or bins there (don't, there are some bugs associated with that). Also, that number resets to maximum whenever you edit the detailed settings of the stockpile, so you have to fix that every time as well.