This Minecraft tutorial explains how to make a nether reactor with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

A nether reactor is used in the PE version of Minecraft to bring part of the Nether to the Overworld, since you can't build a Nether portal in PE before Version 0.12.1. Starting in Version 0.12.1, you can build a Nether portal.

This is the nether reactor design that we will build in this tutorial:

You can build a nether reactor, activate it, and then collect some of the unique items from the Nether. But you only have so much time once you activate your nether reactor. When your time runs out, you are left with this netherrack structure.

Required Materials to make a Nether Reactor

In Minecraft PE, these are the materials you can use to craft a nether reactor:

14 Cobblestones

1 Nether Reactor Core

4 Blocks of Gold

Steps to make a Nether Reactor

1. Add the First Layer

In Minecraft, you need 14 cobblestones, 1 nether reactor core, and 4 blocks of gold to make a nether reactor.

For the first layer, start by placing 4 blocks of gold and 5 cobblestones on the ground. There should be a cobblestone placed between each gold block.

2. Add the Second Layer

For the second layer, place 1 nether reactor core and 4 more cobblestones on the structure. The nether reactor core should go in the middle and the cobblestones should go on all 4 corners.

3. Add the Third Layer

For the third layer, place 5 more cobblestones on the structure. There should be 1 cobblestone in the middle and 4 more cobblestones to make a plus sign shape.

4. Activate the Nether Reactor

Now that your nether reactor has been built, you need to be in Survival mode to activate it. To activate the nether reactor, tap on the nether reactor core in the center of the nether reactor.

You should see a Nether-like world appear around you with the word "Active!" appear in the upper right corner of the screen. Congratulations, you have a limited time to dig up your gold blocks if you want to keep them. Otherwise, they will disappear.

Now quickly run around and gather all of the items from Nether such as glowstone dust and nether quartz.

Soon, you will run out of time and you will be left with this netherrack structure.

Congratulations, you just learned how to bring part of the Nether to Minecraft PE using a nether reactor. Hopefully, soon the Minecraft PE version will have more of the Nether to explore!