How to Make and Use a Molotov Cocktail in Project Zomboid (Build 42.19)
Build 42.19 · Fire-based throwable · not a blast grenade
What a Molotov does
In Build 42.19, the Molotov Cocktail is an explosives-category weapon that works by fire, not by shrapnel or blast damage. Numbers that matter in play:
| Property | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Min / Max damage | 0 | No direct hit damage; fire does the work after impact |
| Fire radius | about 4 tiles | Fire can affect tiles within about four tiles of the impact |
| Throw range | about 8 tiles | How far you can throw before impact |
| Weight | 1.5 | Moderate inventory load per bottle |
| Off-hand | Lighter required | Secondary hand must hold a valid lighter while you throw |
| Consumed on use | Yes | Each throw uses up the Molotov |
How to craft it (current recipe)
Craft menu: Make Molotov Cocktail. It is an in-hand craft (no workbench), takes a short craft action, and does not require a learned magazine or skill level.
1. Glass bottle
Any glass liquor or wine bottle the game treats as a full-size glass bottle works as the vessel. Common examples include wine bottles, Bottle of Whiskey, Vodka, Tequila, Brandy, Rum, Scotch, Champagne, and several other liquor bottles.
- Small beer bottles do not count for this recipe.
- You do not need a separate “bourbon + empty bottle + full gas can” combo from older guides. One qualifying glass bottle is enough for the vessel slot.
2. Flammable fluid (exactly 1.0)
The craft consumes 1.0 fluid units of one of these types:
| Fluid | Common sources | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol / gasoline | Gas Can, Jerrycan of Gas | Easy bulk source; only 1.0 is used per craft |
| Rubbing alcohol | Bottle of Disinfectant (and other medical alcohol bottles that hold this fluid) | Typical bottle capacity is 0.5, so two full bottles are needed for 1.0 |
| Whiskey | Bottle of Whiskey (capacity 1.0 when full) | Full bottle can supply both vessel + fluid in one craft |
| Vodka | Vodka bottle | Same pattern as whiskey when full |
| Tequila | Tequila bottle | Same pattern as whiskey when full |
Practical tip: a full whiskey, vodka, or tequila bottle already counts as a glass bottle and holds 1.0 of the matching fluid, so you only need to add a rag or denim strip. Petrol is better when you want to reuse scavenged empty liquor bottles and pour fuel from a gas can into the craft.
3. Cloth strip (one of four)
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Rag | Standard ripped sheets |
| Rag (Dirty) | Fully valid for this recipe |
| Denim Strips | From jeans and denim clothing |
| Denim Strips (Dirty) | Fully valid for this recipe |
Dirty rags and dirty denim strips are fully valid. For more on turning clothing into rags, see the sheets and rags guide.
What older guides get wrong
- It is not “one bourbon + one ripped sheet or empty bottle + entire gas can.” Fluid cost is fixed at 1.0, not a whole can.
- Empty small beer bottles are not the same as full-size liquor or wine bottles.
- You do not need a workbench; this is an in-hand craft.
How to light and throw it
- Put the Molotov in your primary hand.
- Put a valid lighter in your secondary hand. Matches do not count.
- Aim at a tile or cluster you are willing to burn. Keep yourself outside the fire area.
- Throw. The bottle is consumed. Fire can spread within about four tiles of impact.
- Move out immediately. Do not walk through the burning tiles to finish stragglers.
Lighters that work vs matches
The Molotov needs a real lighter in the off-hand. Having any “start fire” item is not enough—matches and campfire starters will not enable the throw.
| Item | Works with Molotov? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lighter | Yes | Counts as a lighter |
| Lighter – Disposable | Yes | Counts as a lighter |
| Lighter – BBQ | Yes | Counts as a lighter |
| Lighter – Improvised Battery | Yes | Counts as a lighter |
| Matchbook | No | Only starts campfires; not a Molotov lighter |
| Matchbox | No | Only starts campfires; not a Molotov lighter |
| Magnesium Firestarter | No | Campfire-style starter, not a Molotov lighter |
If the throw action is unavailable, check the secondary hand first. “Molotovs do not work” almost always means the off-hand lighter requirement failed, not that the weapon is disabled.
Rain and fire
Rain does not automatically put out existing Molotov fires. While it is raining, fire is less likely to create additional new burn points. Flames already on the ground can still burn you, zombies, and structures until they expire or are otherwise removed.
- Do not throw into rain expecting the fire to vanish safely behind you.
- Do not stand near impact “because it is raining.”
- Treat wet weather as reduced spread potential, not as a free extinguisher.
Quick FAQ
Can you light a Molotov with matches?
No. Matchbook and Matchbox do not count as lighters for the off-hand requirement. Use a Zippo-style lighter, disposable lighter, BBQ lighter, or improvised battery lighter instead.
Does a Molotov deal explosion damage?
Direct hit damage is 0. The threat is fire within about four tiles of impact, not a damage number on hit.
Is this good for clearing a house?
Only if you accept burning the structure and nearby loot. For tight indoor fights, melee or firearms are usually safer for your base and gear. See the melee weapons guide and firearms guide for non-fire options.
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