some help

OK leave the metal in until the lumps go flat and shiny.They can't burn like the food so you can do something else. All metals can be smelted but only iron can be used. Aluminium can also be smelted and used for one item but that's future use. For the tools like the sickle you need enough iron to make an anvil and then a few more ingots per tool to make the tool.

PS. If we did not start off with the two tools we would be doomed. You need a pick to mine iron and you need a lot of iron to make an anvil and then a pick. Don't drop your pick in the long grass like I did I was stuck for ages.

PPS.To reach the back row on the smelter lower rack back up a tiny bit.

You make the head of the tool on the anvil and the tool itself with the head and some sticks at the workbench.