diff --git a/src/craftdef.cpp b/src/craftdef.cpp
index bca16a4c6..749490f62 100644
--- a/src/craftdef.cpp
+++ b/src/craftdef.cpp
@@ -27,10 +27,48 @@ with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
 #include "gamedef.h"
 #include "inventory.h"
 #include "util/serialize.h"
+#include "util/string.h"
 #include "util/numeric.h"
 #include "strfnd.h"
 #include "exceptions.h"
 
+inline bool isGroupRecipeStr(const std::string &rec_name)
+{
+	return str_starts_with(rec_name, std::string("group:"));
+}
+
+inline u64 getHashForString(const std::string &recipe_str)
+{
+	/*errorstream << "Hashing craft string  \"" << recipe_str << "\"";*/
+	return murmur_hash_64_ua(recipe_str.data(), recipe_str.length(), 0xdeadbeef);
+}
+
+static u64 getHashForGrid(CraftHashType type, const std::vector<std::string> &grid_names)
+{
+	switch (type) {
+		case CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_ITEM_NAMES: {
+			std::ostringstream os;
+			bool is_first = true;
+			for (size_t i = 0; i < grid_names.size(); i++) {
+				if (grid_names[i] != "") {
+					os << (is_first ? "" : "\n") << grid_names[i];
+					is_first = false;
+				}
+			}
+			return getHashForString(os.str());
+		} case CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_COUNT: {
+			u64 cnt = 0;
+			for (size_t i = 0; i < grid_names.size(); i++)
+				if (grid_names[i] != "")
+					cnt++;
+			return cnt;
+		} case CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_UNHASHED:
+			return 0;
+	}
+	// invalid CraftHashType
+	assert(false);
+}
+
 // Check if input matches recipe
 // Takes recipe groups into account
 static bool inputItemMatchesRecipe(const std::string &inp_name,
@@ -41,7 +79,7 @@ static bool inputItemMatchesRecipe(const std::string &inp_name,
 		return true;
 
 	// Group
-	if(rec_name.substr(0,6) == "group:" && idef->isKnown(inp_name)){
+	if (isGroupRecipeStr(rec_name) && idef->isKnown(inp_name)) {
 		const struct ItemDefinition &def = idef->get(inp_name);
 		Strfnd f(rec_name.substr(6));
 		bool all_groups_match = true;
@@ -405,8 +443,13 @@ bool CraftDefinitionShaped::check(const CraftInput &input, IGameDef *gamedef) co
 	if(!craftGetBounds(inp_names, inp_width, inp_min_x, inp_max_x, inp_min_y, inp_max_y))
 		return false;  // it was empty
 
+	std::vector<std::string> rec_names;
+	if (hash_inited)
+		rec_names = recipe_names;
+	else
+		rec_names = craftGetItemNames(recipe, gamedef);
+
 	// Get recipe item matrix
-	std::vector<std::string> rec_names = craftGetItemNames(recipe, gamedef);
 	unsigned int rec_width = width;
 	if(rec_width == 0)
 		return false;
@@ -462,6 +505,43 @@ void CraftDefinitionShaped::decrementInput(CraftInput &input, IGameDef *gamedef)
 	craftDecrementOrReplaceInput(input, replacements, gamedef);
 }
 
+CraftHashType CraftDefinitionShaped::getHashType() const
+{
+	assert(hash_inited); //pre-condition
+	bool has_group = false;
+	for (size_t i = 0; i < recipe_names.size(); i++) {
+		if (isGroupRecipeStr(recipe_names[i])) {
+			has_group = true;
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+	if (has_group)
+		return CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_COUNT;
+	else
+		return CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_ITEM_NAMES;
+}
+
+u64 CraftDefinitionShaped::getHash(CraftHashType type) const
+{
+	assert(hash_inited); //pre-condition
+	if ((type == CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_ITEM_NAMES) || (type == CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_COUNT)) {
+		std::vector<std::string> rec_names = recipe_names;
+		std::sort(rec_names.begin(), rec_names.end());
+		return getHashForGrid(type, rec_names);
+	} else {
+		//illegal hash type for this CraftDefinition (pre-condition)
+		assert(false);
+	}
+}
+
+void CraftDefinitionShaped::initHash(IGameDef *gamedef)
+{
+	if (hash_inited)
+		return;
+	hash_inited = true;
+	recipe_names = craftGetItemNames(recipe, gamedef);
+}
+
 std::string CraftDefinitionShaped::dump() const
 {
 	std::ostringstream os(std::ios::binary);
@@ -526,12 +606,18 @@ bool CraftDefinitionShapeless::check(const CraftInput &input, IGameDef *gamedef)
 		return false;
 	}
 
-	// Try with all permutations of the recipe
-	std::vector<std::string> recipe_copy = craftGetItemNames(recipe, gamedef);
-	// Start from the lexicographically first permutation (=sorted)
-	std::sort(recipe_copy.begin(), recipe_copy.end());
-	//while(std::prev_permutation(recipe_copy.begin(), recipe_copy.end())){}
-	do{
+	std::vector<std::string> recipe_copy;
+	if (hash_inited)
+		recipe_copy = recipe_names;
+	else {
+		recipe_copy = craftGetItemNames(recipe, gamedef);
+		std::sort(recipe_copy.begin(), recipe_copy.end());
+	}
+
+	// Try with all permutations of the recipe,
+	// start from the lexicographically first permutation (=sorted),
+	// recipe_names is pre-sorted
+	do {
 		// If all items match, the recipe matches
 		bool all_match = true;
 		//dstream<<"Testing recipe (output="<<output<<"):";
@@ -566,6 +652,42 @@ void CraftDefinitionShapeless::decrementInput(CraftInput &input, IGameDef *gamed
 	craftDecrementOrReplaceInput(input, replacements, gamedef);
 }
 
+CraftHashType CraftDefinitionShapeless::getHashType() const
+{
+	assert(hash_inited); //pre-condition
+	bool has_group = false;
+	for (size_t i = 0; i < recipe_names.size(); i++) {
+		if (isGroupRecipeStr(recipe_names[i])) {
+			has_group = true;
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+	if (has_group)
+		return CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_COUNT;
+	else
+		return CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_ITEM_NAMES;
+}
+
+u64 CraftDefinitionShapeless::getHash(CraftHashType type) const
+{
+	assert(hash_inited); //pre-condition
+	if (type == CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_ITEM_NAMES || type == CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_COUNT) {
+		return getHashForGrid(type, recipe_names);
+	} else {
+		//illegal hash type for this CraftDefinition (pre-condition)
+		assert(false);
+	}
+}
+
+void CraftDefinitionShapeless::initHash(IGameDef *gamedef)
+{
+	if (hash_inited)
+		return;
+	hash_inited = true;
+	recipe_names = craftGetItemNames(recipe, gamedef);
+	std::sort(recipe_names.begin(), recipe_names.end());
+}
+
 std::string CraftDefinitionShapeless::dump() const
 {
 	std::ostringstream os(std::ios::binary);
@@ -763,6 +885,34 @@ void CraftDefinitionCooking::decrementInput(CraftInput &input, IGameDef *gamedef
 	craftDecrementOrReplaceInput(input, replacements, gamedef);
 }
 
+CraftHashType CraftDefinitionCooking::getHashType() const
+{
+	if (isGroupRecipeStr(recipe_name))
+		return CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_COUNT;
+	else
+		return CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_ITEM_NAMES;
+}
+
+u64 CraftDefinitionCooking::getHash(CraftHashType type) const
+{
+	if (type == CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_ITEM_NAMES) {
+		return getHashForString(recipe_name);
+	} else if (type == CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_COUNT) {
+		return 1;
+	} else {
+		//illegal hash type for this CraftDefinition (pre-condition)
+		assert(false);
+	}
+}
+
+void CraftDefinitionCooking::initHash(IGameDef *gamedef)
+{
+	if (hash_inited)
+		return;
+	hash_inited = true;
+	recipe_name = craftGetItemName(recipe, gamedef);
+}
+
 std::string CraftDefinitionCooking::dump() const
 {
 	std::ostringstream os(std::ios::binary);
@@ -844,6 +994,33 @@ void CraftDefinitionFuel::decrementInput(CraftInput &input, IGameDef *gamedef) c
 	craftDecrementOrReplaceInput(input, replacements, gamedef);
 }
 
+CraftHashType CraftDefinitionFuel::getHashType() const
+{
+	if (isGroupRecipeStr(recipe_name))
+		return CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_COUNT;
+	else
+		return CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_ITEM_NAMES;
+}
+
+u64 CraftDefinitionFuel::getHash(CraftHashType type) const
+{
+	if (type == CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_ITEM_NAMES) {
+		return getHashForString(recipe_name);
+	} else if (type == CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_COUNT) {
+		return 1;
+	} else {
+		//illegal hash type for this CraftDefinition (pre-condition)
+		assert(false);
+	}
+}
+
+void CraftDefinitionFuel::initHash(IGameDef *gamedef)
+{
+	if (hash_inited)
+		return;
+	hash_inited = true;
+	recipe_name = craftGetItemName(recipe, gamedef);
+}
 std::string CraftDefinitionFuel::dump() const
 {
 	std::ostringstream os(std::ios::binary);
@@ -876,10 +1053,16 @@ void CraftDefinitionFuel::deSerializeBody(std::istream &is, int version)
 class CCraftDefManager: public IWritableCraftDefManager
 {
 public:
+	CCraftDefManager()
+	{
+		m_craft_defs.resize(craft_hash_type_max + 1);
+	}
+
 	virtual ~CCraftDefManager()
 	{
 		clear();
 	}
+
 	virtual bool getCraftResult(CraftInput &input, CraftOutput &output,
 			bool decrementInput, IGameDef *gamedef) const
 	{
@@ -888,47 +1071,55 @@ public:
 
 		// If all input items are empty, abort.
 		bool all_empty = true;
-		for(std::vector<ItemStack>::const_iterator
+		for (std::vector<ItemStack>::const_iterator
 				i = input.items.begin();
-				i != input.items.end(); i++)
-		{
-			if(!i->empty())
-			{
+				i != input.items.end(); i++) {
+			if (!i->empty()) {
 				all_empty = false;
 				break;
 			}
 		}
-		if(all_empty)
+		if (all_empty)
 			return false;
 
-		// Walk crafting definitions from back to front, so that later
-		// definitions can override earlier ones.
-		for(std::vector<CraftDefinition*>::const_reverse_iterator
-				i = m_craft_definitions.rbegin();
-				i != m_craft_definitions.rend(); i++)
-		{
-			CraftDefinition *def = *i;
+		std::vector<std::string> input_names;
+		input_names = craftGetItemNames(input.items, gamedef);
+		std::sort(input_names.begin(), input_names.end());
 
-			/*infostream<<"Checking "<<input.dump()<<std::endl
-					<<" against "<<def->dump()<<std::endl;*/
+		// Try hash types with increasing collision rate, and return if found.
+		for (int type = 0; type <= craft_hash_type_max; type++) {
+			u64 hash = getHashForGrid((CraftHashType) type, input_names);
 
-			try {
-				if(def->check(input, gamedef))
-				{
+			/*errorstream << "Checking type " << type << " with hash " << hash << std::endl;*/
+
+			// We'd like to do "const [...] hash_collisions = m_craft_defs[type][hash];"
+			// but that doesn't compile for some reason. This does.
+			std::map<u64, std::vector<CraftDefinition*> >::const_iterator
+				col_iter = (m_craft_defs[type]).find(hash);
+
+			if (col_iter == (m_craft_defs[type]).end())
+				continue;
+
+			const std::vector<CraftDefinition*> &hash_collisions = col_iter->second;
+			// Walk crafting definitions from back to front, so that later
+			// definitions can override earlier ones.
+			for (std::vector<CraftDefinition*>::const_reverse_iterator
+					i = hash_collisions.rbegin();
+					i != hash_collisions.rend(); i++) {
+				CraftDefinition *def = *i;
+
+				/*errorstream << "Checking " << input.dump() << std::endl
+					<< " against " << def->dump() << std::endl;*/
+
+				if (def->check(input, gamedef)) {
 					// Get output, then decrement input (if requested)
 					output = def->getOutput(input, gamedef);
-					if(decrementInput)
+					if (decrementInput)
 						def->decrementInput(input, gamedef);
+					/*errorstream << "Check RETURNS TRUE" << std::endl;*/
 					return true;
 				}
 			}
-			catch(SerializationError &e)
-			{
-				errorstream<<"getCraftResult: ERROR: "
-						<<"Serialization error in recipe "
-						<<def->dump()<<std::endl;
-				// then go on with the next craft definition
-			}
 		}
 		return false;
 	}
@@ -960,12 +1151,16 @@ public:
 	virtual std::string dump() const
 	{
 		std::ostringstream os(std::ios::binary);
-		os<<"Crafting definitions:\n";
-		for(std::vector<CraftDefinition*>::const_iterator
-				i = m_craft_definitions.begin();
-				i != m_craft_definitions.end(); i++)
-		{
-			os<<(*i)->dump()<<"\n";
+		os << "Crafting definitions:\n";
+		for (int type = 0; type <= craft_hash_type_max; type++) {
+			for (std::map<u64, std::vector<CraftDefinition*> >::const_iterator
+					i = (m_craft_defs[type]).begin();
+					i != (m_craft_defs[type]).end(); i++) {
+				for (std::vector<CraftDefinition*>::const_iterator
+						ii = i->second.begin(); ii != i->second.end(); ii++) {
+					os << "type " << type << " hash " << i->first << (*ii)->dump() << "\n";
+				}
+			}
 		}
 		return os.str();
 	}
@@ -973,7 +1168,7 @@ public:
 	{
 		verbosestream<<"registerCraft: registering craft definition: "
 				<<def->dump()<<std::endl;
-		m_craft_definitions.push_back(def);
+		m_craft_defs[(int) CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_UNHASHED][0].push_back(def);
 
 		CraftInput input;
 		std::string output_name = craftGetItemName(
@@ -982,48 +1177,41 @@ public:
 	}
 	virtual void clear()
 	{
-		for(std::vector<CraftDefinition*>::iterator
-				i = m_craft_definitions.begin();
-				i != m_craft_definitions.end(); i++){
-			delete *i;
+		for (int type = 0; type <= craft_hash_type_max; type++) {
+			for (std::map<u64, std::vector<CraftDefinition*> >::iterator
+					i = m_craft_defs[type].begin();
+					i != m_craft_defs[type].end(); i++) {
+				for (std::vector<CraftDefinition*>::iterator
+						ii = i->second.begin(); ii != i->second.end(); ii++) {
+					delete *ii;
+				}
+				i->second.clear();
+			}
+			m_craft_defs[type].clear();
 		}
-		m_craft_definitions.clear();
 		m_output_craft_definitions.clear();
 	}
-	virtual void serialize(std::ostream &os) const
+	virtual void initHashes(IGameDef *gamedef)
 	{
-		writeU8(os, 0); // version
-		u16 count = m_craft_definitions.size();
-		writeU16(os, count);
-		for(std::vector<CraftDefinition*>::const_iterator
-				i = m_craft_definitions.begin();
-				i != m_craft_definitions.end(); i++){
+		// Move the CraftDefs from the unhashed layer into layers higher up.
+		for (std::vector<CraftDefinition*>::iterator
+			i = (m_craft_defs[(int) CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_UNHASHED][0]).begin();
+			i != (m_craft_defs[(int) CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_UNHASHED][0]).end(); i++) {
 			CraftDefinition *def = *i;
-			// Serialize wrapped in a string
-			std::ostringstream tmp_os(std::ios::binary);
-			def->serialize(tmp_os);
-			os<<serializeString(tmp_os.str());
-		}
-	}
-	virtual void deSerialize(std::istream &is, IGameDef *gamedef)
-	{
-		// Clear everything
-		clear();
-		// Deserialize
-		int version = readU8(is);
-		if(version != 0) throw SerializationError(
-				"unsupported CraftDefManager version");
-		u16 count = readU16(is);
-		for(u16 i=0; i<count; i++){
-			// Deserialize a string and grab a CraftDefinition from it
-			std::istringstream tmp_is(deSerializeString(is), std::ios::binary);
-			CraftDefinition *def = CraftDefinition::deSerialize(tmp_is);
-			// Register
-			registerCraft(def, gamedef);
+
+			// Initialize and get the definition's hash
+			def->initHash(gamedef);
+			CraftHashType type = def->getHashType();
+			u64 hash = def->getHash(type);
+
+			// Enter the definition
+			m_craft_defs[type][hash].push_back(def);
 		}
+		m_craft_defs[(int) CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_UNHASHED][0].clear();
 	}
 private:
-	std::vector<CraftDefinition*> m_craft_definitions;
+	//TODO: change both maps to unordered_map when c++11 can be used
+	std::vector<std::map<u64, std::vector<CraftDefinition*> > > m_craft_defs;
 	std::map<std::string, std::vector<CraftDefinition*> > m_output_craft_definitions;
 };
 
diff --git a/src/craftdef.h b/src/craftdef.h
index 7902a2e27..cc7a0619c 100644
--- a/src/craftdef.h
+++ b/src/craftdef.h
@@ -43,6 +43,28 @@ enum CraftMethod
 	CRAFT_METHOD_FUEL,
 };
 
+/*
+	The type a hash can be. The earlier a type is mentioned in this enum,
+	the earlier it is tried at crafting, and the less likely is a collision.
+	Changing order causes changes in behaviour, so know what you do.
+ */
+enum CraftHashType
+{
+	// Hashes the normalized names of the recipe's elements.
+	// Only recipes without group usage can be found here,
+	// because groups can't be guessed efficiently.
+	CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_ITEM_NAMES,
+
+	// Counts the non-empty slots.
+	CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_COUNT,
+
+	// This layer both spares an extra variable, and helps to retain (albeit rarely used) functionality. Maps to 0.
+	// Before hashes are "initialized", all hashes reside here, after initialisation, none are.
+	CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_UNHASHED
+
+};
+const int craft_hash_type_max = (int) CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_UNHASHED;
+
 /*
 	Input: The contents of the crafting slots, arranged in matrix form
 */
@@ -135,8 +157,13 @@ public:
 	// Decreases count of every input item
 	virtual void decrementInput(CraftInput &input, IGameDef *gamedef) const=0;
 
-	virtual std::string dump() const=0;
+	virtual CraftHashType getHashType() const = 0;
+	virtual u64 getHash(CraftHashType type) const = 0;
 
+	// to be called after all mods are loaded, so that we catch all aliases
+	virtual void initHash(IGameDef *gamedef) = 0;
+
+	virtual std::string dump() const=0;
 protected:
 	virtual void serializeBody(std::ostream &os) const=0;
 	virtual void deSerializeBody(std::istream &is, int version)=0;
@@ -152,14 +179,15 @@ class CraftDefinitionShaped: public CraftDefinition
 {
 public:
 	CraftDefinitionShaped():
-		output(""), width(1), recipe(), replacements()
+		output(""), width(1), recipe(), hash_inited(false), replacements()
 	{}
 	CraftDefinitionShaped(
 			const std::string &output_,
 			unsigned int width_,
 			const std::vector<std::string> &recipe_,
 			const CraftReplacements &replacements_):
-		output(output_), width(width_), recipe(recipe_), replacements(replacements_)
+		output(output_), width(width_), recipe(recipe_),
+		hash_inited(false), replacements(replacements_)
 	{}
 	virtual ~CraftDefinitionShaped(){}
 
@@ -169,6 +197,11 @@ public:
 	virtual CraftInput getInput(const CraftOutput &output, IGameDef *gamedef) const;
 	virtual void decrementInput(CraftInput &input, IGameDef *gamedef) const;
 
+	virtual CraftHashType getHashType() const;
+	virtual u64 getHash(CraftHashType type) const;
+
+	virtual void initHash(IGameDef *gamedef);
+
 	virtual std::string dump() const;
 
 protected:
@@ -182,6 +215,10 @@ private:
 	unsigned int width;
 	// Recipe matrix (itemstrings)
 	std::vector<std::string> recipe;
+	// Recipe matrix (item names)
+	std::vector<std::string> recipe_names;
+	// bool indicating if initHash has been called already
+	bool hash_inited;
 	// Replacement items for decrementInput()
 	CraftReplacements replacements;
 };
@@ -195,13 +232,14 @@ class CraftDefinitionShapeless: public CraftDefinition
 {
 public:
 	CraftDefinitionShapeless():
-		output(""), recipe(), replacements()
+		output(""), recipe(), hash_inited(false), replacements()
 	{}
 	CraftDefinitionShapeless(
 			const std::string &output_,
 			const std::vector<std::string> &recipe_,
 			const CraftReplacements &replacements_):
-		output(output_), recipe(recipe_), replacements(replacements_)
+		output(output_), recipe(recipe_),
+		hash_inited(false), replacements(replacements_)
 	{}
 	virtual ~CraftDefinitionShapeless(){}
 
@@ -211,6 +249,11 @@ public:
 	virtual CraftInput getInput(const CraftOutput &output, IGameDef *gamedef) const;
 	virtual void decrementInput(CraftInput &input, IGameDef *gamedef) const;
 
+	virtual CraftHashType getHashType() const;
+	virtual u64 getHash(CraftHashType type) const;
+
+	virtual void initHash(IGameDef *gamedef);
+
 	virtual std::string dump() const;
 
 protected:
@@ -222,6 +265,10 @@ private:
 	std::string output;
 	// Recipe list (itemstrings)
 	std::vector<std::string> recipe;
+	// Recipe list (item names)
+	std::vector<std::string> recipe_names;
+	// bool indicating if initHash has been called already
+	bool hash_inited;
 	// Replacement items for decrementInput()
 	CraftReplacements replacements;
 };
@@ -249,6 +296,11 @@ public:
 	virtual CraftInput getInput(const CraftOutput &output, IGameDef *gamedef) const;
 	virtual void decrementInput(CraftInput &input, IGameDef *gamedef) const;
 
+	virtual CraftHashType getHashType() const { return CRAFT_HASH_TYPE_COUNT; }
+	virtual u64 getHash(CraftHashType type) const { return 2; }
+
+	virtual void initHash(IGameDef *gamedef) {}
+
 	virtual std::string dump() const;
 
 protected:
@@ -272,14 +324,15 @@ class CraftDefinitionCooking: public CraftDefinition
 {
 public:
 	CraftDefinitionCooking():
-		output(""), recipe(""), cooktime()
+		output(""), recipe(""), hash_inited(false), cooktime()
 	{}
 	CraftDefinitionCooking(
 			const std::string &output_,
 			const std::string &recipe_,
 			float cooktime_,
 			const CraftReplacements &replacements_):
-		output(output_), recipe(recipe_), cooktime(cooktime_), replacements(replacements_)
+		output(output_), recipe(recipe_), hash_inited(false),
+		cooktime(cooktime_), replacements(replacements_)
 	{}
 	virtual ~CraftDefinitionCooking(){}
 
@@ -289,6 +342,11 @@ public:
 	virtual CraftInput getInput(const CraftOutput &output, IGameDef *gamedef) const;
 	virtual void decrementInput(CraftInput &input, IGameDef *gamedef) const;
 
+	virtual CraftHashType getHashType() const;
+	virtual u64 getHash(CraftHashType type) const;
+
+	virtual void initHash(IGameDef *gamedef);
+
 	virtual std::string dump() const;
 
 protected:
@@ -300,6 +358,10 @@ private:
 	std::string output;
 	// Recipe itemstring
 	std::string recipe;
+	// Recipe item name
+	std::string recipe_name;
+	// bool indicating if initHash has been called already
+	bool hash_inited;
 	// Time in seconds
 	float cooktime;
 	// Replacement items for decrementInput()
@@ -314,12 +376,12 @@ class CraftDefinitionFuel: public CraftDefinition
 {
 public:
 	CraftDefinitionFuel():
-		recipe(""), burntime()
+		recipe(""), hash_inited(false), burntime()
 	{}
 	CraftDefinitionFuel(std::string recipe_,
 			float burntime_,
 			const CraftReplacements &replacements_):
-		recipe(recipe_), burntime(burntime_), replacements(replacements_)
+		recipe(recipe_), hash_inited(false), burntime(burntime_), replacements(replacements_)
 	{}
 	virtual ~CraftDefinitionFuel(){}
 
@@ -329,6 +391,11 @@ public:
 	virtual CraftInput getInput(const CraftOutput &output, IGameDef *gamedef) const;
 	virtual void decrementInput(CraftInput &input, IGameDef *gamedef) const;
 
+	virtual CraftHashType getHashType() const;
+	virtual u64 getHash(CraftHashType type) const;
+
+	virtual void initHash(IGameDef *gamedef);
+
 	virtual std::string dump() const;
 
 protected:
@@ -338,6 +405,10 @@ protected:
 private:
 	// Recipe itemstring
 	std::string recipe;
+	// Recipe item name
+	std::string recipe_name;
+	// bool indicating if initHash has been called already
+	bool hash_inited;
 	// Time in seconds
 	float burntime;
 	// Replacement items for decrementInput()
@@ -361,8 +432,6 @@ public:
 	
 	// Print crafting recipes for debugging
 	virtual std::string dump() const=0;
-
-	virtual void serialize(std::ostream &os) const=0;
 };
 
 class IWritableCraftDefManager : public ICraftDefManager
@@ -383,11 +452,12 @@ public:
 	// Add a crafting definition.
 	// After calling this, the pointer belongs to the manager.
 	virtual void registerCraft(CraftDefinition *def, IGameDef *gamedef) = 0;
+
 	// Delete all crafting definitions
 	virtual void clear()=0;
 
-	virtual void serialize(std::ostream &os) const=0;
-	virtual void deSerialize(std::istream &is, IGameDef *gamedef) = 0;
+	// To be called after all mods are loaded, so that we catch all aliases
+	virtual void initHashes(IGameDef *gamedef) = 0;
 };
 
 IWritableCraftDefManager* createCraftDefManager();
diff --git a/src/server.cpp b/src/server.cpp
index 1969a5946..4971e6f66 100644
--- a/src/server.cpp
+++ b/src/server.cpp
@@ -334,6 +334,9 @@ Server::Server(
 	// Perform pending node name resolutions
 	m_nodedef->runNodeResolverCallbacks();
 
+	// init the recipe hashes to speed up crafting
+	m_craftdef->initHashes(this);
+
 	// Initialize Environment
 	m_env = new ServerEnvironment(servermap, m_script, this, m_path_world);