How Beer Can Candles Are Made

Ever wonder what goes into making a beer can candle? At 716 Candle Co., every candle is handcrafted right here in Buffalo, NY – and we’re proud to pull back the curtain and show you exactly how it’s done. From gathering the cans to pouring the wax to shipping them out, every step is done with care. Here’s our full process.

What Are Beer Can Candles?

Beer can candles are exactly what they sound like – soy wax candles hand-poured directly into real, upcycled aluminum beer cans. Instead of throwing cans away, we give them a second life as functional, collectible home décor. Each candle comes in a genuine can from brands like Busch Light, Coors Light, Yuengling, and more – and can be scented with any of our 40+ custom fragrances.

They’re unique, they’re fun, and they make the perfect gift for beer lovers, sports fans, or anyone who appreciates something handmade and one-of-a-kind. Shop our full beer can candle collection →

Gather Empty Beer Cans

Every beer can candle starts with a real can. Since we’re not fans of being wasteful, every last drop of beer is fully enjoyed before we get to work. (Consider it quality control.) Once we’ve got a good supply of empty cans, it’s time to move on to the next step.

When we are drinking, we are working!

Cut the Tops Off

The tops of the cans are carefully removed to create the open vessel that will hold the soy wax. We use specialized tools to make a clean, consistent cut – and yes, we take a proper break between step 1 and step 2. Safety first.

Sand and Polish the Edges

After cutting, every can edge is sanded down by hand to remove any sharp edges and then polished to a smooth finish. We take this step seriously – the rim should be smooth enough to handle comfortably, and we don’t skip corners here.

Wash The Cans

Not everyone wants a beer scented candle, although it is totally an option here! Clean cans mean clean-burning candles. Each can is thoroughly washed and rinsed to remove any residue. This ensures that whatever fragrance you choose comes through clearly without any interference from the can itself

Melt the Soy Wax

We use 100% American-grown soy wax for every candle we make. Soy wax burns cleaner and longer than paraffin, and it carries fragrance beautifully. Melting the wax takes time, so we use this step to prep everything else — and maybe enjoy a cold one while we wait. Learn more about why we use soy wax →

Mix the Fragrances

This is where things get fun. We offer over 40 custom scent options – from bold and woodsy to fresh and citrusy – and each batch is carefully measured and mixed to hit the right scent throw. Whether you want something that smells like the great outdoors or a classic cedarwood cabin, we’ve got a fragrance for that. Browse all our scents & fragrances →.

Pour the Wax

Once the soy wax reaches the right temperature, we blend in the fragrance oil and place the cotton wick in the center of the can. Then comes the satisfying part – we hand-pour the wax directly into each individual can, one at a time. No machines, no shortcuts.

Cure the Candles

Patience is part of the process. After pouring, each candle needs time to cool slowly and cure fully. Rushing this step affects scent throw and burn quality, so we let every candle set properly before it leaves our hands. Good things take time.

Ship to You

Once cured, inspected, and ready to go, your candle is packaged up and shipped directly from Buffalo, NY to your door. Whether you’re ordering a gift for a beer-loving dad, a housewarming present, or just treating yourself – we make sure it arrives looking and smelling great.