By: Wil Fulton and Alex Robinson
Credit: Cole Saladino/Supercompressor
Is there any man-made item on Earth, more perfect than the beer can? Its smooth, spherical aluminum skin, crafted with logos creative-types spent years perfecting is only bested by the amber elixir of the gods contained within. I would know. I've been drinking them all day.
So when you get an empty, don't waste it. Turn it into one of these ingenious devices to improve your decor, light up your campsite or cook your meals. Who knows? An empty can of beer could even save your life one day (check out #3).
Credit: Cole Saladino/Supercompressor
1. Tiki Can Torch
What you need:
- Knife
- Cloth
- Lighter/Matches
- Olive oil
Credit: Cole Saladino/Supercompressor
Cut your can in half, right down the middle. Fill the base with olive oil, varying the amount depending on how long you want your torch to burn -- for an average burn, fill the base about a quarter of the way. Get a piece of cloth (an old towel or t-shirt should do just fine), roll it tightly, and dip the whole thing in the oil, 'til it's properly covered.
Credit: Cole Saladino/Supercompressor
Make an additional hole in the top of the can, next to the drinkin' hole, large enough for your rolled cloth to fit through, with the tail end sitting in your oil. Take your two pieces (bend the top slightly, so it fits) and slide them together, with your cloth exposed an inch or two on the top.
Credit: Cole Saladino/Supercompressor
Light it up. Place on a long stick, for the complete tiki look.
Credit: Cole Saladino/Supercompressor
2. The makeshift fishin' pole (complete with tab hook)
What You Need:
-Pliers
-Fishing line
-Tape (optional, but recommended)
Credit: Cole Saladino/Supercompressor
Remove the tab, and break one of two sides with your pliers to make a hook shape. Also, use your pliers to make a hole near the top of the can. String your line through the cut-hole and the mouth hole, and tie it, fastening the line in place. Tie the other end to the hook, and loop it around the beer can, creating a reel. I recommend taping the knot as well as the first few inches of line to the can to avoid tangles and help you reel in some big fish.
Credit: Cole Saladino/Supercompressor
3. The waterproof emergency storage
What You Need:
-Knife
-Duct Tape
Credit: Cole Saladino/Supercompressor
Poke a hole in the side of the can (without opening the tab!) and empty all the delicious beer out into your mouth. Cut a square window in the can, leaving one side uncut as a "door," allow the insides to dry. Put your supplies inside (matches, band-aids, religious relics, etc.) and securely duct tape the outside to make sure no water can seep into the cracks.
Credit: Cole Saladino/Supercompressor
And thus, you have your waterproof disaster kit.
Credit: Cole Saladino/Supercompressor
4. The sexy lantern
What You Need:
-Freezer
-Knife
-Pliers
-Candles
-Metal Wire (optional)
Credit: Cole Saladino/Supercompressor
This one requires some fairly intricate cutting. Fill your can with water and freeze it for about 8 hours. This will make it much, much easier to cut.
Credit: Cole Saladino/Supercompressor
Thaw it out (we put it in a bowl of hot water, because we are impatient) then make slices, about an inch apart, 360-degrees around the can. Once you have your slices cut, compress the can to make them jet out, and use pliers to make sure none of them bend inward.
Credit: Cole Saladino/Supercompressor
From there, you can either slide a little tea candle in (if it's small enough) or cut the bottom of a couple slits for some more room. You can hang them, like a traditional lantern, just MAKE SURE YOU USE METAL WIRING. Fishing line, or plastic hanging wire, will melt within seconds, and leave you with a fiery death ball on your floor. From there, just turn off the lights, put on Dark Side of the Moon, and just chill, brah.
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