Abstract: A drying apparatus for surface treated cans or the like, with at least one chain conveyor which has holders for the cans. A hot air apparatus for the surface drying of the cans has an air conducting device, which directs at least one first stream of hot air at the base regions of the cans and guides at least one other second stream of air to the wall regions of the cans. The second stream of air is directed toward the can wall by at least one air conducting wall that runs obliquely in the direction toward the wall of the cans and the wall forms a wall jet of the second stream of in at least one area along the can wall.