Home / FAQ’s
Frequently Asked Questions
Those who are not familiar with what Dry Ice is actually made of and how to handle it during use can find themselves in potentially dangerous situations, so we have partnered up with a popular Dry Ice source of information to provide the best facts about this mysterious substance.
Trust us, once you know the facts about Dry Ice, you’ll find it very useful and safe as long as you know enough to use and store it properly.
Storage:
The best way to preserve dry ice is in a non-air-tight insulated container like a chest or cooler. If the insulation of the container is thicker, the better it can be stored in a well-ventilated location. However, you should remember not to keep the dry ice in a walk-in freezer since it generates carbon dioxide and can be hazardous to your health.
Generally, dry ice lasts up to 2 hours when preserved in a Styrofoam cooler. It is true for a regular-sized cooler holding up to 2 dry ice blocks. In most cases, the dry ice will last about 3-4 days in big Styrofoam with more dry ice blocks.
Type or Amount of Dry Ice Needed:
You should plan on using 5 to 10 lbs of dry ice for every 24-hour period. However, it depends on the quality of the insulated shipping container. This way, you can keep everything frozen in a vessel up to 15 quarts in size. You should multiply dry ice quantities by this rate for larger containers.
Using Dry Ice:
Yes, you can safely put dry ice in drinks. Dry ice sinks to the bottom and doesn’t harm your drink. But, don’t consume the dry ice in its solid state.
Using dry ice is a simple affair. All that you need is to add alcohol, water, or fruit squash. This way, you can create cocktails, smoking drink pitchers, and punch bowls. You can also create enticing large-scale fog effects that will be the talk of the town.
Creating a fog effect at any event is very easy. Firstly, you have to fill the plastic container half full with hot water. Thereafter, add a few chunks of dry ice every 5-10 minutes. When the water cools, you should add more hot water to maintain the fog effect.
A dry ice fog machine uses dry ice and blends it up in warm water. When the dry ice sublimates, it creates a thick low-lying fog that engulfs the air. It’s the reason why dry ice fog machines are very popular in recent times. Also, they are safe to use.
The smoke effect is best created when you pour heated water over dry ice. Hot water will create a substantial fog effect. Unlike slices, dry ice pellets have an increased surface area and hence will generate a greater amount of fog.
When you are using dry ice to keep food cold, it’s advisable to place dry ice at the bottom of the cooler. Now, add a layer of insulation by placing a newspaper or cardboard. Thereafter, add the items you want to be frozen and add another layer of insulation. Lastly, close the cooler after placing dry ice on top.
When it comes to transporting supplies, you should use an EPS foam container for its insulating characteristics, and place it inside a cardboard. However, you should try to keep the contents separate from dry ice.
Dry Ice Safety:
You mustn’t place the dry ice in an enclosed area like a walk-in cooler or an airtight container. It’s recommended to use waterproof insulated gloves when adding or removing dry ice to combat burns and frostbite. You should also wear safety glasses with side shields.
It’s advisable not to touch dry ice with your skin. You can use insulated gloves or tongs to touch the dry ice. The temperature of dry ice is extremely cold which can cause severe frostbite.
Dry ice results in a buildup of carbon dioxide gas. So, you mustn’t dispose of dry ice in a garbage disposal or sewer. The best approach is to allow the leftover dry ice to melt so that it turns into gas in a well-ventilated area.
