What is Dry Ice?   

Dry Ice is solid Carbon Dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a colorless odorless gas that is found in the earth's atmosphere. The atmosphere is primarily composed of Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), Argon (1%) and a myriad of other very influential components which include, water (H2O,7%), Carbon Dioxide (0.1%), and Ozone (0.01%).

Carbon Dioxideis the gas that we breath out and that plants use to make sugar (and oxygen), via photosynthesis, is soluble in water (think soda pop, beer, champagne), in ethanol and in acetone, and has a Melting Point of -55.6 deg C, a Boiling Point of -78.5 deg C, and a density of 1.977.

Dry Iceis very cold and will keep things frozen, or freeze them quickly. The temperature of dry ice is -109.3F or -78.5C. Dry Ice forms when liquid CO2 (800 psi) is exposed to normal atmospheric pressure. About half of the liquid changes directly from a liquid to a solid, the rest turns into gas. When Dry Ice melts it goes directly from a solid to gas, skipping the liquid stage of normal (water) ice.  Dry Ice has three times the cooling energy per volume than regular ice. 

Severe weather:As you run to the store to pick up milk, bread, water, batteries and other dry ice on a shelf above the items to be kept frozen and place the dry ice on a shelf in the bottom of the refrigerator to keep items cool. Using the appropriate amount of dry ice will keep foods from spoiling for up to 3 days. Refrain from opening the refrigerator or freezer, do not place dry ice directly on glass shelf and do not use in a operating refrigerator or freezer. 

Flash Freezing:The best way to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables in the winter is to freeze them in the summer. Place a bag (7-10 lbs) of dry ice in the bottom of a cooler. Wash strawberries, blue berries, peaches, etc and place on cookie sheet. Place cookie sheet in cooler until fruit is frozen. Remove cookie sheet using pot holders and place fruit in freezer bags. Store frozen fruit in freezer until ready to use. When thawed, fruit will taste like fresh picked fruit.

 

Couriers:Rely on dry ice to safely transport life saving perishable items to customer locations. No need to purchase huge quantities of dry ice when it is conveniently located in your community. Place dry ice in the bottom of your cooler, cover with newspaper, towel, or cardboard, and place items to stay cool on top. Be sure that perishable item does not come directly in contact with dry ice

 

Hunting or Fishing:Use dry ice to preserve your trophy. Place the dry ice in the bottom of a cooler. Cover with newspaper or cardboard and place trophy on top to prevent spoilage. Please remember to not allow direct contact of trophy with dry ice as this will cause superficial damage.

 

Camping:Keep refrigerated items cool for 3-4 days by packing your cooler with dry ice. Place the dry ice in the bottom of the cooler, cover with cardboard or newspaper, completely cover with wet ice, then pack your cooler as normal with food and beverages.    Dry ice freezes the wet ice and everything in your cooler stays nice and chilled for days. No more trips to the convenience store because the ice melted and no leaky coolers. Dry ice sublimates (turns into a gas) so everything stays cold but not wet. 

Picnic, Beach or Boating: Dry ice allows you to take ice cream, popsicles, or lemon meringue pies on your next outing. Even sodas and refrigerated items will stay nice and cool. Only taking one cooler? Pack items to be frozen on one side, and refrigerated items on the other. Use cardboard as a divider. Place 5 lbs of dry ice on top of the items to be frozen and a few pounds on the bottom of the other side of the cooler with newspaper or towel on top. You’ve created a convenient side by side non-electrical refrigerator.
 

Backpacking:Backpacking for a day? Wrap a pound of dry ice in a towel and place in the bottom of your backpack. Put your beverages on top of the dry ice. When you are hot, tired and ready for a really cold beverage, reach into your backpack and pull one out. Best of all,    dry ice doesn’t leave a mess in your backpack and you stay nice and cool too!

 

Tailgating:Don’t deal with a cooler full of ice water and soggy food. Use dry ice to keep your cooler cool and your food and beverages cold. Place the dry ice on the bottom of the cooler, cover with a bag of regular ice, then pack the cooler with all your tailgating items.  

Halloween: The scariest haunted houses are dark with lots of hovering fog. Use dry ice to create fog by placing a few cups of hot water into a plastic or metal cauldron. Add a few small pieces of dry ice to create instant fog. Add dry ice as needed. Use a crock pot of hot plate to keep water warm.

Witches brew is extra scary when dry ice is added. The mysterious bubbling seems like boiling frog stew rather than punch. Your guests will love the punch and the special effect. Use 1 gallon of red grape juice and 1 gallon of extra pulp orange juice (refrigerate both juices prior to use). Mix together and add a few small pieces of dry ice when ready for the bubbling effect. Do not serve dry ice to your guests.  

Little League Sports: It’s 90 degrees outside and the team is really hot and tired. What is more refreshing than popsicles on a hot day? Use dry ice to keep the entire team cool to the end of the game! Place the popsicles in the bottom of the cooler and put dry ice on top. The team will really enjoy the frozen treat!