DID YOU KNOW?

Dry Ice is frozen carbon dioxide (C02 at -109.3 ° F) opposed to regular ice which is 32° F. Unlike regular ice, Dry Ice doesn't melt - it sublimates. This is the process of going directly from a solid to a gas. Dry ice can be used many ways but always use with caution! It can cause very bad freeze burns which are very painful and can permanently damage skin.

It's much easier to buy than to make, but we thought you might like to know how it's made, so here we go. The first step in making Dry Ice is to turn the carbon dioxide gas into a liquid. This is done by compressing the C02 and removing any excess heat. The C02 will liquefy at a pressure of approximately 870 pounds per square inch. Next, the pressure is reduced over the liquid carbon dioxide by sending it through an expansion valve. Part of the liquid sublimates, causing the remainder to freeze into snowflakes. The Dry Ice snow is then compacted together under a large press to form blocks.

Dry Ice will sublimate (change from a solid to a gas) at a rate of 10 pounds every 24-hours in a standard insulated container. The more Dry Ice you have stored in the container, the longer it will last. This means it's important to pick up your Dry Ice as close as possible to the time you will need it. It should be stored in an insulated container like an ice chest to slow the sublimation rate. Refrain from opening and closing the insulated container as much as possible. When you remove items from the container fill the empty space with wadded newspaper. Any "dead-air-space" will cause the Dry Ice to sublimate faster. Do not store Dry Ice in your refrigerator freezer. The extremely cold temperature could cause your thermostat to turn off your freezer.