Dry Ice is the hit of a Halloween celebration from drinks to decor. This guide gives all the details of where to buy it, how to use it, how to handle it and store it.
It’s that time of year. Halloween parties are in the planning and class parties too. There is no more ghostly affect than dry ice but are you ‘in the know’ about where to buy it, how to use it and how to handle it?
This easy primer will give all the dry ice facts needed to ensure a safe, ghoulishly great experience. Dry ice does take special handling!
What Is Dry Ice?
Dry Ice is solid carbon dioxide frozen to -109 degrees (which will cause frostbite hence special handling needed). When added with liquids it creates a ghostly fog effect and bubbling like a Witches’ Brew!
Where to Buy Dry Ice
Dry Ice is available at most grocery stores: Safeway, Kroger/King Soopers, Walmart, Costco.
Call ahead to ensure your store carries it (and if they don’t ask if they know who does; you won’t be the first person asking).
Go to the Customer Service department where they will ring up your purchase and retrieve the dry ice from a special freezer not available to the public.
How Much to Buy?
Dry ice comes in blocks usually of between 1 to 5 pounds. You’ll be asked how much you want when purchasing.
When using it for punch I generally buy a 1-pound block which costs between $1-$3. It’s often well more than is needed.
Buy Dry Ice the Same Day You’ll Use It
It immediately begins to evaporate so plan to use in within a few hours. By the next day it will have completely evaporated.
Fun Fact: technically dry ice ‘sublimates’ not evaporates. But since most people have forgotten high school chemistry I’ll use ‘evaporated’ to convey the point.
Halloween is a very popular time to buy dry ice. Should you be looking for some in October definitely call ahead to ensure your store has it in stock.
Supplies to Take When Buying Dry Ice
Take a hard-sided cooler and towel to wrap it in. Do not store it in glass or metal containers.
If you will handle it there, you’ll also need work gloves.
Transporting Dry Ice
Do not plan to keep the cooler in a car for a lengthy trip.
The evaporation begins immediately and the cooler will not contain all the carbon dioxide.
If traveling more than 15 minutes, keep windows open for good ventilation.
Do not leave a person or pet in a closed car with dry ice.
The CO2 gas evaporating from the dry ice could displace the oxygen and asphyxiate them.
How Does Dry Ice Work?
Adding dry ice to liquids, water or drinks, causes the chemical reaction making the smoke. It must be added to liquid for the smoke to occur.
How Long Does Dry Ice Last?
Dry Ice begins to smoke immediately when put in liquid. It’s great in a Halloween punch for that reason though the smoking only last 10-15 minutes’ish.
Left unused it will evaporate within 24 hours.
How to Break Up a Block of Dry Ice for Use?
Break up the block by hammering it through the towel it’s wrapped in while wearing work gloves.
CAUTION: IT WILL BURN YOU so you can NEVER HANDLE IT WITH BARE HANDS. Please also if working around children be very careful of this as well.
Are Food and Drinks Exposed to Dry Ice Safe to Consume?
I have several friends who are doctors and have consulted about any ill effect of food or drink that has been around dry ice.
There is no issue with any sort of contamination though if drinking punch that has had dry ice in it be sure no little piece remain in the cup which could cause a burn.
Shipping with Dry Ice
I’m often asked about shipping with dry ice. I recommend contacting the shipping carrier you plan to use for specific instructions.
A special container is needed to prolong the dry ice, as well as an outer shipping box and special labeling.
This tutorial from UPS is an example of the requirements.
Storing Dry Ice
Store the dry ice in the cooler and towel used to buy it in a well-ventilated area.
Coolers are not airtight so as the dry ice evaporates some of the gas will escape.
Do not store the dry ice in your refrigerator or freezer.
Do not store it in a tightly enclosed area. Do not leave dry ice out where people or pets can come into contact with it.
Disposing of Dry Ice
Simply allow the dry ice to evaporate in the cooler if you don’t use it all.
Do not flush it down a toilet or drain (it can freeze pipes). Do not leave it open to evaporate where the gas could be inhaled in large quantities.
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Bob says
I didn’t know that dry ice could get to -109 degrees. My wife and I need to transport some fruit to the next city over. We’ll have to rent a refrigerated unit with dry ice to make sure nothing spoils.
Toni Dash says
Just be sure you have good ventilation and that the refrigeration unit is designed to accommodate dry ice specifically! Safe travels
Louisa.Ailsa says
Carefully observe the winners, don’t always pay attention to the losers
Joe Mills says
I am going on a camping trip for a week and have a yeti cooler on the tongue of my camper. It was suggested I use dry ice instead of regular ice what would you use?
Toni Dash says
Hi Joe. I would consult with a local camping supply store. Because dry ice evaporates (technically it sublimates) fairly quickly I’m not sure it would last for your trip. Also the handling risks provide it’s not like regular ice made from water. You could injure yourself and the temperature might be too cold for most refrigerated foods. But again I would contact a camping/outdoor store for advice on how to meet the needs for your trip.
Kay Morgan says
I will be driving from Indiana to upstate New York, stopping at a hotel overnight,and would like to take frozen meat in a cooler with dry ice. How much dry ice will I need and will it keep the meat frozen for the 2 day trip? Also, is it better to chop ice up into smaller chunks or keep whole?
Toni Dash says
Hi Kay. As noted in the article it’s not recommended to drive with dry ice in a car for long durations due to outgassing of fumes. Also it will evaporate within 24 hours.
Tocia says
I am trying to mail some doggie ice cream in dry ice to Hampton Va, is it safe to do so, and if not why? My daughter is having such a difficult time finding our dog Dallas ice cream in that area.
Toni Dash says
I would contact a shipping service or the dog ice cream manufacturer for this question. I receive frozen foods in styrofoam shipping containers with dry ice so I know it’s done. I do not know what requirement shipping companies have requiring using dry ice in shipments however.
Olivia says
Hi!
I worked with the Penn State Berky Creamery and we use dry ice to ship ice cream all over the country. It should not be an issue. You do have to overnight the shipments though. Just call the company that you plan to use, they are very well versed in shipping dry ice. Check out this UPS link for more information.
Toni Dash says
Thanks Olivia. I agree on speaking to the shipping company to get specific instructions. Thanks for sharing the UPS link!
Kristofer Van Wagner says
I was never aware that it is ill-advised to leave dry ice in a cooler during a long road trip as dry ice evaporates immediately and if we are traveling longer than 15 minutes, it is best to pop the window open for ventilation purposes. My sister and I were planning to buy an ice cream cake for our children for our picnic outing next week. As soon as we have the cake that is packed in a cooler or styrofoam container, I will remind my sister to keep the window open.
Proofreader says
Quote: “The evaporation begins immediately and the cooler will not contain all the carbon dioxide.”
I’d add a warning to not leave a person or pet in a closed car with dry ice because the CO2 gas could displace the Oxygen and asphyxiate them.
Toni Dash says
Good call. One can never be too careful. Thanks!
Sophia says
Great information!
I’m moving, it’s a 4-5 hour trip. Can I use dry ice in a new freezer, just plugged it to test it. How do I use the dry ice in the freezer to transport it with my frozen food? Your article says not to store dry ice in air tight container…a freezer is an air tight container. Do I leave the freezer lid open or just a crack open?
Thank you!
Toni Dash says
Hi Sophia. Personally I would not use dry ice for your purpose. It can mess up your freezer which is why it is not recommended to be put into a freezer (not sure what it will do if the freezer is not plugged in). Inhaling the vapors is dangerous. If it were me I would pack the freezer goods you need to move (maybe think through whether you need to move all of it) in traditional coolers with regular ice or ice packs. Good luck with your move.
Joshy Frosty says
I just wanted to mention that dry ice sublimates instead of evaporates.
Toni Dash says
It does but how many people know what sublimating is vs evaporating lol?
Taylor Bishop says
Thanks for helping me learn more about dry ice. It’s kind of cool to learn that the smoke from the dry ice might only last ten to fifteen minutes. It seems important to consider this time frame, especially if it determines just how much dry ice you may need for a certain event.