Of all the magical substances in this world, there's nothing quite like dry ice. As soon as you see those billowing smoke clouds at a Halloween party, you know it's melting in its full glory somewhere around you. And of course, you'll also find it wrapped around perishable foods you might have delivered from far away to keep them cold. With so many fun and practical reasons to get your hands on some, you might be wondering just how to use dry ice. We've got all the cool details right here!
It's important to know what dry ice is first, because that will help understand the rules on how to handle it. Dry ice is simply the solid form of carbon dioxide. When it melts, it skips the liquid state and goes right from a solid mass to a gas state, hence the telltale smoke. While it is primarily used as a cooling mechanism because it's so much colder and doesn't drip like water ice, it's also used for dramatic effects in theater fog machines and around that witch's cauldron punch bowl in October.
If you're looking to purchase dry ice, check with your local grocery store first. You may also find specialty dry ice suppliers if you live in larger cities, because they typically supply restaurants and theaters. Just make sure you are purchasing it the day you intent to use it, because it will immediately start to melt.
How do you handle dry ice?
When we say dry ice is colder than regular water ice, we mean much colder (−109 degrees!) and will absolutely burn your skin like very bad frost bite. And when it turns to gas, that gas needs somewhere to go or it will build up, which isn't safe for enclosed spaces or your lungs. Sounds scary, we know, but just follow some simple rules and you'll be fine!
First, to avoid direct contact with your skin, wear insulated protection your hands. A sturdy pair of oven mitts and tongs will do the trick. Second, make sure you don't transport or store it in an airtight container because the gas needs to escape. Most of the best coolers have enough ventilation or you can keep it loosely in plastic inside a cardboard box.
What is the correct way to use dry ice?
There are two main reasons to use dry ice: to cool and for effect. If you want to keep something cold, say you're shipping something perishable cross-country or you're going to an event without refrigeration, wrap the ice loosely in towels or newspaper and tuck it around whatever you're trying to keep cold. Again, make sure the vessel you're using isn't air tight. That same cardboard box or cooler will be fine. Just make sure other items that you don't wont frozen are not kept in the same container.
If you're looking for that cool foggy effect, you need to submerge the dry ice in water. The warmer the water, the thicker the fog will be. Cooler water will result in thinner fog. Just know the hotter the water, the faster the dry ice will melt.
Pro tip: If you don't have an ice cream maker, you can use dry ice to make ice cream with your stand mixer!
How long will dry ice last?
Dry ice melts at about one percent per hour on average. Left loosely wrapped to keep something frozen, five pounds will evaporate entirely in about 24 hours. That's why you should purchase it the day you plan to use it. If you submerge the dry ice in water, it melts much faster. Warm water will melt one pound of dry ice in about 15 minutes.
What are three things you should never do with dry ice?
Since dry ice melts fast, you might be tempted to refrigerate or pop it in your freezer. Don't do that! Because they are not well ventilated spaces, the gas can build up and possibly explode. (Eek!) Also, never touch dry ice with your bare hands. We know we've said this already, but it's worth repeating: You will burn yourself immediately. And perhaps most importantly, don't ever eat or swallow dry ice, and you should keep it far from the reach of children and pets.
Can you drink punch with dry ice in it?
Okay, so we just said you can't swallow dry ice, so you're wondering why it's always in that punch you see at Halloween. The thing is, as long as you're not scooping big chunks of dry ice into your cup, you'll be fine. It's easy to spot and you can scoop around it. Or, work some Halloween magic and be super safe by putting the dry ice underneath the punch bowl. Simply take a large bowl filled with dry ice and water at the bottom and then place a smaller punch bowl on top of that mixture for spooky fog served without a side of fear!
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Insulated Shipment Kit
