Dry Ice Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make
Since dry ice sublimates, or turns to gas instead of liquid, a little bit of advanced preparation should save you a lot of trouble.
Dry ice is perfect for late-summer picnics and the spooky Halloween parties right around the corner. If you are planning on purchasing and using dry ice in the future, there are many simple mistakes that you should avoid. Since dry ice sublimates, or turns to gas instead of liquid, a little bit of advanced preparation should save you a lot of trouble.
Buying Your Dry Ice Far in Advance
This mistake could leave you making another dry ice order right before your party! Dry ice does not last a long period of time, so you should purchase it as close to when you need it as possible. Even if you store it in a cooler, it will still sublimate fairly rapidly. As a general rule of thumb, it takes five pounds of ice a day to turn completely into gas. Plan to purchase your dry ice a few hours before you need it, and it will be cold and ready to chill your drinks or frozen goods.
Making Skin to Ice Contact
When we say that dry ice is cold, most people think that means it is cold like regular ice—uncomfortable to hold with your bare hands but not unbearable. Dry ice is much colder than traditional ice. If you make contact with your skin or tongue and dry ice, especially if it is for more than 10 seconds, you could potentially get frostbite. Always use thick, heavy gloves and tongs when handling dry ice. If you are planning to use it in cocktails, you should always let your guests know that they should not let their lips or tongue touch the ice. It sits at the bottom of the glass, so it shouldn’t be an issue, but you should still be cautious.
Storing It In an Airtight Spot
When most people learn that dry ice melts quickly, they think the best move is to place it in a cooler or freezer to keep it from doing so. However, that is a recipe for disaster! If you keep the dry ice in an airtight space, it will melt into gas and continue to expand. An airtight container or space might explode if dry ice is allowed to melt inside of it. Store it in a Styrofoam cooler with a slightly cracked lid.
Dry Ice for All of Your Needs
Dry Ice Corp is the largest regional supplier of dry ice and related products in the Northeastern United States. Our dry ice is fresh and delivered right to your doorstep. We are happy to help you determine the best way to ship your goods, whether you have a huge amount of cookies or a single pie, and help you select the perfect amount of dry ice for the job. Give us a call at (201) 767-3200 or contact us online for a quote. To connect with us online, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Twitter.
