FAQ’s
Storage
The easiest way to store dry ice is simply to keep it in the insulated box it was provided to you in. Although any insulated container will suffice, however the better the insulation, the slower the rate of sublimation. Always ensure dry ice is stored in a well ventilated area and the container is not sealed shut.
A dry ice container can be stored in a normal freezer (not in walk-in cold rooms) until ready for use. Do not place on surfaces in the kitchen such as tiles as the extreme cold temperature can cause solid surfaces to crack.
It depends on the amount purchased and how it is kept, however dry ice will generally sublime at a rate of around one per cent per hour if kept in an insulated container. This equates to a loss of around 2.5 kg – 4.5kg every 24 hours.
Once the dry ice has been removed from the container and if it’s being used outside in high temperatures, or mixed with liquid, the sublimation rate is obviously a lot quicker.
Small quantities of less than 10kg are recommended for use on the day of delivery.
Type or Amount of Dry Ice Needed
How much Dry Ice will I need?
| Use | Quantity | Type of dry ice Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| o Presenting small items such as cakes, food and beverages (2.5kg needed per small item) o Ideal for home party of up to 20 guests and for cooking applications. |
2.5kg | Pellets |
| o Home events where a small application is required with food and/or drink presentation o One small classroom experiment |
5kg | Pellets |
| o Will serve many customers in a restaurant or bar o Fog effects at home events o Multiple school experiments or projects |
10kg | Pellets |
| o For larger venues and parties. | 15kg | Pellets |
| o To use on a camping or fishing trip to keep your produce cool or frozen | 10kg | Pellets |
Please Note:
The length of time the dry ice will last for depends on the storage conditions and what it is being used for. Always keep it in an insulated, unsealed container In the table above, the time period specified for how long it will last is based on the dry ice being stored in the insulated container and away from liquids or heat.
As a general rule:
- Plan on using 5 -10 kg for every 24-hour period if storing food
- Dry ice sublimates at a rate of two to four kilograms every 24 hours in a typical cooler.
- Most people will need around 10-15 kg for three to four days of being away if using on camping or fishing trips.
- If you are looking for a subtle effect to enhance a food/wine presentation, less is definitely more!
Using Dry Ice
Dry Ice in your drinks can not only keep them colder for longer due to the extreme cool temperatures of the product, it also enhances the experience for guests. However, DRY ICE SHOULD NEVER BE CONSUMED. We recommend using our specifically designed beverage safety devices if you plan on placing dry ice into beverages, to ensure the product is not consumed. These devices are available for purchase from the merchandise section of our website
Our team has a list of great ideas for uses at home parties and large events. Please call us and we would be happy to help you with concepts for how to use dry ice at your next event. Similarly, if you have an idea of an effect you would like to create, we would be happy to help you determine the best way to do this using dry ice.
It depends on the scale of the effect required. For small areas, you can create a fog effect by dropping dry ice pellets in a container of hot water. This increases the rate of sublimation (the process of transitioning from solid to gas form without passing into liquid state) and therefore causes a quick spread of fog across the floor.
For larger areas it is necessary to hire a dry ice fog machine which can be hired from most party hire companies.
Keep in mind that candles will not work while there is a fog effect taking place as the CO² will extinguish the flame (hence why fire extinguishers contain CO²!)
A fog machine is filled with water which is heated with built-in heating elements. The ice chamber in the machine is loaded with dry ice once the water has reached the correct operating temperature, which can take between two to three hours. Then when fog is needed the pump is turned on and hot water is released into the ice chamber, immediately creating fog. The fan is turned on and the fog is blown out to the area by a hose.
This mainly depends upon how you intend to create the smoke effect. Smoke machines usually work best with slices, but pellets are more versatile and suited to smaller applications.
Dry ice can be used to either keep perishable items frozen or chilled, depending on how it is used.
A few tips to keep food chilled or frozen:
- Wrap dry ice in newspaper or something similar then place at the bottom of your storage container underneath regular ice. This will help keep your regular ice frozen meaning your food and drinks will stay chilled or frozen for longer.
- Dry ice will last longer if it is not in direct contact with any liquid and as a general rule, will sublime at a rate of two to four kilograms every 24 hours in a typical cooler.
Similar to the above, Dry Ice can be used to keep supplies (either food, medical and pharmaceutical supplies) cool while they are being transported.
Using refrigerated vehicles can be very expensive, however dry ice can be used with ambient vehicle couriers to control the temperature and ensure medical samples, vaccines and even biological samples can remain cold and in optimum condition for when they are delivered.
To transport supplies using dry ice, simply place the wrapped item in an insulated container and pack the dry ice around the items. Similarly for storage, items can be packed into thermal containers with dry ice placed on top of the product. For short term emergency bulk storage, dry ice can be suspended at height (in a cradle or on a tray) at the top of the container so as the dry ice sublimates, the CO² vapour keeps the products chilled.
When transporting Dry Ice for personal use, ensure it remains in a storage container and travel with the windows down to ensure adequate ventilation. Ensure passengers do not inhale any carbon dioxide (CO²) fumes. CO² is not poisonous or toxic, however if inhaled for extended periods of time in a non-ventilated area it can cause headaches and light headedness
Keep it stored in a container with a loose lid. Do not secure your cooler lid or use an airtight container when storing dry ice as the pressure of the product while it is subliming (or ‘melting’) can be potentially explosive if confined.
Dry Ice Safety
Please refer to our safety and handling fact sheet on the Downloads Page
Dry ice is a very simple product to work with, however all people intending to handle it should read the safety and handling information first. The main points to remember when using dry ice is to ALWAYS wear gloves when handling and ensure it is stored in a well-ventilated area. Gloves are used to prevent the skin to be burnt from frost bite due to the extreme cold temperature of the product (-78.5 °C). Dry ice should be handled with care at all times and children should not be allowed around it without adult supervision.
As dry ice has a temperature of -78.5 °C, it is not suitable to handle without appropriate protection. Avoid contact with eyes and skin and always wear thick gloves. It is also recommended to wear protective clothing and glasses when handling to ensure no contact is made with any bare skin.
Using the proper handling methods, place unused dry ice into an uncovered, durable plastic or metal container and allow it to sublime/evaporate in a secure, well-ventilated area. DO NOT dispose of dry ice in sinks, toilets, sewers, trash bins or garbage cans, or in any area accessible to the general public to avoid possible injury through asphyxiation or cold burns.
About Dry Ice Australia
Due to the nature of our product, Dry Ice Australia has pick up options in 2 convenient locations to ensure our customers receive their dry ice in a timely manner. We pack more dry ice in each order to account for sublimation during transportation to ensure our customers receive as much of the product as possible once it hits their doorstep.
Please Note: Dry Ice must be ordered one day prior to pick up
The weight we sell is the weight at packing and Dry Ice Australia will overfill these packs to allow for some loss during transport. For example: A 10kg box will be packed with about 11kg of dry ice, however when it reaches you the following day it may weigh between 8 - 9.5kg.
We are open daily for pick up orders and delivery between 7:30am to 4pm.
Yes. Our dry ice pellet products are made using food grade quality CO² and approved equipment, so it is suitable to use for purposes that come into contact with food and drink. We recommend using our specifically designed beverage safety devices if you plan on placing dry ice into beverages to ensure the product is not consumed. These devices are available for purchase off the merchandise section of our website.