Dry ice is typically cut and sold in ¼ block sizes for ease of use and handling.
*A ¼ block is the smallest amount we sell and measures approx. 6”x6”x12” and weighs approx. 12 ½ lbs.
*A half block: measures approx. 6”x 12”x12” and weighs approx. 25lbs.
*A full Block measures approx. 12”x12”x12” and weighs approx. 50lbs.
*Due to continuous slight dissipation of dry ice, sizes and weights will vary.
How to Use it and How Much You'll Need
To Keep Food Frozen Solid:
Just know that anything that lies underneath dry ice will stay frozen for up to 3 days in a well insulated cooler. Place your food in the bottom of the cooler and place the dry ice on top of the frozen food. Keep it in block form, and you may keep it in a paper bag. The dry ice will not melt – it will dissipate into the air.
Do not place carbonated items or any glass beverage bottles underneath dry ice as it will freeze, crack and possibly explode!
To Keep Food Cold:
Place dry ice in the bottom of the cooler. You may also cover with ice, but that is optional as the dry ice alone will keep your food cold up to 3 days. Place a piece of cardboard on top of the dry ice and ice cubes if used. Then place your food and beverages on top of the cardboard. The dry ice will not melt – it will dissipate into the air. The ice cubes will melt, just at a slower rate than usual.
Suggested Usage Per Cooler Sizes
28 Quart: 1 Quarter Block |
50 Quart: 2 Quarter Blocks |
100 Quart: 3 Quarter Block |
Safe Handling of Dry Ice
Caution: Keep Dry Ice away from children if they cannot be closely supervised at all times.
Handling
Dry Ice temperature is extremely cold at -109.3°F or -78.5°C. Always handle Dry Ice with care and wear protective cloth or leather gloves whenever touching it. An oven mitt or towel will work. If touched briefly it is harmless, but prolonged contact with the skin will freeze cells and cause injury similar to a burn.
Storage
Store Dry Ice in a well insulated cooler. The thicker the insulation, the slower it will sublimate. Do not store Dry Ice in a completely airtight container. The sublimation of Dry Ice to Carbon Dioxide gas will cause any airtight container to expand or possibly explode. Keep proper air ventilation wherever Dry Ice is stored. Do not store Dry Ice in unventilated rooms, cellars, autos or boat holds. The sublimated Carbon Dioxide gas will sink to low areas and replace oxygenated air. This could cause suffocation if breathed exclusively. Do not store Dry Ice in a refrigerator freezer. The extremely cold temperature will cause your thermostat to turn off the freezer. It will keep everything frozen in the freezer but it will be used up at a faster rate. It is the perfect thing if your refrigerator breaks down in an emergency.
Ventilation
Normal air is 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen and only 0.035% Carbon Dioxide. If the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air rises above 0.5%, carbon dioxide can become dangerous. Smaller concentrations can cause quicker breathing and headaches but is otherwise not harmful. If Dry Ice has been in a closed auto, van, room, or walk-in, for more than 10 minutes, open doors and allow adequate ventilation before entering. Dry Ice CO2 is heavier than air and will accumulate in low spaces. Do not enter closed storage areas that have or have had stored Dry Ice before airing out completely.
Pick-Up Time and Transporting
Plan to pick up the Dry Ice as close to the time it is needed as possible. It sublimates at 10%, or 5 to 10 pounds every 24 hours, whichever is greater. Carry it in a well-insulated container such as an ice chest. If it is transported inside a car or van for more than 15 minutes make sure there is fresh air.
Disposal
Unwrap and leave it at room temperature in a well-ventilated area. It will sublimate from a solid to a gas.
HALLOWEEN USEAGE IDEAS!!
County Wide Ice Cream is your source for Dry Ice this Halloween!
We sell dry ice in quarter-block increments, which weigh approx. 12.5 lbs and measure 6”x6”x12”. We are taking advanced reservations for dry ice, so give us a call and reserve yours to make this Halloween the spooookiest ever!!!
Here are a few ideas! You can also find endless ideas on youtube for dry ice effects!
Instructions For Making Fog Effect:
Place two industrial-sized buckets of at least 10-gallons each in the room in which you want to make fog. Space the buckets evenly in order to distribute the fog equally throughout the room.
Protect your eyes and skin from dry ice burns by wearing safety goggles, gloves and clothing that covers your arms and legs.
Set 10 pounds of dry ice in each bucket (this equates to ¼ of a full block of dry ice). Pour hot (not boiling) water over the dry ice until it's covered to begin the reaction that creates the dry ice fog effect. This is enough to make fog in a room for up to one hour.
Create an eery rolling fog effect by placing an electric fan a few feet away from each bucket. Turn the fan on low to push the fog slowly forward. Oscillate the fan if you want the fog to move in different directions.
Instructions For Making A Witches Brew Punch Bowl:
Place a small amount of warm water in the bottom of a larger plastic or glass punch bowl. Add small pieces of your dry ice to the warm water at the bottom of your larger plastic or glass punch bowl using your tongs. Do not touch the dry ice with your bare skin. Place your smaller plastic or glass punch bowl inside the larger plastic or glass bowl that's holding the dry ice and water. This will create the smokey effect for several minutes. Replenish the dry ice as needed.
Fill the smaller plastic or glass punch bowl with your punch. Any regular bottled fruit punch mixed with Sprite makes a great sparkling punch. Others prefer the sherbet and Sprite mixture. Make sure that small children and pets are kept away from the dry ice because it can cause burns if it comes in contact with skin. Use caution not drink or swallow dry ice as it will cause severe burns!!
HAVE A FRIGHTFULLY HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
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Ice Cubes
Ice Cubes are available in individual 7lb bags, or in a sleeve of 6 (42lbs total).