Where To Buy Dry Ice? The common phrase for solid carbon dioxide is “dry ice” (CO2). It acquires this name because, when heated, it transforms immediately into a gas rather than melting into a liquid (a process known as sublimation).
Moreover, if you want to buy dry ice for parties, especially Halloween, and know less about where to buy dry ice or how to handle it, then there is no need to worry further. In this article, we stated how to buy dry ice and also where to buy dry ice. So let’s read!
Table of Contents
Where To Buy Dry Ice?
1. Visit Your Nearby General Merchandise or Grocery Store To Purchase Dry Ice
Confused about where to buy dry ice? Then, Safeway, King Soopers, Walmart, and Costco are a few retailers that sell dry ice.
- Due to the continual sublimation, the dry ice has a very limited shelf life (changing from solid to gas). Each day, dry ice weighs between 5 and 10 pounds and sublimates.
- Even while most individuals can purchase dry ice, certain shops have age requirements of at least 18 years old.
2. Buy Blocks of Dry Ice
Usually, we require dry ice blocks for laboratory experiments and producing fog effects.
- Although dry ice is also available in pellet form, it is mostly utilized for medical transportation or dry ice blasting to clean surfaces.
- Between $1 and $3 is the pricing range for a pound of dry ice. Prices may vary according to quantity and location, but you will often get them reasonably priced.
3. A Plastic Cooler or Ice Chest Should be Used To Hold The Dry Ice in an Insulated Container
Because carbon dioxide only freezes at a temperature of -109.3 F° or -78.5 C°, a typical refrigerator or freezer won’t significantly increase its shelf life. Compared to a freezer or refrigerator, which typically operate at 40 degrees F° this makes it substantially colder.
- Always wear gloves when working with dry ice; never use bare hands.
- The slower the dry ice sublimates, the thicker the insulation in your cooler or ice chest is.
4. Roll Down The Windows and Put The Cooler in Your Car
Inhaling huge amounts of dry ice, essentially carbon dioxide, can be dangerous.
- Fresh air is crucial if you carry dry ice for more than 15 minutes. If breathed in for an extended period while in a place with insufficient ventilation, dry ice can be fatal and induce fast breathing and headaches.
Handling Dry Ice
We are sure, till now, you must know where to buy dry ice, right? So, let’s move to the next part, I.e., handling dry ice.
1. When Pouring or Opening Dry Ice, Use Long Sleeves and Leather Gloves
While a quick encounter is safe, a sustained one might cause your skin’s cells to freeze and burn you like fire.
- Although they can be used in place of gloves, an oven mitt or towel will provide a different level of safety. Maintain a safe distance between your skin and dry ice, just as you would with a hot frying pan.
- Burns caused by dry ice should be treated the same way as other burns. If the only color on your skin is red, it will soon heal. Apply antibiotic ointment and bandage the affected region if your skin blisters or falls off. In cases of severe burns, contact a doctor right once.
2. Store any Leftover Dry Ice in a Room With Good Ventilation
An oxygen-deficient environment can result from storing significant amounts of dry ice in sealed spaces.
- Your backyard storage shed will be well-ventilated and safe for people and animals if locked. If you’re having problems locating a secure location to preserve dry ice, inquire with your school’s chemistry teacher about a dry ice storage area in the lab.
- Make sure to keep dry ice out of the reach of little ones and pets.
3. In a Space Where Dry Ice Has Spilled, Open The Doors and Windows
Although it must be able to combine with the air more readily, the dry ice will continue to sublimate.
- Dry ice will build up in low parts of the spill area because it is heavier than oxygen. As these regions will have the maximum concentration of carbon dioxide, keep your face away from pits and other low, enclosed spaces.
4. To Get Rid of It, Leave The Dry Ice at Room Temperature in a Well-ventilated Place
If you have extra dry ice, keep in mind that it is constantly sublimating and only needs to be left alone for it to evaporate.
- You can dispose of dry ice on your veranda in the backyard. For at least a day, make sure it is safely out of reach of others.
- You can also use a fume hood to get rid of dry ice. In a fume hood, dangerous substances can be stored or used in a ventilated area. You can store the extra dry ice in the fume hood at the chemical lab at your school. Before doing so, make sure you ask a teacher first.
Things To Avoid
1. A Poorly Ventilated Location Should Not Contain Dry Ice, Such as a Basement, an Automobile or a Cellar
If breathed exclusively, the carbon dioxide produced by the dry ice might suffocate you as it gradually starts to replace oxygen.
2. Dry Ice Should Never be Thrown Away Down The Drain, Toilet or Garbage Disposal
The water in the pipes may burst due to the freezing that will occur. Additionally, a pipe’s great compactness will make dry ice expand more quickly, which could result in an explosion.
3. Refrain From Leaving Dry Ice Unattended
Even if no one is around, spills and other incidents might happen without strict supervision.
- Avoid leaving dry ice on solid or tiled surfaces like countertops because the severe cold may cause them to break.
On A Wrap
So, in this article, we discussed where to buy dry ice, how to handle dry ice and things you should avoid or keep in mind while carrying it. If you need to party or have other(legal) plans for dry ice but don’t know where to buy it and how to carry it, this article is all for you. Give it a complete read to know everything about it!
Also read: Gas Feed Purification by Eliminating Sulfur Compounds and Oxygenate Contaminants
