Dry ice is a highly effective, safe cooling and cleaning tool when used and disposed of properly. Because it's so cold (-109.3°f/-78.5°c) and sublimates versus melting (which means it goes from a solid directly to a gaseous state), there are precautions to take when using it.

 Handling, storing & using

 Wear gloves to protect your hands when handling dry ice. It can burn bare skin.

Do not put dry ice in any space that is not well-ventilated and do not store it in an air-tight container.

 Never leave dry ice unattended. It should always be kept out of the reach of children and animals.

Do not ingest or use in drinks or beverages.

 Make it last

Dry ice sublimates, or changes directly from solid to gas, without a liquid phase. The rate of sublimation must be taken into account when choosing your dry ice. Depending on weather, type of dry ice, and the storage container, dry ice sublimates about 2% to 10% per day. Slabs of dry ice last longer than pelletized dry ice, which sublimates faster. For longer shelf life, keep dry ice in a high-quality, insulated container.

 Packaging with dry ice

Selecting a proper container is key, a well-insulated cooler will work best, styrofoam coolers work well for day trips,

S.J. Smith sells insulated bags for transportation if a cooler is not available. Be sure the cooler or container has a lid or drain that doesn’t seal completely, dry ice will sublimate (does not melt, turns into gas) and needs to be ventilated. For plastic coolers, it is best to line the inside of the cooler with cardboard, it protects the very cold ice from coming into contact and damaging the cooler. Wrap the ice in newspaper or paper bags, this helps with keeping the dry ice better longer, and prevents coming into contact with the dry ice if reaching into the container.

 Buying the correct amount of dry ice

The size of your cooler and how long you want to keep items cold for will determine how much dry ice is needed. Generally, you want to make sure you have 10-20 lbs. of dry ice for every 24 hours of cooling you need.

 Need dry ice? Call S.J. Smith at 563-324-5237, find more info here, or contact us online. We’ve got what you need!