Where to Buy Dry Ice? 44 Retailers and Online Places

Dry ice is not an everyday item in many households. It isn’t a surprise many people don’t know where to buy dry ice. But wait! Why are you looking for stores that sell dry ice?

There are plenty of things to do with dry ice, including:

  • For commercial refrigeration:  Used for a side hustle selling ice cream, food, drinks, and other concession stand treats that are best served cold or frozen. Dry ice storage is a better option to keep your treats cold without the mess of melted ice. Dry ice storage temperature can be beneficial when shipping perishables and needing to keep them cold in transit.
  • Halloween celebration: Maybe it is October, and you’re preparing to throw a Halloween celebration or a class party. A cool thing to do with dry ice is adding it to drinks, liquids, and water for a spooky effect for kids and adults.
  • Create a stage show special effect: Buy dry ice in large quantities to create a stage show special effect by creating instant fog as commonly seen at rock concerts or Broadway musicals. To make your own dry ice machine, just place it in buckets and a fan nearby to blow it around for the cool effects.
  • Education: Students use dry ice at school for science experiments.

Whatever your needs, the big question is: where can I buy dry ice?

Short Answer: You can buy dry ice from grocery stores or online services like Dry Ice Delivered or Dry Ice Corp. Grocery stores are ideal places when buying dry ice in small quantities to use in a science project or toss in a cooler. In most grocery stores, you’ll find dry ice stocked in one-pound bags selling between $1-$3 each. Safeway, Albertsons, H-E-B, and Costco are among the top grocery stores to buy dry ice, but it can vary by location.

Not all local stores stock dry ice. If you can’t find stores nearby, then place your order online. Ordering dry ice online is your best bet if you want to buy dry ice in large quantities. Most online delivery services have minimum order quantities of 10 to 25 pounds. The cost can be as little as $1 per pound, but you’ll pay additional shipping costs.

Índice
  1. Best Place To Buy Dry Ice
  2. What is Dry Ice?
    1. What is dry ice used for in everyday life?
  3. How Much Dry Ice Do I Need?
  4. How Long Does Dry Ice Last For?
  5. What is the Cost of Dry Ice?
  6. How to Handle Dry Ice?
  7. Grocery Stores That Sell Dry Ice
    1. 1. Acme
    2. 2. Costco
    3. 3. Dillons
    4. 4. Giant Food
    5. 5. Fred Meyer
    6. 6. Kroger
    7. 7. Harris Teeter
    8. 8. Walmart
    9. 9. H-E-B
    10. 10. Safeway
    11. 11. Ingles Markets
    12. 12. Hy-Vee
    13. 13. Publix
    14. 14. Vons
    15. 15. Winco
    16. 16. Ralphs
    17. 17. Smart & Final
    18. 18. Wegmans
    19. 19. Smart Foodservice
    20. 20. Gelsons
    21. 21. Tom Thumb
    22. 22. Albertsons
    23. 23. Weis Markets
    24. 24. Winn Dixie
    25. 25. Whole Foods
    26. 26. Meijer
    27. Drug Stores
    28. 27. Walgreens
  8. Gas Stations That Sell Dry Ice
    1. 28. Sheetz
    2. 29. QuikTrip
    3. 30. Weigel’s
    4. 31. Maverik
    5. 32. Speedway
    6. 33. 7-Eleven
    7. 34. Wawa
  9. Hardware Stores That Sell Dry Ice
    1. 35. Ace Hardware
    2. 36. Home Depot
    3. 37. Lowes
  10. Dry Ice Delivery Service
    1. 38. Dry Ice Corp
  11. Dry Ice Online Delivery
    1. 39. Dry Ice Delivered
    2. 40. Airgas
    3. 41. Amazon
    4. 42. Ice Factory Online
  12. Food Grade Dry Ice
    1. 43. Continental Carbonic
  13. Dry Ice Delivery for Drinks
    1. 44. Emergency Ice
  14. Related Questions
    1. What Happens If I Touch Dry Ice?
    2. How Old to Buy Dry Ice?
    3. How to Store Dry Ice?
    4. What Supplies do you Need to Handle Dry Ice?
    5. How to Transport Dry Ice Safely?
    6. How to Dispose of Dry Ice Safely?
    7. What are the Different Types of Dry Ice?
    8. What are the Different Dry Ice Uses?
    9. Where to Buy Dry Ice Packs for Shipping?
    10. How Long Does Dry Ice Last in a YETI Cooler?
    11. Can all YETI coolers store dry ice?
  15. Where to Buy Dry Ice Summary

Best Place To Buy Dry Ice

Several factors come to play when determining the best place to buy dry ice, including where you live and how much you need.

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Grocery stores are the best places to buy dry ice in your area if you want to purchase dry ice in small quantities. Mostly, you’ll find it stocked in bags of one pound each. The price of a one-pound bag of dry ice costs between $1 to $3, depending on the store.

Sadly, not all grocery stores carry it. If you can’t find dry ice stores near you, you’ll be forced to look elsewhere. Your best bet is to order dry ice online from dry ice delivery services.

Ordering online from a dry ice distributor is a great option if you need dry ice in large quantities for commercial refrigeration or creating stage show special effects.

The price is as little as $1 per pound, but you’ll be subjected to minimum order quantities of around 10 to 25 pounds per order.

Shipping costs also apply and vary widely depending on the shipping distance and how fast you want it delivered. FedEx and UPS have an estimated Ground shipping cost of $25 to $40. But expedited shipping can get quite expensive. Costs can also skyrocket for long-distance shipping.

Save money on dry ice shipping costs by asking the distributor to pick it up in person. Bring some coolers and pick it up yourself and avoid expensive delivery costs. 

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What is Dry Ice?

Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide. When Carbon dioxide is frozen to -109 degrees Fahrenheit, it maintains frigid temperatures. Solid carbon dioxide doesn’t melt but sublimates directly from the solid form to a gas without an in-between liquid stage. That’s why it’s called dry ice.

What is dry ice used for in everyday life?

Dry ice is very useful as it has many industrial and consumer applications. Primarily, it’s used for refrigeration purposes as the best alternative to avoiding the mess of melted ice when keeping products cold or frozen. It’s also used in dry ice smoke machines to create the famous fog effect during celebrations such as rock concerts or Broadway musicals.

How Much Dry Ice Do I Need?

The amount of dry ice you need depends on your needs and your ice chest size for storage. Normally, the dry ice size comes in 10-inch squares that are about 2 inches thick. Each square weighs about 10 pounds.

For better results, put one 10-inch square per 15 inches along the ice chest length. For an average 40-quart cooler, that’ll turn out to be two squares or 20 pounds. Depending on your container’s size, multiply your block quantities by this rate to know exactly how much you’ll need.

But when looking to buy dry ice for a punch during a Halloween celebration or class party, you may want to buy it in smaller blocks between 1 to 5 pounds each. You’ll be asked the amount you need when buying it from the grocery store. Generally, a 1-pound block will be enough for small Halloween parties, inflating balloons, cool pumpkin effects, or erupting a volcano cake.



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How Long Does Dry Ice Last For?

In a typical insulated container, dry ice will sublimate at a rate of 1% per hour. It starts to sublimate immediately from the time of purchases.

Therefore, you should plan to buy dry ice the same day you’ll use it, or within a few hours, to reduce waste. Generally, 10 pounds of dry ice will evaporate entirely within 24 hours in a standard 25-quart cooler.

Keeping your cooler out of direct sunlight, adding extra insulation during the day, and opening it as seldom as possible are some of the best practices to make your dry ice last longer.

Do not store in your old refrigerator or freezer because it is not a well-ventilated area.

See below the best YETI coolers to stop your dry ice from melting for up to a week.

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What is the Cost of Dry Ice?

There’s no one-price-fits-all when it comes to determining the cost of dry ice. Generally, dry ice is priced by weight, and the cost varies depending on where you buy it and the amount you need.

It’s cheaper to buy dry ice online per pound vs. retail stores nearby. Online prices can be as low as $1 per pound. The downside is that you will have to meet some minimum order requirements of about 10 to 25 pounds per order.

Shipping fees also apply based on the shipping distance and delivery speed. Buying online is a feasible option when you need to buy dry ice in large quantities or when you can’t find a dry ice store near me.

If you are just looking where to buy dry ice in small quantities, check grocery and hardware stores near you. Most grocery stores stock it in 1-pound bags, and the prices range from $1 to $3 per pound. Availability and pricing may vary from store to store and even within the same chain.

How to Handle Dry Ice?

Dry ice is extremely cold and can cause frostbite or other serious injuries when touched with bare hands, or it comes into contact with your skin. Whether you want to use dry ice for food preservation, decoration for the holidays’ celebrations, or in your home for cleaning, you need to know how to handle it.

Here are the precautions for handling dry ice safely:

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  • Protective clothing: To avoid accidental exposure of dry ice to your skin or eyes, wear gloves, goggles, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and closed-toe shoes.
  • Never use bare hands to handle or break: Handle dry ice with a towel, oven mitt, or a pair of tongs. Use a chisel and hammer when breaking a block of dry ice.
  • Use in a well-ventilated area: Carbon dioxide vapors can build up in areas without proper air circulation and cause dizziness, loss of consciousness, headache, or suffocation. To avoid such adverse effects, always use dry ice in a well-ventilated area.
  • Don’t use or store in an airtight container:  Use a Styrofoam container. Storing dry inside an airtight cooler can lead to an explosion as carbon dioxide vapors accumulate.
  • Melt any extra dry ice: Dumping it down a drain can freeze or damage the pipes. Instead, pour warm water over any remains to speed up the sublimation.

Grocery Stores That Sell Dry Ice

When looking where to buy dry ice, grocery stores should be your first stop, especially when you need small quantities. Most grocery stores carry dry ice in one-pound bags, and the cost can be anywhere between $1 and $3 per pound.

Not all grocery stores carry dry ice, even within the same chain. The prices and availability may vary based on store locations. You should call your store to confirm availability and prices before visiting.

1. Acme

Acme Markets have over 163 supermarkets throughout New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Maryland. If you live in any one of these states, visit your nearest acme and buy dry ice in pallets, blocks, and slices.

2. Costco

Costco has over 558 locations in 47 states and 474 cities in the US. California, Texas, and Washington are the top states where you will find most Costco locations. Some Costco stores carry dry ice while others don’t. Call ahead to inquire whether your nearest Costco store sells dry ice.

3. Dillons

Dillons has about 94 store locations in Kansas and Nebraska, some of which sell dry ice. It’s a great place to buy dry ice in your area if you live nearby. Visit your location or call ahead of time to inquire about availability and prices.

4. Giant Food

There are over 160 Giant Food locations in Washington DC, Virginia, Delaware, and Maryland. Check with your local store and buy dry ice to use in your coolers, or just experiment with your kids.

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5. Fred Meyer

Found in the western part of the country, Fred Meyer has 134 store locations in Washington, California, Oregon, Alaska, and Idaho. Shop for the Penguin Brand Dry Ice in most of Fred Meyer’s locations by asking at the cash register or a teenager stocking shelves in the grocery store.

6. Kroger

Kroger has grocery stores in 35 states, most of which sell dry ice pellets and blocks. With almost 3,000 locations, you are sure to find a suitable Kroger location nearby to purchase dry ice in small quantities. The prices may vary by location. Many locations also have adjoined gas stations that are cash checks and open 24-hours.

7. Harris Teeter

Harris Teeter has around 243 store locations in Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, Georgia, and the District of Columbia. Some, if not all, Harris Teeter locations carry dry ice. Call ahead of time to inquire about availability at your location.

8. Walmart

Are you wondering how to buy dry ice at Walmart? Walmart has over 11,000 store locations in the US, making it an ideal place to buy dry ice near me. Not all Walmarts carry it. Inquire the store manager or customer service representative in the MoneyCenter to buy dry ice at Walmart.

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9. H-E-B

H-E-B grocery has over 300 locations in Texas, most of which carry dry ice. The best way to buy dry ice from H-E-B is to call ahead of time and check availability and prices. Otherwise, just visit your nearest store in Texas and ask the customer service desk located in the front of the store where to find it.

10. Safeway

If you live on the west coast, Safeway is a great place for you to buy dry ice in your area. It has over 240 store locations in California, most of which carry dry ice at rock bottom prices. Visit their website, find a location, and see whether they have it in stock.

11. Ingles Markets

Ingles Markets is a regional supermarket chain with over 197 supermarkets in the southeastern US; hence an ideal place to buy dry ice locally is in the Carolinas or Georgia.

12. Hy-Vee

Founded in 1930, Hy-Vee is an ideal supermarket chain where you can buy dry ice near me if you live in the Midwestern US. They have over 265 grocery stores in Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, and South Dakota. If you’re using a debit card without a PIN because you forgot it, instead select “credit” to make your purchase.

13. Publix

Publix is a great place to buy dry ice locally if you live in the Southeastern part of the country, with Florida having the most stores. Most Publix grocery stores sell dry ice without any limitations, but it’s always recommended that you call ahead to see what types of dry ice they have in stock. Publix dry ice price may vary by location.

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14. Vons

Owned by Albertsons, Vons is a great place to buy dry ice in your area if you live in Nevada or California. The supermarket chain has over 199 store locations in the two states.

15. Winco

WinCo Foods is another excellent supermarket chain based in Boise, Idaho. You can check and buy dry ice in any of their 129 locations in Arizona, Washington, California, Utah, Idaho, Texas, Montana, Oregon, Nevada, and Oklahoma. WinCo is also one of the best 24-hour check-cashing grocery stores in the area.

16. Ralphs

If you live in Southern California and wonder who sells dry ice in this area, Ralphs is one of those dry ice stores. The supermarket chain has over 190 locations in California spread across 108 cities. It’s important to call ahead of time to confirm whether the location you intend to visit carries dry ice.

17. Smart & Final

Smart and Final is a great place to buy dry ice for your storage freezer if you live in the Western US or Northwestern Mexico. They have over 250 stores in the Western US, including California, Arizona, Montana, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, and Mexico.

18. Wegmans

Wegmans Food Markets is where you can buy dry ice blocks if you live in the mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions. Wegmans has around 105 stores in 8 states, including New York, North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Virginia.

19. Smart Foodservice

Currently known as CHEF’S STORE, Smart Foodservice is a low-priced grocery chain where you can buy dry ice in small quantities. They have over 80 stores spread across six states, namely Washington, California, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, and Montana.

20. Gelsons

Gelsons is where u can buy dry ice if you live in Southern California. They have about 27 store locations.

21. Tom Thumb

Buy dry ice in your area from Tom Thumb if you live in Dallas, Texas. There are about 64 Tom Thumb store locations in Texas.

22. Albertsons

Albertsons has about 2,252 store locations across 34 states. Not all locations carry dry ice. Call ahead of time to confirm availability before you go. Albertsons has liquor stores that cash checks within the stores and most are open 24 hours.

23. Weis Markets

You can buy dry ice pellets at Weis Markets if you live in Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania,  Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and New Jersey. They have over 196 store locations across those states.

24. Winn Dixie

With about 500 stores in Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana, Winn-Dixie is a great place to buy dry ice nearby if you live in any of those states.

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25. Whole Foods

Whole Foods has about 505 store locations in 44 states and 349 cities across the country. Visit or call their store and inquire about the types of dry ice you can buy from them.

26. Meijer

You can buy dry ice in small quantities at Meijer stores. They have superstores in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. There are around 254 Meijer with a good chance of them selling ice. They price it around $2.40 per pound in most store locations.

Drug Stores

When looking where to buy dry ice near me, don’t ignore drug stores. IBISWorld says there are over 26,000 pharmacies and drug stores in the US.

27. Walgreens

You can buy dry ice pellets at Walgreens if they have a location near you. The company operates over 9,200 stores in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands. Walgreens dry ice prices and availability may vary based on store locations. They do accept American Express gift cards as a form of payment when making purchases.

Gas Stations That Sell Dry Ice

There are over 61,000 gas stations across the US, according to IBISWorld. Some, but not many, gas stations sell dry ice. You’ll probably see large big freezers in front of the store. If you can’t don’t them, you may need to ask the staff if they have different dry ice types for sale.

Here are some gas stations that may carry dry ice for sale:

28. Sheetz

You can buy dry ice at Sheetz. They have over 600 convenience stores in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, and Maryland.

29. QuikTrip

You can buy dry ice at QuikTrip. Their chain of over 800 convenience stores and fuel service stations operate in the Midwestern, Southern, Southeastern US, including Arizona, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa, Georgia, Illinois, and Nebraska.

30. Weigel’s

If you live in East Tennessee, Weigel’s is a convenience store chain where you can buy dry ice. They operate over 69 locations in the East Tennessee region. Weigel’s is also a gas station to buy Kerosene.

31. Maverik

Buy dry ice at Maverik convenience stores if you live in the western United States. They have over 300 store locations in Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, South Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Nevada.

32. Speedway

Speedway LLC is a convenience store and gas station chain where you can buy dry ice in your area. There are over 3,900 stores in 32 states, mainly on the East Coast and Midwest regions.

33. 7-Eleven

Buy dry ice at 7-Eleven stores near you. 7-Eleven is an international chain of convenience stores and gas stations with over 71,000 stores in 17 countries. They have over 10,000 locations throughout the country, and you’re sure to find a convenient location open 24-hours.

34. Wawa

Buy dry ice locally at Wawa if you live on the East coast of the US. There are about 900 convenience stores and gas stations in Pennsylvania, Washington, Florida, New Jersey, Virginia, Delaware, and Maryland.

Hardware Stores That Sell Dry Ice

There are over 22,000 hardware stores in the US, according to First Research. Here are some national hardware stores where you can buy dry ice nearby.

35. Ace Hardware

Ace Hardware is the largest hardware retail chain in the world. With over 5,000 store locations across all 50 states, Ace Hardware is a great place to buy dry ice locally. Prices and availability may vary by store location. Also, visit your local hardware store to get a key made.

36. Home Depot

As the largest home improvement retailer in the US, Home Depot may carry dry ice blocks in some, if not most, of its locations. Home Depot has over 2,000 locations in all 50 states Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.

37. Lowes

The second-largest hardware chain in the US, Lowes has over 2,000 home improvement and hardware stores in North America. They sell everything, including types of indoor succulents, tools, get keys made, and you can buy dry ice at many locations.

Dry Ice Delivery Service

A dry ice delivery service is a good solution if you need dry ice in bulk or can’t find a store in your area. You can order dry ice online or from a dry ice distribution center and have it delivered to your home. The delivery services have minimum order quantity requirements, and you will also be subjected to shipping costs.

Here are the top dry ice delivery services to buy in large quantities from a distributor.

38. Dry Ice Corp

  • Physical locations: It’s an online store, plus it has several retail distribution partners in Northeastern states.
  • Types available: Only dry ice pellets are available online. Other types of dry ice may be available from retail partners.
  • Minimum order quantity: 10 pounds at most retail partners.
  • Cost: Online prices are about $49 for 25 pounds and $69 for 45 pounds of dry ice pellets. The price ranges from $1 to $1.60 per pound at most retail partners.
  • Shipping cost: Only one of Dry Ice Corp’s branches in the Eastern US offers shipping within 300 miles. Shipping is around $25 for a 25-pound package of dry ice pellets and up to $30 for a 45-pound package. Your order will be shipped within 24 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.

Website: Dry Ice Corp

Dry Ice Online Delivery

Dry ice online delivery services don’t have physical locations. You buy dry ice online, and your order is delivered without leaving the comfort of your home. Prices are about $1 per pound, and you’ll be subjected to order minimums of 10 to 25 pounds per order. Shipping fees apply based on shipping distance and delivery speed.

See our guide on the best online coupon sites to see if you can get a discount on your purchase.

39. Dry Ice Delivered

  • Physical locations: Online only. They ship dry ice anywhere in the US
  • Types available: Dry ice blocks and pellets
  • Minimum order quantity: 10 pounds
  • Cost: $1 per pound or $10 per 10 pounds. Prices decrease slightly as you order larger quantities.
  • Shipping: Dry Ice Delivered ships out of Baton Rouge, LA, a 10-pound package at around $40 via FedEx Ground. Expedited overnight shipping can cost as high as $115. Shipping costs increase with distance and delivery speed.

Website: Dry Ice Delivered 

40. Airgas

Airgas is a major US distribution network in the packages gas industry. You can buy dry ice pellets ad blocks online from Airgas.

Website: Airgas

41. Amazon

Amazon is known as an online marketplace where you can buy almost anything. You’ll find dry ice supplies from different sellers listed on Amazon. Prices and shipping fees vary from seller to seller. With a bit of poking around, you can land great deals on Amazon with potentially free shipping for Prime members.

Website: Amazon

42. Ice Factory Online

Ice Factory Online is a good place to buy dry ice online in both small and large quantities at great prices. They stock dry ice in blocks, cubes, slices, and palettes upon request. The prices range from $1.75 for a 7 lb. bag cubed ice to $45 for a 50 lb. block.

Website: Ice Factory Online

Food Grade Dry Ice

Food grade dry ice is safe for use in food production, processing, storage, and transportation. If you need to buy food-grade dry ice, your best bet is Continental Carbonic.

43. Continental Carbonic

Continental Carbonic is a leading manufacturer and distributor of dry ice, carbon dioxide, and dry ice blasting equipment. They have a robust network of about 50 facilities in strategic locations in the US. They manufacture and stock all types of food-grade dry ice, including cut block, airline cut, standard block, and blasting dry ice.

Website: Continental Carbonic

Dry Ice Delivery for Drinks

Can you use dry ice in your food and drinks? Food grade dry ice is used to carbonate soft drinks, water, and alcoholic beverages. But where can you get this excellent refrigerant? Buy it online from Emergency Ice.

44. Emergency Ice

Do you run a restaurant or bar in Dallas and Texas? Emergency Ice is a great place to buy dry ice online. They deliver packaged dry ice to businesses with commercial needs across Dallas-Fort Worth and Central Texas. You can buy blocks and pellets in different quantities to meet your exact needs.

Website: Emergency Ice

What Happens If I Touch Dry Ice?

Always wear protective clothing, including gloves, goggles, long-sleeved shirts, and close-toed shoes when handling dry ice. The protective gear will protect you from frostbites or other injuries.

That said, you may accidentally touch dry ice without protection, or a splash may land on unprotected skin when breaking the ice. If you suffer an ice burn, the first thing you should do is soak the wounded area in lukewarm water immediately.

Avoid using hot water because it can aggravate the burn further. To soothe the skin, apply ointments like aloe vera and bandage the wound.

If the skin seems waxy and shallow, then that may be a sign of severe frostbite that requires medical attention immediately. Once treated, you can expect your skin to heal within a matter of weeks.

How Old to Buy Dry Ice?

There isn’t government enforcement requiring dry ice buyers to be of a minimum age to buy. But generally, it’s dangerous to send children to buy dry ice since it requires special handling and can cause severe burns, frostbites, and other injuries if not handled carefully.

Though almost anyone can buy it, some stores will require you to be at least 18 years of age to purchase dry ice at the store.

How to Store Dry Ice?

Dry ice should be stored in a well-ventilated area using a non-airtight container. Ideally, use old coolers that are not airtight to store dry ice.

Because dry ice sublimates, it releases carbon dioxide vapors that need to escape. If the container is airtight, the gas will build up and cause the container to explode. Thus, avoid using your refrigerator or freezer to store dry ice. Instead, use a Styrofoam container.

Don’t store dry ice in a tightly closed area, but in a well-ventilated place. Carbon dioxide can build up in poor air circulation areas and cause adverse health effects like headache, loss of consciousness, suffocation, and dizziness.

Lastly, don’t leave or store dry ice where it can cause frostbites or burns to people or pets that accidentally come into contact with it.

What Supplies do you Need to Handle Dry Ice?

To be safe, you need to have the right supplies when handling dry ice. They include:

  • Protective clothing: Theseinclude gloves for handling dry ice or dry ice gloves, dry ice goggles, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and close-toed shoes.
  • Tongs and chisel: You need the tools to handle and break dry ice blocks.
  • Hard-sided cooler and towel: Used to wrap and carry/store dry ice. Don’t use glass or metal containers. Use non-airtight Styrofoam containers.

How to Transport Dry Ice Safely?

When transporting dry ice, you must take the proper precautions to ensure safe transportation. Once the cooler is placed in your car or pickup truck, roll down the windows. It’s because dry ice releases carbon dioxide that can be harmful if inhaled in large quantities.

Rolling down the windows ensures the circulation of fresh air, which is essential, especially when transporting dry ice for 15 minutes or more.

Suppose you transport dry ice with your car windows closed. In that case, carbon dioxide vapors released from the sublimating ice can quickly displace the oxygen inside the car and cause headaches, dizziness, or loss of consciousness.

Never leaves a person or your pet in a closed car alone with it. The carbon dioxide vapors can build up and asphyxiate them.

How to Dispose of Dry Ice Safely?

The best way to dispose of dry ice is to leave it in a well-ventilated area at room temperature. Since dry ice is continually undergoing constant sublimation, you only need to leave it alone to evaporate.

For example, you can dispose of dry ice on your backyard porch. Just leave it there for at least 24 hours, and it’ll go away. Otherwise, pour hot water on it to make it sublimate faster.

Never dispose of dry ice in the sewer, sink, toilet, garbage disposal, or unclog a drain. It may freeze, rapture, and damage the pipes.

What are the Different Types of Dry Ice?

Depending on your needs, there are different types of dry ice based on the size they come in. Each type is appropriate for different kinds of uses. They include:

  • Blocks: They measure 10″ x 10″ x 12″ and can weigh up to 60 pounds. Order dry ice in a block if you want to buy a large piece.
  • Pellets: These are fit for smaller storage needs and are usually the size of a sugar cube or a little larger. Dry ice pellets can either be rice pellets, carbonic pellets, or regular pellets.
  • Slices: You can have slabs processed and packaged to fit your specific needs. They are ideal for you if you want a slice of dry ice that covers most of your cooler or container.
  • Bulk: You can order any of the above in bulk, depending on your needs. Your best bet is to order online or directly from dry ice companies if you need dry ice in bulk for commercial refrigeration purposes.

What are the Different Dry Ice Uses?

From entertainment to storage and education purposes, it has many commercial and consumer uses. Some of the common uses of dry ice include:

  • Fogger/fog machine: It’s added to the dry ice machine to create fog or smoke that creates excitement during entertainment or celebration events.
  • Shipping: Dry ice is used to ship frozen foods and other perishables.
  • Halloween: It’s popularly used for Halloween special effects such as creating fog for a Halloween party when added to glasses of water and drinks. You can use dry ice in your food and drinks if used safely. Research safety precautions and learn how to use it safely before use.
  • Experiments: Used commonly used in schools for science experiments and demonstrations, such as using it to cause scrap metal or a coin to vibrate and dance.



Where to Buy Dry Ice Packs for Shipping?

When using dry ice for shipping, you will need an insulating container and ice packs. These are dry ice bags that help keep your perishables chilled or frozen for long by keeping the cold energy within the ice pack.

There are many online places where you can buy dry ice packs for shipping, but your best bet will be Amazon.

How Long Does Dry Ice Last in a YETI Cooler?

Dry ice will last between 2-7 days in a YETI cooler. The melting will vary on the size of your cooler and how much dry ice is used. A 10-pound block of dry ice placed every 15-inches will last 48 hours or longer in a YETI-approved cooler or ice bucket.

A properly filled and packed Yeti 65 can last a week or longer. It will last longer if you keep your cooler out of the sun and in a cool place wrapped in a blanket. 

Can all YETI coolers store dry ice?

Not all YETI’s can handle dry ice. The recommended Yeti products include the Roadie and Tundra Hard Coolers and the YETI Tank ice buckets. Don’t store dry ice in the Hopper Soft Cooler Family, YETI V-Series, or the Rambler Drinkware.

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Where to Buy Dry Ice Summary

Dry ice has many uses. You can use it for shipping perishables, Halloween or class parties, science experiments, or in fog machines to create special effects for entertainment purposes. Where to buy dry ice depends on your location and how much dry ice you need.

Mostly, you’ll be able to purchase dry ice in grocery stores near you if you need it in smaller quantities. Alternatively, order dry ice in large quantities from dry ice delivery services online or distribution centers. You’ll have it shipped to your place at an additional shipping fee.

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