Dry Ice

What Is Dry Ice?

Dry ice is solidified carbon dioxide (CO2), yes that's right, no water in it!

In order to turn this gas into a solid it needs to be cooled down to at least -80°C, in another words, it's extremely cold!

Unlike water ice, dry ice does not melt, it sublimates (changes directly from solid to gas).

Uses

Food preservation: Dry ice is often used to keep food products frozen during transportation, as it's much colder than regular ice and can keep food frozen for longer periods of time.
Industrial cleaning: Dry ice blasting is a technique used to clean industrial equipment and machinery by blasting compressed air and dry ice pellets at the surface to be cleaned.
Special effects: Dry ice is often used in the entertainment industry for special effects, such as creating smoke-like fog.
Medical and laboratory use: Dry ice is used in cryotherapy, where it's applied to the skin to cool and numb the area. It's also used in laboratories to preserve samples.
Safety is important when handling dry ice. It's extremely cold, so it can cause frostbite if it comes into contact with skin. It's also important to be aware of the fact that dry ice can cause asphyxiation if it's used in a confined space without proper ventilation. It's also important to avoid ingesting dry ice, as it can cause serious internal injuries.

When handling dry ice, it's important to wear gloves and other protective gear, as well as to work in a well-ventilated area. It's also important to keep dry ice away from children and pets.

It's also important to note that dry ice sublimates, meaning it turns from a solid to a gas, so it should be stored in an insulated container with ventilation to release the pressure caused by the sublimation process.

Few tips on how to store dry ice at home:

Keep it in an insulated container: Dry ice should be stored in an insulated container, such as a Styrofoam container or a specially-designed dry ice chest. This will help to keep it cold and slow down the sublimation process.
Ventilation: Dry ice should be stored in a container with ventilation holes to allow the carbon dioxide gas to escape as it sublimates. This is important to prevent the build-up of pressure inside the container, which can cause the container to burst.
Keep it away from living spaces: Dry ice should be stored in a well-ventilated area away from living spaces and flammable materials.
Keep it away from children and pets: Dry ice should be kept out of reach of children and pets, as it can cause injury if it comes into contact with skin.
Keep it in a cool place: To slow down the sublimation process, dry ice should be stored in a cool place, such as a garage or basement.
Do not try to store dry ice in a airtight container, as the pressure from sublimation can cause the container to rupture or explode.
Follow the instruction of the supplier or provider of the dry ice, they usually will give you the proper information and guidelines for storage and handling of dry ice.
It's also important to remember that dry ice should be used quickly and should not be stored for long periods of time. If you're planning to store dry ice for a longer period of time, make sure to check the container regularly to ensure that the carbon dioxide gas can escape and that the container is not damaged.

Create smoke using Dry Ice

To create smoke using dry ice, you will need a container (such as a cooler or a plastic bin) with a tight-fitting lid, dry ice, and a way to safely handle the dry ice (such as thick gloves or tongs). Here are the steps to create smoke:

Fill the bottom of the container with a layer of dry ice.
Slowly add warm water (not boiling water!) to the container, being careful not to add too much at once, as this can cause the dry ice to sublimate too quickly.
Close the lid tightly and wait for the smoke to start building up inside the container.
Once the smoke has built up, you can open the lid to release it.

Note: Always handle dry ice with extreme care, as it can cause serious frostbite.

WARNING: