FAQ About Dry Ice

Do you need to keep food frozen inside of an ice chest while driving over a long distance? If you have been trying to figure out if using dry ice is safe to use or not, there is actually not much to worry about as long as you know how to handle it. This article will answer some of the questions that you might have in mind about dry ice.

What Exactly Is Dry Ice?

Dry ice is actually safe for your health, as it is a natural gas that is inhaled when breathing. The carbon dioxide is simply frozen to be used for various things. Carbon dioxide is actually used for making carbonated drinks, so it is safe to consume when it is in gas form.

Does Touching Dry Ice Cause Any Harm?

It is not safe to touch dry ice with your bare hands, as it can cause burns. However, briefly touching it by accident should not cause any concerns. As long as you wear gloves with a thick material when handling dry ice, you should be safe.

Is Dry Ice a Lot Colder Than Regular Ice?

Using dry ice is highly beneficial when it comes to keeping food frozen on a long drive. Dry ice is a lot colder than regular ice, as it reaches a temperature of -109.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Regular ice made from just water can be at a temperature of as little as 32 degrees Fahrenheit, which is not cold enough to keep your food frozen.

How Fast Does Dry Ice Melt?

It is actually not possible for dry ice to turn into a liquid. Basically, heat will only cause the dry ice to sublimate and transform back into the gas form or carbon dioxide. The gas will simply drift back into the environment until all of the ice has sublimated.  

Will Dry Ice Be Safe Inside of a Chest?

You can safely put dry ice inside of a chest to keep your food frozen. However, it is important for you to make sure there is plenty of ventilation flowing through the chest. Simply leave the lid slightly open. Ventilation is important because the carbon dioxide must be able to leave out of the chest when the dry ice begins to sublimate. An airtight ice chest burst if the carbon dioxide is unable to escape. Invest in the dry ice that you need as soon as you are ready.

For more information, talk to a professional like United City Ice Cube.