Places to Buy Dry Ice
- Regular ice melts into a liquid, while dry ice melts into a gas.Ice image by Eagle from Fotolia.com
Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide gas and, with a temperature of -109 degrees Fahrenheit, causes frostbite on contact. Food service organizations, such as restaurants and grocery stores, use dry ice to keep meats and other foods completely frozen. Other companies, such as ice cream manufacturers, use dry ice during production and storage processes. As dry ice thaws or mixes with a small amount of water, it produces a thick fog, which is popular for Halloween parties and haunted house attractions. Due to the dangers of carbon dioxide fumes and the extremely cold temperatures, you must be 18 or older to buy dry ice. - Many large grocery stores carry dry ice to keep perishable foods from melting. Speak with the store manager or head butcher or deli attendant about the sale of dry ice. Often, during summer months, stores carry dry ice for camping, back packing and travelers. The dry ice comes prepackaged and ready to use in coolers. Dry ice may also be available from local grocers during extended power outages. A layer of dry ice at the top of the freezer keeps foods frozen and a block of dry ice in the bottom shelf of the refrigerator keeps other foods cold.
- Ice cream manufacturers and local dairies keep frozen confections at a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower for storage. Speak with the receptionist at the ice cream plant to determine if the company sells dry ice to the public.
- Manufacturers of dry ice include companies like Airgas, which provides a distributor location search on their website. Other companies with national distribution locations include Pain Enterprises and Continental Carbonic. DryiceInfo.com provides answers to commonly asked questions and also lists many sources for dry ice.
