Content

• Steps
• Advice

Dry ice is very effective in freezing drinks and for a number of other effects. However, it is important that you store dry ice properly when not in use. Proper storage of dry ice will help extend its shelf life and avoid some hazards.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Storing dry ice

1. 

   Only buy dry ice when it's time to use it. You can slow down the evaporation of dry ice, but you cannot stop it completely. Therefore, you should only buy dry ice when the time is right to use it. Remember that you will lose about 2 - 4.5 kg of dry ice per day, even if the ice is stored properly.

2. 

   
   
   Wear insulated gloves and arm protection. Dry ice can burn your skin because of the extremely low temperatures. Insulated gloves will protect the skin from cold burns when handling dry ice. Treat dry ice little by little at a time. In addition, a long-sleeved shirt will help protect your arms when using dry ice.

3. 

   Store dry ice in an insulated container. The cooling tank with thick porous material is suitable for storing ice dry for long periods of time. You can use a regular cooler, such as the one used to cool drinks.

4. 

   
   
   Crumble a little more paper into the bin. You will fill the remaining space in the bin with crumpled paper. This helps slow evaporation by reducing free space in the bin.

5. 

   Limit opening of the barrel. The more times you open the bin, the more hot air will fill in. The hot air accelerates evaporation, making dry ice evaporate more quickly.

6. 

   
   
   Place the cooler in a cool place. If it is cold outside, you can leave the cooler outside. If it is hot, you should place the cooler in a cool indoor place. In general, you need to keep the outside temperatures as low as possible to slow the evaporation of dry ice.

7. 

   Pay attention to burns. If the skin is slightly burned and becomes red, the burn will heal on its own. However, if dry ice causes blistering or peeling of your skin, you need to see your doctor. advertisement

Part 2 of 2: Avoid some hazards

1. 

   Place dry ice in a cool place. The CO2 from dry ice can be hazardous to humans in the enclosed space. Therefore, you should make sure the dry ice storage area is well ventilated. If not, both humans and animals are suffocated.
   • Note that the space inside a closed car is often not ventilated, especially when the air conditioner is not open. Therefore, you should not place dry ice in a stopped and closed vehicle. When you drive, you need to open your windows or turn on the air conditioning to allow air to circulate in your vehicle. Besides, do not place dry ice near you while driving.

2. 

   Do not use an airtight container. Dry ice evaporates rather than dissolves into water, meaning CO2 is released. When CO2 converts to gas, it needs space to escape. If you use a sealed container, the gas will not be able to escape. In some cases, excess gas formation will cause an explosion.

3. 

   Do not put dry ice in the freezer. Freezers are also airtight and can cause dry ice to explode. Furthermore, if you place dry ice in a freezer or a regular refrigerator, you can damage the system because a thermal sensor is not designed to handle the temperature of dry ice.

4. 

   Wear safety glasses and a protective mask to cut dry ice. If you want to chopped up a dry block, wear glasses and a protective mask to protect your eyes. Otherwise, small pieces of rock could shoot in the eye and cause burns.

5. 

   Stay away from low areas. CO2 usually settles because it is heavier than oxygen. Therefore, CO2 will gather in lowland areas. You should not bend low in such areas.

6. 

   Note the surface where the ice is placed. Dry ice can damage many surfaces because of the extremely low temperatures. For example, you could break a tile or the countertop when you put dry ice on it.

7. 

   Dispose of dry ice properly. The best way to remove any excess dry ice is to let it continue to evaporate. Just make sure the space is clear while the dry ice evaporates.
   • Do not place dry ice in the hand sink or toilet bowl to avoid damage. Likewise, do not place dry ice in a trash can or somewhere else that could be accidentally picked up or touched by someone else because they are unaware it is dry ice and cause them to burn.
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Advice

• If you feel short of breath, have a headache, have a fast heartbeat, or feel dizzy while handling dry ice, go to a well-ventilated area immediately as this is a sign of asphyxiation.