Here are 12 Easy Ways to Use Dry Ice in Your Cooler (Illustrated)

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   For your needs, pick a cooler with ventilation. Most coolers can be used with dry ice as long as they have a ventilation system. The cooler should either have a lid that doesn't seal completely shut or a drainage cap (typically located near the bottom of the cooler) to ventilate the evaporating gas. Choose a styrofoam cooler or urethane-insulated box if you only require a small cooler or only plan to use the dry ice for one day. Select a roto-molded or plastic cooler for longer dry ice use or for a larger cooler.

   • Purchase a urethane-insulated box that is at least 3 inches (7 cm) tall if you plan to use one. thick (6 cm)

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   If necessary, arrange cardboard or styrofoam inside the cooler. Protect your cooler's plastic interior from the dry ice's bitter cold if you aren't using a styrofoam one. Styrofoam or cardboard cut into small pieces should be placed on the bottom of the cooler. If you plan to have dry ice touching the interior walls of the cooler, you must also place them along the sides.

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   Open the cooler's drainage cap. Gas may accumulate inside the cooler as the dry ice evaporates. If you're using styrofoam or the urethane box, leave the lid slightly cracked to protect the cooler. Use a plastic or roto-molded cooler and slightly unscrew the drainage cap.

   • Pressure can build up inside the cooler and weaken the plastic if the gas cannot escape.

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   Calculate how much dry ice you'll require. First, determine how long the cooler's dry ice will be needed. Purchase 10–20 pounds (4–8 kg) for each 24-hour period you require. Dry ice (between 5 and 9 kg) Along with the items you want to store, you should also consider how much dry ice will fit in your cooler. A 40 to 60 quart (37 to 56 liter) cooler, for instance, can typically hold 10 pounds (4 kg). Dry ice (5 kg) for a day [1]

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   Purchase dry ice blocks. The majority of dry ice can be purchased in large blocks or chunks. Compared to tiny pieces or dry ice pellets, these will last longer. To determine how many blocks of dry ice will fit inside your cooler, think about measuring it before you purchase any.

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   When handling the dry ice, put on gloves or use other protective measures. Dry ice can burn bare skin because it gets so cold. Always use thick towels or gloves when handling the dry ice to prevent skin contact. [2]

   • Inform people not to touch the dry ice, or place a cardboard cover on the dry ice, if additional people will be opening the cooler to remove items (such as drinks).

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   Newspaper to encircle the dry ice Wrap the dry ice blocks in newspaper to extend the life of the substance. The newspaper will act as insulation, reducing evaporation time. Additionally, newspaper can help you avoid unintentionally touching the dry ice with your bare hands.

   • You might not be able to wrap small ice chunks you purchased in newspaper. Instead, wrap the pieces in newspaper to prevent evaporation.

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   To keep the food and beverages chilled, place the dry ice at the bottom of the cooler. Place the wrapped dry ice on the bottom of the cooler if you want quick and easy access to the food and beverages. Following that, you can place the food or beverages on top of the ice. Simply open the cooler and take what you need when you need food or beverages. [3]

   • If you're storing food, keep in mind that anything that touches dry ice will freeze. Put cardboard or newspaper between the objects and the dry ice.

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   Fill in the spaces with newspaper. Take a few sheets of newspaper and wad them into loose balls to extend the life of the dry ice. If there are any gaps or spaces between the pieces of dry ice, fill them with newspaper. The dry ice will evaporate more quickly due to the space between them.

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   If desired, place a piece of cardboard on top of the dry ice. Put a piece of cardboard directly over the dry ice in the freezer's bottom to stop your items from freezing and people from unintentionally touching it. Approximately 1 inch (2. To allow the gas to escape as the dry ice vaporizes, cut a hole (approximately 0.5 cm) in the cardboard.

   • If you're primarily using the cooler for storing food, you can omit this step because the cardboard acts as a barrier to prevent people from touching the dry ice and can stop food from freezing.

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   If you prefer to quickly freeze the food, place the dry ice on top. Place the items you want to freeze in the cooler's bottom as opposed to its top if you prefer to use it as a portable freezer. Place, for instance, the meat from a hunting trip in storage bags at the cooler's base. To get the food to freeze quickly, place the dry ice directly on it.

   • If you intend to access the cooler frequently, avoid placing the dry ice on top because it can be challenging to move the dry ice out of the way.

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   Throw away the dry ice Depending on how it is stored, dry ice will evaporate on its own over a number of hours or days. Set your cooler outside with the lid off or open if you need to get rid of any dry ice that is still inside. If you wrapped the dry ice in newspaper, remove the wrapping. Allow the dry ice to vaporize outside. Keep young children and animals away and keep an eye on the dry ice if you have either around. [4]

   • Avoid letting the dry ice evaporate in the sink because the very cold temperature can harm the plumbing.
   • Open the windows in the room and place the dry ice on a solid surface, such as a wooden cutting board, if you are unable to leave it outside. As the dry ice evaporates, keep the air moving in the space.

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