We’re in the full swing of mid-summer, which means there’s still plenty of time to go camping. Nothing makes camping easier and more comfortable than having dry ice to keep your food and drinks cold and safe. Without a guide to dry ice, things can go wrong. Let’s take a moment to review some facts, safety information, and best uses for dry ice to make your camping experience the best it can be!
Dry Ice: What it is and How to Pack it
Dry ice is best known for its frigid temperature: a chilling -109.3 degrees Fahrenheit or -78.5 degrees Celsius. At its base form, dry ice is a solid which sublimates into a gas below those temperatures. The byproduct of that sublimation is what provides refrigeration.
The best part of dry ice is unlike its H20 counterpart, dry ice doesn’t melt or create a mess. When it’s done “melting”, it has completely evaporated into thin air!
Dry ice is available in three distinct variations: blocks, pellets, and rice. Importantly, each iteration of dry ice has specific uses.
Blocks: High-density and long-lasting, blocks are recommended for usage over longer periods of time. Be sure to store in a well-insulated container to ensure optimal performance.
Pellets: Due to their similarity to packing peanuts, dry ice pellets are most suitable for commercial packing of food, beverages, and even medical equipment. Best of all, pellets eliminate wasted space, making them the preferred choice for hospitals, food manufacturers, and transportation services.
Rice: Best suited for dry ice blasting and blast cleaning, fine rice is the smallest commercially available form of dry ice. Measuring in at a miniscule 3mm, rice is also used in smaller units for transportation and cooling.
For transportation, be sure to wrap your dry ice in layers of newspaper. Place the dry ice at the bottom, underneath your food or drink in the container. Fill the rest of the container with wadded up newspaper to eliminate empty space and maximize the efficiency of the dry ice’s cooling properties.
Finally, never handle dry ice with your bare hands. Always wear both long sleeves and gloves and when camping, store your dry ice away from your tent or camper.
Dry Ice vs. Regular Ice
For longer trips, dry ice is the perfect choice to keep your items cold. Rather than worrying about dumping out water or stopping to replenish your supply, with dry ice, the focus is on making sure your container is properly insulated. Best of all, dry ice leaves no mess and is completely safe!
Importantly, remember that if you have dry ice in an enclosed area, like a vehicle, you need to make sure it’s ventilated. It is recommended that you place any containers with dry ice in the trunk. If you don’t have a trunk in your vehicle, avoid traveling with dry ice.
Get Your Dry Ice Today!
Noble Gas Solutions is the only manufacturer of dry ice, on-site, within 120 miles of Albany, New York. We even offer delivery for high-volume users, and we welcome pickup at our Albany, Kingston, and South Glens Falls locations during business hours.
Stop by or contact us today to enjoy your camping trips in style this summer and fall with the highest quality, FDA-registered dry ice available!
