How to Store Dry Ice

Reviewed by Anne Schmidt

Last Updated: September 2, 2024 Fact Checked

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Dry ice is great for chilling beverages and making special effects. It's important that you store dry ice properly when you're not using it. Storing your dry ice the right way will help it last longer and prevent any safety hazards.

Part 1

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Storing the Dry Ice

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Though you can slow down the sublimation process, you can't stop it. Therefore, purchase dry ice as close to when you want to use it as possible. You'll lose 5 to 10 pounds of dry ice in a day, even when the dry ice is stored well.^{[1]
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Dry ice can burn your skin because of the extreme temperature. Insulated gloves will protect your hands from frostbite when handling dry ice. You should try to handle it as little as possible.^{[2]
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Research source} In addition, wearing long sleeves can protect your arms while you are using dry ice.

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A thick styrofoam cooler is sufficient to keep dry ice for an extended period of time. You can also use a standard cooler, such as one you use to hold cold drinks.^{[3]
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Fill up the rest of the container with crumpled paper. This process will help slow down the sublimation, as it lessens how much dead space is in the container.^{[4]
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The more you open the container, the more warm air you let in. Warm air increases the sublimation process, meaning your dry ice evaporates more quickly.^{[5]
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If it's cold outside, set the cooler outside. If it's warm, keep the cooler in a cool place inside. Basically, you want to keep the temperature outside of the cooler as cool as possible, as it lowers the sublimation rate of the ice.
If you have a light burn that only causes redness, the burn should heal on its own. However, if dry ice causes your skin to blister or if your skin starts peeling, you need to go to the doctor.^{[6]
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Part 2

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Avoiding the Hazards

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Keep it in a ventilated area. Because dry ice releases carbon dioxide, it can be hazardous to humans in a closed-off area. Make sure plenty of fresh air is getting into the room where the dry ice is being stored. Otherwise, it can cause asphyxiation in humans and animals.^{[7]
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- Remember, a closed car is an unventilated area, especially if the air is not on. Don't leave dry ice in a parked, closed car. When transporting it, open the windows, or make sure you set the air conditioner to bring in fresh air. In addition, place it away from you when you're driving.^{[8]
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Dry ice sublimates instead of melts, meaning it releases carbon dioxide. As carbon dioxide changes to gas, it needs room to escape. If you use an airtight container, the gas cannot escape. In extreme cases, the gas can expand too much, causing an explosion.^{[9]
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A freezer is airtight, and it can cause the dry ice to explode.^{[10]
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Research source} Also, if you try to put dry ice in a regular freezer or refrigerator, you could destroy the system, as the thermostats are not made to handle those kinds of temperatures.
If you plan on breaking up a block of dry ice, you should wear safety goggles and a face shield to protect your eyes. Otherwise, shards of ice can fly into your eyes and cause burns.^{[11]
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Carbon dioxide tends to sink in rooms, as it is heavier than the air you breathe. Therefore, it will collect in low areas. Don't intentionally stick your head in those areas.^{[12]
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Dry ice can damage many surfaces due to its extreme temperatures. For instance, you can crack tile or other counter top surfaces by placing dry ice on it.^{[13]
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Dispose of dry ice properly. The best way to get rid of unused dry ice is to let the unused portion continue to sublimate. Make sure the area is well ventilated while the dry ice continues to disappear.^{[14]
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- Don't put dry ice down a sink or in a toilet, as you may destroy them. Similarly, don't put dry ice in a trash can or leave it where it can accidentally be picked up or touched by someone who doesn't know it's dry ice, as it can burn them.

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Can you keep dry ice in the freezer?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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No, dry ice must never be kept in a home refrigerator freezer. This is because the warmer temperature of the freezer will cause the dry ice to transform into a gas (sublimate) and the initial extremely cold temperature of the dry ice can cause the freezer thermostat to shut down (and potentially break). Moreover, if the dry ice is inside an airtight container, when it turns into a gas because the warmer temperature melts it, then it may cause the container to explode inside the freezer.

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How long can you keep dry ice in a cooler?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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You can keep dry ice in a Styrofoam cooler until it sublimates, which will usually take about 18 to 24 hours, depending on the external temperature. This time can be extended by keeping the external temperature cooler around it, packing the edges around the ice in the cooler with wads of newspaper and lining the cooler with additional Styrofoam.

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How long can you keep dry ice in the freezer?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Dry ice should not be kept in a home freezer. You can keep dry ice in a Styrofoam container, such as a cooler, that is not airtight. It can be kept in there until it sublimates (turns into a gas), usually within 18 to 24 hours.

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If at any time while handling dry ice you have difficulty breathing, get a headache, have a rapid heartbeat, or get dizzy, get to a well ventilated area immediately, as these are signs of asphyxiation.

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