Dry Ice Resources
At Gehm and Sons, we make and distribute dry ice and related products to commercial and retail customers from all around northeast Ohio. Over our many years in business, we have learned that our customers often have questions about how we make dry ice, how dry ice should be handled, and how dry ice can be used. Here you will find a comprehensive list of resources we have created to help answer you questions.
Material Safety Data Sheets
Medical Uses
Dry ice is used for a large variety of medical uses. Gehm and Sons provides dry ice to medical facilities as well as individuals needing dry ice for treatments or medicine storage.
Cold Caps
Dry ice is used in some “cold caps” utilized by cancer treatment patients to limit or prevent hair loss and other side effects of chemotherapy. It typically takes 40 to 45 pounds of dry ice per treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dry Ice
Dry ice sublimates at the rate of approximately 10 pounds every 24 hours when stored in a quality cooler. The following are some approximate cooling times based on using dry ice wrapped in an insulated container.
| Pounds of Dry Ice | Approximate Cooling Time |
|---|---|
| 5 to 7 pounds | 18 to 24 Hours |
| 8 to 12 pounds | 24 to 40 Hours |
| 13 to 20 pounds | 40 to 60 Hours |
A block of dry ice has a surface temperature of -109.3 degrees Fahrenheit (-78.5 degrees C).
Dry Ice is made when compressed liquid Carbon Dioxide is released into an expansion chamber within a dry ice press. Inside the expansion chamber, the liquid CO2 flashes to gas. The rapid expansion from liquid to gas causes the temperature to drop rapidly and roughly half of the CO2 gas freezes into dry ice snow. The dry ice snow is then compressed into solid dry ice blocks, or into dry ice pellets and rice.
How to Use Dry Ice
For Freezing
Place dry ice on top of items to be frozen in a cooler or other suitable container.
If freezing trophy game or fish, do not allow direct contact with dry ice. Superficial damage or freezer burn may result.
For Cooling
Place dry ice in the bottom of a cooler, cover with wet ice or insulating material, then place food, cans, etc., on top. Do not allow direct contact with the dry ice.
For Shipping Frozen Items
Dry ice is frequently used to keep frozen items, especially food items, frozen during shipping. Pack frozen items in a sturdy Styrofoam cooler or shipping container. Then place 20 pounds of dry ice on top for a 3-4 day shipment. Use 10 pounds of dry ice for overnight or 2 day shipping. Close the container and tape the outer carton with regular shipping tape.
FedEX, UPS, and the United States Post office all ship dry ice via ground service. When you contact the shipper, declare the contents of your shipment and indicate that dry ice is being used. Each carrier has their own unique policies and restrictions for shipping with dry ice and each will advise you of how to label and prepare your package for shipment.
Dry Ice Safety Precautions
Warning: UN 1845 – Extremely Cold (-109 degrees F).
- Do not put in sealed container.
Do not handle with bare hands – may cause burns.
- Avoid contact with skin, eyes, mouth, and clothing.
- Do not enter confined area where used or stored until adequately ventilated.
- Solid carbon dioxide liberates heavy CO2 vapor which may cause suffocation.
- Use only in a properly ventilated area.
- Keep Away from Children
Do not eat or put into drinks.- Do not place dry ice into a working refrigerator of freezer.