How To Buy Dry Ice: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow Where to Buy Dry Ice (and How to Store it Properly) PDF download Download Article The best safety and storage tips for buying dry ice Co-authored by Amber Crain

Last Updated: March 14, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Buying and Transporting Dry Ice
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  • Handling and Storing Dry Ice
    • |
  • Video
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  • Q&A
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  • Tips
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  • Warnings
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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Amber Crain. Amber Crain has been a member of wikiHow’s writing staff for the last six years. She graduated from the University of Houston where she majored in Classical Studies and minored in Painting. Before coming to wikiHow, she worked in a variety of industries including marketing, education, and music journalism. She's been a radio DJ for 10+ years and currently DJs a biweekly music program on the award-winning internet radio station DKFM. Her work at wikiHow supports her lifelong passion for learning and her belief that knowledge belongs to anyone who desires to seek it. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,098,487 times. Learn more...

Buying dry ice might seem a little intimidating, but the process is a breeze as long as you know how to safely handle and store it. In this article, we'll explain how and where to buy dry ice, the proper way to store it, and how to dispose of any leftover dry ice. We'll also include important safety tips along the way so the entire process feels seamless and secure. If you're ready to get started with dry ice, scroll on down!

Things You Should Know

  • Buy dry ice online or at your local grocery or big box store. Some sellers may require you to be 18 years old to buy dry ice.
  • Place blocks of dry ice inside an insulated cooler with ventilation to transport and store it. Crack your car window when you're transporting dry ice.
  • Handle dry ice with insulated gloves or large tongs. Touching dry ice with your bare hands can cause severe frostbite.
  • Dispose of dry ice by leaving it at room temp in a well-ventilated space for 24 hours and let the disposal area air out before entering.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 2:

Buying and Transporting Dry Ice

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  1. Step 1 Purchase dry ice... 1 Purchase dry ice online or at your local grocery or big box store. Any person can buy dry ice, but some sellers may require you to be at least 18 years old. Buy dry ice at chain grocery and super stores like Safeway, Walmart, Albertsons, Whole Foods, Kroger, Publix, Wegmans, HEB, and Costco. Some of the larger gas stations out there, like 7-Eleven and Sheetz, often sell dry ice.
    • Since dry ice has a short shelf-life, pick it up right before you plan on using it. Dry ice will begin to sublimate (evaporate) within 24 hours.[1]
    • If you need to buy dry ice in bulk, it'll probably be cheaper to go through dry ice suppliers rather than individual sellers. Google dry ice suppliers and check out the options available.
  2. Step 2 Look for dry ice in block or pellet form. 2 Look for dry ice in block or pellet form. Dry ice typically comes in block form. Things like performing school experiments and creating fog effects require blocks of dry ice. Dry ice is sold by weight, and the price ranges anywhere from $1.00 to $3.00 per pound.
    • The pellet form of dry ice is mainly used for dry ice blasting to clean surfaces, or for medical transportation.
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  3. Step 3 Place blocks of... 3 Place blocks of dry ice inside an insulated cooler with ventilation. Your freezer isn't cold enough for dry ice, but an insulated ice chest will do the trick for transportation and storage. Always choose an insulated container with ventilation; never store dry ice in an airtight container. Dry ice melts from a solid directly into a gas, and an airtight container will cause gas to build up until it bursts.[2]
    • A styrofoam chest with a loose fitting lid is another great storage option.Step 3 Place blocks of...
    • Open and close the container as little as possible. To slow down sublimation even more, fill the open space in the cooler with wadded paper to limit dead space.
  4. Step 4 Put the insulated cooler in your car and roll down the windows. 4 Put the insulated cooler in your car and roll down the windows. Remember that dry ice is solid carbon dioxide, which makes it very harmful if inhaled in large quantities. The dry ice is in a ventilated container, so it's always seeping out just a bit. When you're traveling with dry ice in the car, open the window so the carbon dioxide doesn't build up around you.[3]
    • Fresh air is especially important if you're transporting dry ice for longer than 15 minutes. Being in a poorly ventilated area with dry ice can cause rapid breathing and headaches and can be lethal if breathed over long periods.
    • Symptoms of carbon dioxide exposure include headache, difficulty breathing, nausea, and vomiting. If you experience symptoms like these after being around dry ice, make an appointment with your doctor or head to the emergency room.[4]
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Part 2 Part 2 of 2:

Handling and Storing Dry Ice

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  1. Step 1 Handle dry ice... 1 Handle dry ice with insulated gloves or large tongs. Never handle dry ice with your bare hands! Since dry ice is extremely cold, it can cause severe frostbite if it touches your bare skin. Insulated gloves or an oven mitt are the best options since the blocks will be easier to maneuver with your hands (but you can use tongs in a pinch).[5]
    • A towel can also work, but won't offer the same protection as gloves.
    • If your skin is burned by dry ice contact, treat the burn like a typical burn. If your skin blisters or comes off, treat the area with antibiotic ointment and wrap with a bandage. Consult a doctor immediately in cases of extreme burns.
  2. Step 2 Store dry ice in a well-ventilated space and use it within 24 hours. 2 Store dry ice in a well-ventilated space and use it within 24 hours. Keeping large quantities of dry ice in airtight areas can create an oxygen deficient atmosphere and a buildup of carbon dioxide in the space, so put the cooler somewhere safe. Make sure you store dry ice away from young children and pets, as well.[6] The dry ice will sublimate within 24 hours, so use it as soon as you can to get the most bang for your buck.
    • A locked storage shed in your backyard will have good air circulation and won't be in danger of suffocating people or animals.
    • Open doors and windows immediately if the dry ice is spilled to ventilate the space faster.Step 2 Store dry ice in a well-ventilated space and use it within 24 hours.
    • Dry ice is heavier than oxygen and will accumulate in low areas. Avoid putting your face near pits or other low, confined areas as these places will have the highest concentration of carbon dioxide.
    • Air out storage areas that have previously housed dry ice before entering.
  3. Step 3 Dispose of dry... 3 Dispose of dry ice at room temp in a well-ventilated space. If you find yourself with extra dry ice, remember that it's constantly undergoing sublimation and simply needs to be left alone in order to evaporate. Make sure the dry ice is safely out of reach of others for at least 24 hours.[7]
    • Your backyard porch is a good place to dispose of dry ice. You can also use a fume hood to dispose of dry ice (if you have one).
    • Never dispose of dry ice in the sewer, sink, toilet, or garbage disposal. You will likely freeze the water in the pipes and may even cause them to rupture. The extreme compactness of a pipe will also cause dry ice to expand quicker and may cause an explosion.[8] Step 3 Dispose of dry...
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Community Q&A

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  • Question How long will 2 lbs last in a styrofoam cooler or regular cooler? wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Dry ice starts to sublimate (evaporate) as soon as you buy it; it will take about 24 hours to completely sublimate. Be sure to buy your dry ice right before you need to use it so you get the most bang for your buck. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 3
  • Question Can I safely make a 6-hour drive with dry ice in a ventilated cooler in my trunk? wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer It should be okay in the trunk, but when you open the trunk, step back and let it air out before you start handling the dry ice. Your trunk isn't air tight so there's no danger of gas building up to the point of bursting, but there will be some gas build up. You'll want to let that gas dissipate for a few minutes before grabbing the dry ice out of your trunk so you don't breath it in. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
  • Question Is it dangerous to use fry ice in a freezer? Where does the gas go? wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer It's not a good idea to use dry ice in a standard freezer because the freezer doesn't have ventilation. As you mentioned, the gas won't be able to escape, so it will build up inside the freezer and could possibly burst. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
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Tips

  • Try not to leave dry ice unattended. Even though no one may be around, spills and other accidents can occur if not under strict supervision. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Dry ice can cause a violent eruption if packed too tightly. Some people have been brought up on felony criminal charges for purposely confining dry ice until it explodes, creating a dry ice "bomb." Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1
  • Never eat, chew, or swallow dry ice. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 1
  • Don't store dry ice in metal or glass containers, as an explosion can create shrapnel which can cause cuts or other serious injuries. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1
  • Avoid leaving dry ice on tiled or solid surfaced counter tops as the extreme cold could crack it. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1
  • Do not store dry ice in a completely airtight container. The sublimation of dry ice to carbon dioxide will cause the container to expand and possibly explode. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
  • Avoid keeping dry ice in cellars, basements, cars, or other poorly ventilated areas. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.safety.rochester.edu/ih/dryicehandle.html
  2. ↑ https://www.safety.rochester.edu/ih/dryicehandle.html
  3. ↑ https://ehs.oregonstate.edu/sites/ehs.oregonstate.edu/files/pdf/waste/shipping_with_dry_ice.pdf
  4. ↑ https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/7081/
  5. ↑ https://ehs.ucsc.edu/lab-safety-manual/safely-working-with-dry-ice.pdf
  6. ↑ https://ehs.cornell.edu/research-safety/chemical-safety/specific-chemical-hazards/cryogenic-material-safety/dry-ice-tip-sheet
  7. ↑ https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/7081/
  8. ↑ https://www.safety.rochester.edu/ih/dryicehandle.html

About This Article

Amber Crain Co-authored by: Amber Crain wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Amber Crain. Amber Crain has been a member of wikiHow’s writing staff for the last six years. She graduated from the University of Houston where she majored in Classical Studies and minored in Painting. Before coming to wikiHow, she worked in a variety of industries including marketing, education, and music journalism. She's been a radio DJ for 10+ years and currently DJs a biweekly music program on the award-winning internet radio station DKFM. Her work at wikiHow supports her lifelong passion for learning and her belief that knowledge belongs to anyone who desires to seek it. This article has been viewed 1,098,487 times. 13 votes - 94% Co-authors: 25 Updated: March 14, 2025 Views: 1,098,487 Categories: Chemistry Article SummaryX

Before purchasing dry ice, grab a plastic cooler or ice chest and a pair of gloves so you don't harm yourself while handling the dry ice. Then, head to a local grocery store that sells dry ice, buy however many blocks you will need, and place them inside your insulated container. When transporting the ice, make sure to roll down your vehicle’s windows to prevent carbon dioxide poisoning. Dry ice does not last very long, so use the product as soon as you can after purchasing it. To learn how to properly handle, store, and dispose of dry ice, scroll down! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Amber Crain Co-authored by: Amber Crain wikiHow Staff Writer Co-authors: 25 Updated: March 14, 2025 Views: 1,098,487 94% of readers found this article helpful. 13 votes - 94% Click a star to add your vote Michele Engel

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"I noticed that a craft store is selling science beakers for Halloween, and the image on the ad shows the beakers..." more Rated this article: Christine Duff

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