You specifically need a CO2 fire extinguisher for this method, not an ordinary home extinguisher. Most home extinguishers use fine powders of a chemical like sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate, which won’t supply the CO2 needed to produce dry ice. [1] X Research source CO2 fire extinguishers are usually used for laboratories, kitchens, and around mechanical equipment. [2] X Research source They usually have a black plastic horn on the nozzle and have no pressure gauge. You can find CO2 extinguishers at some hardware stores and online specialty retailers.
Thick leather work gloves (you may wear tight gloves underneath for extra protection) Lab goggles or protective eyewear Long sleeves and pants Close-toed shoes Long-sleeved jacket or lab coat
Use duct tape to make a tight seal if you’re worried about the pillowcase flying off. The amount of pressure in the extinguisher shouldn’t make it hard to hold on, but extra precaution never hurts.
If you can’t get the extinguisher to fire, check for the safety pin, which must be removed to allow you to squeeze the handle.
Try to keep the bag upright and don’t handle the dry ice more than you need to. If you’re wearing sturdy safety gloves, you can touch small pieces of the ice for a few seconds at a time, but don’t hold on to them for much longer, as they can even hurt fingers through gloves if given enough time.
Not all materials are safe for storing dry ice. Do not use fine china, ceramic, or glass containers. The intense cold of the dry ice can cause these materials to contract and break. Do not use nice or fancy metal containers. Dry ice can cause the metal to mar and warp. Do use sturdy plastic containers (especially coolers and ice chests) to store dry ice. Do use thermoses to store dry ice (but do not seal the thermos. ) Once your dry ice is in a container, store that container somewhere cool, dry, and safe. Don’t store it in a regular freezer, as this could shut down your freezer’s thermostat. Instead, opt to store it outside, in your garage, or in another area where kids and pets can’t get to it.
Not all materials are safe for storing dry ice. Do not use fine china, ceramic, or glass containers. The intense cold of the dry ice can cause these materials to contract and break. Do not use nice or fancy metal containers. Dry ice can cause the metal to mar and warp. Do use sturdy plastic containers (especially coolers and ice chests) to store dry ice. Do use thermoses to store dry ice (but do not seal the thermos. ) Once your dry ice is in a container, store that container somewhere cool, dry, and safe. Don’t store it in a regular freezer, as this could shut down your freezer’s thermostat. Instead, opt to store it outside, in your garage, or in another area where kids and pets can’t get to it.
Not all materials are safe for storing dry ice. Do not use fine china, ceramic, or glass containers. The intense cold of the dry ice can cause these materials to contract and break. Do not use nice or fancy metal containers. Dry ice can cause the metal to mar and warp. Do use sturdy plastic containers (especially coolers and ice chests) to store dry ice. Do use thermoses to store dry ice (but do not seal the thermos. ) Once your dry ice is in a container, store that container somewhere cool, dry, and safe. Don’t store it in a regular freezer, as this could shut down your freezer’s thermostat. Instead, opt to store it outside, in your garage, or in another area where kids and pets can’t get to it.
Before you purchase your tank, make sure that it has something called a dip tube, which is sold separately. These tanks will draw liquid carbon dioxide from the bottom of the tank, which is what you want for making dry ice. On the other hand, tanks without a dip tube will draw gas carbon dioxide from the top of the tank, which won’t make dry ice. [3] X Research source Often, dip tube-equipped tanks are marked with two white stripes, while tanks without dip tubes have a black finish. [4] X Research source If you plan on making dry ice often, you may want to invest in a dry ice maker attachment, which is essentially a horn nozzle with a fabric bag over the end that can be fastened and removed. [5] X Research source
As always, make sure that you make carbon dioxide gas only outdoors and in well-ventilated areas. Though unlikely, producing lots of carbon dioxide gas in an area with poor ventilation can eventually force the oxygen out, making it impossible to breathe. If you use a container with a small vent hole, you can produce a geyser-like contraption where fog shoots out in a narrow jet. This can even be powerful enough to power a small motor or turn a pinwheel.
Do not drink your beverage while there is dry ice in it. Wait for the dry ice to bubble away completely before drinking. Swallowing dry ice can cause major internal damage — internal tissues are more vulnerable to frostbite than skin. Some people don’t like the taste of dry ice-carbonated beverages. You may want to sample the process with a small amount of your liquid before trying it with the main batch.
To use dry ice in an ice chest, add your cold foods to the ice chest first, then place the dry ice on top and loosely shut the lid (as always, take care not to seal it completely. ) Cold air sinks, so this arrangement keeps the chest frozen most efficiently. If there is any leftover space, fill it with wadded-up newspaper (extra air will make dry ice sublimate (turn into gas) faster. Dry ice also works well for keeping normal ice frozen in a cooler. Typically, you will want about 10 to 20 pounds of dry ice for every 24-hour period you need to keep your food items frozen (depending upon the size of the ice chest. )
As the ice sublimates, it forms CO2 gas, which is heavier than air. As more gas forms, it forces the air out of the container. Without any air in the container, it is very difficult for bacteria or pests to survive, which greatly extends the food’s life. For this method, you will want to use about 1/4 pounds of dry ice per five-gallon container.
Fixing car dents: If you have a small “ding” on your car’s exterior that looks like the metal has been pushed inward, dry ice may be able to help. Use heavy gloves to press a block or sheet of dried ice against the dent. If you can, press it against the inside of the dent as well. Hold the ice in place until frost forms a few inches around the dent, then remove the ice and let the material warm again. Repeat as needed until the dent smooths. Removing floor tiles: This trick is great for removing one or two ceramic tiles from your floor. Place a flat sheet of dry ice centered on the floor tile so that it touches its entire surface. Wait until the entire tile is frosted over. If the tile does not pop out by itself, use a few taps from a hammer and screwdriver to loosen the adhesive along the edges.
