Image courtesy of Illinois Poison Center Control.
Dry ice is compressed, chilled, carbon dioxide. When exposed to room conditions, it sublimates, turning directly from a solid state to a gaseous state. This creates a dense fog effect useful for Halloween decorations.
Uses[]
The most common use of dry ice is to place it in a bowl with water, creating a bubbling fog effect.
It can also be used to chill liquid.
Safety concerns[]
Dry ice is much, much colder than water ice. Handling without proper safety gear can result in frostbite. Some tips for handling dry ice:
- Always wear thick gloves.
- If breaking or crushing dry ice, always wear protective eye gear.
- Never consume dry ice.
- Always use in a well-ventilated area.
Tips on using dry ice[]
For a general fog effect, place dry ice in a bowl of hot water.
Float a small bowl in a larger punch bowl and place the dry ice in the smaller bowl. This prevents dry ice from getting into the beverage. This also works well with a beverage dispenser with a spout at the bottom.
Do not use all the dry ice at once. Add more to the water as the fog effect starts to diminish. Store the reserve in a cooler and place in the freezer so it lasts longer.