Updated: November 14, 2024
Dry ice is a colorless, non-flammable solid form of carbon dioxide with various uses. Its applications range from food preservation to ice blasting and more. You may be considering using dry ice, so you might find yourself asking questions like how long does dry ice last? Ideally, we can only benefit from using dry ice if we know its shelf life. Continue reading to find out how long you can use dry ice after purchase, its uses, how to store it, and more.
What Do People Use Dry Ice For?
Dry ice isn’t just for Halloween parties and spooky ambiance. It has dozens of uses ranging from commercial to industrial use. Here are some typical applications of dry ice.
Storage and Shipping Goods
Perishable products and foods need extra care while being transported. Also, some products and items can get spoiled or damaged when exposed to room temperature.
Dry ice can help keep perishable food products fresh for an extended period. For instance, when shipping meat, we can pack it in a container with dry ice to preserve it.
Dry ice is an essential product in the food industry, primarily due to the strict regulations concerning food storage. In addition, it aids in the bacterial removal of mold and mildew, preventing foodborne diseases and allergic reactions.
Medical Industry
We may use dry ice to store biological samples in hospitals as it is often a practical and cost-effective alternative for specialized freezers. Dry ice may be used to store medical supplies like vaccines, test samples, and organs like kidneys and heart.
Plumbing Pipe Repairs
We can use dry ice to freeze water pipes during repairs and maintenance. Professional plumbers may freeze the water pipes for repairs and maintenance as it cuts the flow of water, allowing the plumber to repair the pipes in areas where turning the water off isn’t available.
Dry Ice Blasting
Dry ice can be an effective cleaning solution when not in solid form. For example, we can use compressed air to spray small pellets to a target surface. The ice pellets will remove unwanted dirt and contamination on the target surface. Additionally, the surface will remain dry and abrasion-free.
As you can see, dry ice has various uses. However, for effective use, we still need to answer the question; how long does dry ice last?
How Long Does Dry Ice Last?
There’s no single answer to how long dry ice can last. The period depends on the size of the dry ice block and the storage conditions.
Typically, dry ice will last longer in a more isolated and insulated storage environment. However, if left out, dry ice will vaporize in about 3-5 hours.
How long will dry ice last in a cooler?
A dry ice pack will last several days if stored inside a sealed-off cooler with ample insulation.
How Long Does Dry Ice Last in a Styrofoam Cooler?
Dry ice will last approximately 24 hours when stored in a styrofoam cooler. However, this period only applies to a regular-sized cooler holding up to 2 dry ice blocks. The dry ice will last about 3-4 days in large styrofoam with more dry ice blocks.
Factors that affect dry ice shelf life in styrofoam include;
- Amount of dry ice used
- Thickness of styrofoam
- Where the dry ice is placed (top or bottom)
- Amount of space in the box
How to Store Dry Ice to Extend its Shelf Life
Dry ice must be appropriately handled and stored to extend its shelf life. The best storage option for dry ice is an insulated cooler with a lid open. However, the container shouldn’t be too small, and the cover should not be airtight.
Keep the icebox or cooler in the coolest environment and ensure it is well-ventilated.
Work With the Best Dry Ice Supplier in Florida Today!
Dry ice is a solid form of carbon dioxide used for many purposes. VS Carbonics may use it in dry ice blasting, shipping perishable goods, and storage of medical supplies. But how long does dry ice last? This depends on various factors, including the storage conditions and the number of dry ice blocks one has.
If you need dry ice to store or ship your products or for any other purpose, get in touch with us.
Image Source: Colin Hui / Shutterstock