Dry ice has undoubtedly remained a crucial addition to any household. Its ability to maintain extremely low temperatures makes it the best way to preserve perishable products, fruits, drinks, and food without getting them soggy, among other uses. This means you must buy and store several packs to ensure enough supply.
To store your dry ice packs, you only need a styrofoam chest or a special cooler designed to store them in a well-ventilated room. You may consider putting them in an ice freezer but with certain limitations. This post by The Cryo Group should help you learn what to consider, risks, and remedies for putting dry ice in the freezer. Keep reading to learn more.
Is it Safe to Put Dry Ice in the Freezer?
It depends on your intentions. Putting it temporarily to keep your food cold after a power outage is considered safe, but putting it for too long can be hazardous. The dry ice will only keep your perishables at the necessary temperature and ensure they're safe and sanitary during a power outage.
To safely use the dry ice, put 25 to 30 pounds on the top shelf of your freezer. If the power outage persists for a few days, remove the previous dry ice and replace it with fresh packs to avoid sublimation. Otherwise, you'll be putting your family members at risk of CO2 exposure, which may result in dizziness, headaches, and loss of consciousness for mild exposure. High CO2 concentration may cause asphyxiation.
Will the Freezer Make the Dry Ice Last Longer?
No. Instead, it accelerates the time it takes to sublime into carbon dioxide. This puts your family at risk of carbon dioxide exposure and creates pressure in the freezer that may lead to an explosion. Avoid placing the dry ice in an airtight container. Instead, wrap the dry ice pack with newspaper or towels for insulation and put it in a styrofoam cooler with its lid slightly open.
Once you've placed the dry ice in a cooler or container, ensure the area is well-ventilated. If the dry ice sublimes, the carbon dioxide will settle in the lowest area of the room. The best place to keep the dry ice is in your room or an empty room with a ground-level window that you can partially leave open. It's also crucial to avoid putting the dry ice near cans or bottles since they can freeze them and may rupture or explode when they start to thaw.
Is a Freezer Cold Enough for Dry Ice
No. Most freezer temperatures are below dry ice sublimation temperature, at -78.5 degrees Celsius. A typical kitchen freezer operates at -20 degrees Celsius, a lab freezer ranges at -85 degrees Celsius, and a compressed-based freezer can reach up to -50 degrees Celsius. Therefore, unless you're using a lab freezer, your freezer will typically be "warm" for the dry ice and won't initiate sublimation.
However, it's worth repeating that you SHOULD AVOID PUTTING DRY ICE IN A FREEZER despite its inability to reach its sublimation temperature. Doing so would accelerate the sublimation process, and once it happens, you will put your family members at risk of CO2 poisoning. It may also lead to an explosion if the gas builds up in the freezer.
Interested in Learning More About Dry Ice? Contact the Experts at the Cryo Group
Now, you have a clear answer on whether dry ice can enter the freezer.
Typically, it's best used to keep your fresh foods safe after a power outage before you find an alternative. Otherwise, there are a lot of other uses for dry ice in your home, like keeping your drinks and food fresh in a cooler for your outings, speeding up plant growth, ice blasting your driveways, and more.
If you're in Miami, Hollywood, Hialeah, or Florida, The Cryo Group is here to supply you with the dry ice you need for your home or commercial use. Besides being the leading dry ice supplier in these locations, we offer expert advice on how to get the best out of the products and services we offer. Contact us today to learn more.
Image Credit: CornelPutan / Shutterstock
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