How to Pack an Ice Chest Using Dry Ice
Dry ice will freeze and keep frozen everything in its container, including any extra ice, until it completely sublimates. These frozen items will take some extra time to thaw because they have been so cold. Packing an ice chest using dry ice is great for a long trip. When packing with dry ice, follow these simple steps.
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Instructions
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Pick up the dry ice as close to the time it is needed as possible.
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Plan using 10 to 20 lbs of dry ice for every 24-hour period. This varies on the size of the ice chest.
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Place only frozen foods in the cooler until the dry ice is gone. Then place non-frozen goods in a separate ice chest on regular ice.
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Place the dry ice on top of the food as cold air sinks and will keep your food items colder.
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Fill the empty space with wadded newspaper or other filler when packing items in the container. Any dead air space will cause the dry ice to sublimate faster.
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Leave the water drain on your cooler open. The gas needs to escape and will pop the lid on your cooler if it does not have a way to escape.
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Tips & Warnings
Dry ice normally comes in 10-inch squares, 2 inches thick and weighing about 10 pounds each square. Plan to put 1 square per each 15 inches of ice chest length. This will work out to 2 squares (20 lbs) for an average 40 quart cooler.
For larger containers and longer camping or traveling times, multiply dry ice quantities by these rates.
Lining the inside of your ice chest with sheets of foam will increase the life of dry ice.
Sublimation (changing from a solid to a gas) will vary depending on the temperature, air pressure and thickness of insulation.
Do not wrap dry ice in a plastic bag. The gas from the dry ice makes it explode.
Do not place dry ice directly on the floor of your cooler. It will crack it!
