Dry Ice Equipment and Supplies

The cold, hard truth about dry ice
By Brenda Lee, Writer/Editor Beeline Editing Services Dry ice often times conjures up visions of witch's brew at Halloween or fog effects on a concert stage; however, it also has many "useful" applications in both industrial and commercial settings. In addition to being popular in food distribution and transportation, dry ice equipment and supplies are used for things such as removing floor tile, shrinking metal, removing skin imperfections and blast cleaning fire-damaged buildings.

Whether you're looking to buy dry ice, buy dry ice equipment to make dry ice of your own or explore new ways to clean with dry ice, there are some important safety tips to be aware of:

1. Always use insulated gloves when handling dry ice, and never let it touch your bare skin.

2. Because dry ice displaces oxygen in the air, always use it in a well-ventilated area or, if transporting it in your car, roll the windows down.

3. If you use dry ice in a shipment, notify both the carrier and the recipient that dry ice is in the package.

Decide whether you are going to buy or make dry ice

If you have a one-time or occasional need, it obviously makes sense to buy dry ice rather than investing in dry ice equipment and your own dry ice machine. If, however, you plan to use dry ice on a regular basis, then you'll want to explore your options for dry ice manufacturing or dry ice machines.
Try:  Because the majority of dry ice is sold locally, PartyPOP has an extensive listing of dry ice suppliers by both city and state--most with phone numbers to call with your order. If you're shopping for equipment to make your own dry ice, check out the offerings at Cole Parmer. USA Restaurant Equipment offers a nice dry ice maker, too.

Consider how you'll use your dry ice

Dry ice equipment and supplies vary based on how the dry ice will be used.
Try:  Dry-ice.net lists four basic sizes and shapes of dry ice it offers and has a form visitors can complete to request additional information. Continental Carbonic Products is another great resource that shows the different dry ice varieties and their typical purposes.

Think about having a dry ice blast

Dry ice blasting is quickly gaining in popularity as our nation "goes green" and explores new ways to protect our environment. The process is said to be similar to sandblasting, without the abrasive effect. It is an approved cleaning method in the food industry and also is being used effectively in smoke- and fire-damage situations.
Try:  Take a look at Cold Jet to explore the "whats and whys" of dry ice blasting. Seeing is believing at Cryo Services, where some before and after pictures truly tell the story of how effective dry ice blasting can be for fire and mold restoration. Cryo Services offers dry ice machine equipment leasing for do-it-yourselfers, as well.

• Dry ice is great for use in science experiments. A quick search of the Internet is bound to result in some wonderful ways to spend some rainy-day time with your curious kids.