How to Make Dry Ice: 13 Steps (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide (CO.).₂), just like ordinary ice which is a solid form of water (H₂O). Dry ice temperature very cold (-78.5°C), so it is used for a variety of industrial refrigeration and freezing processes. With the right ingredients, it's possible to make your own dry ice at home - as long as you take the right precautions, the process of making dry ice is quick and easy!

Step

Method 1 of 2: Making Dry Ice with CO₂ Pressurized

Step 1. Prepare a fire extinguisher containing CO₂ and a pillowcase.

You only need three things to make dry ice at home: a fire extinguisher filled with CO₂, cloth pillowcases that don't matter if they get dirty, and a large open space outside out of reach of children and pets.

• For this method, you specifically require fire extinguishers containing CO₂, and not an ordinary home fire extinguisher.

  Most home fire extinguishers use fine powder chemicals, such as sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate, and do not contain CO₂ needed to make dry ice.

• Fire extinguishers contain CO₂ commonly used in laboratories, in restaurant kitchens, and around mechanical equipment. The tube of this instrument usually has a black plastic nozzle shaped like a trumpet mouth, and does not have a pressure gauge.
• You can buy fire extinguishers containing CO₂ at home improvement stores and online retailers.

Step 2. Protect your hands, eyes and limbs

Dry ice is so cold that it can cause frostbite or "burns" easily if it touches bare skin. While using this fire extinguisher you are not required to wear a Hazmat suit, you need to take precautions to protect your body from dry ice that may fall or be splashed on you. Wear the following protection before you begin:

• Thick, strong gloves (you can wear tight gloves underneath for extra protection)
• Protective glasses or laboratory goggles
• Long-sleeved clothes, and long pants
• Shoes that cover all the way to your toes.
• Long sleeve jacket or lab coat (optional)

Step 3. Wrap the pillowcase tightly around the hose

Place the nozzle of the fire extinguisher tube into the pillowcase. Take a pillowcase and wrap it around the mouth of the tube behind the opening. Do not let any gas escape except towards the fabric.

Use duct tape to seal the joints if you're worried that your pillowcase will fly off. The pressure of the fire extinguisher shouldn't be so strong that it's hard to hold onto it, but more protection won't hurt you

Step 4. Spray the contents of the fire extinguisher canister

When you're ready, press the handle and watch the gas spray into the pillowcase. Spray for 2 - 3 seconds. You might not expect ice to form, but it will start to collect on the bottom of the pillowcase immediately. Release the tube handle after a few seconds. The carbon dioxide will evaporate and exit the pillowcase - this is normal and safe, as long as you are in a well-ventilated area as recommended.

If you can't spray the fire extinguisher canister, check the safety, it must be removed first so you can squeeze the handle

Step 5. Remove the pillowcase

Carefully remove the pillowcase from the mouth of the tube. Tighten the pillowcase fabric to the edge of the mouth of the jar to pick up the ice that's stuck there. You should see a small pile of dry ice at the bottom of the pillowcase - it should resemble white stryrofoam crumbs.

Try to keep the pillowcase upright and don't make too much dry ice than you need. If you're wearing tough gloves, you can touch small pieces of ice for a few seconds, but don't hold it too long, as the ice can injure your fingers even if the gloves are protected if you hold it too long

Step 6. Transfer to a safe container for storage

Transfer the dry ice from the pillowcase to a more convenient container, such as a bowl, sturdy plastic bag, or thermos. Store dry ice in a stack, and try to keep the pieces as large as possible so they last a long time. Do not close the container tightly.

If you attach an airtight lid, the CO. gas pressure₂ will increase, so that the lid of the container will come off, or the container will explode. If you use a container cover don't attach it tightly.

• Not all ingredients are safe to use for storing dry ice. Pay attention to the suggestions below:
• Do not use fine ceramic, or glass containers. The cold temperatures of dry ice can cause this material to shrivel and crack.
• Do not use a good or expensive metal case. Dry ice can cause metal to break and warp.
• Use it a sturdy plastic container (especially a cooler container or bag) for storing dry ice.
• Use it thermos for storing dry ice (but don't close it tightly.)
• Once dry ice has been placed in the container, store the container in a safe, cool and dry place. Do not store dry ice in a regular freezer as it can turn the freezer thermostat off. It is recommended that you store the container of dry ice outdoors or in a place out of reach of children and pets.

Step 7. Another option, use a CO. tank₂.

If you don't have a CO.-filled fire extinguisher₂, you can use this method of making dry ice with a CO. tank₂ compressed air that is sold commercially in home supply stores and online. The process is generally the same - just attach the nozzle or hose to the tank, wrap the pillowcase around it, spray the gas for a few seconds, then collect the dry ice cubes at the bottom of the pillowcase. Precautions for security in this way are the same.

• Before buying a tank, make sure it has a device called a suction tube, which may be sold separately. A tank equipped with a suction tube will suck liquid carbon dioxide from the bottom of the tank, which you then make into dry ice. On the other hand, a tank without a suction tube will suck carbon dioxide gas from the top of the tank, which you can't turn into dry ice. Often, tanks equipped with a suction tube are marked with two white lines, while tanks without a suction tube have only a black appearance.
• If you plan to make dry ice frequently, then it's a good idea to purchase a dry ice maker attachment, which is basically a nozzle with a cloth pocket at the end that you can attach and remove.

Method 2 of 2: Using Homemade Dry Ice

Step 1. Mix it with water to make a gas that resembles a mist

One of the main uses of dry ice is to create artificial fog or smoke. It's easy, just mix dry ice and water - splashing a little water on dry ice will create a hissing sound and lots of carbon dioxide gas. This artificial mist is very useful in dance shows, music, haunted houses, and any other place you want to create a spooky and mysterious atmosphere.

• As always, be sure to only produce carbon dioxide gas outdoors or in a room with good airflow. While it's unlikely, creating too much carbon dioxide in a room with poor airflow can cause oxygen to escape, preventing you from breathing.
• If you use a container with a small opening, you can create a geyser-like device, which can emit mist from the small opening. This tool can generate enough power to drive a small motor or windmill.

Step 2. Use dry ice to make a carbonated liquid

One of the uses of carbon dioxide that is often used is in the manufacture of carbonated drinks (bubbled drinks such as soda, beer, champagne, sparkling water, etc.) Putting dry ice into water will cause it to release carbon dioxide into the water to form bubbles. - Small bubbles typical of carbonated drinks. Although most of the manufacture of carbonated beverages, both commercial and home use CO₂ in gas form (not solid CO₂ in the form of dry ice), the second use can still have an effect.

• Do not drink drinks that still have dry ice in them.

  Wait for the dry ice to completely sublimate before drinking it. Swallowing dry ice can cause severe internal organ damage - the tissues in the body are more susceptible to frostbite than the skin.

• Some people don't like the taste of carbonated drinks from dry ice. You may need to sample it first using a small amount of liquid before making a large batch.

Step 3. Use dry ice to freeze food and drinks

Dry ice is much colder than regular ice, so it can obviously make your food and drinks much colder. However, the danger of using dry ice is that it can make your food and drink too cold - putting a bottle of champagne on dry ice for example can break or freeze the bottle, so only use dry ice for food or drinks that will be served frozen (such as ice cream, ice cubes, etc.)

• To use dry ice in the cooler, put your cold food in it first, then place the dry ice on top, and screw the lid loosely (as usual, don't close the dry ice container tightly). Cold air will flow downwards, so this arrangement will make cooling in the cooler container take place efficiently. If there is any space left, fill it with a roll of newsprint (because the presence of air will make the dry ice sublimate more quickly or turn into a gas).
• Dry ice is also suitable for freezing regular ice in the cooler.
• Generally, you need about 4.5 - 9 kg of dry ice every 24 hours to freeze your food (depending on the size of the cooler container).

Step 4. Use dry ice to store granulated food

Dry ice can also be used to maintain the freshness of granular foods such as cereals, grains, lentils, and pasta. Make sure there is no frost on the surface of the dry ice, as this can cause the storage to become soggy and your food soggy. Pour your food over dry ice. Leave the container with a loose (non-tight) lid for five to six hours - the dry ice should completely sublimate until no more solids remain. When you're done, you can close the container tightly.

• When the ice sublimates, CO. gas₂ formed. This gas is heavier than air. As more and more gas is formed, air will be pushed out of the container. Without air in the container, it will be difficult for bacteria or pests to survive, thus extending the shelf-life of the food.
• For this method, you will need about 0.1 kg of dry ice for each 5-gallon container.

Step 5. Use dry ice to shrink the solids

As described above, dry ice is so cold that it causes materials such as metals and ceramics to contract when they touch it. In certain situations, you can take advantage of this ability. Take a look at the two examples below:

• Fix the curves on the car:

  If there is a slight dent on the outside of your car, such as metal being pushed in, dry ice may be able to help you. Use thick gloves to press a bar or sheet of dry ice into the grooves. If you can, press the inside of the indentation as well. Hold the ice in place until frost has formed a few inches around the indentation, then remove the dry ice, and allow the material to warm again. Repeat as needed.

• Removing tiles:

  This method is especially useful for removing a tile or two from your floor. Place a sheet of dry ice in the center of the tile so that it touches the entire surface. Wait for the entire tile to freeze. If the tile doesn't come off on its own, tap it a few times with a hammer or screwdriver to loosen the tile adhesive around the edges.

Step 6. Use dry ice to kill pests in the yard

Since carbon dioxide is heavier than air, its presence will expel air from everywhere (as in the food preservation method above). You can use this principle to kill any rats, squirrels, or other animals that are damaging your lawn. To do this, insert 2.5 - 5 cm pieces of dry ice into the hole and cover the hole with soil. Fill these pieces of dry ice into as many holes as possible - ideally, all of them. Dry ice will sublimate, and form CO. gas₂, removing oxygen and making the pest suffocate.

Tips

• If you want dry ice in bulk, it's best to buy it from a retailer. Some supermarkets sell dry ice, but if you can't find it near you, order it online from a specialty seller.
• To meet your serious dry ice needs, you can also purchase a dry ice maker. However, the price of this tool can reach several tens of millions of rupiah.

Warning

• Make and use dry ice in a well-ventilated area. Since solid carbon dioxide will turn into a gas, it will repel oxygen in the air.
• When storing dry ice, do not attach the lid to the container. When dry ice sublimates, gases are released into the air. The container will break if closed tightly.
• If you are a child, do this experiment only under adult supervision, wearing thick leather gloves when handling dry ice.
• Don't let dry ice touch your bare skin. You could have frostbite that is painful.