Halloween a great time for those dry ice demos

Halloween is right around the corner and it’s a perfect time to do some really cool demonstrations.

Watch the video of Steve doing cool dry ice demonstrations.

First you need to get your dry ice.

Your grocery store may have it, but if they don’t, you may have to look elsewhere. Years ago, Baskin Robins used to carry dry ice, because it was the only way to keep ice cream cold in the bottom of the cooler. That has mostly gone by the wayside, but there are still some old-fashioned ice cream shops around that may have dry ice. Another place you may be able to find it is at a fish or meat market.

Now, depending on where you are in the country will depend on how reluctant the person is to sell you dry ice. Safety issues are obviously paramount, and it is getting tougher and tougher to find a source.

Most of the time you will have to go to Customer Services and ask for it. Usually, I introduce myself, say that I am a teacher, and I will be doing some demonstrations for which I will need about 5-10lbs of dry ice. This assures them that I know what I am doing.

Ask them to reserve it for you, especially if you plan on doing your demonstrations at Halloween. I like to get my dry ice on the day that I will be doing the demonstration because, as you know, dry ice is not actually ice at all. It is frozen carbon dioxide. Instead of melting, it turns into a gas, and you may be wondering where your dry ice went to if you purchased it too early.

I have a cooler I use for the dry ice, some safety glasses, a small hammer and some leather gardening gloves, all of which are absolutely crucial from a safety point of view. At -110 deg to -78deg, touching dry ice will burn the skin, so gloves and safety glasses must be worn at all times.

10lbs of dry ice will cost you around $5 – $10. Put it in a brown paper bag, in fact double bag it, then drop it 3 or 4 times to break it up into smaller pieces, and you’re ready to go.

Tomorrow we will look at some really cool demonstrations we can do with dry ice. So get your materials ready!

Pod1
Listen to my podcast on Halloween and dry ice