Lighting & FX GearNo. 4705 · The 2026 edition
Where to Buy Dry Ice and How to Make It Last
Find dry ice locally and extend its life with these practical tips.
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Learn where to purchase dry ice, from grocery stores to ice companies, and discover storage methods like using a cooler and minimizing surface area to make it last longer.
About this
Learn where to purchase dry ice, from grocery stores to ice companies, and discover storage methods like using a cooler and minimizing surface area to make it last longer.
Tips
- Do not store dry ice in a freezer; store it in a styrofoam or insulated cooler with the lid slightly ajar.
- Wrap the dry ice block in a few layers of towels or newspaper for extra insulation.
- Never let dry ice touch your bare skin; always handle with gloves.
- To create fog, add dry ice to water; warm water creates more fog but dissipates faster, while cool water gives less fog but lasts longer.
- Keep adding dry ice to maintain the fog effect throughout the night.
- A rough rule: five pounds of dry ice will turn from solid to gas in 24 hours.