Where to Buy Dry Ice? 40+ Places That Sell Dry Ice Near Me & Online

It’s probably not every day that you buy dry ice.

Therefore, you may have a bunch of questions about where to buy dry ice, how much does dry ice cost, and how to store dry.

Here, you will find answers to the most commonly asked questions when it comes to where to buy dry ice near me.

Finding Dry Ice Retailers Near Me

The first thing that you will want to do is find the right retailer for getting dry ice. You will be surprised to know that there are a number of options available. Here are the most common places where you can find dry ice. 

Grocery stores

Larger grocery stores will have dry ice available. However, dry ice will not be available on the supermarket floor.

You should ask the supermarket manager for the amount of dry ice that you need and it will be brought to you. 

Here is a list of grocery stores that currently offer dry ice:

Recommended: Where To Buy Cheap Groceries? 10 Cheapest Grocery Stores

Gas stations

There are some grocery stores that offer dry ice for sale.

Unlike supermarkets, you may be able to handle the dry ice yourself. Be sure that you have a pair of thick gloves when handling the dry ice, even if it is in a container. 

Here is a list of gas stations that currently offer dry ice at some of their locations:

Beside dry ice some of these gas stations offer free air for tires too.

Ice Companies

Chances are that your city has a number of ice companies.

These ice companies will be able to provide you with dry ice in bulk. 

Here is a list of ice companies that currently offer dry ice:

Online dry ice sellers 

You may be surprised to know that you can buy dry ice online.

Be sure to check out the ratings of the online company to be sure that you will get the product – that you ordered – delivered on time. 

Here is a list of online dry ice sellers:

Butcher shops

Butchers need to use dry ice for their own meat storage. Often, these butchers will offer some of their excess dry ice for sale.

Be sure to contact your local butcher shop to see if they can offer dry ice for sale. 

Some FedEx and UPS stores

Contact your local FedEx or UPS store to see if they offer dry ice for sale.

Some locations will offer dry ice for packaging and mailing products such as frozen meat, fish, or other items that need to be kept cold. 

Forms of Dry Ice Available 

There are three major forms of dry ice. Each type of dry ice is appropriate for different kinds of uses:

Blocks of dry ice – If you are looking for a large piece of dry ice, then you will want to order it in a block. These dry ice blocks can weigh about 60 pounds and have measurements of 10 inches wide by 10 inches long by 12 inches thick.

Slabs of dry ice – These can be processed and package to your specific specifications. This can come in handy if you are looking to put dry ice in a cooler or container. You can specify that the slab is large enough to cover the majority of the cooler or container bed. 

Pellets of dry ice – These are ideal for your smaller storage needs. You will usually be able to order pellets by weight. Each pellet will be about the size of a sugar cube or perhaps a little larger. Within the pellet category, there are three types of pallets available: Regular pallets, rice pallets and carbonic pallets. 

Dry Ice Pricing 

The average price of dry ice is about $1 to $3 per hour. You should be able to find the best prices for dry ice at large retailers such as Walmart or Kroger.

If you order – in bulk – from ice companies, you may be able to find even better prices. The higher prices for dry ice will be found at gas stations and small grocery stores. 

Packing Dry Ice

Dry ice is a solid form of carbon dioxide. Therefore, you will want to be careful when you pack and transport the dry ice. Here are some tips to ensure that you safely transport your dry ice:

1. Get a proper container for the product, especially if you are buying dry ice from a supermarket or grocery store. Ensure that the bottom of the container is strong enough to hold the dry ice if you are buying in large amounts.

2. Make sure that you are using the right materials for your dry ice container. It is recommended that you use a good quality filter board (corrugated cardboard). Other options include plastic or wooden boxes. It is not recommended that you use steel drums or jerry cans.

3. It is also recommended that you add a layer of styrofoam outside of the original container. This is especially true if you are going to mail or ship the dry ice. Make sure that the styrofoam is at least two inches in thickness.

Securing Dry Ice in Your Vehicle 

When you are transporting dry ice in your vehicle, you will want to practice some extra precautions. That is because dry ice releases carbon dioxide which can be hazardous if ingested in large amounts.

Here are tips that can help you safely transport dry ice in your vehicle.

1. Make sure that the package is secured or tied down – When you place your container of dry ice in your vehicle, make sure that it can’t shift during transportation. Large slabs and blocks can break through the container in cases where you make a sharp turn.

2. Make sure the container is not leaking carbon dioxide – Be sure to check this before you leave. Since your eyes will be on the road, you may not be able to detect any carbon dioxide leaks while you are driving. 

3. If possible, transport the dry ice in the trunk or bed of your vehicle. If you can, place the container of dry ice outside of the interior cabin. This can provide you an extra layer of protection from carbon dioxide leaks. 

Handling Dry Ice

Dry ice can burn the skin if you come in contact with it. That’s why you will want to practice some extra precautions. Here is how you should properly handle dry ice:

1. Wear thick gloves – Make sure you have a good pair of gloves if you have to handle the dry ice with your hands. 

2. Keep dry ice slabs and pallets in packaging – Because of the leakage and the potential burns, you will want to keep the dry ice in a package when you are transporting it. 

3. Keep away from the face – While you are moving around any dry ice, make sure that you keep it away from your face to prevent any ingestion of carbon dioxide leaks. 

4. If you want to break up dry ice, make sure that you are wearing goggles. Dry ice can burn any part of your body, that includes your eyes. Also be sure to cover up any exposed skin while breaking up dry ice. 

Storage of Dry Ice 

After you buy your dry ice, you will need to find a place to store the dry ice. Since dry ice is a potentially hazardous material, you will want to exercise some extra precautions. Here are the steps that you should take to store your dry ice:

1. Purchase a dry ice close – A dry ice close is basically a container that can seal the dry ice and slow down the sublimation process. If you don’t use a dry ice close, you can potentially lose 5 to 10 pounds of dry ice per day. 

2. Invest in an insulated container if you are going to be buying dry ice on a regular basis. The container will be able to prevent carbon dioxide leaks and keep the dry ice in its solid form for as long as possible.

3. Add crumpled paper to the container – By adding crumpled paper to the container, you will be able to slow down the sublimation process. This will lessen the amount of dead space inside the container. 

4. Keep the container lid closed as much as possible – If you want your dry ice to last, then you will want to keep the lid close as much as possible to slow down the sublimation process. 

5. Place the container in a cold area – To keep the sublimation rate of the dry ice low, keep the container stored in a cool area. Some of the places where you can keep the container could include inside a refrigerator or a cooler area of your home. 

6. Keep the container in a well-ventilated area – This will prevent asphyxiation in people and animals due to the release of carbon dioxide gas. 

WARNING: Do not store your dry ice in an airtight container – Because dry ice sublimates instead of melts, it changes into a carbon dioxide gas. This gas needs room to escape. If the gas expands too much – in an airtight container – the container can explode. 

WARNING: Do not put dry ice in a freezer – Freezers are airtight. If you leave dry ice in the freezer, the gases will build up and cause an explosion.

Safely Buying and Storing Dry Ice 

While dry ice can be an unusual purchase, you can easily find the products and safely store and use it. Be sure to have all the materials that you need — insulated gloves, insulated container, goggles — before securing your dry ice.