How Dry Ice is Made

What is dry ice and why is it different from the ice you pull from your freezer? Dry ice isn’t frozen water, it’s frozen carbon dioxide (CO₂). That simple fact makes it incredibly useful. Unlike regular ice, dry ice doesn’t melt into a puddle. Instead, it changes directly from a solid into a gas, a process called sublimation. Because of this, it can keep things colder for longer without leaving behind water.

So, let’s answer the question: what is dry ice made of? The answer is 100% pure carbon dioxide. That’s it. The CO₂ used in dry ice production is captured from industrial processes, like fermentation or natural gas purification. Instead of being released into the atmosphere, the gas is collected, recycled, and given new purpose in industries ranging from food to medicine.

Forms of Dry Ice

Once produced, dry ice can take different forms:

Pellets – Small and easy to handle, perfect for shipping, food storage, or cleaning.
Blocks or Slabs – Larger and longer-lasting, ideal for transporting goods over long distances.
Slices or Nuggets – Made for more specialized uses, such as labs or beverage service.

Each form is created for a reason, and CryoCarb has the equipment to supply them all.

Why Dry Ice is So Useful

Understanding what dry ice is and how dry ice is made makes its uses even more interesting. Businesses across many industries rely on it every day:

Food and Agriculture – Keeps meat, produce, and frozen goods cold during transport.
Beverages – Helps brewers and bottlers control temperatures and maintain carbonation.
Healthcare and Science – Protects temperature-sensitive medicines, vaccines, and lab samples.
Industrial Cleaning – Dry ice blasting removes dirt and buildup without water, chemicals, or damage.

Special Effects – Creates that famous fog or smoke effect for entertainment.

Safety First

With all its benefits, dry ice also comes with safety rules. Because it’s so cold—around −109°F—handling it with bare hands can cause frostbite. Heavy gloves are always recommended. It also releases CO₂ gas as it warms up, so storage and use must be in well-ventilated spaces. And one important reminder: never seal dry ice in an airtight container. The pressure buildup can cause it to burst.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dry Ice

The following guide explains the answers to a few commonly asked questions about how to safely handle dry ice.

Is Dry Ice Dangerous?

Dry ice is safe to use in areas with air circulation, but it can cause carbon dioxide buildup in small enclosed spaces. Carbon dioxide displaces oxygen molecules, which can cause asphyxiation over time. Some of the early signs of oxygen deprivation are:

Headache
Confusion
Disorientation
Difficulty breathing
Bluish tint to the skin

Because dry ice releases carbon dioxide gas, you also shouldn’t store the material in an airtight container. Otherwise, gas buildup can pressurize the container and cause it to burst.

Be cognizant of the types of materials that interact with dry ice. Glass, ceramic, stoneware, plastic, and other surfaces can crack if they’re exposed to dry ice because of the dramatic temperature difference. It’s common to use Styrofoam coolers to transport and store dry ice because it won’t crack, is insulative, and lets carbon dioxide disperse safely.

If you touch dry ice without wearing protective gear, it can cause frostbite. Always wear gloves when handling the material and consider using tongs to move pieces instead of handling them directly.

What Is the Dry Ice Formula?

Dry ice has just one ingredient: carbon dioxide. Technicians create dry ice by pumping liquid carbon dioxide into holding tanks, which reduces the temperature to -109° F and pressurizes the substance into solid blocks or pellets.

What Is the Difference Between Dry Ice and Liquid Nitrogen?

Liquid nitrogen is much colder than dry ice, typically ranging from -346°F to -320.44°F, which also makes it more hazardous to handle. Because it’s a liquid and not a solid, it can be harder to manage in many applications and requires careful containment.

Because of its extremely low temperature, liquid nitrogen is widely used as a refrigerant. Common applications include food freezing, storage of biologics in specialized freezers, and thermal grain refinement in metallurgy. It is also frequently used as an efficient method to store or transport gaseous nitrogen.

Dry ice, while not nearly as cold, serves as a method of shipping frozen goods because it can stay cold for up to seven days in engineered shipping cartons.

Dry ice is also used in the food processing industry to prevent spoilage during large-scale blending or grinding processes, such as hamburger production. Dry ice pellets are added directly to the grinding process to keep the temperature below the range where bacteria can grow. Liquid nitrogen, by contrast, is usually too cold for these applications.

CryoCarb and Dry Ice Production

At CryoCarb, we focus on reliable dry ice production that businesses can count on. By controlling the process from start to finish, we deliver products that meet strict quality standards. Whether you need pellets for shipping, blocks for long-term storage, or something in between, CryoCarb has the resources to keep your business running smoothly.

If your business depends on reliable cooling, safe transportation, or industrial cleaning solutions, CryoCarb is ready to help. Contact us today to learn more about our dry ice production capabilities and how we can support your needs.