Making dry ice without a fire extinguisher is a smart decision. You can make dry ice with any source of compressed carbon dioxide (CO2), and it’s highly effective.
Dry ice is perfect for keeping things cool during a power outage, and camping, etc. So, it’s a great idea to keep some on hand.
In this article, we will walk through how to make dry ice without a fire extinguisher as well as some other great ways to use it in your home. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
What Is Dry Ice?
Dry ice is a solid form of carbon dioxide. It is made by compressing carbon dioxide gas into a solid-state at a very low temperature. The freezing point for carbon dioxide is -109 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dry ice has the unusual property of sublimating or changing directly into vapor instead of melting into a liquid first. The gas is extremely cold and will cause very cold burns if touched.
What You’ll Need to Make Your Own Dry Ice?
To make your own dry ice, you’ll need some basic supplies. You’ll need a large CO2 canister, hoses and valves, a pillowcase or towel, and some Mylar blankets.
You’ll also need winter gloves to protect your hands from the cold. Make sure to read through all the instructions carefully before beginning so that you know what you need and how to do it.
Materials:
Write a list of materials that you will need to make your own dry ice.
- A large Compressed CO2 canister
- Hoses and valves (Nos Cracker)
- A pillowcase or towel
- Mylar blankets
- Winter gloves
- Inf-Way Cryogenic Gloves (Optional)
Now that you have all of the necessary materials, it’s time to get started. The first thing you’ll need to do is find a place outside to work. It’s best if you have a cement or brick surface that will stay dry, and you’re not afraid of the cold!
To begin, you’ll need to find a large CO2 canister. You can use a compressor like those found in refrigerators, or purchase pre-made compressed carbon dioxide. However, I suggest buying a much larger canister of CO2.
Next, you’ll need to find a way to discharge the gas. This can be done with a special device called a Nos Cracker, or you can use a hose and valve. If you’re using a smaller variety of compressed gas canisters, this will be more expensive and take longer.
You’ll also need some sort of container to put the dry ice in. I suggest using a pillowcase or towel. You can fold the towel in half and staple it along two sides to make a sack, or use safety pins to close up a pillowcase.
Finally, you’ll need some Mylar blankets. The mylar safety blanket is the best option for people who want something that will last them longer. It’s an easy way of making sure you stay warm and dry.
Then fold it in half lengthwise with the open end facing outwards so that there are about four inches at each end for sewing or gluing down firmly on fabric leaving no gaps when opened up again.
The best way I’ve found is just using two pieces–a long strip cut from an old T-shirt which will act as both material AND fastener by folding over itself.
The coldness of the dry ice will really affect your skin and if you are not wearing gloves it can cause painful burns. I recommend cotton or leather winter gloves for this task as they protect against such temperatures without sacrificing feel on responded well to them!
Investing in a pair of cryogenic gloves is highly recommended to prevent accidental freezing. The Inf-Way Cryogenic Gloves have extended wrist and arm protectors that will help you stay comfortable.
While operating with cold instruments, such as dry ice slush machines or liquid nitrogen which is usually -210° C and much colder than dry ice. The inflow way cools down whatever it touches – be sure not to let your hands get too close!
You’ll need all of these supplies to make your own dry ice at home. Make sure to read through the instructions carefully and assemble everything before you begin.
Now that you have everything, it’s time to begin making dry ice!
How to Make Your Dry Ice?
You’ll be pleased to learn that making dry ice is quite easy and doesn’t require a fire extinguisher. All you need is a tank of compressed CO2 gas, some gloves, and an air hose.
Here’s how to do it:
- Put on your gloves and eye protection. It’s also wise to use ear plugs or headphones to protect your ears from the noise of the gas escaping the tank.
- Attach your hose to the CO2 gas tank. You may want to use a zip-tie or piece of twine if you’re concerned about it coming undone.
- Insert your hose into the collection bag and tie off the opening with another zip-tie or small string.
- Turn on your CO2 gas and shake that bag to help coalesce cooler gas into your dry ice snow.
- Once the gas has turned to snow, turn off the CO2 and remove the hose from the bag. You should have a small chunk of solid carbon dioxide in the bottom of your bag.
- The best way to avoid an accident with your fire extinguisher is by leaving gaps along the sides of you bag. If these are not present, then oxygen can easily get trapped inside and cause inflation like that in a balloon which leads only towards popping!
- You also want to make sure there are no larger openings for your dry ice snow to fly out of if something goes wrong. Although this is unlikely, safety first!
Now that you know how to make dry ice without a fire extinguisher, you can safely and easily create this valuable cooling agent.
Be sure to follow all the safety precautions, especially when using compressed CO2 gas, to avoid injury or mishap. Have fun experimenting with your newfound knowledge!
How Do You Make Dry Ice in the Fridge?
The process of making dry ice in a fridge is very similar to that of making it in a plastic container. Simply fill an ice cube tray with fresh water and place it inside the fridge.
Let it sit for 24 hours, then remove and replace with another full tray. Make sure not to open the fridge until at least four hours have passed since adding the new ice cubes.
This will ensure that no condensation forms on your freezer shelves which increase energy bills!
Can I Make Dry Ice Without a Fire Extinguisher?
Yes, you totally can! And the best part is that it’s a really easy process.
Basically, all there is to making dry ice without an extinguisher is finding some containers and then using them as molds for your new cubes of frozen gas—easy peasy!! No need to worry about having an extinguisher nearby.
Just make sure you’re wearing your protective gear when handling dry ice (goggles, gloves), & also be aware that if you put it in any kind of enclosed space with people inside, there’s a chance they could suffocate so do not place it around humans or pets! But other than that, you can pretty much go wild with it.
So if this is your first time ever seeing dry ice or even touching it (the feeling of the cold gas crawling over your skin will be like nothing else), then prepare to have a lot of fun! It’s by far one of my favorite chemicals in existence and I’m sure once you get past your initial fear, you’ll feel the same way.
Aaaand that’s all there is to it! Not too difficult right? So go forth and experiment with dry ice without a fire extinguisher or even an extinguisher at all if you don’t have one available. And remember: always take safety precautions when playing around with dangerous materials!
Dry Ice is a Survival Supply for Emergencies
Dry ice is a great survival supply. It provides you with a means of controlling temperature in the worst-case scenario. Dry ice is a great way to keep your food cold and prevent it from spoiling when the power goes out.
It can also help you stay cool in emergency situations, by using a solar-powered fan to direct the cold air towards yourself.
In addition to that, not being able to see for a few days is also very dangerous and can lead to injury and even death. Hence, having dry ice as a survival supply will help you see better in the dark or avoid heatstroke during an emergency situation.
Conclusion
Making dry ice is easy and safe, as long as you take the proper precautions. By learning how to make dry ice without a fire extinguisher, you can prevent injury and build up your emergency supplies for any type of disaster.
If the power goes out, keep perishables cold with this valuable cooling agent; if it gets too hot during an emergency situation such as a wildfire or heat wave, stay cool by using a solar fan and a chunk of dry ice. With this knowledge, you can solve almost any problem that comes your way!
We hope that the information in this article will help anyone who finds themselves in an emergency situation with no means to cool down or keep food cold. In order to make sure we are covered for every kind of disaster out there, everyone should have a few chunks of dry ice on hand!
Happy experimenting!