We've all seen dry ice at one time or another and watched in amazement at its smoky cold form as the ice cream man explained that it wasn't just ice you were looking at but dry ice. Dry ice is much colder to the touch and can actually burn the skin. Dry ice has been used for years for keeping ice cream frozen and is used for shipping frozen foods safely over long distances.

Dry ice is actually carbon dioxide gas that has been subjected to high pressure. As the carbon dioxide gas melts it turns from a solid into a gas without the left over excessive water that regular ice leaves as it thaws. This makes dry ice the perfect refrigerant for shipping frozen perishables safely and free from excess moisture.

Where to buy dry ice? The best place to purchase dry ice is at any number of ice cream companies or ice cream parlors. These Ice cream companies can be located in your local phone book and can also be found easily on line. Ice cream companies depend on having large quantities of dry ice on hand to keep their products frozen. Dry ice allows ice cream companies to safely transport their great tasting ice cream to stores and vendors around the country. You can purchase dry ice from several ice cream companies and also from any ice making company in your area for a nominal charge. When purchasing dry ice always make sure you bring along a metal container to transport your dry ice home in.

The temperature where water turns into ice is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Water can melt quickly and isn't a great method for shipping frozen food or perishable products. The freezing point of dry ice is a very cold -109 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a full 109 degrees below zero. Be sure and use protective gloves when handling dry ice as it can burn the skin much like frost bite. Treat any dry ice exposure to the skin just like a burn and get medical attention as soon as possible.