How much dry ice will I need?

How much dry ice will I need?

Dry Ice Usage

The quantity of dry ice you will need to maintain temperature in a storage freezer or refrigerator will vary. Some basic tips for using dry ice to cool foods are:

  • In a Refrigerator:

    • A home-style refrigerator may use about 10 pounds of dry ice per day.
    • Dry ice may freeze items, so place foods that may become damaged by freezing as far from dry ice as possible.
    • Place ice on the bottom of a household type unit. Place newspaper or other materials as insulation on glass shelves to prevent the shelves from cracking.
    • Keep liquids tightly covered so they do not become carbonated as the refrigerator fills with carbon dioxide.

  • In a Freezer:

    • A chest freezer may use 40 to 50 pounds of dry ice per day, placed on top of the food.

  • In a Home-Style Refrigerator/Freezer Combination Unit:

    • A unit with the freezer on bottom may use 15 to 25 pounds per day, placed on top of food.
    • A unit with the freezer on top may use 20 to 30 pounds per day, placed on top of and surrounding food.
    • A unit with a side-by-side freezer may use 30 to 40 pounds per day, placed on top of and surrounding food.

* from New York State Dept. of Health

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