5 best practices and uses for dry ice in South Africa

Dry ice is carbon dioxide in a compact and solid form. It can be used for a variety of applications and products, from preserving perishable items to transporting medical samples, to name but a few.

There are many suppliers in South Africa that cater for several sectors and businesses, with Dry Ice Africa being one of the leading distributers.

This reliable business enterprise offers the following:

• Dry Ice Pellets which can be utilised for dry ice blast cleaning, transport of medical samples, or as a cooling agent.
• Dry Ice Blocks which are typically used by ice cream vendors and for the preservation of various food products, especially in transit.
• Polystyrene boxes.
• Quick and reliable deliveries daily.

Tips for using Dry Ice

Even though dry ice has a multitude of applications, one of the main considerations is handling safety to prevent serious injuries. When it is used correctly, dry ice is a vital and useful product across several industries in South Africa.

Some of the best safety practices for dry ice include:

• Do not let it touch your bare skin. Dry ice has a surface temperature of -78.5 degrees Celsius which can result in severe burns when in contact with bare skin.
• Do not purchase more than you need in advance, you must plan strategically if you want to use dry ice, and preferably buy it as close as possible to the time of usage.
• Store it in an insulated container and make sure that there is adequate ventilation in the room or vehicle, in case of transporting.
• Never swallow dry ice.
• Let extra dry ice evaporate in a well-ventilated area.

5 Best uses for Dry Ice in SA

1.   Keeping vaccines cool

Dry ice is renowned for its ability to keep things cold, making it perfect for the transportation and preservation of vaccines, such as the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, which must be kept at -70 degrees Celsius so that it can remain secure and intact.

2.   Aesthetic purposes and effects

Dry ice is used in various restaurants to add a smoky effect to beverages as well as dishes. It is also used in stage productions, weddings, and numerous other special events to achieve a dramatic smoke effect, which originates from the dry ice.

3.   Preserving and cooling food items

Apart from being used for foods in transit to ensure that they remain cold, dry ice can also be used in emergencies when the electricity goes off to keep cold foods cold and your frozen foods frozen. Dry ice is also an excellent addition to any camping, fishing, or hunting trip.

4.   Quick freezing of produce

Dry ice is typically used to quickly freeze fresh produce, with the advantage that the produce will not become soggy once thawed.

5.   Dry Ice blasting

This is a popular cleaning method which is extremely effective and eco-friendly. It is commonly used in the manufacturing and industrial sector on equipment and machinery without having to take it apart or put it back together again. Dry Ice Blasting’s non-abrasive properties makes it an exceedingly popular method of cleaning.

The guidelines and practices listed above if well adhered to will assist you to get the most value of dry ice.