People always have high hopes for the summer months. For many, the summer weather is a great excuse to let loose and have some fun. With all the chaos and uncertainty of 2020, there is a serious need for a summer redemption. What better way to do so than with a camping trip with your family and friends? The best part is that camping is a relatively safe activity that allows room for fun even while following proper social distancing measures.
While there is plenty of preparation that goes into arranging a camping trip, one of the most important aspects is making use of dry ice for camping. If there is one thing that makes or breaks a camping trip, it is the food involved. Think about it, is there really anything better than feasting on your favorite treats as you sit around a campfire under the starry night sky? Well, all you need for that is a good palette, some dry ice, and some basic cooking equipment.
Keep reading to find out how to make your camping trip a success with dry ice.
Dry Ice – What is it?
Dry ice is essentially the frozen form of carbon dioxide. Mainly used as a cooling agent for food and medicine preservation, the benefits of this ice variant are plentiful. It is residue-free and also maintains a temperature lower than regular water ice, making it especially useful for long haul storing. All in all, its no-melt formula, and sub-zero temperatures make it essential for long trips.
Dry Ice – Tips and Tricks of the Trade
While dry ice is a marvelous invention, it requires some caution and work if you are to use it on your camping trip. This may be a difficult task for novice campers that haven’t dealt with this type of ice before, but there is no need to worry because that is what we are here for. With our help, your trip is sure to be a success.
Here are our best tips for using dry ice when camping:
Quantity Matters!
One of the first things you need to know when preparing for your trip is the amount of dry ice that you should pack. Typically, about ten to twenty pounds of dry ice lasts through a twenty-four-hour time frame. Of course, this number will vary slightly depending on the size of the ice chest.
Timing
Usually, dry ice will last for an average of eight to ten days if it is properly stored in a cooler. At this point, the ice will begin to show initial signs of melting, after which it can still be used effectively for another four to five days.
Storage
Storing your dry ice with care is of utmost importance! The way your ice is stored directly determines how long it will last and how good of a job it will do at cooling your items. The best way to store dry ice is to wrap it in multiple layers of newspapers and place it inside a cooler that is covered with a thick blanket. For excellent results, make sure to place your cooler in a shaded area.
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Safety First
When it comes to handling dry ice, safety is very important. Dry ice can prove hazardous if not handled right. Since it has an extremely low temperature, it is dangerous if exposed to bare skin as it can cause frostbite. It’s highly recommended to handle it with a pair of tongs and gloves.
Similarly, precautions need to be taken when storing dry ice. Airtight containers should be avoided under all circumstances, and they could burst once the ice takes on a gaseous form. It is also a good idea to use dry ice in a well-ventilated area to avoid carbon dioxide build-up in the atmosphere.
Now that you’ve got all the tips and tricks for making use of dry ice on a camping trip, all that’s left to do is to pack up and get going. Lucky for you, Eureka Oxygen supplies some of the best in the market, so get your hands on it now!