How to Make Dry Ice - With a Fire Extinguisher!

Here's how to make dry-ice at home, or wherever you feel like it!  All you need is a pillow case, and a CO2 fire extinguisher.

Find more projects like this at: www.thekingofrandom.com

This project was inspired by: Theo Gray (Mad Science) http://youtu.be/gyLwYin6pRo

Step 1: Watch the Video!

WARNING: Dry Ice is extremely cold! (-78C/-109F) and can cause instant frost-bite to exposed skin.  This project should not be attempted without adult supervision and adequate training. Misuse, or careless use, of tools or projects may result in serious injury.  Use of this video content is at your own risk.

Comments

[Master97865]

Did you know if you blow bubbles over dry ice, the bubbles will float over top and change color?

[The King of Random]

I didn't know that. I wish I had tried it :)

[Master97865]

Maybe next time, I have never seen or tried it either, but it's worth trying. Nice ible, by the way

[The King of Random]

Thanks!

[paqrat]

I think dry ice might be used to eliminate ant nests. I think by placing a chunk of dry ice on the ant mound then covering with something like a garbage bag then weighting the sides of the bag well the carbon dioxide would work its way into the nest, displacing the oxyygen as it sank to the bottom most part of the nest. Because it doesn't poison, so much as axphysiates the ants, it would be completely safe. The soldier ants,, by attacking the chunk would die simply by coming into contact with the cold chunk of co2. I haven't had the opportunity to try this but I think it would work.

[The King of Random]

Wow, what a great suggestion! I think you're right!! Thanks for sharing such a great project idea! :)

[paqrat]

I think it might also work to rid one's carpet of a flea infestation. I'm a bit hesitant to use the sprays. Seems like if it dissapated enough oxygen it might kill the eggs too. Wouldn't want to lay it on too thick though if you had small pets or rugrats.

[Beergnome]

neat instructable!
being a brewer by trade, I have ready access to Compressed CO2, fabricating some sort of expansion device could make this interesting, if anything, just for giggles and stupid brewer tricks ! :D

But, a CO2 canister equiped with a fire nozzle should be readily refillable at any commercial, or industrial gas/ welding supply shop. could be something interesting for if one wants or needs dry ice there and now and on demand.

as others have stated in the comments, dry ice is usually available through various grocery stores for $1 a pound.. I get mine at all the krogers around town. I usually get some when I'm playing around with cloudchambers to observe radioactive and cosmic particles.

because why not? :D

BUT!.. every year at Halloween, the brewery I work for turns the place into a haunted house for the night, and this might be a way to negate the Dry Ice bill for the event.

[The King of Random]

I discharged a full 15lb tank and got 5 lbs dry ice. It seems to be a 3:1 ratio liquid CO2 to Dry Ice. I'm sure there are more efficient ways to get more, but that's what I got with the pillowcase method.

[The King of Random]

Thanks for your comment! Do you get your compressed CO2 at a good price? I plan to completely discharge my extinguisher in one go to see how much ice I get, but I doubt it will be anywhere near 28 lbs worth. It costs me $28 to fill up the tank, so it may not negate your dry ice bill after all?

I'm intrigued by your cloud chamber talk. Do you have videos?

[onrust]

Oh my! This is just patch worthy.

[The King of Random]

Excellent .. I got it. Thanks so much!!

[onrust]

No worries. I try to make them worth having. Thanks for the killer post. Trust me, it will be used!

[The King of Random]

I can't wait to hear what you do with it :)

[onrust]

I doubt your close enough to "hear it" >:)

[The King of Random]

I understand what you're saying :)

[james.m.k]

Nice. But wouldn't it be more accurate to say you're collecting C02, rather than making it?

[The King of Random]

The CO2 is already collected in the extinguisher. The claim is how to make dry ice, and I believe it is still accurate.

[dphillips]

Get a piece of plastic tube 1-2" and make a wooden dowel plunger to fit.
Add in your snow and hammer it down, then push out your dry ice plug!

[The King of Random]

Perfect! I may actually do that!

[d1no]

I have not seen dry ice at the local Wal-Mart but I did see it at Publix. I thought it was expensive. But I admit, I don't have experience with how to use it, much is needed or how lonh it lasts.

[The King of Random]

In my experience it should be about $1 per lb of dry ice. Very cheap. If you're paying more than that, keep looking around.

[onrust]

+1

[The King of Random]

Thanks again!

[BudBump]

A fireman can help real good with making the ice, getting the fire extinguisher (the right kind too) AND with setting you up with some hot girls for a weekend at the MOOOOOVIES!

[The King of Random]

lol

[Snidely70448]

Great idea. If you have the money to blow on fire extinguishers. Dry ice is a dollar or two per pound if you can find a grocery store that carries it.

[shannonlove]

In addition to being dangerously cold, concentrated CO2 poises an asphyxiation hazard in closed environments.  The expanding CO2 can literally push all the normal atmosphere out of small room. That is one of the reasons CO2 extinguishers are fairly rare these days. Best to perform these types of experiments outside.

[The King of Random]

It's true. That's why it's a little harder to breathe when you set them off. Thanks for your advice :)

[bajablue]

omgosh!  This is the coolest (haha!) thing ever!!! ;-D

[The King of Random]

Thank you! :D

[d1no]

Could this possibly be done in a cost effective way?
I am in Florida where keeping food cold in coolers for picnics is a challenge.

[kasssa]

Check into a product called "Techni-Ice". The sheets are reusable, and can be 'recharged' by placing them in a freezer. Available on Amazon, eBay, etc. Sheets can be cut into smaller pieces. I've used these for years, and am very happy with them.

[lnxusr]

Have you checked for dry ice? I'm in Arkansas and my local Walmart sells it year round. It's in a small chest freezer in the customer service area. My local Brookshires has started selling it as well. It'd be pretty easy to miss - like I said it's small. I think it's blue and white, and about the size of a small 5 cubic foot chest freezer. About 2 foot by 3 foot or so.

[The King of Random]

Inxusr is right. Buying from a local store or supplier will be the most cost effective. In the US it costs about $28.50 to charge the fire extinguisher and that's a lot more expensive than just buying dry ice.

[Wepwopper]

Cool! I can never find the like buttons on this thing. grrr

[The King of Random]

:) Haha, thanks!

[Dustin Bess]

like lnxusr posted dry ice is sold every where now days cheaply no need to risk harm or waste a fire extinguisher .

[The King of Random]

Agreed

[dnaman]

You mean everywhere in the world .... not just the US? Wow, I didn't know that!