So you’re thinking about picking up some dry ice—maybe to keep food cold during a road trip, ship some frozen goodies across the country, or even just to create that eerie fog effect at your next party. Whatever the reason, there’s one question you’re probably asking: how long does this stuff actually last? 🤔
Let’s dig into the real-world answer (spoiler: it’s not forever).
The Quick Answer: It Depends
Dry ice typically lasts anywhere from 18 to 24 hours in a standard cooler, up to 3 days in a well-insulated container, and just a few hours if left out in the open.
The big thing to understand is that dry ice doesn’t melt—it sublimates. That’s a fancy way of saying it skips the liquid stage and turns straight from a solid into gas. So it won’t leave a puddle, but it will disappear fast if you don’t store it right.
⏱️ Dry Ice Duration by Weight
Here’s a handy chart to give you a rough idea of how long dry ice lasts based on how much you’re using (in a typical insulated cooler):
| Weight of Dry Ice | Estimated Duration |
|---|---|
| 2 lbs | 4 to 6 hours |
| 5 lbs | 12 to 18 hours |
| 10 lbs | 18 to 24 hours |
| 15 lbs | 24 to 36 hours |
| 20 lbs | 36 to 48 hours |
🧊 Your mileage may vary based on insulation, air exposure, and weather.
📦 How Much Dry Ice Do You Need for Food?
This section breaks down how much dry ice to use depending on how much food you’re storing and how long you need it to stay cold:
🔢 Dry Ice Needed by Food Weight & Duration
| Weight of Food | 12–24 Hours | 24–48 Hours | 48–72 Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 lbs | 5 lbs | 10 lbs | 15 lbs |
| 10 lbs | 10 lbs | 15 lbs | 20 lbs |
| 20 lbs | 15 lbs | 20 lbs | 30 lbs |
| 30 lbs | 20 lbs | 30 lbs | 40–60 lbs |
| 50 lbs | 25 lbs | 35 lbs | 50 lbs |
| 75 lbs | 35 lbs | 50 lbs | 60–75 lbs |
| 100 lbs | 50 lbs | 60 lbs | 75+ lbs |
💡 Longer shipping times or hotter weather? Round up the dry ice to be safe.
🧊 Ideal Dry Ice Placement in Your Cooler or Shipper
Where you place the dry ice makes a difference in keeping things cold efficiently.
| Weight of Goods | Best Dry Ice Placement |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 lbs | Top or Bottom (either works) |
| 15–30 lbs | Top and Bottom (even split) |
| 30–75+ lbs | Top and Bottom (heavier on top) |
🚚 Cold air sinks. Placing dry ice on top helps the cold circulate down through your shipment.
A Real Example
One of our customers at Ice Maven, a small business owner in New Mexico, uses dry ice to ship her handmade popsicles across the state. She packs them in an insulated cooler with 15 lbs of dry ice and seals the box tight. Her dry ice usually lasts around 36 hours, enough time for a 2-day delivery window—even in the summer heat. 🧊✉️
Tips to Make It Last Longer
Want to get the most out of your dry ice? Here’s how to stretch its lifespan:
- Pre-chill your cooler before loading it with dry ice.
- Avoid opening the container too often. Every time you do, warm air rushes in.
- Fill empty space with towels, newspaper, or packing materials.
- Store in a cool place out of direct sunlight.
- Order close to your use time. It starts sublimating the moment it leaves our hands.
Dry ice is magic in the right hands—but it’s a little high-maintenance. With the right prep and planning, you can keep your food fresh, your packages safe, and your party fog machine running all night. 🎉
At Ice Maven, we deliver dry ice straight to your door—serving both individuals and businesses. Whether you’re shipping seafood, packing frozen treats, or just need to keep things cold, we’re here to help you figure out how much you need and when you’ll need it.
Shoot us a message—we’re always down to talk about cold stuff. ❄️