I had a thought the other day. Why not use dry ice to keep the food and beverages cold in the ice box rather than the standard frozen water? As everyone knows, when you use frozen water, you end up with water that needs to be drained off someplace (in my case the bilge). As dry ice melts it produces carbon dioxide. Other than the possible build up of CO2 in the bilge are there any other disadvantages to using dry ice? I would think that since it's colder than standard ice it might also be more efficient in cooling. Has anyone tried this, or know of any angle I might have forgotten about? Thanks, Capt. Ernie
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Dry Ice Will Freeze Everything
Dry ice is incredibly cold. So cold, it can cause "burns" if held with bare hands. I don't have much experience with it, but I suspect if you put dry ice in your icebox, it will freeze everything.
Dry ice is incredibly cold. So cold, it can cause "burns" if held with bare hands. I don't have much experience with it, but I suspect if you put dry ice in your icebox, it will freeze everything.
It Works
We used dry ice when we would go on long trips, it does work. What you have to do is put the dry ice under some block ice so you do not freeze everything, as the previous post stated dry ice is very cold (-78C or -158F)also when you open the frig door, let it vent, otherwise the gas chokes you. And make sure you do not close up the boat.Dry ice= Frozen CO2. LAS
We used dry ice when we would go on long trips, it does work. What you have to do is put the dry ice under some block ice so you do not freeze everything, as the previous post stated dry ice is very cold (-78C or -158F)also when you open the frig door, let it vent, otherwise the gas chokes you. And make sure you do not close up the boat.Dry ice= Frozen CO2. LAS
Food tastes funny
Frozen food kept with dry ice take on an unpleasant taste. Something to do with the CO2 I am told. My wife loves to use dry ice in the icebox on our week-long cruises, but one time I almost passed out when I opened the lid looking for something and stuck my nose too close to the box. They say the same thing can happen if your icebox drains to your bilge. The CO2 displaces the Oxygen, and if you are sleeping nearby, it may be hazardous to your health. I personally don't like dry ice because of the cost. A block that will last 4 to 5 days is $20. You can buy a 20 bags of regular ice for that price. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty http://www.LakeOntarioSailing.com
Frozen food kept with dry ice take on an unpleasant taste. Something to do with the CO2 I am told. My wife loves to use dry ice in the icebox on our week-long cruises, but one time I almost passed out when I opened the lid looking for something and stuck my nose too close to the box. They say the same thing can happen if your icebox drains to your bilge. The CO2 displaces the Oxygen, and if you are sleeping nearby, it may be hazardous to your health. I personally don't like dry ice because of the cost. A block that will last 4 to 5 days is $20. You can buy a 20 bags of regular ice for that price. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty http://www.LakeOntarioSailing.com
Death?
Check out the forum archives. The word die comes into play in several posts. I think that using dry ice in a cooler that can be left outside at nite would be fine. I do not think I would risk this in the cabin during the nite time.
Check out the forum archives. The word die comes into play in several posts. I think that using dry ice in a cooler that can be left outside at nite would be fine. I do not think I would risk this in the cabin during the nite time.
Carbonated Watermellon Anybody?
Checking the archives is an excellent suggestion. Things that came up included: 1. Death (previously mentioned), 2. Freezing everything, and, 3. Carbonated food like watermellon and milk! Using dry ice is probably like going to sleep with a gas heater going that is vented inside.
Checking the archives is an excellent suggestion. Things that came up included: 1. Death (previously mentioned), 2. Freezing everything, and, 3. Carbonated food like watermellon and milk! Using dry ice is probably like going to sleep with a gas heater going that is vented inside.
Bottled Water
Try using bottled water. Freeze it at home. Lay some bottles at the bottom of the ice box and the others around the perifery. As the ice melts, you'll have nice cold drinking water and no water in the bilge. Paul -- s/v Dilemma
Try using bottled water. Freeze it at home. Lay some bottles at the bottom of the ice box and the others around the perifery. As the ice melts, you'll have nice cold drinking water and no water in the bilge. Paul -- s/v Dilemma
thanks, I should've checked the archives first
Thanks for all of your comments and help. I have been using the frozen water jug trick, just thought it might be more efficient with a chunk of dry ice. I HAVE thought about the CO2 problems involved. One solution I was thinking about is to re-route the drain to an overboard discharge. That doesn't take into account the gas that escapes when opening the lid. Guess I'll give it more thought this next season. Thanks again everyone!
Thanks for all of your comments and help. I have been using the frozen water jug trick, just thought it might be more efficient with a chunk of dry ice. I HAVE thought about the CO2 problems involved. One solution I was thinking about is to re-route the drain to an overboard discharge. That doesn't take into account the gas that escapes when opening the lid. Guess I'll give it more thought this next season. Thanks again everyone!
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